Standing outside the Cathedral of Mallorca with a coffee from Cafésphère in hand, you can already feel the city pace slow down. If you are wondering what to do in Palma de Mallorca for a day, the answer is a manageable mix of a historic market, a seaside castle, and a long walk by the harbour. The old town is compact and best explored on foot. It has a relaxed, sun-soaked rhythm that makes it easy to see the main sights without rushing.
- Best time
- Summer brings long evenings and is the peak season for culture, while spring and autumn are quieter and more comfortable for walking.
- Where to stay
- Can Pastilla offers solid budget-friendly options like Hotel Java. For the city centre, Hotel Basilica or Melia Palma Marina are good choices.
- Perfect for
- First-timers . Culture fans . Cruise stopover travellers
- Don't miss
- The cathedral terrace and the harbour view from Es Baluard.
Things I'd tell a friend
A few practical shortcuts I picked up after spending time in Palma.
Cathedral guided tour is a shortcut
The guided city and cathedral tour lasts about 90 minutes and does not cost much more than a standard entry ticket. It covers the Gaudi choir stalls and the building timeline.
Source · Worth the extra cost
Skip the walk from the cruise port
The walk from the cruise port into the city can take up to 45 minutes. A taxi takes about 10 minutes and saves you a lot of time for seeing the sights.
Source · Learned this the hard way
Lunch in La Lonja or Santa Catalina
This area near the old town has a good mix of tapas bars and seafood places. It is a popular lunch spot with both locals and visitors.
Source · Local favourite
Mercat de L'Olivar
A traditional market that gives you a real taste of daily life in Palma.
- Food and souvenir stalls under one roof
- Open since 1951
- Weekdays 7 am to 2:30 pm
- Saturday opening until 3 pm
Mercat de L'Olivar sits between Plaça de Espanya and Carrer Sant Miquel. It has been running since 1951. The stalls sell fruit, vegetables, meat, and seafood. There is also a shopping arcade for clothes and souvenirs. The building itself is worth a look. It is open on weekdays from 7 am until 2:30 pm. On Saturdays it closes at 3 pm. Some Fridays it stays open until 8 pm. It is a good spot for a morning wander.
It is a food market first
Expect fruit, meat, and fish stalls rather than hot lunch counters. The shopping arcade has souvenirs.
Check the opening hours
Open weekdays 7 am to 2:30 pm, Saturdays until 3 pm. Some Fridays open until 8 pm.
Get there just after opening at 7 am, before the crowds hit.
Hotels near the market are close to the old town action and easy to reach on foot.
Hotel Almudaina
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Terrace
- 24-hour front desk
- Bar
- Elevator
- Excellent Breakfast
Hm Jaime III
- Spa and wellness center
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Room service
- Terrace
- Bar
- Wonderful Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Cathedral of Mallorca
The city best-known landmark, built over several centuries.
- One of the tallest cathedrals in Europe
- 44-meter nave, the second tallest in the world
- Gaudi-designed choir stalls
- Terrace with sea views
The Cathedral of Mallorca, also called La Seu, took over 300 years to build. Work started in 1229 and finished in 1601. Its 44-meter nave is the second tallest in the world. The choir stalls were designed by Antoni Gaudi, though he never finished the work. The cathedral overlooks the sea. You can access the terrace with your ticket, but children under 9 are not allowed on it. The Museum of Sacred Art is included in the ticket. Guided tours of the city and cathedral combined last about 90 minutes.
Museum of Sacred Art is included
Entry to the Museum of Sacred Art is included with your cathedral ticket.
Best photo spot
Stand in Parc de la Mar below the cathedral for the classic reflection shot across the water.
Buy your ticket online before you go so you can skip the queue.
Staying near the cathedral puts you right in the heart of the old town.
Isla Mallorca & Spa
- 2 swimming pools
- Spa and wellness center
- Free Wifi
- Parking on site
- Restaurant
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Catalonia Majorica
- 2 swimming pools
- Free Wifi
- Private Parking
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Bar
- Wonderful Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
A Moorish fortress turned royal residence right next to the cathedral.
- Historic Moorish fortress
- Mix of Islamic and Gothic architecture
- Next to the Cathedral of Mallorca
- Peaceful courtyard
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina sits right next to the Cathedral of Mallorca. It started as a Muslim fortress and later became the home of the Kings of Mallorca. The architecture mixes Islamic and Gothic styles. The courtyard is a quiet spot for photos. From the palace you get a strong view over the bay. Tickets cost around 7 euros, with discounts available for EU citizens.
Discounted entry for EU citizens
Reduced admission is available for EU citizens. Check the official website before visiting.
Make it a single stop
The palace is right beside the cathedral, so plan to do them together.
Pair it with the cathedral visit since they are literally next door.
