17 Best Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca (in 2023)

After my recent trip through Spain, I’m excited to share my insights into all of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca.

I really think Palma de Mallorca is one of the best places to visit in Spain. It’s known for its warmth, beautiful beaches, fascinating history, and delicious food.

This guide covers popular attractions, local experiences, and activities for every kind of traveler. Plus, there are local and personal tips sprinkled throughout the article. If you’re currently planning your trip here, visit our guide on where to stay in Palma de Mallorca.

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17 Best Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca

Palma Cathedral

Admire Palma’s famous “Cathedral of Light” and its surrounding views and attractions

Palma Cathedral, commonly referred to as “La Seu Cathedral,” is one of the top attractions in Palma de Mallorca. It is located in Old Town by Palma’s port and Parc de la Mar. A trip to Palma just isn’t complete without a visit to this famous landmark.

Part of what makes this golden cathedral so impressive is its diverse architecture and design. It is a Gothic-style cathedral with Northern European styles, as well as influences from the famous architect, Antoni Gaudi. Another famous feature of La Seu is its incredible stained glass windows, which have been dubbed it the “Cathedral of Light.”

Royal Palace of La Almudaina

Step back in time and see the official Mallorcan residence of Spanish royalty

Located opposite Palma Cathedral is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. This is another one of Palma’s famous landmarks overlooking Parc de la Mar and the port. It’s also the official residence of the Spanish royal family when they visit Mallorca.

Although it’s unlikely that you’ll see the King and Queen during your visit, you can tour the palace to admire its architecture, decorations, and views. Adjacent to the palace is Jardines de S’Hort del Rei, also known as Bijou Gardens. This is a small landscaped garden that’s worth strolling through and is a lovely place to enjoy gelato.

Spend Time at the Beach

Soak up the sun, sand, and beauty of the Mediterranean Sea

A breezy day in Palma City Beach — *Palma City Beach on a windy day*

📍 Google Maps | Website

Palma is known for its beautiful beaches, including some of the top beaches in Spain. This makes spending time on the Mediterranean Sea one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca. There are many beaches within Palma and outside the city worth visiting. Plus, the sunny weather makes a day at the beach possible almost year round when you visit Palma de Mallorca.

To stay close to Palma, Can Pere Antoni Beach is a great option that’s accessible right off Avenida de Gabriel Roca. This beach is also known as Palma City Beach. Playa de Palma is another beach area that extends past Can Pere Antoni, and is great for outdoor activities and nightlife. Outside the city, Illetas Beach is beautiful with bright blue waters.

Bellver Castle

Tower above Palma and Mediterranean scenery, taking in views from this unique 14th-century castle

Tower and skyline view from the top of Castell de Bellver — *Views from the top of Castell de Bellver*

Bellver Castle is located just outside Palma’s main city center and sits high up on a hill overlooking the city and sea. Throughout its history, it served as a residence for different Spanish royalty, including King James II of Mallorca. Between the 18th and 20th centuries, it was used as a military prison!

Bellver Castle’s history isn’t the only thing that makes it unique, though. It’s one of only a few circular castles in all of Europe and is the only circular castle in Spain.

Mainly, Bellver Castle is one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca because of the view from the top. The castle is surrounded by lush pine forests and you can see all of Palma from here.

👉 Pro Tip: Reaching Bellver Castle can be a little confusing since its location is out of the way. If you take public transportation as I did, know that you’ll have to do a little hike to reach the castle. For more convenient access, the hop-on, hop-off bus makes a stop here.

Try Mallorcan food

Indulge in local cuisine with everything from sweet, flaky pastries to rich stews and dishes

A chocolate filled ensaïmada and a cup of coffee — *A chocolate filled ensaïmada*

Website | 👉 Spanish Cooking Experience

Any visit to Palma de Mallorca is incomplete without trying out the local cuisine. Luckily, there are tons of amazing restaurants and great local markets. Here, you can try local tapas, pastries, and other classic Mallorcan dishes.

