Palma de Mallorca is the historic capital of the Balearic Islands in Spain. It is a vibrant, lively city with rich culture and history. As the cultural epicentre of Mallorca, Palma is buzzing with life, even in the unforgiving heat that mid-summer brings.
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Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Morning
After enjoying a slow morning coffee, begin your day with a stroll across Palma’s Paseo Marítimo, a picturesque waterfront promenade parallel to the city’s seafront. You could walk as far as the airport, but the recommended stretch is the green waterfront and beach near the city centre.
Afternoon. For a morning snack, walk over to Ca na Cati Pastisseria, near Casa de la Vila de Ciutat de Mallorca (Palma City Hall), and try one of their authentic empanadas. This traditional empanada (Empanadas Mallorquinas) feels more like a small pie made with Iberico ham and takes nearly eleven hours to make.
Empanadas Mallorquinas at Ca na Cati Pastisseria. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Afternoon
Spend the early afternoon navigating the narrow streets of Palma’s Old Town, often referred to in Spanish as ‘El Casco Antiguo’. Between the charming medieval streets and historic architecture are the city’s many tourism attractions, Gothic churches, scenic squares, and patios that date back centuries.
Find shade in Parc de la Mar, located at the bottom of La Seu Cathedral. This stunning Basílica was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931 and has the largest original rose (a circular stained glass) window of all European Gothic cathedrals. Nearby is the Royal Palace of Almudaina, a 14th-century palace and one of the official residences of the Spanish royal family. Almudaina is open for visitors Tuesday through Sunday. Make sure to spend some time at the Es Baluard Contemporary Art Museum. This impressively spacious art centre also has a wonderful open roof terrace with endless Palma views.
No visit to Palma is complete without a taste of Iberico ham (Jamón ibérico), and the best place to find it in the city is Mercado del Olivar. The market is set indoors and does not look like much from the outside, but the interior mini-maze navigates through a mix of fruit and vegetable vendors and multiple jamón shops. Locals perch on stools with curated meat and cheese boards, sipping Spanish wine and discussing weekly events.
Pop into Lili’s for a cold cocktail on the patio, overlooking the lively Plaza del Mercat. Stay longer for brunch and chit-chat, enjoying modern takes on Spanish classics. A fun lunch alternative is a food tour with a local. NoFrills, for example, will take you through all the classics with a dash of history and plenty of food to enjoy.
Jamón ibérico at the Mercado del Olivar. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Left: Cocktail and coffee at Lili’s; Right: Vermouth at La Rosa Vermuteria & Colmado. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Evening
Head over to Carrer de Sant Feliu to take in some contemporary art at the Gerhardt Braun Galleries. This corner of the city is home to many other art galleries, including Gallery Red, Casal Solleric, Pelaires, and the Rialto Living art and lifestyle shop, just to name a few.
For dinner, set up for the evening at La Rosa Vermuteria & Colmado for a taste of local in a cool environment or spread your meal across multiple stops with Food Tours Balearics, a uniquely local food tour company that offers curated self-guided dining experiences in the city’s newest and coolest spots.
After dinner, walk off the culinary delicacies with a stroll past Sa Feixina Park to find Palma’s many cocktail bars. Enjoy nightcaps and liquid libations at Quentin’S Saloon, Agabar Cocktail Bar, The Library STFU, NOX, or Turpial Cocktail Bar. This “bar crawl” alone could take multiple days and is a great spot to meet and chat with locals.
Gerhardt Braun Gallery. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Where to stay in Palma
The historic city centre has many beautiful boutique hotels with unique decor, a mix of amenities, stunning views, and on-site restaurants and bars. At the top of the game are Concepció by Nobis, Can Alomar Urban Luxury Retreat, Sant Jaume Design Hotel, and Calatrava Mediterranean Sea House (adults only). Public transit in Mallorca is quite accessible, so you could stay further out in a coastal resort like Hotel BonSol Resort & Spa and simply visit the city for a day.
Pool at Concepcio by Nobis hotel, image courtesy of the hotel. Calatrava Hotel wellness centre, image courtesy of the hotel.
Day tours
Palma de Mallorca: 5-Hour Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Swim
Cruise along the spectacular south coast of Mallorca by catamaran with two stops along the way. Drop anchor in Portals Vells or Cala Vella to swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters while a delicious barbecue meal is prepared on board.
Caves of Drach Half-Day Tour with Boat Trip and Music Concert
Live classic music from floating musicians makes exploring the Caves of Drach even more dramatic. With a rowboat ride across Lake Martel and a stop at a Mallorca pearl factory, this half-day tour features the cave’s magnificent highlights, from turquoise-colored water to soaring rock formations.
Mallorca: Tour of the Island — Boat, Soller Train, Tram, Lluc and Sa Calobra
Discover Mallorca on a unique route through the Sierra de Tramuntana. Enjoy the wild Sa Calobra, sail to Soller Port, and travel back in time on its historic 1912 tram and train. This is an eight-hour tour with multiple stops across the island.
