Free things to do · Palma de Mallorca · Spain
8 free things to do in Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: palma aquarium, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Palma de Mallorca without paying an entry fee: Old town courtyards, Passeig des Born and Plaça Major, Mercat de l'Olivar and Santa Catalina market and quarter are all free. Take the Sóller train one way and return on the much cheaper TIB bus through the tunnel.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 7
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Neighbourhood · Old Town
1.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.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Street · Old Town
2.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.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Architecture
Market · Old Town
3.Mercat de l'Olivar
Go late morning for tapas at the counters; the fish hall is at its best early.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
Neighbourhood · Santa Catalina
4.Santa Catalina market and quarter
Have breakfast or a mid-morning tapa at the market bars, then return for dinner in the evening.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- After dark
- Shopping
Park · Old Town
5.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.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Architecture · La Lonja
6.Sa Llotja
Check whether an exhibition is on to see the interior; otherwise admire the turreted exterior from Passeig de Sagrera.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
Waterfront · Portixol and Es Molinar
7.Portixol and the seafront cycle path
Rent a bike in the centre and ride to Portixol for breakfast by the harbour, continuing to Ciutat Jardí for a swim.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Kids
Beach · Platja de Palma and Can Pastilla
8.Platja de Palma
Stick to the Can Pastilla end with children and go early on summer weekends to find space.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town | Old town courtyards, Passeig des Born and Plaça Major, Mercat de l'Olivar and Parc de la Mar and the sea walls | 1.5–2 hours + 1 hour + 1 hour + 45 minutes |
| Santa Catalina | Santa Catalina market and quarter | 1–2 hours |
| La Lonja | Sa Llotja | 30 minutes |
| Portixol and Es Molinar | Portixol and the seafront cycle path | 2–3 hours |
| Platja de Palma and Can Pastilla | Platja de Palma | Half a day |
Worth a small ticket
Castle · El Terreno and Passeig Marítim
Bellver Castle
Walk up through the pine woods from El Terreno in the cooler morning, or take a taxi up and walk down.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Gallery · La Lonja
Es Baluard
Visit at the end of the afternoon and stay on the ramparts for sunset over the bay.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Gallery · Cala Major
Fundació Miró Mallorca
Take a city bus towards Cala Major and allow time for the gardens and the studios, not just the gallery.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Historic site · Old Town
Arab Baths
Combine it with a wander through the surrounding lanes, where several mansion courtyards can be seen through open gates.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Old Town
Basílica de Sant Francesc
Spend most of your time in the cloister, which is especially peaceful in the late afternoon.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Old Town
Palau March Museum
The sculpture terrace has views of the cathedral and the Almudaina; visit on a sunny day.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Views
Gallery · Old Town
CaixaForum Palma
Pop in to see the restored modernist façade and lobby, and check what temporary exhibition is on.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Take the Sóller train one way and return on the much cheaper TIB bus through the tunnel.
- Bellver Castle and some municipal museums have offered free entry on Sundays; check current policies before you go.
- Eat a menú del día at lunchtime and tapas at the markets rather than at seafront restaurants.
- Visit between November and March, outside Christmas, for the lowest hotel prices in the city.
- Use the seafront cycle path and buses instead of taxis to reach the beaches.
- If you hire a car, book well ahead for July and August, when prices rise sharply.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Palma de Mallorca expensive to visit?
Palma de Mallorca is moderately priced for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Palma de Mallorca?
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.