5 Things You Must See In Palma De Mallorca 2024
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”Things You Must See In Palma De Mallorca” was updated in 2024.
Palma de Mallorca is a jewel nestled in the heart of the Balearic Islands, where history, culture, and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea converge to create a stunning destination.
Join us on a journey through the charming streets, cultural attractions, and coastal delights of Palma de Mallorca.
In this blog post, you will find the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca, how to get around, how to get to the city from the airport and where to stay.
As well as you will find the answers to some frequently asked questions when it comes to visiting Palma De Mallorca.
We spent three days in Palma (the capital of Mallorca) and we were able to see the main attractions.
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What Is Palma De Mallorca Known For?
Mallorca is one of the Balearic Islands (the largest) located in the western Mediterranean Sea.
It is known for its warm weather, beautiful coastline, and beach resorts.
Mallorca has a rich history that goes back all the way to the Roman Empire.
Also, it was conquered by the Byzantine Empire and the Moors.
All of them have left their distinct cultural heritage on the island.
Palma (full name Palma de Mallorca) is the capital as well as the largest city.
Is Palma De Mallorca A Party Island?
Palma de Mallorca (city) gets extremely busy in the summer months and there are areas where there is a lot of social and nightlife, especially on the weekends.
However, if you want a party island, you will have to go to Ibiza.
Ibiza is the designated party island. Mallorca is not as party-oriented as Ibiza, it is more about beaches, relaxation, and history.
Things You Must See In Palma De Mallorca
Below you will find the list of the top five things that you must see in Palma the Mallorca.
1. Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver)
Bellver Castle is one of the few circular castles that you will find in Europe.
Personally, I have never seen one in that shape before.
It is located on a hill about 3 km west of the city center.
And yes there is hiking – it was so hot and there were so many stairs that I was going to faint lol.
The reason why the Castle is on this hill is for defence purposes.
However, if you don’t like hiking and getting all sweaty there is a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour that goes directly to the gate of the castle (zero walking involved).
If you choose the Palma Essential Experience ticket, you get the 24hrs use of the bus plus entry to Bellver Castle & 1 drink (you will see the options when you click on the Book Now button).
👉 To pre-book your tickets, check out this link: Palma de Mallorca: 24 or 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
If you still choose to do it on your own, here is a link explaining how to get to Bellver Castle with other modes of transportation.
When was Bellver Castle built?
Bellver Castle is a Gothic-style castle that was built around the early 13th century by King James II of Mallorca.
It was originally the residence of the kings and queens and it was later turned into a military prison and it is currently a tourist attraction.
From the castle, you can see the lovely Palma Harbour where you can spot a bunch of yachts and cruise ships.
🎥 Here is a video of that view: A view of the Palma de Mallorca Harbor from Bellver Castle
Inside, there is a museum with a bunch of different artifacts, ornate vases, statues, etc.
It has a separate tower connected to the main building with a small stone bridge (tourists are not allowed in the tower or on the stone bridge).
Also, it has a moat which was of course empty.
You can even go on the roof of the castle (it is flat) and take pictures from there.
We visited on a Sunday and that day the admission was free. Otherwise, general admission is 4 euros.
Here is a link to check the hours of operation and ticket prices of Bellver Castle.
Travel Addicted Unicorn Tip: Make sure you bring a lot of water and have comfortable shoes if you decide to hike to this attraction.
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2. Royal Palace (Palau reial de l’Almudaina)
Palau reial de l’Almudaina is the fortified Royal Palace. It is the official summer residence of the Spanish Royal Family to this day.
It is one of the top things you must see in Palma de Mallorca.
Inside this majestic site, you will find all sorts of beautiful paintings, huge tapestries, and different furniture from a variety of time periods.
You will also see large banquet halls and the Royal Appartments.
Also, there is a cute courtyard with palm trees where you can find the Royal Chapel.
We enjoyed checking out the Royal Palace, the building from the outside is stunning and the tapestries and apartments were beautiful.
How long do you need to visit the Royal Palace?
It took us about 45 minutes to an hour to explore the entire palace.
There is also an option to get an audio guide (at extra cost) but we did not end up getting it.
Also, keep in mind you need to go through airport-style security at the entrance.
We did not book the tickets ahead of time and there was no lineup to get in (we visited in Oct).
However, if you go in the summer months, it might be wise to book in advance to avoid disappointment, especially if you have limited time.
👉 To grab your tickets, check out this link: Palma de Mallorca: La Almudaina Palace Entry Ticket
Palau reial de l’Almudaina is located right in the city center by the water – it’s impossible to miss it.
Here is a link, if you want to know more information and the hours of operation of the Royal Palace.
3. Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca (La Seu)
Also known as simply Palma Cathedral or Cathedral of St. Mary of Palma.
It is probably the most popular attraction and one of the top things you must see in Palma de Mallorca.
Unfortunately, we visited on a Sunday and the church was closed (whomp 🙁 ).
Which was a big bummer as I wanted to see the interior so badly.
Essentially, it is a Roman Catholic church that was built by the Crown of Aragon. It was designed in the Gothic style.