Some must-try dishes include arroz brut, sobrasada, tumbet, and ensaïmada. If you want to try the local wine, know that Mallorca actually produces many varieties of red wine!

To get the best of both worlds, hit up one of Palma’s many tapas bars like Ombu Tapas & Cocktails to try savory tapas and do a little wine tasting. For pastries and sweets, sample an ensaïmada at Can Joan de S’Aigo. After all, food is one of the best ways to experience local culture!

Explore Palma Old Town

Wander the cobbled streets of Old Town Palma and enjoy charming attractions

An alley of colorful tall buildings of shops in Old Town Palma — *Wandering through Old Town on foot*

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Old Town Guided Bike Tour

Strolling the Old Town district is one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca. The Old Town district makes up the main city center. Many of Palma’s top attractions can be found here like Palma Cathedral, the Royal Palace, Parc de la Mar, Plaza Mayor, and more. In addition, many restaurants and shops are scattered throughout.

During one of your first few days in Palma de Mallorca, I highly recommend spending a morning or afternoon strolling through Old Town. Hit up popular attractions if you’d like, but give yourself time to aimlessly wander the cobbled streets of Old Town Palma. The buildings are picturesque, and there’s tons of historic charm at every turn.

👉 Pro Tip: Palma Old Town is also a great place to pick up local goods to take back as gifts. Torrons Vicens is a great little shop that sells traditional sweets.

Palma Aquarium

Get truly up close and personal with marine life at Palma Aquarium

What’s a visit to an island without a little marine life? Luckily, Palma has you covered with this cool, interactive aquarium. Palma Aquarium features exhibits and experiences for the whole family to enjoy. This includes the largest live coral collection in Europe, as well as an impressive shark tank.

For kids, there are numerous habitats with so much marine life to see and enjoy up close. There’s also a 3D cinema with a great virtual whale experience. For adults, Palma Aquarium has an opportunity to swim with sharks! No matter your age, Palma’s aquarium is an attraction worth checking out.

Walk Coastline Promenades & Parks

Take in Palma’s beauty on foot and admire the city’s scenery from its walkways, parks, and landscaped gardens

Scenic view of Parc de la Mar and architectural Avenida de Gabriel Roca — *Parc de la Mar with Avenida de Gabriel Roca in the background along the sea*

📍 Google Maps | 👉 E-Bike Tour

A visit to Palma just isn’t complete without a wander through one of its many scenic promenades and parks. Not only are the pathways and parks free, but they’re a great way to take in Palma’s architecture, design, and natural scenery.

The city’s most famous pathway is Avenida de Gabriel Roca. Also called Paseo Maritimo, this pathway is over three miles long and lines the city’s coastline. It’s great for walking, biking, and taking in ocean views.

As far as parks go, Parc de la Mar (pictured above) is quite iconic and sits in front of the Medieval city walls. Jardines de S’Hort del Rei is nearby and located beside the royal palace. Parc de Sa Feixina sits between Santa Catalina and Old Town.

Visit Palma’s Markets

Experience the more local side of Palma at one of its vibrant food markets

A woman looking into different stalls inside Mercat de Santa Catalina — *Inside Mercat de Santa Catalina*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 971 72 03 14 | Website | Hours: Market hours vary | 👉 10 Tastings of Palma de Mallorca with Locals

Visiting the markets is a must-do when you visit Palma de Mallorca. The two most popular markets are Mercat de Santa Catalina in the Santa Catalina neighborhood and Mercat de l’Olivar in Old Town Palma.

These markets are the perfect place to shop for local produce and goods. They also have small restaurants where you can try local tapas, local delicacies, and more, for just a few euros. You can even do some wine tasting at these markets. It’s one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca and a great way to immerse yourself in the local scene.

