Travel tips · Palma de Mallorca · Spain
Palma de Mallorca travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Mallorca has its own identity and language variety, Mallorquí, a form of Catalan that appears on street signs alongside Spanish. Palma is a working capital as well as a holiday base, with a strong café and market culture, deep Catholic traditions and festivals such as Sant Sebastià in January. Residents are increasingly sensitive to the effects of mass tourism on their neighbourhoods.
Key facts
- Language
- Spanish and Catalan
- Currency
- EUR
- 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…
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Greet with 'Bon dia' or 'Hola'; a word of Catalan is appreciated.
- Cover up when leaving the beach; swimwear and bare chests are not welcome in the old town, shops or churches.
- Keep noise down at night in the residential old town and Santa Catalina.
- Dress modestly for the cathedral and churches: shoulders and knees covered.
- Many shops close for a few hours in the afternoon outside the main shopping streets.
- Book La Seu cathedral ahead: Buy tickets online in summer to skip the ticket queue, especially on cruise-ship days.
- Take the Sóller train one way and return on the much cheaper TIB bus through the tunnel.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected. Rounding up in bars and leaving around 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bon dia | Good morning (Catalan) |
| Gràcies | Thank you (Catalan) |
| Adéu | Goodbye (Catalan) |
| Una ensaïmada, per favor | An ensaïmada, please |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please (Spanish) |
What to wear
Casual summer clothes for most of the year, sturdy shoes for mountain walks, and a jacket for winter evenings.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking 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)
- Phone and internet
- 4G and 5G coverage is good in Palma and most of the island, with some gaps in the mountains; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and eSIMs work well for other visitors.
- Time zone
- Europe/Madrid
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Spain's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Palma de Mallorca?
Tipping is not expected. Rounding up in bars and leaving around 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated.
+Can you drink the tap water in Palma de Mallorca?
Tap water is generally safe but hard and often tastes of minerals, so most locals and visitors drink bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Palma de Mallorca?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Palma de Mallorca?
Spanish and Catalan.