Top attractions in Palma: A complete guide
Many visitors come to Palma to shop and stroll around the streets, but if you are more purposeful, sightseeing in Palma offers unforgettable experiences.
Sightseeing in Palma Old Town
Palma’s old town is a great attraction in itself. It is bounded by the water and the “zig-zag roads” (Passeig de Mallorca and the Avingidas). Within this area are the cathedral, five-star hotels, shopping streets, countless squares, restaurants, coffee shops, and all the small, winding alleys. Let’s explore the city of Palma together.
Looking for accommodation in Palma? Search, find, and book your hotel here at Palmallorca.com.
Please take a moment to watch the brief presentation in the video below:
La Seu – biggest sightseeing in Palma
Palma’s cathedral, La Seu, took nearly 400 years to complete (1230-1601). Built in Gothic style on top of the city’s old mosque, its construction was initiated by the Catalan king Jaume I after he recaptured Mallorca from the Moors. The inscription in the lintel of the bell tower reads, “Non est factum tale opus universis,” meaning “Nothing similar has been made in the whole world.” When you stand inside and look up at the tall colonnade, this makes complete sense.
The Bishop’s Garden and the Arab Baths
Not far from the Cathedral are the two oases – Jardà del Bisbe and Banys Arabs. Their peaceful gardens are perfect for resting your legs and imagining what life might have been like in old Palma.
The Lonja in Palma
La Lonja is both a neighborhood filled with countless restaurants, cocktail bars, and cozy streets, and a large sandstone building that once served as a maritime trading post. Built in Gothic style between 1450-1452, it features beautiful palm-like columns inside. Take a moment to sit on an empty windowsill and observe the city’s architecture before continuing your sightseeing in Palma.
Palma’s parks and squares
Palma offers several parks with plenty of shade and benches for everyone. These parks feature everything from manicured flower beds to wild nature and are full of art, sculptures, and architecture. A more detailed description of Palma’s green parks can be found in our article on the green parks in Palma.
Like all Spanish cities, Palma also has countless small and large squares where you can observe daily life, seek shade, drink a cup of coffee, or enjoy some wine and food. Popular squares include Plaza Mayor, Weyler Square, Placa d’En Coll, Placa de Santa Eulalia, Plaza Cort, Plaza de Quadrado, Placa de la Drassana, Passeig del Born, Plaza de la Quartera, and the local Placa Llorenc Bisbal, home to Bar Rita. The countless other plazas reveal themselves naturally as you explore the city.
Palma’s markets
Palma hosts five markets, and visiting them in the morning hours is always a lively experience. Some markets feature organic farmers selling their goods, while others sell live animals. Discover into the vibrant markets of Palma.
More Sigthseeing in Palma after the video section
Video (will be updated)
Palma’s Museums and Art
Palma’s museums showcase everything from Mallorca’s history to contemporary art, with some offering free entrance. The art galleries in Palma, often found in small streets on both sides of Passeig del Born, provide a more targeted art hunt.
Shopping in Palma
Strolling around Palma’s shopping streets offers a variety of clothes, shoes, bags, and electronics for almost all price levels. We’ve covered this in detail in our big theme about shopping in Palma.
Port of Palma
Spend half a day strolling along Palma’s harbor, stretching from the center to Porto Pi. The harbor hosts everything from small fishing boats to luxury yachts, cruise ships, and scheduled ferries. The palm-lined harbor is undergoing transformation to improve walking and cycling zones and to make it greener. Hotels, nightclubs, and fish restaurants line the promenade, which is popular for exercise, strolls, or simply sitting on a bench and watching the Mediterranean.
Santa Catalina
Within walking distance from the center is the cozy old fishing quarter of Santa Catalina. Known for its low houses, it features restaurants, martini bars, and music cafes. Much of the neighborhood’s activity revolves around the old food market, where many settle down for lunch or a glass of wine.
Castell Bellver – Sightseeing in Palma’s Castle and Nature
Just behind Santa Catalina, up the hill, is the round castle from 1311. Bellver, meaning “beautiful view,” is surrounded by a wooded area perfect for hiking. Castell Bellver, once used as a prison, now houses a museum and offers fantastic views over the harbor, the city, and the cathedral.
Portixol
Sightseeing in Palma also includes the old fishing village of Portixol, a small harbor area within walking distance of the center. It offers restaurants, swimming facilities, and the luxury hotel Hotel Portixol. The coastal stretch from the center past the airport is popular with exercisers of all kinds. The old fishermen’s houses have been modernized into luxury homes.
Palma’s beaches
Palma has five beaches with lifeguards and the option to rent parasols and sunbeds. Some are within walking distance of the center, while others are best reached by bus.
Football in Palma
RCD Mallorca plays home games 3.5 km from the city center at Visit Mallorca Estadi, currently in La Liga. Before the match, there’s a good atmosphere and plenty of entertainment in the fan zone, making it safe and enjoyable to watch La Liga football in Mallorca.
Veteran train to Sóller
The “Orange Route,” a vintage train to Sóller, departs from its own platform next to Estació Intermodal. Sit back and enjoy Mallorca’s landscape on this preserved mode of transport.
Sightseeing Bus
For a more relaxed way to explore Palma, hop on the private sightseeing bus in Palma Hop-on Hop-off or take the free EMT city bus “CC” that circulates in the center of Palma. Read and learn more about public bus transport in Mallorca.
Also read our guide to magical Sóller, the big city of Palma, the beaches of Alcúdia or the village of Deià Â
Top image for Best sightseeing in Palma: Photo © Kawa13 | Dreamstime.com
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