Hotels within walking distance of the palace let you start your day right in the historic core.
Bq Belvedere Hotel
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Terrace
- Bar
- Excellent Breakfast
Hotel Saratoga
- 3 swimming pools
- Spa and wellness center
- Free Wifi
- Private Parking
- Family rooms
- 4 restaurants
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
- Bar
- Excellent Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Castell de Bellver
A circular castle on a hill with views over the city and the pine forest.
- Circular castle with two towers
- Summer residence for Kings of Mallorca
- Used as a prison until the 20th century
- History museum inside
Castell de Bellver is about 3 km from the city centre. It has a unique circular floor plan attached to two towers. The castle was first used as a summer residence for the Kings of Mallorca. From the 18th to the 20th centuries it served as a prison. Today it holds the island history museum. The views from here stretch across the city and the nearby pine forest. In summer the courtyard sometimes hosts evening classical concerts. Entry costs 4 euros per adult.
A 10-minute taxi ride
A taxi from the city centre takes about 10 minutes. Walking is steep and takes much longer.
Check for summer concerts
The castle courtyard hosts classical concerts during summer. Look at the official website for dates.
Take a taxi from the centre and save your energy for the views from the top.
Staying on the west side of the city makes the trip to the castle shorter.
Bq Augusta Hotel
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free Wifi
- Private Parking
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Hotel Palma Bellver , Affiliated By Melia
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Private Parking
- 3 restaurants
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Room service
- 24-hour front desk
- Bar
- Elevator
- Laundry
- Very Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Es Baluard Museum
Modern and contemporary art inside the old city walls.
- Museum inside the old city walls
- Works by local artists
- Good views of the harbour
- Former fortress setting
The Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is set inside the old city walls of Palma. The building was originally a fortress. Inside you will find a mix of work by local and international artists. Many of the pieces in the collection are by Mallorcan creators. From the museum you get a solid view of the harbour. Entry costs around 6 euros. The museum is a short walk from the cathedral along the Paseo Marítimo.
Low entry price
Entry costs around 6 euros, making it one of the cheaper cultural stops in the city.
Walk up to the ramparts
Head up to the fortress ramparts for a view over the harbour, even if you skip the galleries.
Even if modern art is not your thing, the fortress setting and harbour view are worth the entry.
Hotels on the waterfront side of the old town are a short walk from the museum.
Hotel Mirador
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Spa and wellness center
- Free Wifi
- Parking on site
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Hotel Amic Horizonte
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
- Terrace
- 24-hour front desk
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Paseo Marítimo
The long waterfront promenade that comes alive at sunset.
- Around 4 km long
- Views of the bay and luxury yachts
- Lined with palm trees and cafes
- Popular for sunset walks
The Paseo Marítimo is the main waterfront walkway in Palma. It runs for about 4 km along the harbour. The promenade is lined with palm trees. You will see luxury yachts and outdoor cafes along the way. It is a popular spot to catch the sunset. A good dinner option here is C'an Eduardo, which is known for its paella and has a terrace with harbour views. After your meal you can take a long walk along the water.
Dinner with a harbour view
C'an Eduardo on the promenade is a solid choice for paella with a view of the harbour.
Easy walk from the port
The promenade runs right from the old town and the cruise port, so it is easy to reach on foot.
Come here in the late afternoon for the best light over the bay.
Hotels along the Paseo Marítimo offer sea views and easy access to the waterfront.
Hotel Palladium
- Free Wifi
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Room service
- Terrace
- 24-hour front desk
- Bar
- Elevator
- Good Breakfast
Melia Palma Marina
- 2 swimming pools
- Spa and wellness center
- Free Wifi
- Parking on site
- Family rooms
- 4 restaurants
- Fitness center
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
How long does it take to walk from the cruise port to the city centre?
The walk from the cruise port to the city centre takes about 30 to 45 minutes along the waterfront. A taxi covers the same distance in about 10 minutes.
What is the most famous attraction in Palma?
The Cathedral of Mallorca, also known as La Seu, is the city best-known monument. It took centuries to build and sits right on the waterfront.
Can you visit Castell de Bellver and the cathedral in one day?
Yes. The cathedral is in the old town and Castell de Bellver is a short taxi ride away. A day in Palma can comfortably cover both.
Where are the best places to eat in Palma for a quick lunch?
The La Lonja district and Santa Catalina area have plenty of tapas bars. C'an Eduardo on the Paseo Marítimo is known for its paella.
Is the Es Baluard Museum worth visiting if I am not into art?
The museum is set inside a former fortress and costs around 6 euros. Its ramparts offer a great view of the harbour.
What is the best street for shopping in Palma?
Paseo del Borne is the main shopping street with luxury brands. Can Veri is a quieter street with art galleries and boutique stores.
