Palma guide 2026
Practical guide to visiting Palma de Mallorca: must-see sights, 1- and 2-day walking itineraries, beaches, charming neighbourhoods, things to do with kids and rainy-day plans, with opening hours, prices and official links.
Palma de Mallorca packs monuments, sea and food into a compact old town that you can explore on foot. This guide covers what to see in Palma based on how much time you have (a few hours, one day or two), your type of trip (as a couple, with kids, on a budget or on a rainy day) and links to official websites to book tickets or check up-to-date opening hours.
These are the 12 places that should not be missed on a first visit to Palma: history, art, sea and neighbourhoods with their own identity.
| Lugar | Tipo | Motivo | Tiempo | Precio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palma Cathedral (La Seu) | Monument | The city’s defining landmark; a Gothic cathedral by the sea with one of the largest rose windows in the world. | 60–90 min | from €10 |
| Royal Palace of La Almudaina | Monument | Former Muslim alcázar turned royal residence, opposite the Cathedral and overlooking Parc de la Mar. | 60–90 min | €8 |
| Old Town of Palma | Neighbourhood | One of the largest historic centres in the Mediterranean, with manor courtyards, squares and churches. | 3–5 h | Free |
| Parc de la Mar and Seafront Promenade | Walk | The classic postcard of the cathedral reflected in the water and a 5.5 km seafront walk along the bay. | 30–60 min | Free |
| Bellver Castle | Castle | 14th-century circular Gothic castle with 360° views over Palma and the bay. | 1.5–2 h | €4 (free on Sundays) |
| La Lonja and Consolat del Mar | Monument | Gems of Mallorcan civic Gothic next to the seafront; the icon of the harbour district. | 30–45 min | Free (exterior) |
| Arab Baths and the Call | Monument | The best surviving Islamic remains in Palma, next to the old Jewish quarter. | 20–30 min | €3.50 |
| Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art | Museum | Contemporary art museum on the old city wall, with views over the harbour and the city. | 1.5–2 h | €8 |
| Miró Mallorca Foundation | Museum | Studios and works by Joan Miró in Cala Major, with more than 6,000 pieces by the artist. | 1.5–2 h | €10 |
| Museum of Mallorca | Museum | The island’s main history museum, set in a palace in the old town (free on Sundays). | 60–90 min | €2.40 |
| Olivar Market and Santa Catalina Market | Market | Covered markets to try local produce and tapas in the heart of Palma. | 45–90 min | Free (food extra) |
| Portixol and Ciutat Jardí | Urban beach | Former fishing district with seafront promenade, restaurants and beaches a short ride from the centre. | Half day | Free |
A roughly 4–5 km walking itinerary through the historic centre, combining the old town, the cathedral, the palace and the seafront promenade. Total time: a full day (8–9 h) with meal stops.
Start at the EMT and train hub. Walk along Carrer de Sant Miquel, Plaça Major and Plaça de Cort (Town Hall).
Brief stop at the Arab Baths (20 min) and visit the Museum of Mallorca, housed in an old-town palace.
Tour the Gothic cathedral interior and, in season, climb the terraces for unique views.
Explore the former alcázar and its royal rooms, right opposite the cathedral.
Tapas around La Lonja or a quick bite at the Olivar Market.
Walk up the Born, pass La Lonja and the Consolat del Mar, and enter Es Baluard for contemporary art and views.
Dinner in Santa Catalina or a stroll through Parc de la Mar to Can Pere Antoni beach for the sunset.
Two days to add Bellver Castle, the coastal neighbourhoods and the modern art museums without rushing.
A compact route of about 3–4 km that covers the walled old town on foot. Ideal for 3–5 hours with visits or 2 hours in a quick version.
Visiting Palma does not have to be expensive: there are always-free spaces and weekly or monthly free-entry slots at the main museums and monuments.
| Museo / Monumento | Franja o día gratuito |
|---|---|
| Bellver Castle | Sundays for everyone; under 14s always free. |
| Miró Mallorca Foundation | Saturdays from 15:00, first Sunday of the month and 1 March, 18 May, 24 June and 19 December. |
| Royal Palace of La Almudaina | Wednesday and Sunday afternoons for EU citizens, residents and Ibero-Americans; 18 May and 12 October. |
| Museum of Mallorca | Sundays (according to current institutional information). |
| Es Baluard | Under 12s and accredited groups; pay-what-you-wish Fridays from €0.10; open days on selected dates. |
| CaixaForum Palma | 20 January (Sant Sebastià), 1 March (Balearic Islands Day) and 18 May (Museum Day); under 16s and CaixaBank customers always. |
Four ways to tailor your visit to Palma based on who is travelling and how much time you have.
Mallorca has more good days than bad, but when the weather does not cooperate there are plenty of indoor plans in the city.
