📌Island
Palma (officially 'Palma' since 2016; almost everyone still calls it Palma de Mallorca) is the capital of the island of Mallorca and of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, in the western Mediterranean, off the east coast of Spain. According to the INE it had 434.786 inhabitants in 2025, which makes it the city where almost all of the island's activity is concentrated. It sits on a wide bay, with the old town right by the sea and protected by Renaissance walls. It's known for the Catedral de Santa María, La Seu, a massive Gothic building visible from the water that was remodelled by Antoni Gaudí between 1904 and 1914. Next to it is the Palacio Real de La Almudaina, once a Muslim alcázar, and on the western hill stands the Castell de Bellver, a circular Gothic castle. The city was Roman, then Muslim under the name Madina Mayurqa, and Christian from the day James I conquered it on 31 December 1229. Today it lives off tourism: its airport handled 33,8 million passengers in 2025, according to Aena. But it has a life of its own all year round, with markets, bar districts and art museums worth visiting even if you're not coming for the beach.
📌Currency and language
You pay in euros, and cards are accepted almost everywhere, including EMT city buses. The official languages are Catalan (in its Mallorcan variety) and Spanish. You'll see signs and street names in Catalan: 'carrer' means street, 'plaça' means square, 'mercat' means market. You'll get by fine in Spanish anywhere.
📌Best time
May, June, September and October are the most balanced months: it's warm enough for the beach and prices haven't yet reached August levels. According to Kayak, August is the most expensive month to stay in Palma and November the cheapest. Watch out for the sustainable tourism tax: high season runs from 1 May to 31 October, and during that period the tax is four times higher than in winter. In winter many beach hotels close, but the city stays open and museums run as normal.
📌Visa and entry
Argentines, Uruguayans, Chileans, Mexicans, Colombians and Peruvians don't need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area. Since 10 April 2026 the EES (Entry/Exit System) has been fully operational: at your first Schengen checkpoint they take your fingerprints and photo instead of stamping your passport. If you arrive via Madrid or Barcelona, you go through that check there, not in Palma. ETIAS (online pre-travel authorisation, 20 €) isn't being charged yet: the EU has postponed it to 2027 with no firm date.
💱 EUR exchange rate
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🌤️ Weather in Palma de Mallorca
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Palma is the gateway to Mallorca, but thinking of it only as a 'stopover on the way to the beach' means missing half of it. It has an old town of narrow streets and stately courtyards, a Gothic cathedral looking out over the sea, and neighbourhoods like Santa Catalina where people go out to eat and drink until late. Everything is close together: in one day on foot you can see the Cathedral, the Almudaina, the Lonja and the Born without taking a bus.
For travellers on a tight budget, Palma has its tricks. The Castell de Bellver is free on Sundays. The Almudaina is free for Ibero-American citizens on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. The Fundació Miró is free on Saturdays from 15 h. Es Baluard has 'pay what you want' Fridays. The city beaches are public, and the lunchtime menú del día is the best way to eat well without paying tourist prices.
It's also a convenient base for exploring the island. The wooden train to Sóller leaves from the Plaça d'Espanya station and crosses the Serra de Tramuntana. There are trips to the Cuevas del Drach, Valldemossa and the coves in the south. And air links are huge: dozens of daily flights to Madrid and Barcelona, plus overnight ferries to the mainland. If you happen to enter Europe through Spain, Palma is a good place to start or finish your trip.
📖 History of Palma de Mallorca
The Romans founded the city in 123 BC, when the consul Quintus Caecilius Metellus conquered the Balearics; they called it Palma. After centuries of decline, Vandals and Byzantines, in 903 the general Isam al-Jaulani took it and the city was renamed Madina Mayurqa. For more than three centuries it was a prosperous Muslim port: the Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths) and the base of the Almudaina, the old alcázar, survive from that era. On 31 December 1229 James I of Aragon entered the city and made it Ciutat de Mallorca, capital of a kingdom of its own. Work on the Cathedral began in that same period, on the site of the old great mosque; it was consecrated in 1346 and building continued until 1601. James II had the Castell de Bellver built between 1300 and 1311, and in the 15th century Guillem Sagrera raised the merchants' Lonja. The Kingdom of Mallorca was eventually absorbed by the Crown of Aragon in the 14th century and the city lost political weight. Bellver served as a prison for centuries: Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos was held there between 1802 and 1808. In the early 20th century, Antoni Gaudí remodelled the interior of the Cathedral (1904-1914). The big change came in the 1960s with mass tourism: the island went from about 500.000 visitors in 1960 to more than 6,7 million in 1997. Joan Miró lived and painted in Palma during his last decades, and his studio is now a museum. In 2016 the City Council made 'Palma' the official name. Today the city is debating how to live with tourism: the sustainable tourism tax, in force since 2016, funds environmental and heritage projects.
🗺️ What to see
Tours you can book
A local guide tells you in half an hour what no sign at the site will ever explain. We look ours up on Civitatis: guided in Spanish and booked online with no fuss. They have over 20 activities in Palma Mallorca. And there are free tours here: you book without paying and tip the guide whatever you think at the end, so trying one costs you nothing. Three are below so you get the idea: tap any of them and they all open.
