Wandering the cobbled streets with a coffee in hand is a great way to start your day in Palma. The city is the capital of Mallorca. It offers a mix of history and culture. You might only have one day here. This guide will help you plan what to do in Palma de Mallorca for a day. It covers the city's top sights, coffee spots, and local insights.
Getting to Palma and around the city
Palma de Mallorca Airport is Spain's third largest. It welcomes flights from major European cities. The airport is a 15-minute drive from the city center.
For transport, a taxi to the city center costs around 28 euros. You can also take the Route A1 bus into the city. If you arrive by cruise ship, the main cruise port is 3-4 kilometers (1.9-2.5 miles) from the city center. Walking can take 30-45 minutes along the waterfront. Taxis are available at the terminal. They offer a 10-minute ride to central attractions like the Cathedral. Uber also operates here. Many cruise lines provide shuttle services to central Palma. These often drop passengers near La Seu or Plaça d'Espanya. Local buses, like Line 1, connect the port to the city center affordably. For quick sightseeing, consider the hop-on-hop-off bus. Tickets start from 25 euros. It stops at places like Bellver Castle and Paseo Maritimo. If you plan day trips from Palma, a rental car is useful. However, for city exploration, a car is not needed. There is limited street parking, but parking garages are available.
Taxi fares from Palma Airport
Taxi fares from the airport are around 25-30 euros. Tariff 1 applies on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Tariff 2 applies at all other times. An airport pickup/dropoff has a supplement of 4.65 euros.
Airport taxi fare: around 25-30 euros
Airport pickup/dropoff supplement: 4.65 euros
Tariff 1: weekdays 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tariff 2: all other times
Airport to city center drive: 15-20 minutes
Morning activities in Palma
Start your day by exploring the city center. Grab a coffee and take some photos.
First, head to Mercat de L'Olivar. This traditional Spanish market is located between Plaça de Espanya and Carrer Sant Miquel. It's a busy spot to see daily Mallorcan life. Stalls sell fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood. There is also a shopping arcade for souvenirs and clothes. The market building itself is beautiful. After the market, you can do some shopping. Paseo del Borne, known as 'the Golden Mile', has luxury stores like Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss. Can Veri is another charming street. It is lined with art galleries and stylish boutique stores. English Fine Books on Carrer d'En Morei is photogenic and has a unique atmosphere. For coffee, Cafésphère on Plaza de la Pescateria is a good choice. Their coffee is strong. Surry Hills Specialty Coffee on del Carme Street, run by Australians, also offers good coffee. Mistral Coffee House is another favorite for third-wave coffee. La Molienda Bisbe is a busy spot for breakfast and coffee. You can also visit the Disgusting Food Museum on Calle Sindicat 21. It displays over 80 foods from around the world. You can smell many of them and taste some.
Mercat de L'Olivar hours and products
Mercat de L'Olivar sells food products like fruit, vegetables, meat, and seafood. It also has a shopping arcade for souvenirs and clothes.
Weekdays: 7:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Saturdays: until 3:00 PM
Some Fridays: until 8:00 PM
Disgusting Food Museum tickets
The Disgusting Food Museum has 80 exhibited foods, including frog smoothies from Peru, maggot cheese from Sardinia, and Durian fruit from Thailand.
Tickets: 20 euros per person
Cathedral, Palace, and Old Town visit
The Cathedral of Mallorca is a stunning Gothic Roman Catholic building. It took hundreds of years to build, starting in 1229 and finishing in 1601.
The Cathedral, also known as La Seu, features a 44-meter-tall nave. This is the second tallest in the world. Antoni Gaudi designed and partly built the choir stalls. However, he left the project after an argument. You can spend about an hour here. Your ticket includes access to the Museum of Sacred Art. Access to the terraces at the top of the cathedral is also included with a ticket. This option is only for visitors over 9 years old. Next to the Cathedral is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. It is a historic Moorish fortress. It became a royal residence and shows a mix of Islamic and Gothic architecture. Wander through Palma's Old Town after visiting these sites. It has narrow, cobblestone streets with shops, cafés, and historic buildings. Make your way to Plaza Mayor, a lively square with restaurants and street performers. Look for Can Forteza Rey, a Modernist building with mosaic details.
Cathedral of Mallorca tickets and tours
Tickets for the Cathedral of Mallorca cost 25 euros per person. A guided city tour is available. It includes admission to the Cathedral. This tour costs 28 euros per person. The city tour is 45 minutes long. The cathedral tour is also 45 minutes. The total duration is 90 minutes.
Cathedral tickets: 25 euros per person
Guided city and cathedral tour: 28 euros per person
Guided tour total: 90 minutes (45 min city, 45 min cathedral)
Cathedral opening: 10:00 AM
Terrace access: must be over 9 years old
Royal Palace of La Almudaina admission
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina has a peaceful courtyard. It is good for a quick photo stop.
Admission: 7 euros (discounted rates for EU citizens)
Afternoon at Castell de Bellver and nearby beaches
Around 3 km from the city center is Castell de Bellver. This unique castle has a circular floor in the middle. It is attached to two towers. It was once a summer residence for the Kings of Mallorca.
