5 days in Palma de Mallorca

Day by day

1. Day 1: La Seu cathedral and Royal Palace of La Almudaina

   La Seu cathedral, Royal Palace of La Almudaina and Arab Baths, then Santa Catalina market and quarter in the evening.

   1. Morning

      La Seu cathedral

      On sunny mornings around 2 February and 11 November, the light from the great rose window projects onto the wall beneath the opposite window, drawing crowds inside the cathedral. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Royal Palace of La Almudaina

      Visit right after the cathedral; the two entrances are a minute apart. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ensaïmada

      Historic bakeries and cafés across the old town; boxed ensaïmadas are also sold at the airport.

   4. Afternoon

      Arab Baths

      Combine it with a wander through the surrounding lanes, where several mansion courtyards can be seen through open gates. (20–30 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Santa Catalina market and quarter

      Have breakfast or a mid-morning tapa at the market bars, then return for dinner in the evening.

2. Day 2: Bellver Castle and Es Baluard

   Bellver Castle, Es Baluard and Fundació Miró Mallorca, then La Lonja in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Bellver Castle

      Walk up through the pine woods from El Terreno in the cooler morning, or take a taxi up and walk down. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Es Baluard

      Visit at the end of the afternoon and stay on the ramparts for sunset over the bay. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sobrassada

      Market stalls at the Mercat de l'Olivar and delicatessens in the old town.

   4. Afternoon

      Fundació Miró Mallorca

      Take a city bus towards Cala Major and allow time for the gardens and the studios, not just the gallery. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      La Lonja

      Tapas bars, wine bars and small pubs on Carrer dels Apuntadors and around Sa Llotja, busy every evening.

3. Day 3: Old town courtyards and Basílica de Sant Francesc

   Old town courtyards, Basílica de Sant Francesc and Passeig des Born and Plaça Major, then Santa Catalina in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Old town courtyards

      Go in the morning, when more gates are open; look but do not enter private courtyards unless they are signposted as open. (1.5–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Basílica de Sant Francesc

      Spend most of your time in the cloister, which is especially peaceful in the late afternoon. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pa amb oli

      Cafés and bars across the city, especially at lunchtime.

   4. Afternoon

      Passeig des Born and Plaça Major

      Look up at the modernist façades of Can Casasayas on Plaça del Mercat and Can Forteza Rey near Plaça Major. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Santa Catalina

      Cocktail bars and late restaurants in the former fishermen's quarter, popular with locals and international residents.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Sóller and Port de Sóller

   About 1 hour by vintage train each way. Getting there: Sóller train from Palma, then tram to the port.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Sóller and Port de Sóller

      About 1 hour by vintage train (Sóller train from Palma, then tram to the port); about 30 km.

   2. Day

      Sóller and Port de Sóller

      The wooden carriages of the Sóller railway, opened in 1912, climb through tunnels and orchards in the Serra de Tramuntana to Sóller, a town of orange groves and modernist façades. Best for first-timers, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Palma de Mallorca

      Dinner: try Tumbet.

5. Day 5: Mercat de l'Olivar and Parc de la Mar and the sea walls

   Mercat de l'Olivar, Parc de la Mar and the sea walls and Palau March Museum, then Passeig Marítim in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mercat de l'Olivar

      Go late morning for tapas at the counters; the fish hall is at its best early. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Parc de la Mar and the sea walls

      Photograph the cathedral reflected in the lake in the late afternoon light, then walk the walls towards Es Baluard. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tumbet

      Traditional Mallorcan restaurants and lunch menus.

   4. Afternoon

      Palau March Museum

      The sculpture terrace has views of the cathedral and the Almudaina; visit on a sunny day. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Passeig Marítim

      Palma's main club strip along the marina, with venues that fill after 1am.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for La Seu cathedral before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Old Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, La Lonja ($$$) suits nightlife, food lovers and couples. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 13–17 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.4 hours in December to 14.9 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Palma de Mallorca
• 2 days in Palma de Mallorca
• 3 days in Palma de Mallorca

Questions travellers ask