If you book from here we earn a commission and you pay no more. Prices and availability come from Civitatis.
1
The Gothic cathedral facing the sea: the symbol of Palma, with alterations by Gaudí and a ceramic chapel by Miquel Barceló.
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The Catedral de Santa María, which everyone in Mallorca calls La Seu (Catalan for 'cathedral'), is the image of Palma. James I decided to build it after the 1229 conquest, on the site of the great mosque; it was consecrated in 1346 and work finished in 1601. It's Levantine Gothic, with a central nave about 44 metres high inside and a rose window about 13 metres in diameter.
Inside there are two surprising modern interventions. Between 1904 and 1914 Antoni Gaudí rearranged the presbytery and hung the iron baldachin over the altar. And between 2001 and 2006 the Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló covered the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament with a ceramic mural depicting the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.
Tourist visits run Monday to Saturday; Sunday is for worship. There's also the terraces tour (the rooftops), with visits every 30 minutes, for over-9s only. The best exterior photo is taken from the Parc de la Mar, with the cathedral reflected in the lake. Buy online at catedraldemallorca.org to skip the queue.
ℹ️ Distance: On the southern edge of the old town, next to the Almudaina and the Parc de la Mar · Best time: Early morning (opens at 10) or at sunset for the photo from the Parc de la Mar · Admission: General admission 10 €; under-8s free (source: The Calendar Mallorca, local listings, verified October 2026). Combined cathedral + terraces + Museum of Sacred Art 25 €; Balearic residents 8 € (source: Majorca Daily Bulletin, March 2026). Until 30 November: Monday to Friday 10 to 17:15, Saturdays 10 to 14:15, closed Sunday · Duration: 1 to 1,5 hours; 2 hours if you add the terraces
2
Palacio Real de La Almudaina (Palau de l'Almudaina)
The former Muslim alcázar turned palace of the kings of Mallorca, reopened in 2026 with a new route.
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Opposite the Cathedral stands La Almudaina, which was the alcázar of the Muslim rulers of Madina Mayurqa and then the palace of the kings of Mallorca after the 1229 conquest. Today it is run by Patrimonio Nacional and remains an official residence of the King of Spain for events on the island.
The palace closed in January 2026 for a revamp of the visit and reopened to the public on 29 July 2026 with a renewed route. You see royal halls with tapestries and furniture, the Gothic chapel of Santa Ana and courtyards with views over the bay.
The key tip for Latin Americans: admission is free for Ibero-American and European Union citizens on Wednesdays and Sundays from 15 to 19 h (October to March until 18 h). Those free tickets are only available at the ticket office, on showing your passport or ID. The rest of the time it costs 8 €. It's closed on Mondays, and the ticket office closes an hour before the palace. There are guided tours at set times.
ℹ️ Distance: Opposite the Cathedral, above the Parc de la Mar · Best time: Wednesday or Sunday afternoon if you're Latin American (free); outside those hours, first thing in the morning · Admission: Standard 8 €; reduced 5 € (over-65s, ages 5 to 16 and students up to 25); booking online adds a 0,77 € fee; guided tour 16 € (source: tickets.patrimonionacional.es, verified October 2026). Free Wednesdays and Sundays 15-19 h (Oct-Mar until 18 h) for Ibero-American and EU citizens, ticket office only · Duration: 1 to 1,5 hours
3
Castillo de Bellver (Castell de Bellver)
A circular Gothic castle on a wooded hilltop, with the best view of the bay and the Palma History Museum.
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The Castell de Bellver was built between 1300 and 1311 on the orders of James II of Mallorca, to a design by master builder Pere Salvà. What stands out is the shape: the wall, courtyard, towers and keep are all circular. It sits 112 metres above sea level, on a wooded hill about 3 km from the centre.
It was a royal residence and then a prison for centuries. Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos was held here between 1802 and 1808. Today it houses the City History Museum, with pieces ranging from Roman to modern times. But what most people come for is the terrace: from the top you can see the whole bay, the port, the Cathedral and the Serra de Tramuntana.
There are two ways up: an EMT bus to the El Terreno area followed by an uphill walk through the woods, or a taxi to the gate. The climb on foot is steep: wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The tourist bus also stops nearby. It's free on Sundays and for under-14s. It's closed on Mondays all year round.
ℹ️ Distance: About 3 km from the centre, on Bellver hill, above the El Terreno neighbourhood · Best time: Sunday (free) or at sunset in spring and summer · Admission: General 4 €; reduced 2 € (pensioners, ages 14 to 18); Palma residents 2,50 €; under-14s free; free on Sundays (source: castelldebellver.palma.es, last updated March 2025, verified October 2026). Oct-Mar: Tuesday to Saturday 10-18 h, Sundays 10-15 h; closed Monday · Duration: 1,5 to 2 hours including the climb
4
Old town, patios and Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs)
A maze of medieval streets with stately courtyards and one of the few remains of Muslim Palma: the 10th-century baths.