Between the 18th and 20th centuries, Castell de Bellver was used as a prison. Today, it is one of Mallorca's most visited places. It houses the island's history museum. The views from the castle are wide. You can see the city and nearby pine forests. The central courtyard sometimes hosts evening classical concerts in summer. After the castle, consider visiting a beach. Mallorca is known for its beaches. Cala Comtessa and Illetas are closest to the city. Both are about a 15-minute drive away. They have calm, turquoise waters and white sand. Illetas is a popular choice due to Balneario Illetas. This beach club has a restaurant overlooking the beach. It serves fresh, Mediterranean-style dishes. The lobster linguine and beef burger are popular. Advance booking is recommended due to its popularity.
Castell de Bellver admission
Castell de Bellver is a historic site that houses a history museum.
Admission: 4 euros per adult
Evening at Es Baluard Museum and Paseo Maritimo
The Mallorca Es Baluard Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art is located within the old city walls. It features a wide collection of modern art, much of it by local artists.
The museum offers views of Palma's harbor. Admission is 6 euros. Even if you skip the museum, take a walk along the Paseo Marítimo. This promenade is lined with palm trees, luxury yachts, and outdoor cafés. For dinner, C'an Eduardo is a favorite spot on the Paseo Marítimo. It is known for its paellas. The terrace has views over the harbor. After dinner, stroll along the Paseo. It is about 4 km long and offers great views of the bay and sunset.
Es Baluard Museum admission
The museum is located in a former fortress.
Admission: 6 euros
Local dining spots in Palma
Palma de Mallorca has a lively food scene. You can find traditional Spanish dishes and modern takes on local flavors.
At Mercat de L'Olivar, the Ostras bar in the fish section serves fresh seafood. Try squid or boquerones. Can Joan de s'Aigo is known for ensaimadas and sipping chocolate. Ombu Tapas offers a modern approach to tapas. Reservations are recommended. Bar España is a good spot for pintxos and drinks; reservations are also advised. Quina Creu provides creative Mallorcan dishes. La Rosa Vermutería & Colmado is popular for its vermouth selection and traditional tapas, including Spanish omelet and boquerones. El Aquanauta serves Mexican street tacos. Spot and Emilio Innobar are also highly recommended for dining. Mercat de Santa Catalina is another food market worth visiting.
If you have more than one day in Palma
One day is enough to see Palma's main highlights. However, a slower pace over three days is recommended to get a true feel for the city. If you have more time, consider these additions.
The Drach Caves are about an hour's drive from Palma. These four interconnected caves are 4 km long and up to 25 meters deep. They were formed by Mediterranean Sea water. A visit reveals stalactites, stalagmites, and blue underground lakes. Soller is another beautiful town, about a 40-minute drive or an hour-long train ride away. The train ride offers scenic views. In Soller, you can take a tram to Puerto de Soller and visit the Museum of Modernism. Valldemossa is a hilltop town nestled in the Tramuntana mountains. It is a 20-minute drive from Palma. Activities include the 4-hour El Teix hike and shopping at the Sunday market. For art lovers, Fundació Miró Mallorca is west of Palma and requires a taxi. It is Joan Miró's workshop. You can also spend a day at a local beach club like Anima or PuroBeach. Another option is to go on a Tuesday tapas trail through the city.
Where to stay in Palma
Finding the right accommodation can make your stay in Palma more enjoyable. Here are some options, from budget-friendly to luxury.
Helios Mallorca in Can Pastillo is highly rated. It has an indoor and outdoor pool and a mini-golf course. It is located next to Palma Aquarium. Rates start at 125 euros per night. Melia Palma Marina is a 4-star hotel with harbor views. Rooms are modern. It offers an outdoor pool, spa, 24-hour gym, and restaurant. Rates start from 179 euros per night. Hotel Java, also in Can Pastilla, is a 4-star option under 100 euros per night. It features two swimming pools, a gym, and a restaurant. For a luxury stay, Hotel Basilica is a historic 4-star hotel in the city center. It has a rooftop pool, stylish rooms, and a terrace bar. Rates are around 300 euros per night, including breakfast. Other hotels to consider include Hotel Antigua Palma, Sant Francesc Singular Palma de Mallorca, Hotel Portixol, Concepciô by Nobis, Hotel Cort, and MHouse.
Hotel prices and features
These hotels offer various amenities suitable for different budgets.
Helios Mallorca: from 125 euros per night
Melia Palma Marina: from 179 euros per night
Hotel Java: less than 100 euros per night
Hotel Basilica: 300 euros per night (includes breakfast)
Is one day in Palma de Mallorca enough?
Palma is a historic city. It is worth a visit for its beauty and attractions.
One day is enough to see Palma's main highlights. These include the Cathedral of Mallorca and Castell de Bellver. However, it will be a fast-paced day. To truly experience the city, consider staying at least three days. The cobbled, winding streets of the old town are a highlight.