15 Amazing Things to do in Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is the perfect destination for your next trip. It is the biggest and most significant city on the Balearic Islands, a group of islands that are a part of Spain. I’ve visited twice, for about 3 weeks altogether. During my trips, I was lucky enough to explore most of the city, as well as go on a few day trips to other parts of the island.

Mallorca is an island with tons of beaches and towns to explore. I hope this little guide of mine can help you plan an incredible trip by giving you some ideas about the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca.

1. Go shopping at Paseo del Borne

Paseo del Borne is a huge promenade in the heart of the city of Palma. It is lined with two rows of large trees, and is perfect for a relaxed afternoon shopping trip. You can do some window shopping at Louis Vuitton, and actual shopping at places like H&M and Zara.

There are also lots of little cafés in case you need a little break. Along the promenade, you’ll probably come across some people blowing huge colourful bubbles.

On the southern side of the walkway you’ll see a beautiful fountain with a stunning view of the Mallorca Cathedral behind it.

2. Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma

This is one of the most popular things to do in Palma de Mallorca. Of course, it is also the most popular tourist attraction, so it is best to arrive here as early as possible.

I would recommend you start your day here, especially if you plan on visiting the inside. It is a beautiful, unique cathedral from the outside, while the inside is typical of a European church. Tickets cost 9€, and it’s not really necessary to book in advance.

3. Have Breakfast at Brunch It

The Brunch It Café grabbed my attention from the first time I walked past it. It is decorated with flowers all over, both in- and outside. It is such a wonderful place to have breakfast or brunch. The menu is very trendy, with a lot of ‘healthified’ breakfasts, but also fantastic pancakes and specialty hot chocolates.

It’s a very popular spot with limited space, so make sure to make a reservation ahead of time to make sure you don’t have to wait in line.

4. Visit a market

Like in the rest of Spain, the markets in Palma are amazing. Here you can buy fresh produce and seafood, and also eat tapas and drink wine.

The biggest market, and the one I visited, is Mercat de l’Olivar. Situated in the city centre, it is always buzzing with customers.

5. View the art at Es Baluard Art Gallery

The Es Baluard Art Gallery is a museum of contemporary art. You can view the art inside, or you can just roam around outside and see the sculptures around the gallery – my favourite was the upside down house. From here, you also get a great view of the ocean and much of the city.

6. Go on a day trip to Alcúdia 

Alcúdia, one of my favourite places in Mallorca, is situated on the northeastern end of the island. The trip from Palma will take you all the way across the island, but it will still take less than an hour.

Renting a car is ideal for this, but buses 301 and 315 will be able to take you here from the Palma Bus Station as well.

There are churches, caves, and historical monuments to explore, but if you’re like me, you’ll just spend the day on the beach. The water is so clear here and the beach wasn’t as full as the beaches in Palma.

7. Plan a day trip to Sóller 

Visiting the small town of Sóller is probably one of the most highly recommended things to do from Palma de Mallorca, and with good reason.

The best way to get there is to take the old wooden train, which takes about an hour. The train takes an incredibly scenic route to the town, so I highly recommend it.

Here, you can see the stunning cathedral, visit the port, and also just explore the nooks and crannies of this charming little town. I also had some of the best gelato of my life here.

Because it’s one of the most popular tourist activities, make sure you get to the ticket office with plenty of time to spare (30 minutes to an hour). I would also recommend buying tickets online in advance, which you can do here. Tickets for a return journey with the train plus the tram from Sóller to the port cost 32€. I have a detailed guide on visiting Sóller by train here.

8. Explore the narrow streets of the Old Town

The Old Town of Palma, situated behind the cathedral, is a historic an unique part of the city. Here, you can see the Arab Baths, wander around in the narrow alleys, and enjoy a coffee and pastry at an old-fashioned café.

I recommend just going where the wind takes you, because there are so many interesting little shops and you are sure to stumble upon something intruiging.

