Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca: 9 Top Highlights

Tips and Info for Your Trip to Palma de Mallorca

Before we get to the best sights, here’s the most important info you’ll want before visiting Palma de Mallorca.

Our Hotel Tips for Palma de Mallorca

Here are our hotel recommendations in Palma de Mallorca for every budget:

If you’re after something really special and love unique décor and individuality, we’ve also put together an article on the 11 most beautiful boutique hotels in Palma de Mallorca:

The 11 Most Beautiful Boutique Hotels in Palma de Mallorca

A Special Accommodation Tip for Palma

We actually skipped the hotels and stayed in an apartment building instead. Since we were traveling as several groups, we booked three apartments in the same building — super convenient.

The apartments sit right in the heart of Palma’s historic center, which makes them a perfect base for exploring the city on foot. The penthouse was honestly incredible — stunning views and three separate terraces, including one on the roof!

Check Out the Penthouse Apartment

Travel Guides for Palma de Mallorca

Want even more info for your trip to Palma de Mallorca and the surrounding area? These two travel guides are worth a look:

City Trip Palma de Mallorca: A clear and concise travel guide including a city map

Mallorca: Travel with Insider Tips: A travel guide for the entire island

City Tours in Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca Old Town Tour: Explore the old quarter with its beautiful squares, hidden courtyards, and winding alleyways

Culinary Tapas Tour through the Old Town: This tour combines the top sights with Palma’s culinary highlights — expect delicious pinchos and tapas along the way

Bicycle Tour through the Old Town: See Palma’s best attractions from the saddle — a fun way to cover a lot of ground

The Best Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca

Castell de Bellver

Yes, Palma has its very own castle — and quite a grand one at that. Castell de Bellver sits about three kilometers from the city center and towers high above Palma and the harbor.

Architecturally, it’s genuinely extraordinary: its circular design makes it one of a kind in all of Spain and Europe.

For a €4 admission fee, you can explore the courtyard and both floors. The second floor opens onto a panoramic terrace with a seriously breathtaking view over the sea, the city, and the surrounding countryside.

The ground floor also has an exhibition on Palma’s city history — worth a quick look.

You can reach Castell de Bellver by bus, rental bike, or on foot via a staircase of 350 steps.

The upside of the stairs? First, exercise is always a good thing. Second, you can stop at any point and take in the bay from a new angle. And besides — if we made it up those steps, you can too!

Cathedral of Palma

The Cathedral of Palma — also known simply as “La Seu” — is the city’s most iconic landmark. It’s massive and genuinely awe-inspiring: nearly 110 meters long and over 80 meters tall, we felt like ants standing in front of it.

It houses Spain’s largest and heaviest movable bell (in addition to eight others), and the whole thing took 400 years to complete.

Even from the outside, it’s absolutely worth your time. Inside, it gets even better — the interior features decorations by the architect Gaudí (yes, the same one behind the Sagrada Família in Barcelona). Admission costs €8.

Our Tip #1: If you’re planning to go inside, try to arrive right at 10 AM when it opens. It’s less crowded, and the morning light falls beautifully through the colorful east-facing windows — that’s when you get the best photos. Or so we’ve heard. We didn’t quite make it that early ourselves, but shhhh.

Our Tip #2: Since 2016, you can visit the rooftop terraces on a guided tour. A narrow spiral staircase leads you up top, where the views over the sea and city are stunning. The tour currently runs in Spanish only, but honestly — even if you don’t understand a word, the panorama speaks for itself. Maximum 25 visitors at a time, advance online booking required, and admission costs €12. A bit of a process, but worth it for the views.

You can also grab a skip-the-line ticket for the Cathedral of Palma here online. Note that rooftop access is not included in the €8 ticket.

Harbor

The harbor of Palma — also known as Port de Palma — is the largest and most important harbor in the Balearic Islands. Massive cruise ships dock here daily, and from here you can also sail to places like Barcelona or Valencia directly from Mallorca.

Running alongside the harbor is a palm-lined waterfront promenade, perfect for a leisurely stroll. You can watch the giant cruise ships come and go, or admire the sleek yachts and sailboats moored at the marina further to the south.

One heads-up: a major road runs parallel to the promenade, so the vibe isn’t exactly peaceful.

Our Tip: A walk along the harbor promenade is best in the morning or late afternoon. There are very few benches or shaded spots, and it can get uncomfortably hot in the midday sun very quickly.

Royal Palace of La Almudaina

Along with the cathedral, the Royal Palace is one of Palma’s most popular attractions. It stands right next door, so visiting both on the same day is totally easy.

The palace is still the official residence of the Spanish royal family today, and its impressive Gothic hall is used for official state visits.

