Tour poster: The 17th State: Inside the Machine of German Mass Tourism
Red Thread OriginalPalma de Mallorca
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Self-guided audio tour

Palma de Mallorca

The 17th State Inside the Machine of German Mass Tourism

Identity, Migration & GlobalizationSocial Fabric & Everyday Life
Distance
2.2 km
Duration
104 min
Route
8 stops

Beyond the buckets of sangria and the pounding beats of Schlager music lies one of the most fascinating sociological experiments of the 20th century. This is not a pub crawl; it is a deep dive into the '17th State'—the nickname given to Mallorca by Germans who have transformed this coast into a home away from home.

Sara Aydin
Your guide Sara Aydin Identity, Migration & Globalization
Audio sample

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Beyond the buckets of sangria and the pounding beats of Schlager music lies one of the most fascinating sociological experiments of the 20th century. This is not a pub crawl; it is a deep dive into the '17th State'—the nickname given to Mallorca by Germans who have transformed this coast into a home away from home. Join Sara and local expert Mario as they peel back the layers of Playa de Palma. You will discover how a quiet fishing coast was engineered into an industrial leisure machine, how architecture controls behavior, and how a simple beach hut became a mythical brand. From the modernist silence of the Glass Church to the cathedral-like excess of Mega Park, this tour reveals the economic and cultural mechanics behind the party.

Your in-app experience

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Start well prepared
04

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Listen where it happened
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Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Iglesia de la Porciúncula (La Iglesia de Cristal)

A modernist glass church built in 1968 as a spiritual response to the booming tourist population.

Iglesia de la Porciúncula (La Iglesia de Cristal)

Pic by Javier Perez Montes on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.97 km • 16 min
2

STOP 2

Carrer de Miquel Pellisa (Bierstraße)

The first street to fully cater to German tastes, establishing the 'Bierstraße' brand.

Carrer de Miquel Pellisa (Bierstraße)

Pic by Foto Fitti on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.79 km • 13 min
3

STOP 3

Hotel Riu Bravo

A massive 'Bettenburg' hotel representing the industrialization of accommodation by TUI.

0.26 km • 4 min
4

STOP 4

Bierkönig

The legendary party complex founded in 1988, marking the shift to industrial-scale entertainment.

Bierkönig

Pic by Rolf Heinrich, Köln on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.16 km • 3 min
5

STOP 5

Carrer del Pare Bartomeu Salvà (Schinkenstraße)

The 'Ham Street', the central artery of the party zone and a symbol of cultural displacement.

0.13 km • 2 min
6

STOP 6

Bamboleo

A classic beer garden and disco that represents the dominance of Schlager music culture.

Bamboleo

Pic by Rolf Heinrich, Köln on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.37 km • 6 min
7

STOP 7

Balneario 6 (Ballermann 6)

The beach hut that gave the phenomenon its name through a linguistic corruption of 'Balneario'.

Balneario 6 (Ballermann 6)

Pic by Steffen Mokosch on Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

0.37 km • 6 min
8

END

Mega Park

The massive, cathedral-like complex representing the corporate takeover and 'Oktoberfest-ification' of the area.

Mega Park

Pic by dronepicr on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Sociology buffs, urban explorers, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the dark mechanics of mass tourism.
  • Best time Late afternoon, around 5:00 PM, to witness the transition from beach relaxation to the evening party machinery.
  • Dress Code Casual. You will be walking near beach areas, but no swimwear is needed for the tour itself.
  • Hydration Bring water. While there is beer everywhere, finding water can sometimes be surprisingly harder in the party zones.
  • Respect We are observing a party zone, but also a residential area. Be mindful of your surroundings.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Sara Aydin
Audio sample
0:000:00

Sara Aydin

  • Identity, Migration & Globalization
  • Germany

Cultural mediator and bridge builder. Tells stories of migration paths, languages, and small worlds in big cities.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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