In the early 19th century Antoni Gaudi was summoned to make some changes to the interior of the church.
There are some improvements that are attributed to the genius, however, due to disagreements with the contractor the entire project was discontinued soon after.
Is there a dress code for Palma Cathedral?
There is no official dress code, however, as this is a place of worship you should cover your knees and shoulders.
Don’t wear see-through clothing or something with too much cleavage.
Avoid flip-flops or any beach attire when you go.
The church is a beautiful landmark and I absolutely love its design (especially the side arches).
In front of the Palma Cathedral, you will see the beautiful Parc de la Mar which consists of a grass area and an artificial lake.
It is beautiful and makes for a nice spot to sit down and relax during the summer months.
There are also a few cafes in the area as well as an information booth right at the beginning of the park.
That whole area between Palma Cathedral and the Royal Palace is busy and there are a lot of tourists so beware of pickpockets.
Travel Addicted Unicorn Tip: Keep an eye on your belongings!
👉 To grab your skip-the-line tickets for the cathedral, check out this link: Mallorca: Skip the Line Palma Cathedral Entry Ticket
Make sure you check the operating hours for Palma Cathedral before you visit.
Also, Palma Cathedral offers its own tickets and tours, so take a look at those to see what works best for you.
4. Arab Baths (Banys Arabs)
The Arab Baths in Palma de Mallorca are remnants of the time of the Moors and an example of Moorish architecture.
Those baths are the only remaining artifact from the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa which used to be located right where Palma de Mallorca is now.
Not to be mistaken for the city of Medina, which is in Saudi Arabia.
It is believed that the baths were created between the 10th and 12th centuries.
It was interesting and impressive to see this old landmark.
Inside there is a room with a domelike ceiling that has a bunch of holes to let the sunlight in and the steam out.
Also, there are 12 columns that are supporting the ceiling.
Outside the building, there is a lovely garden filled with Mediterranean vegetation – palms, lime trees, etc.
There are also a couple of benches and chairs where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful garden.
The Arab Baths are a short walk from the Palma Cathedral (east of it).
I do have to say that they are well-preserved and definitely worth checking out.
5. Old town
The Old Town is a must-see. You should explore it on foot so grab your walking shoes!
There are all these small streets where you will find shops, restaurants, and cafés.
Also, there are many little alleys and hidden squares.
Other top attractions to see: Ajuntament (the Town Hall), La Llotja (15th-century civil building), Sant Francesc church, Basilica de Sant Miquel, Plaza Mayor (square).
Also, Born de Palma (a long pedestrian street like La Rambla in Barcelona), Jardí del Bisbe (garden), and Bastió de Sant Pere (old castle walls).
Also, don’t forget to take a walk along the waterfront.
Some museums to check out are Museu de Mallorca, Museu Fundacion Juan March, Museou Histórico Militar de Carles, etc.
Palma is famous for its pearls. There is a free pearl museum in the Old Town area.
Inside the museum, you will see all sorts of pearls and their creation process.
Also, a good place to buy some pearl jewelry if you’re in the mood for it.
There are several jewelry stores on a shopping street called Carrer de Sant Miquel.
I got a set with a necklace and earrings.
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FAQ: Things You Must See in Palma De Mallorca
Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to the things you must see in Palma De Mallorca.
When is the best time to visit Palma de Mallorca?
During the summer months, the weather in Palma de Mallorca is hot and dry.
It has a typical Mediterranean climate.
We visited in late October and the temperatures were in the high 20s.
Going to Palma in the spring or fall as we did is a good idea because you avoid all the excruciating hot temperatures in the summer.
Also, you will avoid the crowds and hoards of tourists.
It was still busy when we visited, so I cannot imagine during the high season.
What kind of food should I try in Palma de Mallorca?
The most popular food in Palma and all of Spain is tapas.
Tapas are all sorts of different small plates for sharing. Think of them as appetizers.
Also, due to the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea, seafood is popular.
Therefore, there are tons of tapas and seafood restaurants in Palma.
🦄 Also, I have a whole blog post dedicated to Spanish food: 10 Foods & Drinks To Try In Spain
How long should I stay in Palma de Mallorca?
You will need about 3-4 days to see the city of Palma comfortably.
However, if you want to explore more places in Mallorca (the island) then a week would be ideal.
How To Get To Palma De Mallorca?
There are two ways to get to Palma de Mallorca – by plane or ferry.
Personally, I recommend flying because the ferry takes an extremely long time and it is less convenient.
Flights to Palma de Mallorca
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Palma de Mallorca is of course to fly.
That is what we did – we flew from Barcelona (we were there for a week prior) and then we did a domestic flight to Mallorca.
Palma de Mallorca Airport PMI is the name of the one major airport on the island.
During the high season (summer months) you can find direct flights from major European cities such as London and Paris.
Otherwise, you will most likely need to connect in one of the main cities in Spain such as Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia.
The flights from one of those cities are about 1-2 hours.
👉 Start planning your Palma de Mallorca vacation, using the website I use for booking all of my flights: Skyscanner
Ferry to Palma de Mallorca
If you choose to get to Palma de Mallorca by ferry from mainland Spain you will have to book your ticket with Balearia.
