Top 15 Things to See in Palma

Palma has been my second home for ages. I’ll show you the 15 most beautiful attractions in Palma and I’ll be sharing a few insider tips, too! Before you wonder: the official name of the capital of Mallorca was changed from “Palma de Mallorca” to “Palma” in 2016. But of course that didn’t change the beauty of this great city!

#1 Royal Palace La Almudaina

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina has a long history: it was built in the 13th century during the Moorish occupation. Today, La Almudaina is the official residence of the Spanish royal family, who spend their summer vacation on Mallorca every year and use the palace for representative purposes. However, they live in the newer Palacio Marivent in Cala Mayor, whose gardens you can also visit.

The Palacio Almudaina, with its many exhibits from the eventful history of Mallorca and its extraordinary architecture, is one of Palma’s most popular attractions. At its foot you will find a small garden, the Jardines de S’Hort del Rei – a great photo spot and perfect for a short break from sightseeing.

Tip: Admission is free on Wednesdays and Sunday afternoons.

You can buy tickets for the Royal Palace of La Almudaina here*

#2 Cathedral La Seu

The Gothic cathedral La Seu is the landmark of Palma. It dates back to the 13th century and cannot be overlooked due to its location on a hill. From here you also have a fantastic view of the sea. To see the cathedral from the inside, you need to buy a ticket – due to the crowds, especially in summer, I recommend booking your ticket online in advance.

Buy your admission ticket for Palma Cathedral in advance here*

By the way: from April to October, you can also take part in a guided tour on the roof of the cathedral for an additional fee – a truly special experience!

#3 Passeig des Born

Did you know that Palma is the perfect place for shopping? You’ll find everything from expensive designer boutiques to all kinds of branches of the big fashion chains. And the amazing Passeig des Born with its dreamy avenue is something very special: even stores such as Zara Home or H&M are housed in the most beautiful old buildings here.

At Christmas time and around the end of the year, the trees are being decorated and the whole street sparkles and twinkles at night.

#4 Plaza Mayor

As in many Spanish cities, the Plaza Mayor is the heart of Palma. When strolling through the old town, sooner or later you will pass this striking square. You’ll find many cafés and restaurants here, but most of them are – to be honest – quite awful tourist traps. It’s worth having a look in the side streets or in the smaller squares around it, where you’re guaranteed to find better alternatives.

Are you looking for great accommodation in Palma?
Here you will find hotels for every budget

#5 The old town of Palma

You can really lose yourself in Palma’s old town. On the one hand, you will find shopping streets such as Carrer Sant Miquel or Carrer Sindicat and an incredible number of small stores and boutiques, and on the other hand, there are also quieter corners with enchanted squares and sweet alleyways.

My favorite places include the Plaça del Banc de l’Oli and the small square with cafés in front of the Església de Sant Nicolau.

#6 Paseo Marítimo

The Paseo Marítimo is the perfect place for an evening stroll. Enjoy the view of the luxury yachts and visit the many bars and restaurants. Especially at the weekend, the Paseo Marítimo between Avinguda de l’Argentina and Porto Pí turns into a lively party mile. And the vibe here is much more pleasant than on Playa de Palma!

The entire Paseo Marítimo is currently being extensively redesigned – but when the construction work is finished, it is guaranteed to be even better.

Tip: The sunset from the Varadero restaurant is the most beautiful! It is somewhat hidden at the entrance to Palma’s marina. Unlike many other high-priced restaurants around the harbor, the vibe is rather down-to-earth and many Palmesans meet here for a sundowner.

Are you planning a visit?
On my blog you’ll find many helpful articles for well-known and lesser-known corners of Mallorca!
My tips for Mallorca

#7 Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina used to be an unadorned fishing village. Today, with its lively gastronomic scene, it is one of Palma’s trendy districts! You’ll also find one of the city’s last remaining windmills here, which once shaped the island. You also shouldn’t miss a visit to the Mercat de Santa Catalina, the market hall of the district.

Read the full article about Santa Catalina here

#8 Ca’n Pere Antoni Beach

The city beach Ca’n Pere Antoni is just a stone’s throw from the cathedral at the end of the Paseo Marítimo. I particularly love the beach here because the atmosphere is always super relaxed. You can even swim here very well, even though the beach is in the middle of the city and pretty close to the port of Palma. At the weekend or after work, locals also like to meet here to play volleyball or have a picnic.

Tip: If you want to treat yourself, simply spend the day at Assaona with good drinks and delicious food. This beach club also has stylish sun loungers to chill.

Want to see more of Mallorca? Check out the 20 most beautiful sights in the rest of the island!