Beyond the monumental centre, Palma has neighbourhoods with their own character to visit, eat at or simply stroll through.
Monumental walled area: cathedral, Almudaina, Arab Baths, Museum of Mallorca, squares and manor courtyards. Recommended time: half a day.
Half day
Former fishing district, now a trendy area with a market, tapas bars, restaurants and nightlife. Recommended time: 2–4 h.
2–4 h
Gothic buildings (Sa Llotja, Consolat del Mar) and many dining options by the harbour. Recommended time: 2–3 h.
2–3 h
Former fishing village with seafront walk, urban beaches and restaurants. Recommended time: late afternoon and dinner.
Afternoon + dinner
Hillside neighbourhood on the way up to Bellver, ideal as access to the castle and for viewpoints over the harbour.
1–2 h
Palma lets you combine monuments and the sea in a single day. These are the most accessible beaches from the centre.
Urban beach about 2 km from the centre, with direct views of the cathedral. Walkable or by bike along the seafront.
Walk / EMT
Urban beach between El Molinar and Es Coll d’en Rabassa, with a continuous promenade to Playa de Palma.
EMT / bike
Beach west of Palma (about 4 km), next to Marivent and close to the Miró Foundation.
EMT
Long 4–6 km beach to the east, connected to Palma by EMT. Ideal for a full beach day.
EMT
Beaches west of Palma, reachable by public transport or car, considered among the closest and most attractive.
EMT / car
Mallorcan cuisine is enjoyed both in restaurants and at the stalls of the covered markets. Some classics to try:
For tapas and fresh produce: Olivar Market (next to Plaça d’Espanya), Santa Catalina Market, the La Lonja area (Forn de Sant Joan, La Bóveda) and Santa Catalina.
Logistics and official websites to plan your visit to Palma.
EMT Palma is the urban bus network. Plaça d’Espanya is the main hub (train, intercity bus and EMT).
EMT Palma official website →Visit Palma (Turisme de Palma 365) centralises official information on routes, events and accessibility.
Visit Palma official website →Illes Balears — official tourism site of the Balearic Government publishes guides, routes and downloadable maps of Palma.
Illes Balears official website →Official opening hours, fees and ticket sales for tourist visits and terraces.
Cathedral official website →Official tickets from Patrimonio Nacional for self-guided and guided visits.
Almudaina tickets →Opening hours, prices and activities of the castle managed by Palma City Council.
Bellver official website →A logical one-day route combines Palma Cathedral, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, the old town (Arab Baths, Museum of Mallorca and Plaça Major), Parc de la Mar and Passeig del Born with La Lonja and Es Baluard. It fits into a full day on foot covering about 4–5 km.
Spend the first day in the historic centre and by the sea (cathedral, Almudaina, old town, Born and La Lonja). On day two take the EMT bus (lines 3, 20 or 46) up to Bellver Castle, walk down to Santa Catalina and finish at Portixol–Ciutat Jardí for a swim and dinner by the sea.
The Juan March Foundation Museum and the Maritime Museum of Mallorca (Ses Voltes) are always free. There are also weekly free-entry slots at Bellver Castle (Sundays), the Museum of Mallorca (Sundays) and La Almudaina (Wednesday and Sunday afternoons for EU citizens/residents).
The Cathedral + Parc de la Mar combo is ideal to start. Then take the EMT bus up to Bellver Castle, visit Es Baluard with Sa Faixina park next door and finish at the urban beaches of Can Pere Antoni or Ciutat Jardí. If it rains, Palma Aquarium (El Arenal) is the headline plan.
Go for the indoor cultural offer: Cathedral and Sacred Art Museum, Museum of Mallorca, Es Baluard, Miró Foundation and Juan March Foundation Museum (free). The Olivar and Santa Catalina markets and the CaixaForum, Can Balaguer and Casal Solleric centres complete the day without stepping outside.
The closest beach to the centre is Can Pere Antoni, about 2 km along the seafront. You can also continue to Ciutat Jardí or, by EMT, reach Cala Major and Playa de Palma.
Parc de la Mar at sunset with the illuminated cathedral, the seafront promenade to Portixol, and the bars and restaurants of Santa Catalina are the three liveliest areas from 19:00 onwards.
Yes. The EMT Palma network covers the entire centre, Bellver, Cala Major, Portixol and Playa de Palma. Plaça d’Espanya is the main hub where the train, intercity buses and most urban lines meet.
Early morning (10:00–11:30) and mid-afternoon are usually the quietest slots. Avoid mornings on cruise-ship days, when the centre fills with visitors.
Ensaimada, sobrasada, tumbet and rice with fish and seafood are the classics. To try them in a local atmosphere, head to the stalls of the Olivar or Santa Catalina markets and the bars of La Lonja and Santa Catalina.