Balearia is the company that operates the ferries that service the Balearic Islands.
The closest point to catch the ferry to Mallorca is from the port of Denia, which is located south of Valencia.
From Denia, it takes about 5 hours to get to Mallorca.
Keep in mind when I was researching the ferries all the Denia to Mallorca and back routes had a 45 mins stop in Ibiza.
There is one round ferry crossing a day and the ferries that do that trip are fast ferries.
Other options are to catch the ferry from Barcelona or Valencia which takes about 7- 7.30 hrs.
With those longer rides, you have the option to book a cabin on the ferry as well.
Also, if you have a car, you can bring it along on the ferry.
You will need to provide the brand, model, and height of the vehicle.
How To Get To The Center Of Palma From The Airport?
You have a few options when it comes to getting to the city center from the airport.
Palma de Mallorca Airport – Bus Shuttle
The airport bus shuttle in Palma de Mallorca was easy to find and use.
The number is A1 Airport – City Center and it has two stops at the airport – the first stop is at Arrivals (floor 0) and the second one is Departures (floor 2).
The center of Palma is about 8km from the airport so it will not be a long drive (about 30-35 mins).
Buses run every 15 mins and the route has 10 stops along the way.
This bus also goes close to the port as well, in case you are doing a cruise.
How much is the bus from Palma airport to the city center?
The cost of a single ticket is 5 euros.
If you buy a round-trip ticket it costs only 8 euros, so for 8 euros, you can cover all the airport transfers which is pretty cheap.
You can pay the driver directly for the ticket in cash once you board the bus.
The driver might have some change but try and have the exact amount with you.
Therefore, using the Airport Bus Shuttle is definitely my recommended mode of transportation – cheap and easy.
If you want to see the actual bus stops and times as well as the map, check out this page: A1 Route Schedule and Stops.
If you need information about buses that go to other places (not the city center) from the airport, check out this link: Palma de Mallorca Airport Transportation Instructions.
Palma de Mallorca Airport – Taxi
Taxis are the only other means of transportation in Palma.
Uber and other rider programs are illegal so you have to rely on officially registered taxis.
The expected fare from the airport to the city center is about 25-30 euros.
The ride will take you about 20 – 30 mins depending on traffic and construction.
There is a Metro in Palma but it does not go to the airport and you will not need to use it.
I would not recommend trying to walk from the airport to the city center.
👉 Prebook your Airport Taxi Transfer
Palma de Mallorca Airport – Car Rental
Considering there is no Uber, renting a car is another option when traveling to Mallorca.
Do I need to rent a car in Palma de Mallorca?
Renting a car in Palma will depend on what you plan on doing on your trip.
For example, if you want to lie by the beach/pool or see the main attractions in the city center then you don’t need a car.
The reason for that is getting to the airport by the A1 bus is easy and the beach and attractions are within walking distance.
Therefore, if you want to keep it simple and are planning to stay in one area, you don’t need to rent a car.
However, if you are used to driving everywhere and are comfortable driving in different countries renting a car is a good option.
Also, it will be a good idea to rent a car if you are planning on exploring the whole island.
There are buses and organized tours but if you want to explore on your own terms, a car rental might be a good option.
Palma de Mallorca airport car rental is available too so you can start your journey immediately after landing.
Also, make sure you read all the small print and details before signing anything and take a picture of the car (inside and out) before you drive off the parking lot.
👉 Rent a car in Palma de Mallorca after exploring the world’s biggest car rental website: Rentalcars
Where To Stay In Palma De Mallorca?
There are tons of hotels along the waterfront in Palma de Mallorca.
Hotel Palma Bellver is the hotel that we stayed in and we liked it a lot.
Hotel Palma Bellver
- The center of Palma is about a 15-minute walk from Hotel Palma Bellver
- Close to Bellver Castle and the promenade beside the water
- Parking is available on the premises (15 euros per day).
- Also, the breakfast was great
👉 Check availability for your dates: Hotel Palma Bellver
Boutique Hotel Petit Montisión
If you are looking for something closer to the city center, check out Boutique Hotel Petit Montisión.
- Close to the city center and the main attractions
- 9.1 Superb rating for this hotel with great reviews
- Keep in mind this property does not have parking. However, most attractions will be within walking distance
- Also, they have the option to arrange an airport shuttle for you (at extra cost)
👉 Check availability for your dates: Boutique Hotel Petit Montisión
🦄 If you want to learn more about Mallorca, check out this blog post: A Day Trip Around Mallorca
Conclusion: 5 Things You Must See In Palma De Mallorca
In conclusion, Palma de Mallorca stands as a captivating blend of history, culture, and coastal allure.
From the grandeur of the Cathedral of St. Mary of Palma and the time-worn charm of the old town to the panoramic vistas atop Bellver Castle, the city is a canvas of Mediterranean beauty.
Palma de Mallorca, with its architectural wonders, sunlit beaches, and vibrant streets, invites visitors to explore, appreciate, and embrace the multifaceted spirit of this gem.
