Palma de Mallorca packs an impressive number of sights into its compact old town, with the gothic cathedral La Seu as its undisputed centerpiece. Beyond the historic core, you’ll find a 14th-century circular castle, a contemporary art museum housed in a 17th-century fortress, and easy access to the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Most attractions are within a 20-minute walk of each other in the city center, making Palma an excellent walking city. Here are the essential things to do in Palma, with practical details for each.
Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca: Landmarks and Architecture
La Seu Cathedral (Catedral de Mallorca)
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Palma’s gothic cathedral dominates the waterfront and took nearly 400 years to build, starting in 1229. The interior was partly redesigned by Antoni Gaudí in the early 1900s, and contemporary artist Miquel Barceló contributed a ceramic chapel in 2007. The rose window, measuring 11 meters across, is one of the largest in the world and produces a spectacular light show on the interior walls on sunny mornings. Entry costs EUR 9 (EUR 7.50 online), open Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 5:15 PM (until 6:15 PM April-October), Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:15 PM. Go at opening time or around 3:00 PM for the fewest crowds. The terraces, accessed separately for EUR 7, offer panoramic views over the Bay of Palma.
Palau de l’Almudaina
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This royal palace stands directly opposite the cathedral and was originally an Islamic fortress before becoming the residence of the Kings of Mallorca in the 14th century. It’s still used by the Spanish royal family for official ceremonies. The interior mixes gothic halls with Flemish tapestries and Arabic baths in the basement. Entry is EUR 7 (EUR 4 reduced), open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM (until 6:45 PM April-September). The changing of the guard happens at noon on the last Saturday of each month.
Bellver Castle
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The only circular gothic castle in Spain, Bellver sits on a pine-covered hill 3km west of the city center. Built in the early 1300s for King James II, it later served as a military prison and now houses Palma’s history museum. The rooftop terrace delivers the best panoramic view of Palma, the bay, and the Tramuntana mountains. Entry is EUR 4 (free on Sundays), open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (until 7:00 PM April-September), Sundays 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Take bus 50 from Plaça d’Espanya (EUR 1.50, 15 minutes) or walk 30 minutes uphill through the pine forest.
Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca: Museums and Galleries
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Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani
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Housed in a 17th-century fortress wall with a modern glass extension, Es Baluard holds the best collection of modern and contemporary art in the Balearic Islands. The permanent collection includes works by Picasso, Miró, Barceló, and local Mallorcan artists. The museum’s terrace café offers one of the best sea views in Palma. Entry is EUR 6 (free on Fridays), open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Located at Plaça Porta de Santa Catalina, a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.
Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró
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Joan Miró’s mother was Mallorcan and the artist lived and worked on the island from 1956 until his death in 1983. His former studio in Cala Major, 6km west of the center, is now a museum showcasing his paintings, sculptures, and the preserved workspace where he created some of his late masterpieces. Entry is EUR 7.50, open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (until 7:00 PM April-September), Sunday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Take bus 3 from the city center to Cala Major (EUR 1.50, 20 minutes).
Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca: Outdoor and Beach
Playa de Palma and Ca’n Pere Antoni
Playa de Palma stretches for 5km east of the city center and is the closest proper beach to Palma. The section known as Ca’n Pere Antoni is just a 15-minute walk from the cathedral, with sun loungers and umbrellas available for rent (EUR 15 per set). The water is shallow and calm, ideal for families. Further east, the beach becomes livelier with beach clubs like Anima Beach Club and Balneario Illetas. Take bus 25 from Plaça de la Reina (EUR 1.50, 15 minutes) to reach the quieter eastern stretches. The beach gets very busy in July and August; arrive before 10:00 AM to secure a spot.
Passeig Marítim and Port
Palma’s seafront promenade runs for 4km from the Port of Palma to the western suburbs, lined with palm trees, yacht marinas, and outdoor restaurants. It’s the city’s social hub, especially in the evenings when locals come to walk, cycle, or sit at waterside bars. The section near the cathedral has the most restaurants, while the area around Port de Palma is where superyachts dock. The port also serves as the departure point for boat trips along the coast, typically EUR 30-50 for a 2-hour tour.
Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca: Markets and Food
Mercat de l’Olivar
Palma’s main covered market occupies a large modern building near Plaça d’Espanya. The ground floor is dedicated to fresh produce, meat, and seafood from Mallorcan waters. Upstairs, you’ll find a dozen tapas bars where locals have lunch between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Bar del Peix is the standout for grilled fish and seafood at market prices. Open Monday to Saturday 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Go around noon to see the market at its busiest, then grab a seat at a tapas bar before the lunch rush.
Santa Catalina Market
Smaller and more neighborhood-focused than l’Olivar, the Santa Catalina market serves the trendy Santa Catalina district west of the old town. It’s popular for its flower stalls, organic produce vendors, and the surrounding streets packed with wine bars and restaurants. The market building itself is open Monday to Saturday 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, but the real action is in the surrounding bars and cafés that stay open late into the evening.
