'Serious travel warning' for anyone visiting Spanish holiday hotspot over Christmas

A travel expert has issued a "serious" warning to anyone planning on visiting one of 's most popular hotspots this .

Although you can still expect plenty of sun, transforms during the festive season as Christmas lights go up and crowds gather for festive events in the city of Palma Nova. It's the perfect place to escape to if the dreary British is killing your Christmas buzz.

But Alex from the Mallorca Under The Sun channel on says there's something you need to be aware of if you're planning on doing just that - pickpockets.

"Now you may well be forgiven for, just looking at Palma Nova this morning, that the island is completely dead," she said in a recent video. "I'm afraid that is not the case."

She explained how pickpockets have "not gone away" and will be "operating throughout the winter months, particularly throughout the Christmas season over in Palma".

She went on: "As amazing as Palma is over the festive season, there is a darker side operating and this is going to be these street thieves, the pickpocketers, the handbag dippers that are going to be out and about.

"I very much doubt they're going to be on the next flight to the Canary Islands and operating over there. They've got plenty of targets over here in the form of Christmas shoppers and those enjoying the festive season over here in Mallorca."

Alex also warned that Palma "is going to be extremely busy" in the run up to Christmas, right up until the Three Kings' Night on January 5. She recommends that anyone travelling to Palma from elsewhere on the island uses public transport during this period, as parking spaces will be hard to come by.

However, she continued: "At the same time, if you are getting on public transport into the centre of Palma, just be aware that is also going to be extremely busy. Which means that you need to pay special attention to the location of your belongings. Watch out for people pickpocketing on public transport, particularly on Saturday night when it's likely to be very busy."

Alex said another day to be aware of is November 23, when Palma's "big Christmas light switch-on will take place". Again, there will be big crowds and potential pickpockets.

She cautioned: "Do not carry your backpack across two shoulders, make sure it's tucked under your arm or wear it across your front. Make sure you know where your wallet and your phone are at all times.

"Avoid bringing your passport or any important documents with you into Palma, try to leave them at a hotel. If not, just make sure you really do have tight hold of them."

However, Alex did not want to put anyone off visiting. She insisted visiting Palma at this time of year really is a "magical experience", with the "perfect combination of sunshine with the festiveness of the Christmas lights too".