9. Eat Tapas

My favourite part of traveling – the food! Something you should know about me – I’m that person that always wants to try everything at restaurants – I thrive on variety. That’s probably why I love tapas so much.

Tapas are small dishes, usually eaten in 2-3 bites. They are perfect for sharing, because each plate usually has 3-4 of the same food item. If you’re traveling with friends, order lots of plates to share. If you’re not sure what to order, croquettes are always a good idea.

You’ll find tapas bars around every corner in the city. You can even do tapas bar hopping! Remember that the Spanish have siesta, which means that most restaurants close between 2pm and 5pm.

10. Visit the Royal Palace of La Almudaina

This palace, built in the 14th century, is one of the most historically significant buildings in Palma. It was the residence of the Spanish roal family whenever they stayed on the island. Tickets cost only 7€, and can be bought at the entrance to the palace. You can explore the different rooms of the castle, and get a great view of the city from here.

11. Take a walk along Paseo Maritimo

Another one of Palma’s most famous promenades, Paseo Maritimo takes you along the port of the city. It is lined with a row of palm trees, and you’ll find some of the biggest private yachts here. This is the perfect place to people watch with gelato in hand. At night, it is a hub for the nightlife that the city is known for.

12. Visit Bellver Castle

From Paseo Maritimo, you can take a 30-minute walk (more like a hike though) up the hill to Bellver Castle. It is a defensive fortress that was built in the early 1300s. It is situated on the hill overlooking the entire city and the coastline.

The architectural design of the fortress is very interesting and considered quite unique to Europe. It has a circular shape, which reminded me a bit of the Colosseum in Rome. This is, of course, where you’ll have the absolute best view of Palma and its port. You can buy tickets for 4€ at the entrance of the castle.

13. Eat Paella and drink Sangria

Paella and Sangria are a magical combination, and to me, they are the first things that come to mind when I think of Spanish food.

Paella is a delicious dish made by pan-frying rice with other ingredients. It is prepared in huge paella pans, and are usually served in them as well. The pans are quite flat, which helps the rice caramelise – and those crunchy bits on the side and bottom of the pan are the best parts.

Paella can be made with just about anything – chicken, saffron, vegetables, and probably my favourite – seafood. I’ve had a fantastic black seafood paella coloured with squid ink the last time I was in Mallorca.

Because paella is served in those large pans, very few restaurants serve it to less than at least 2 people. You usually pay per head, and get plates to share the paella.

Pair your paella with freshly made Sangria, and you have a phenomenal meal. It is similar to punch, in that it is wine mixed with fruit juice and fruit pieces (usually orange slices). It is served chilled, so it is perfect for a hot summer’s day, which is the best time to visit Palma.

14. Experience the nightlife

Palma is known to be one of the cities in Europe that has the best nightlife. It is known as the party island of the Balearic Islands, so going out is one of the most popular things to do in Palma de Mallorca.

There are always plenty of options, both for locals and international travelers. There are always events, from salsa parties, festivals, and boat parties. The perfect night out in Palma (for me) would start with tapas bar hopping and pre-drinks. From there, you can move on to a local event, like a dance party or fiesta, preferably outside.

Afterwards, when it starts to get late, you can go dancing at a club in the city. The Spanish usually start their night out quite late, so I wouldn’t plan on going out (to any clubs) before 11pm.

15. Go Scuba Diving

I’ve saved the best for last – scuba diving was the best experience I had in Mallorca. I would highly recommend booking on Get Your Guide, with a guide that can help you with diving, especially if (like me) you’ve never done it before.

It was such an amazing experience to see the ocean life up close. I would also look for an activity where the guide will take photos for you. This is an experience that I will remember and cherish forever.

I love Mallorca, and I could spend months exploring the island. The beaches are beautiful with crystal clear water. The food is incredible and the city of Palma is so lively. It can be intimidating to know which the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca are, so hopefully I’ve helped you build your own itinerary for a memorable and exciting trip.