10 Best Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca
What is Palma de Mallorca Most Famous For?
Palma de Mallorca is a major vacation destination that has a rich cultural heritage inherited from the communities of Romans, Moors and Catholics who lived here successively since 123 BC. From its massive cathedral to its soft sand beaches to its delicious food specialties, there’s no wonder why Palma is so popular today.
The capital – and only – city of the Balearic Islands, Palma is settled in a large bay on the southwest coast of Mallorca, the largest island of the group. Featuring agreeable temperatures from April to October, it offers a close hideaway from Europe.
What are the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca?
1. Mayor Plaza
Shop and dine in the heart of Palma’s Old Town
Categoría: Compras, Gastronomía
The centrally located Mayor Plaza is Palma’s main social and cultural hub. Established at the end of the 19th century, this 3,000 sq m rectangular open space is surrounded by 4- and 5-storey buildings. Filled with bars, restaurants, shops and street artists, it’s the perfect place to start the exploration of El Casco Antiguo, the Old Town of Palma de Mallorca. Mayor Plaza is also famous for the craft market it hosts all year round.
Ubicación: In the center of Palma’s Old Town
Mayor Plaza
2. Palma’s Old Town
Explore a very pleasant and compact area
Categoría: Compras, Historia, Fotos, Gastronomía
Palma’s Old Town is a very pleasant and compact area to stroll around. It hosts a lively scene of quaint cafés and restaurants, as well as art galleries and boutiques. The Old Town’s cobblestoned alleyways take you around the many historical landmarks left by the Romans, Moors and Christians, who successively occupied Mallorca. These include the Royal Palace of Almudaina, La Seu Cathedral, and La Lonja (the maritime trade exchange building).
Ubicación: Northeast of the Port of Palma
Palma's Old Town
3. Bellver Castle
Visit a rare circular castle and enjoy a great view of Palma
Categoría: Historia, Fotos
Built early 14th century at the top of a hill covered with pine trees, Bellver Castle is one of the few circular Gothic-style castles erected in Europe. Its elevated position offers splendid views of the port and the city. Bellver castle hosts the city history museum and can be visited for a modest entrance fee – take the audio guide to get detailed info during your visit. The ticket desk is in a cool café. Mostrar más
Ubicación: At the top of a forested hill, 3 km west of the Old Town
Horario: Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Mondays
Bellver Castle
4. Palma City Beach
Go to the closest beach to the city
Categoría: Familias, Fotos
Locally known as Playa C’an Pere Antoni, Palma City Beach is the closest strip of sand to the Old Town. Stretching on almost 800 meters, it features a restaurant at each end, and it’s equipped with sun loungers and straw umbrellas as well as toilets, showers and a lifeguard tower. Offering stunning views of the cathedral 900 meters away, the excellent location of Palma City Beach makes it a pretty busy spot during summer.
Ubicación: At the southeastern corner of Palma’s Old Town
Palma City Beach
5. Passeig del Born
Take a stroll along this lively commercial street
Categoría: Compras
This 200-meter-long tree-lined avenue is the perfect place for a stroll under refreshing shade. The center of the street is pedestrianized and has a few benches. Filled with cool bars and restaurants that set up their terraces under the trees, Passeig del Born is the main commercial street in Palma. It’s lined with shops and boutiques including a non-exhaustive list of international brands such as H&M, Zara, and MaxMara.
Passeig del Born
6. La Seu Cathedral
Must-see landmark in Palma de Mallorca
Categoría: Historia, Fotos
Locally called La Seu, the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma sits in the south of the Old Town, a stroll away from the port. It’s built in golden sandstone and is designed in a stunning Catalan Gothic style with a Northern European twist. From its tall nave of 44 meters to its 12-meter large rose window, most people are in awe of this monumental religious edifice. Don’t miss the modern ornaments and décor respectively added by Antoni Gaudí and Miquel Barcelo. Mostrar más
Ubicación: In the southern part of the Old Town, just north to the Port of Palma
La Seu Cathedral
7. Palma’s seafront promenade
Walk or cycle along the sea
Categoría: Parejas, Fotos
Known as the Paseo Marítimo in Spanish or Passeig Marítim in Catalan, Palma’s seafront promenade runs for 3 km along Avenida Gabriel Roca. Shared between walkers and cyclists, the best times to enjoy a stroll are early morning and late afternoon. Passing right next to the heart of the city, you’ll find many pause opportunities during your walk. Bars, restaurants and shops are plentiful along the way.
Ubicación: Between the Port of Palma and the Ferry Terminal on Palma’s seafront
Palma's seafront promenade
8. Baluard Museu
A modern and contemporary art museum on the Balearic Islands
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Historia, Fotos
The Baluard Museu (Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani de Palma) occupies a former military fortress in Palma. This cultural institution for research has an impressive collection of 20th and 21st-century pieces from the Balearic and Mediterranean regions. Inside, you can marvel at paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and drawings by contemporary artists.
The Baluard Museu covers around 5,000 square meters of exhibition space across 3 storeys. The museum also has a tower and viewing terrace with incredible views of the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, Paseo Maritimo, and the Bay of Palma.
Ubicación: Plaça de la Porta de Santa Catalina, 10, 07012 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
Horario: Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm (closed on Mondays)
Teléfono: +34 971 90 82 00
Baluard Museu
9. Mercat de Santa Catalina
Lunch like a local at this popular market
Categoría: Gastronomía
Mercat de Santa Catalina is the place you should go to experience a genuine local feel in Palma de Mallorca. Sit down at the table of one of the many stalls at hand, grab a cerveza (beer), a few plates of tapas, and watch the world go by. Besides the fresh products available here, you’ll find a few stalls selling Balearic specialties such as arros brut (rice dish with vegetables and meat), bunyols (local donut) and pa amb oli (bread, olive oil and tomato).
Ubicación: 250 meters north of the Port of Palma, just west of the Old Town
Horario: Monday – Saturday from 7 am to 5 pm, closed on Sundays
Mercat de Santa Catalina
10. Santa Catalina
Skip from bar to bar and enjoy the warm evening breeze
Categoría: Vida nocturna
Santa Catalina neighborhood is located just west of the Old Town from which it’s separated by the Parc de la Feixina. This area hosts a lively nightlife scene. We’ve selected 3 recommended venues for you to enjoy an entertaining night in Palma de Mallorca. Located on Carrer de Pou, Wine Industry is a cozy wine bar with nice selection of tapas. Further south, on Carrer de Sant Magí, you’ll find Chakra, a glitzy and warm cocktail bar. On the same street, you can also head to LAB Cocktail Bar Food & Bartending Solutions. It’s praised as much for its mixed drinks as it is for its friendly ambience.
Ubicación: Just west of the Old Town
Santa Catalina
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