Travel guide · Spain
Palma de Mallorca travel guide
A Gothic cathedral on the sea, old-town courtyards and Mallorca on the doorstep
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Palma, the capital of Mallorca and the Balearic Islands, is dominated by La Seu, the Gothic cathedral that rises straight from the old sea walls above the bay. Behind it, the old town is a warren of lanes with stone mansions and hidden courtyards, Moorish baths and modernist façades, while Santa Catalina and Portixol have the food markets and seafront cafés. A vintage train climbs to Sóller, buses reach Valldemossa and the Serra de Tramuntana, and the island's beaches are mostly within an hour's drive. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- Spain
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- PMI
- Mid-range daily budget
- $160–$270 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- La Seu cathedral, Old town courtyards, Ensaïmada and Bellver Castle
Why visit Palma de Mallorca
- La Seu cathedral, with its huge rose window and interior work by Gaudí and Miquel Barceló, is one of Spain's most dramatic Gothic buildings.
- The old town's stone courtyards, Arab baths and the Almudaina palace reward slow wandering, with excellent tapas in La Lonja and Santa Catalina.
- A wooden train dating from 1912 runs over the mountains to Sóller, and Valldemossa and Deià in the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana are under an hour away.
- City beaches and a long seafront cycle path run east from the cathedral to Portixol and the Platja de Palma.
- The airport is about 15 minutes from the centre, making Palma an easy base for exploring the whole island.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Religious site · Old Town
La Seu cathedral
Begun after the Christian conquest of 1229 on the site of the main mosque, Palma's Gothic cathedral rises above the old sea walls with flying buttresses facing the bay.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Art
- Photo spot
Castle · El Terreno and Passeig Marítim
Bellver Castle
Built in the early 14th century for King James II of Mallorca, Bellver is one of the few circular castles in Europe, with a round courtyard, a moat and a free-standing keep.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Palace · Old Town
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Facing the cathedral, this former Moorish fortress was rebuilt as a palace for the medieval kings of Mallorca and is still used by the Spanish royal family for official receptions.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Gallery · La Lonja
Es Baluard
The modern and contemporary art museum is built into the Renaissance Sant Pere bastion of the city walls, with works by Miró, Picasso and Barceló and Balearic artists.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Gallery · Cala Major
Fundació Miró Mallorca
Joan Miró lived and worked in Palma from the 1950s until his death in 1983.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Historic site · Old Town
Arab Baths
The Banys Àrabs are among the few surviving buildings from Moorish Palma: a small domed hall with horseshoe arches on mismatched columns, set in a shady garden in the old town.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Where to stay
Old Town is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and luxury
Old Town
Medieval lanes, stone mansions and courtyards behind the cathedral
$$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers and couples
La Lonja
Tapas bars and terraces around the Gothic Llotja near the harbour
$$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, solo travellers and couples
Santa Catalina
Former fishermen's quarter turned food and café district
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and beach
Portixol and Es Molinar
Seafront fishing quarter with a small harbour and cycle path
What to eat
Full Palma de Mallorca food guide.
- Ensaïmada — Mallorca's signature pastry: a light spiral of enriched dough made with pork lard (saïm) and dusted with icing sugar.
- Sobrassada — A soft, spreadable cured pork sausage coloured and flavoured with paprika, made from Mallorcan black pig in its finest versions.
- Pa amb oli — Mallorca's everyday meal: country bread rubbed with local ramallet tomatoes and olive oil, topped with ham, cheese, sobrassada or olives, and served with pickled samphire and peppers.
- Tumbet — Layers of fried potato, aubergine and red pepper baked with tomato sauce, served as a vegetable dish or alongside meat or fish.
- Frit mallorquí — A fry-up of diced lamb or pork offal with potatoes, peppers, fennel and garlic, a hearty traditional dish often eaten at festivals and in country restaurants.
- Arròs brut — 'Dirty rice' is a soupy rice dish with meat, game or chicken, vegetables and warming spices such as cinnamon and cloves, typical of the island's interior.
When to go
The best times to visit Palma are May to June and September to October, when the sea is warm enough to swim, the weather is sunny and the city is less crowded than in July and August. Spring is ideal for hiking and cycling in the Serra de Tramuntana. Winter is mild and quiet, good for city breaks and almond blossom in February, though many beach hotels close.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Green, mild and sunny, perfect for walking, cycling and sightseeing; the sea warms up by late May. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, sunny and crowded, with warm sea and lively nights; prices and traffic peak in July and August. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm sea in September and October and fewer visitors, with occasional heavy storms. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild days, festivals such as Sant Sebastià, almond blossom and low prices; many resorts outside Palma close. |
Getting there and around
Palma de Mallorca Airport is about 8 km east of the centre. EMT bus A1 runs to Plaça d'Espanya and the city centre in about 15–25 minutes, and a taxi takes about 15–20 minutes.
Palma's old town, La Lonja and Santa Catalina are walkable, and EMT city buses reach the beaches, Bellver area and the airport. TIB intercity buses from the Estació Intermodal under Plaça d'Espanya cover the rest of the island, and trains run to Sóller, Inca and Manacor.
Plan your days
Two days covers the cathedral, the old town, Bellver Castle and Santa Catalina. Five days lets you add the Sóller train, Valldemossa and Deià, a beach day at Es Trenc and the Caves of Drach or Alcúdia.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- Spanish and Catalan
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is generally safe but hard and often tastes of minerals, so most locals and visitors drink bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected.
Pickpocketing occurs around the cathedral, on crowded buses and on beaches, and distraction thefts target tourists on the Platja de Palma, so keep valuables close. In summer, protect yourself from the sun and watch for flag warnings at beaches with strong currents.
Flights to Palma de Mallorca
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Palma de Mallorca?
Two days covers the cathedral, the old town, Bellver Castle and Santa Catalina. Five days lets you add the Sóller train, Valldemossa and Deià, a beach day at Es Trenc and the Caves of Drach or Alcúdia. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Palma de Mallorca?
The best times to visit Palma are May to June and September to October, when the sea is warm enough to swim, the weather is sunny and the city is less crowded than in July and August. Spring is ideal for hiking and cycling in the Serra de Tramuntana. Winter is mild and quiet, good for city breaks and almond blossom in February, though many beach hotels close.
+What is Palma de Mallorca known for?
La Seu cathedral, Old town courtyards, Ensaïmada, Bellver Castle, Sóller train, Serra de Tramuntana and Beaches. La Seu cathedral, with its huge rose window and interior work by Gaudí and Miquel Barceló, is one of Spain's most dramatic Gothic buildings.
+Is Palma de Mallorca expensive?
Palma de Mallorca is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $160–$270 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Palma de Mallorca?
Not for Palma itself. For the island, buses and trains reach the main towns, but a car makes it far easier to explore the Serra de Tramuntana, remote calas and beaches such as Es Trenc.