Because the palace also serves as a military headquarters, only certain sections are open to visitors. The publicly accessible areas include the courtyard, the arcade balcony — from which you get a magnificent view across the bay all the way to Castell de Bellver — and the royal Chapel of St. Anne.

Admission costs €7 per person.

Our Tip: On Wednesdays and Sundays, admission is free between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

Old Town of Palma

Palma’s old quarter is largely car-free, which makes it a joy to explore on foot. There are several lively shopping streets lined with boutiques, bars, and restaurants where most of the tourist crowds tend to gather.

Behind them, though, lie winding little alleyways — sometimes connected only by staircases. Our advice: as you stroll the main boulevards, make a point of ducking down a side street every now and then. The narrow lanes are nicely shaded and often far more enjoyable than the main drag.

Tour Tip: Old Town Tour at Night

Passeig d’es Born

The Passeig d’es Born is Palma’s main promenade, connecting the cathedral with the old town. It’s lined with shady trees and dotted with benches — a great spot to take a breather.

The shops lean toward the higher end, though you’ll also find popular chains like H&M and Zara. Add in the many bars and restaurants with outdoor seating, and it’s a really pleasant place to linger. The Passeig d’es Born is strongly reminiscent of one of Barcelona’s most famous streets — Las Ramblas — just a bit smaller and more relaxed.

Occasionally a book market or art event pops up here too. Definitely worth a stroll!

Passeig de la Rambla

The Passeig de la Rambla begins at the steps of Plaza Major and ends near the Misericordia cultural center.

Directly connected to the Passeig d’es Born, La Rambla features a central pedestrian zone with car traffic on either side — but it still feels relaxed and shady, with plenty of benches, trees, and the occasional stall (usually flower vendors).

Bars and restaurants are plentiful here too — great for a leisurely breakfast outside or a round of tapas. For shopping, though, the Passeig d’es Born is the better bet.

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is one of the main squares in Palma’s historic district — alongside Plaza de España — and is within easy walking distance of the cathedral, La Rambla, and the Passeig d’es Born.

Architecturally it’s beautiful, and there are plenty of cafés and restaurants around the edges. Fair warning: the menus are very tourist-oriented, and the prices reflect that.

Street performers of all kinds set up here — musicians, entertainers — which can be fun to watch for a while. And if you happen to visit in December, we’ve heard the Christmas market on Plaza Mayor is really lovely.

Santa Catalina Neighborhood

Once home exclusively to fishermen, this neighborhood has since transformed into the trendiest part of Palma — and one of our favorite things to do in Palma de Mallorca.

There are countless restaurants, cafés, bars, and boutiques set among colorful buildings with old shutters, just a short walk from the sea.

It’s especially great for eating: right in the heart of the neighborhood is the covered Mercat de Santa Catalina, which has been here since 1920 and is Palma’s oldest food market.

The restaurant scene here is seriously diverse: from Lebanese cuisine to Peruvian-Asian fusion to genuinely delicious Italian pizzerias — there’s something for every appetite.

Shopping is great here too: stores for vegan fashion, fair-trade décor, and vintage designer furniture from the ’60s. Everything a hipster heart could desire.

And in the evenings, Santa Catalina really comes alive — grab a cocktail or glass of wine at one of the outdoor bars and watch the colorful street scene unfold.

We really recommend making a detour here, especially around mealtime!

Ride on the Red Lightning

If you have a few extra days, a trip into the countryside around Palma is absolutely worth it. One of the best ways to do that is a ride on the historic narrow-gauge train known as the “Red Lightning” (or Tren de Sóller) to Sóller, about 27 kilometers away.

In the 1960s, this train — which first ran in 1912 — was used to transport oranges and olives from the mountains down to the capital. Today it carries tourists over mountains, through valleys, and across bridges, past almond groves and grazing sheep.

Along the way, the Red Lightning makes a photo stop at the Mirador del Pujol d’en Banya viewpoint. After about 40 minutes, you’ll roll into Sóller.

The station is on Carrer Eusebi Estada, very close to Plaza de España and Palma’s main train station.

Tickets can’t be bought in advance — you need to purchase them on the day at Palma’s main train station. A round trip costs €25 per person.

Our Tip: We’d strongly recommend the combination ticket for €32 per person, which covers the train from Palma to Sóller and then the tram from Sóller to Port de Sóller. You choose a specific departure time for the train, but for the tram onward you can hop on any service — so it’s easy to stop and explore Sóller along the way.

You can book the combination ticket on the website.

Markets in Palma

In Palma, there’s pretty much a market somewhere every day — flower markets, flea markets, even a pet market. As food lovers ourselves, we were naturally most drawn to the food markets.

The two best known are the Mercado Del Olivar and the Mercat de Santa Catalina, both housed in covered market halls.

Rain or shine — you can always fill your belly here!