Go Shopping

Shop ‘til you drop at luxury brands, local shops, and more, all located in Palma’s city center

Large pathway surrounded with lined trees and shops — *Paseo del Borne*

📍 Google Maps | Hours: shop hours vary

This may not seem like a very unique thing to do, but hear me out—Palma has some great shopping.

For luxury shopping, Paseo del Borne is a great commercial shopping district. Tons of top brand names can be found here from Louis Vuitton and BVLGARI to Zara and H&M. This area is also centrally located and close to main attractions. The long promenade is tree covered and is a great place to sit and do some people watching, too.

Another great area for shopping in Palma’s Old Town is Plaza Mayor and its surrounding streets. This traditional square has outdoor markets on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. It’s a great place to pick up local goods and even catch some live events.

Do a Boat Trip

See and experience Palma from the very thing it’s known for—the water!

People swimming around the yachts on a local beach of Palma — *A relaxing boat ride is a great way to experience Palma (photo: Mickes Photos / Shutterstock)*

Cost: $25-$100 | 👉 Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Swim

It’s no secret that Palma de Mallorca is known for its beautiful beaches and the vibrant Mediterranean Sea. So, what better way to soak in that salt, sea, and sun than by boat?

Luckily, there are different kinds of boat trips you take from Palma and throughout Mallorca. This includes things like snorkeling tours, sunset dancing boat tours, scenic catamaran tours, and more.

This is a great activity to do in the summer months, but Palma has its fair share of sunny days throughout the year, too. Plus, there are boat tours suitable for visitors of all ages.

Take a Day Trip to Soller

Take a memorable day trip filled with historic trains, trams, and Mediterranean scenery

The author Lea Rose Allbaugh posing near the Port de Soller with boats docked around — *On the beach in Port de Soller*

📍 Google Maps | Website | Train & Tram Roundtrip Tickets: $32 adults | 👉 Sightseeing Tour with Boat Ride and Vintage Train in Soller

From Palma, there are tons of amazing day trips you can take throughout the island of Mallorca. One popular day trip is to the charming fishing village of Soller. It’s located just north of Palma and is a great experience for visitors of all ages.

Instead of taking a bus or normal train to Soller, you can ride on a vintage wooden train from 1912. The hour-long ride is scenic and passes beautiful mountains and pastures. Once in Soller, you can take another historic tram to Soller’s port and beach area. All in all, it’s a beautiful and unique excursion that I 100% recommend when visiting Mallorca.

👉 Pro Tip: To save money, purchase the all-inclusive round trip train and tram ticket. If you purchase your tickets at the station (located right next to Palma Intermodal Station), arrive early because there are usually lines.

Santa Catalina Neighborhood

Spend an afternoon wandering this unique, colorful, and charming foodie neighborhood

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 10 Tastings of Palma de Mallorca with Locals

Located just west of Palma’s Old Town is the neighborhood of Santa Catalina. This charming district is worth checking out for a few reasons.

Firstly, it’s filled with colorful houses and buildings that are perfect for strolling by and admiring. It even has historic windmills! Secondly, Santa Catalina has an incredibly vibrant foodie scene. Here, you can find cuisines from around the world.

This neighborhood is also where you’ll find Santa Catalina Market, which is a local favorite. It’s the perfect place for picking up some fresh produce and goods and trying tapas and wine. Wandering the streets of Santa Catalina is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Arab Baths

Visit Palma’s only surviving Arab baths, dating back to the 10th century

The author Lea Rose Allbaugh inside the ancient caldarium — *Me inside the ancient caldarium*

Although the Arab Baths are smaller compared to some of Palma’s other main attractions, they’re still worth a visit. Located in Old Town Palma, the Arab Baths are near Palma Cathedral and the Royal Palace. This makes it easy to hit up while you’re checking out other attractions.

These Arab Baths are the only surviving bath ruins from Palma’s Islamic period in the 10th century. The complex includes three ancient rooms you can walk through, which are impressive to see for their age and architecture. There’s also a nice garden to sit and relax in.

Personally, I really enjoyed visiting the Arab Baths—they felt like a little oasis in the middle of the city.

