Palma de Mallorca, Spain: travel guide
A Gothic cathedral on the seafront and the island's beaches nearby
Balearic capital with a seafront Gothic cathedral, old-town palaces, marina and nearby beaches.
About Palma de Mallorca
Palma is the capital of Mallorca and the Balearic Islands, a Mediterranean port city with a handsome old town, a long seafront and a marina full of boats. It is a city break and a beach base in one.
The Gothic cathedral La Seu rises beside the water, with the Royal Palace of La Almudaina next to it. Wander the old-town lanes to La Lonja, the Es Baluard modern art museum and the Fundació Miró, and then head to beaches within easy reach. The island's hills and coves are good for further exploring.
Palma suits couples, families and anyone mixing culture with sun. Late spring and early autumn are the best time to visit Palma, with warm sea and fewer crowds than July and August.
- Country
- Spain
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Madrid
- Nearest airport
- PMI
Last updated
Top places to visit in Palma de Mallorca
Cathedral of Mallorca (La Seu)
Church · about 1.3 h · entry €10 (≈ ₹1,070)
Soaring seafront Gothic cathedral with a Gaudí-reworked interior and vast rose window.
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Heritage · about 1 h · entry €7 (≈ ₹750)
Former Moorish alcázar, now a royal palace beside the cathedral.
Castell de Bellver
Fort · about 1.3 h · entry €4 (≈ ₹430)
Unique 14th-century circular Gothic castle on a wooded hill with bay views.
La Lonja (Sa Llotja)
Heritage · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Elegant 15th-century Gothic merchants' exchange.
Passeig del Born
Heritage · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Leafy central boulevard of plane trees, cafés and boutiques.
Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths)
Heritage · about 0.3 h · entry €3 (≈ ₹320)
Rare surviving 10th-century Moorish bath house with a domed chamber and garden.
Mercat de l'Olivar
Market · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Palma's main covered food market with tapas and seafood counters.
Es Baluard Museum
Museum · about 1.3 h · entry €6 (≈ ₹640)
Modern and contemporary art museum built into the Renaissance city walls.
Plaça Major
Heritage · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Arcaded pedestrian square at the centre of the old town.
Basílica de Sant Francesc
Church · about 0.7 h · entry €5 (≈ ₹530)
Gothic church and Renaissance cloister, burial place of Ramon Llull.
Fundació Miró Mallorca
Museum · about 1.3 h · entry €9 (≈ ₹960)
Museum on the site of Joan Miró's studio with his works and views to the bay.
Portixol Promenade
Beach · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Former fishing harbour turned chic seaside promenade with small beaches.
Things to do
- Palma Cathedral & Old Town Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from EUR 30 per person
- Serra de Tramuntana & Sóller Train Trip Day Trip · 8 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Coastal Catamaran Cruise Cruise · 4 h · from EUR 55 per person
- Palma Tapas & Market Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from EUR 60 per person
- Bellver Castle & Bay Views Tour Sightseeing · 2 h · from EUR 20 per person
Day trips and tours
- Mallorca Tramuntana & Sóller Day Tour 9 h · from EUR 95
Where to stay in Palma de Mallorca
- Casco Antiguo about EUR 140 per night
Palma's old town of palaces and patios beside the cathedral and La Lonja.
- Santa Catalina about EUR 130 per night
Buzzing former fishermen's quarter with a food market and bars.
Hotels
- Sant Francesc Hotel Singular 5-star · EUR 260 to EUR 600 per night
- Hotel Cort 4-star · EUR 180 to EUR 380 per night
- Hotel Saratoga 4-star · EUR 140 to EUR 300 per night
- Hotel Feliz 3-star · EUR 110 to EUR 240 per night
- Urban Hostel Palma 2-star · EUR 20 to EUR 65 per night
Where to eat
- Ca'n Joan de S'Aigo Cafe, Dessert, Spanish · about EUR 10 per person
- Marc Fosh Mediterranean, Fine Dining, Modern · about EUR 120 per person
- La Rosa Vermutería Spanish, Tapas · about EUR 22 per person
- Mercat 1930 Spanish, Tapas, Seafood · about EUR 28 per person
- Sadrassana Mediterranean, Spanish, Modern · about EUR 45 per person
- Ombu Portixol Mediterranean, Seafood · about EUR 40 per person
Getting to Palma de Mallorca
Airport: Palma de Mallorca (PMI)
Getting around
- Bus
- Metro
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Timeshare / OPC touts
Paseo del Borne
Touts offer "free" gifts or excursions to pull you into timeshare pitches.
How to avoid it: Decline and walk on; never hand over ID or a deposit.
More in Spain
Frequently asked questions about Palma de Mallorca
- What are the main places to visit in Palma de Mallorca?
- Places covered in our Palma de Mallorca guide include Cathedral of Mallorca (La Seu), Royal Palace of La Almudaina, Castell de Bellver, La Lonja (Sa Llotja), Passeig del Born.
- Where should I stay in Palma de Mallorca?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Palma de Mallorca: Casco Antiguo, Santa Catalina.
- How do I get around Palma de Mallorca?
- Ways to get around Palma de Mallorca covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Palma de Mallorca?
- Scams reported to us for Palma de Mallorca include Timeshare / OPC touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Palma de Mallorca?
- The nearest airport to Palma de Mallorca has the code PMI.