Join the Culinary Tour through Palma’s Mediterranean Cuisine

Mercado De Olivar

The Mercado Del Olivar is Palma’s largest market hall, open since 1951. The building is unassuming from the outside, but step inside and it’s a riot of aromas, voices, and colors.

The fish hall alone is a spectacle: an enormous selection of fish and seafood from the Mediterranean — some still live — as well as imported ocean produce. There’s even a stall where you can enjoy fresh oysters with a glass of white wine, plus two sushi stalls.

Beyond the fish, you’ll find sections for fruit, vegetables, and meat, with the occasional free sample thrown in. And in each of the four corners of the produce and meat hall, there’s a bar serving freshly prepared tapas.

The Mercado is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Some stalls stay open until 4:00 PM.

Mercado de Santa Catalina

While exploring the Santa Catalina neighborhood, make sure you swing by the market of the same name.

The Mercado Santa Catalina is a bit smaller than the Mercado de Olivar, but also less crowded — and at its more than 50 stalls you’ll find pretty much everything a food lover could want.

Fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish, and meat from traditional Spanish cuisine, plus sushi bars, an oyster bar, and numerous tapas bars — all at great prices.

Our Tip: Buy fish, vegetables, or whatever catches your eye at the stalls, then have it grilled for a few euros at the Bar de Mercat. It honestly doesn’t get much fresher than that!

The Mercat de Santa Catalina is open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Restaurants and Cafés in Palma

You’ve probably gathered by now that eating well is one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca. Restaurants aren’t a traditional sight, strictly speaking — but for us, they absolutely are. What’s a trip without good food? Exactly!

So which spots in Palma are genuinely worth your time? We put several to the test and have a few solid recommendations.

Bodega La Rambla

A classic Spanish tapas cellar bar — and a really good one. You’ll find all the traditional tapas at very affordable prices: fried calamari rings, tortilla, grilled peppers, and all those quintessential bites you’ll find throughout Spain.

The staff unfortunately speaks little English, but the menu is available in English, and we managed to order just fine.

No reservations here, but if you arrive right when they open at 7 PM, you’ll get a table without any trouble.

Celler Sa Premsa

A rustic, old wine cellar with a proper Mallorcan tavern atmosphere. The walls are hung with yellowed bullfighting posters and old wine barrel lids, while the menu features a solid range of Spanish and Mallorcan dishes.

No tapas here — these are proper full-plate portions. Paella, soup, Mallorcan suckling pig, grilled prawns — the selection is extensive, and we loved every bite.

A quick heads-up: Bread is brought to the table right away — it’s nothing special, and you will be charged for it if you eat it. That said, this place is very popular and fills up fast. Make a reservation!

Ombu

A stylish tapas bar on the slightly pricier side, serving Spanish tapas with Japanese influences. In practice, that means dishes like salmon tartare with vegetable couscous and mustard sauce, or grilled prawns with a fried egg and kimchi mayo. A definite hit for fusion fans!

You can sit outside, but the interior is also really nice. This place is always busy, so a reservation is a good idea. If you stop by at lunchtime you might still grab a spot without one — but for the evening, definitely call ahead.

Rosevelvet Bakery

The ideal spot for a balanced and super healthy breakfast — and the coffee is excellent too. Granola, homemade cakes, poached eggs on toast with avocado, sandwiches, simple croissants — it’s all good.

We had breakfast here several times and felt completely at home. Two thumbs up!

Best Ice Cream in Palma

No vacation is complete without ice cream. Our favorite spot in Palma was Rivareno Heladeria on Plaça de la Llotja — seriously good.

Also really worth a stop is Amorino, a chain we already love from other cities like Lisbon and Berlin. Chain or not — we’re fans!

Special Activities off Palma’s Coast

If you want to experience Palma de Mallorca from a completely different perspective, there are a few great activities that start right near the harbor.

Kayaking: As part of a small guided group, you’ll explore the coast of Palma and some hidden coves by sea kayak. Paddling along gives you an entirely new vantage point on the city, and it’s great for families or groups of friends. The only requirement: you need to be able to swim. Beginners are very welcome — the guides adapt to your level.

Book the Guided Kayak Tour
Scuba Diving: If you’d rather explore what’s beneath the surface, this diving experience is a great option. In a very small group, you’ll dive into a marine protected area near La Palma. After a briefing on land, professional instructors guide you through the diverse underwater world of Cala Delta Bay. Especially well suited for beginners.

Book the Guided Diving Tour
Jet Skiing: If you’re after even more of a thrill, exploring Palma’s coastline on a jet ski is guaranteed not to disappoint. The minimum age is 16 — for families with younger kids, we’d recommend the kayak excursion instead.

Book the Jet Ski Tour