Hike the Dry Stone Route

Hike an ancient stone cobbled path through tall mountain ranges and Mediterranean seascapes

View of the Dry Stone Route weaving through Mallorca’s mountains — *The Dry Stone Route weaves through Mallorca’s mountains*

📍 Google Maps | Website

Outdoor enthusiasts, listen up! Although Palma is filled with beautiful beaches and attractions, Mallorca also has some great hiking trails. The ancient Dry Stone Route is one of the island’s most popular and scenic routes.

This 90-mile trail goes from the western to the northern ends of Mallorca, from the town of Port D’Andratx to Port de Pollenca. It takes about eight days to do the full route, and it passes through mountain ranges and scenic vistas. This includes a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Serra de Tramuntana Mountain Range. The Dry Stone Route is also referred to as GR221.

👉 Pro Tip: Good hiking shoes are a must-have hiking essential for trekking this stone trail.

Sa Calobra Road

Drive the infamous “Snake Road,” full of mountain switchbacks

View of the hairpin turn mountain road in Mallorca — *Hairpin turns of Sa Calobra*

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Sightseeing Tour with Boat Ride and Vintage Train

If you get motion sickness or heights make you nervous, then Sa Calobra Road is not the attraction for you. But, if you’re a thrill seeker and love to drive, Sa Calobra is an absolute must-see on your trip to Mallorca.

Starting below Puig Major, which is the highest point on the island, this 8-mile road is full of hairpin turns and steep grades. In fact, Sa Calobra has few guardrails and no clear dividing lines. At one point, it even has a 360-degree curve where the road makes a knot under itself.

If you’re up for a challenge, hit up Sa Calobra. It’s one of the coolest drives in the world!

Visit an Art Museum

Enjoy modern and contemporary art created by local and international artists

View inside an art studio with artwork on canvasses around — *The Sert Studio at* Fundació *Miró Mallorca*

Palma de Mallorca may seem like a small place when it comes to art galleries and museums, but don’t be fooled. If you’re an art lover, visiting the city’s art museums is one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca.

The two main modern and contemporary art museums in Palma de Mallorca are Fundació Miró Mallorca and the Es Baluard Museum. Fundació Miró Mallorca features the work of Joan Miró, while Es Baluard Museum features contemporary art from local artists and international artists.

I personally visited Fundació Miró Mallorca and was extremely impressed. In fact, it’s one of the coolest art museums I’ve ever visited. Here, you can see the actual studios where Joan Miró created his work. Plus, there are beautiful sea views in between studios. This museum is a must-see!

FAQs About What to Do in Palma de Mallorca

Is Palma de Mallorca worth visiting?

Palma de Mallorca is definitely worth visiting. There are tons of things to do in Palma de Mallorca, and the rest of the island is filled with more towns and attractions worth visiting.

What is Palma best known for?

Palma is best known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant city life, and amenities.

How many days should I spend in Palma de Mallorca?

A week is a good amount of time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. This allows you to break up your trip with activities like the beach, city attractions, and day trips. However, you can easily spend longer than a week in Palma.

Is there a lot to do in Palma de Mallorca?

There are lots of things to do in Palma de Mallorca. The city has beautiful beaches, amazing options for shopping and dining, charming streets, and a variety of attractions.

How do you reach Palma de Mallorca?

Flying is the easiest way to reach Palma de Mallorca. The Palma de Mallorca airport is located just 10 minutes outside of Palma’s city center. The airport has many domestic and international connecting flights. If you’re coming from Barcelona, there are boats you can take as well. However, this trip is much longer.

👉 Read Next: Do You Need Travel Insurance for Spain?

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Whether you’re in desperate need of some sun and sea, or just want a classic Mediterranean vacation, Palma will not disappoint. There are so many amazing things to do in Palma de Mallorca and this guide should help you plan your trip accordingly.

For more travel tips on Spain, check out our ultimate Spain travel guide!