#9 Playa de Palma

Playa de Palma is located outside the city center to the east of Palma. Known for its excessive partying around Ballermann 6, the four and a half kilometer stretch of beach has changed quite a bit in recent years. There is still partying here, but you can now find one or two trendy locations along the beach promenade. The gently sloping beach itself is perfect for swimming.

However, I would advise against staying overnight at Playa de Palma: There are so many nicer places in Palma and on the island in general – and personally I can’t get into the party vibe with lots of beer, noise and unfortunately also a lot of garbage in the streets.

Tip: Hire a bike and cycle along the sea from Palma. This is the best way to get to Playa de Palma on well-maintained cycle paths. Enjoy the fantastic view of the sea!

You will also automatically pass the small marina of Portixol and the adjacent district of Molinar, one of the most beautiful corners of Palma!

Read my insider tips for Molinar here

#9 Banys Arabs (Arab baths)

The centuries-old Arab Baths (Banys Arabs) are somewhat hidden in a small side street near the cathedral and are one of the few remaining examples of Moorish architecture in Palma. The steam bath with its skylights is a great photo opportunity!

Tip: The Arab Baths are located in the middle of an enchanting garden. Here you can take a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of the old town or the cathedral.

Read the full article on the Banys Arabs here

#10 Ferrocarril de Sóller

An absolute must is a ride on the historic train to Sóller, the “Red Lightning”. Funny enough, there’s nothing lightning about this train: the wooden carriages take you slowly through the impressive Mallorcan landscape from Plaza España in the center of Palma to Sóller. From there, you can continue on a historic streetcar to the port of Port de Sóller. However, you should plan a whole day for the whole trip.

By the way, the tickets are really expensive, but it’s really worth it! Tip: Buy a return ticket including the streetcar ride, it’s the cheapest option.

Buy tickets online here

If you want to see even more of the island, there are other tours from Palma that only include one route on the Red Lightning, but also take you to Lluc Monastery and Sa Calobra – a nice alternative!

Book an island tour for a day here*

#11 Sa Llotja

The former Sa Llotja stock exchange is one of the most beautiful buildings in Palma. During the day you can just go inside and admire the great architecture; sometimes the large hall is also used for art exhibitions. There are many bars and restaurants in the square around it and the whole place has a lovely atmosphere. Perfect for a little Aperol Spritz or some delicious tapas.

#12 Mercat de l’Olivar

The Mercat de l’Olivar is a traditional market hall right in the center of Palma. If you are looking for a local culinary experience, this is the place for you! Especially in the mornings, you will find everything from fresh vegetables to fish, seafood and delicacies such as cheese and ham.

Tip: At lunchtime, there are also many stalls with a typical “Menu del Dia“, which usually is a 3 course menu with starter, main course and dessert. Drinks such as water, cola or house wine are usually included.

There are also some other great market halls and weekly markets in Palma: The most beautiful markets in Palma

If you love strolling through markets as much as I do, then there are a few really big and well-known farmers’ markets on the island that you shouldn’t miss out on: The most beautiful markets on Mallorca

#13 Es Baluard

From Es Baluard, you not only have a fantastic view of the port of Palma, but you can also admire an impressive collection of modern artworks by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí. Other highlights include works by contemporary artists such as Banksy and Ai Weiwei. Interesting temporary exhibitions are also held regularly.

Tip: Admission is free on Thursday evening!

By the way: If you are interested in modern art and you are making a detour to the north of Mallorca, you should also pay a visit to the Museo Sa Bassa Blanca in Alcúdia!

#14 Pueblo Español

The Pueblo Español is a typical tourist attraction: here you can experience Spain in miniature. The most important sights of Spain have been recreated here in the form of a small village.

Tip: It is particularly beautiful here at Christmas time. In December, the Pueblo Español is transformed into the most beautiful Christmas market in Palma: here you can get into the Christmas spirit with a mug of mulled wine and store for Christmas presents at one of the many small stalls selling arts and crafts!

#15 Museu Fundación Juan March

You will probably pass by one way or another, as the Museu Fundación Juan March is located in the middle of the pedestrian zone of Carrer Sant Miquel in the heart of Palma’s old town. However, most tourists simply walk past here, which is why this spot is a real insider tip!

In the museum itself you will find works by Spanish artists of the 20th century. Cultural events are also held here on a regular basis. And even if you’re not particularly into museums, it’s still worth a visit: the patio of the old town house is a dream.

Best of all, admission is free!

More insider tips for Palma

Palma is one of my favorite cities and there is always something new to discover! If you need more up-to-date tips from the island’s capital, follow me on Instagram or browse through my ever-growing collection of blog articles about Palma.