Day 1
Old Town & Cathedral
Start at La Seu cathedral and the Almudaina palace, then thread through the Arab Baths and the lanes of the Casc Antic. Wind down over tapas and a caña around Plaça Major.
Palma wears its history lightly: a colossal Gothic cathedral keeps watch over the marina, while behind it a maze of honey-coloured lanes threads through Renaissance courtyards, Arab baths and sun-bleached squares. It's a capital made for wandering, coffee in hand and no fixed plan.
Beyond the old town the city turns easy and Mediterranean. Santa Catalina eats and drinks around an old market, Portixol swims between breakfast courses, and the Tramuntana mountains and hidden coves are only a short ride away.
Itinerary
Day 2
Santa Catalina & Bellver
Breakfast at the Mercat de Santa Catalina, then art at Es Baluard and a climb to Bellver Castle for the panorama. Dinner and a swim in Portixol come evening.
Day 3
Tramuntana by rail
Take the 1912 wooden train to Sóller, then the tram down to the port. Prefer mountain villages? Push on to Valldemossa and Deià.
Highlights
🏛️Landmark
Palma Cathedral (La Seu)
This honey-stoned Gothic giant rises straight out of the seafront, its nave among the tallest in Europe and its rose window the largest in the Gothic world. Come at opening time — twice a year, in early February and mid-November, dawn light throws the window's colours into a glowing figure-eight on the wall.
🌄Viewpoint
Bellver Castle
A rare circular fortress from the 14th century, ringed by pine woods on a hill above the bay. Climb to the rooftop terrace for a full 360° sweep over Palma, the harbour and the Tramuntana mountains.
🏘️Neighbourhood
Old Town (Casc Antic)
Lose yourself in the honey-coloured lanes of the old town, past Renaissance courtyards (patis), the 10th-century Arab Baths and the Almudaina royal palace. Every Tuesday many bars pour a caña with a free tapa — the local way to graze.
🛍️Market
Mercat de Santa Catalina
Palma's oldest food market anchors its coolest barrio, stalls piled with island cheese, sobrassada and just-landed fish. Grab a stool at a market bar for oysters and a vermouth, then wander Carrer de la Fàbrica for dinner.
✨Experience
Sóller Train
A wood-panelled 1912 train rattles from Palma through orange groves and Tramuntana tunnels to the town of Sóller, then a vintage tram trundles on to the port. Sit on the right leaving Palma for the best valley views.
🏖️Beach
Portixol
This former fishermen's quarter east of the centre has become Palma's most stylish seafront stroll, its little harbour lined with cafés and swimming spots. Come for brunch with a sea view or a sunset dip off the promenade.
Neighbourhoods
Casc Antic (Old Town)
The historic heart around the cathedral, a tangle of stone lanes, hidden courtyards and boutiques. Everything is walkable, but wheeled suitcases and cobbles don't mix.
Santa Catalina
The laid-back foodie barrio built around a market, windmills and bars, loved by locals and digital nomads alike. Ideal if you want to bar-hop between tapas and cocktails at night.
Portixol & El Molinar
Former fishing villages along the coast east of the centre, now a calm, stylish promenade of brunch spots. Great for a stay by the water away from the bustle.
Passeig del Born & around
The tree-lined grand avenue of palaces, flagship stores and pavement cafés, central and elegant. Perfect for doing everything on foot.
Where to eat
Ensaïmada
The spiral, powdered-sugar pastry made with pork lard is the island's sweet emblem. Best fresh with a hot chocolate at the historic Ca'n Joan de s'Aigo.
Pa amb oli
Rustic country bread rubbed with ripe tomato, olive oil and salt, often topped with cheese, ham or sobrassada. The island's most honest snack.
Tumbet
Layered fried potato, aubergine and pepper under tomato sauce, served in a clay pot. Mallorca's answer to ratatouille.
Sobrassada
A soft, paprika-spiced cured sausage that's a dream spread warm on bread with a drizzle of honey. Found in every market and bodega.
Good to know
Best time to visit
Palma is at its best from late April to mid-May and from September to October, when days are warm, the sea is still swimmable and crowds are thinner. High summer turns hot (often over 30°C) and busy, but it's ideal for beach days. Winters are mild and quiet, with clear days for sightseeing.
Getting around
The old town is best explored on foot; buses and the metro cover the rest of the city well. For trips into the Tramuntana or to hidden coves a rental car or scooter is handy, while the historic Sóller train is an experience in its own right.
- Currency
- EUR €
- Languages
- Spanish
How much does Palma cost?
A realistic daily budget per person, in three styles.
Backpacker€60per person / day
Mid-range€120per person / day
Comfort€200per person / day
Palma offers a range of options to suit different budgets.
Local tips
- ✓Visit the cathedral right at opening — morning light through the rose window is the best.
- ✓On Tuesdays, bars in Santa Catalina and Sa Gerreria often throw in a free tapa with your caña.
- ✓Buy your ensaïmada in the classic round cardboard box to carry one home.