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Palma's old town is best explored on foot, at an easy pace. Behind the Cathedral begin the Calatrava neighbourhood and the old Jewish quarter (the Call), with narrow streets, convents and noble houses. Many of those houses have 'Mallorcan patios': wide entrances with stone staircases and columns, which you can peek at from the doorway when the gate is open. Every so often the City Council organises open-patio days.
Within this neighbourhood are the Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths), on Carrer de Can Serra. They're a vaulted room with columns, part of an old bathhouse from the Muslim era, surrounded by a garden. It's small: you can see it in half an hour, reading the signs. If you're interested in the city's Islamic past it's worth the stop, and admission is cheap.
Tip: get lost without a map between the Cathedral, Plaça de Santa Eulàlia and the church of Sant Francesc. If you want context, there are daily free tours of the old town that run on a tips basis.
ℹ️ Distance: Behind the Cathedral; the Arab Baths are about 3 minutes' walk from La Seu · Best time: All year; in summer, early morning or late afternoon because of the heat · Admission: Streets free. Arab Baths: 3,50 € adults; free up to age 10 (source: online travel guides, aggregator, verified October 2026; confirm on site) · Duration: Half a day for the neighbourhood; 30 minutes for the Arab Baths
5
Parc de la Mar and city walls
An artificial lake and promenade alongside the walls, with the most photographed view of the Cathedral. Free and open all day.
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The Parc de la Mar is the green space between the Cathedral and the sea. It was created in the 20th century on land reclaimed from the water and has a large artificial lake that reflects the south façade of La Seu and the Almudaina. It's the classic Palma photo, especially at sunset, when the stone turns golden.
Above the park run the Renaissance walls that once protected the city. A path along the top connects the Cathedral area with Es Baluard, and another heads east towards the Portixol neighbourhood. In the park there's a ceramic mural by Joan Miró and spaces where open-air concerts and film screenings are held in summer.
The Passeig Marítim starts here, the seafront promenade that runs along the port to the yacht area. You can walk, or cycle along the bike lane to Portixol and Ciutat Jardí on the east coast. It's a free plan for any time of day; bring water in summer because there's little shade.
ℹ️ Distance: At the foot of the Cathedral, between the old town and the sea · Best time: Sunset, all year · Admission: Free (public space) · Duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how far you walk
6
Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani
A modern and contemporary art museum inside a Renaissance bastion, with terraces overlooking the Bay of Palma.
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Es Baluard occupies the Baluard de Sant Pere, one of the bastions of Palma's Renaissance wall, at the western end of the old town. The building blends old stone with modern architecture, and just walking around the terraces and the old cistern makes the visit worthwhile.
The collection covers modern and contemporary art with a focus on artists linked to the Balearics, complemented by temporary exhibitions. In 2026 the programme included a major Jannis Kounellis exhibition, and the museum is collaborating on Katharina Grosse's installation at the Lonja.
Best for your wallet: on Fridays there's «Tú decides» (you decide), where you pay what you want from 0,10 €. If you arrive by bike, admission is 2 €. It opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10 to 20 h and Sundays from 10 to 15 h; closed on Mondays. The cultural complex (terraces and café) is open every day until late, so you can go up to watch the sunset even if you don't visit the museum.
ℹ️ Distance: Plaça de la Porta de Santa Catalina, western end of the old town, a few steps from Santa Catalina · Best time: Friday (pay what you want) or at sunset for the terraces · Admission: General 8 €; reduced 5,50 €; arriving by bike 2 €; Friday «Tú decides» from 0,10 € (source: esbaluard.org, verified October 2026) · Duration: 1,5 to 2 hours
7
The studios where Joan Miró painted in his last decades, preserved with brushes and canvases, plus a building by Rafael Moneo.
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Joan Miró settled in Palma in 1956 and worked here until his death in 1983. The Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró preserves the spaces where he painted: the Taller Sert, a bright studio designed by his friend the architect Josep Lluís Sert, which looks just as Miró left it, with easels, brushes and unfinished works; and Son Boter, an 18th-century Mallorcan house where the artist made charcoal sketches directly on the walls.
There's also an exhibition building, the Espai Estrella, designed by Rafael Moneo, with rotating shows from the collection and by contemporary artists. In 2026 there was an exhibition devoted to Pilar Juncosa, Miró's wife.
It's in Cala Major, west of the centre, and you get there by EMT bus. Admission is free on Saturdays from 15 h and on the first Sunday of each month from 10 to 15 h, and always for under-16s. It's closed on Mondays. Ticket sales stop 45 minutes before closing.
ℹ️ Distance: In Cala Major, west of central Palma; reachable by city bus · Best time: Saturday from 15 h or the first Sunday of the month (free) · Admission: General 10 €; reduced 6,50 € (over-66s, youth card); Palma residents 4 €; under-16s free; free Saturdays from 15 h and first Sunday of the month (source: miromallorca.com, verified October 2026) · Duration: 1,5 to 2 hours
8
La Lonja (Sa Llotja)
The former 15th-century Gothic merchants' exchange, by Guillem Sagrera, now an exhibition hall with free admission.
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Sa Llotja (La Lonja) is Palma's most important Gothic civic building. The Mallorcan architect Guillem Sagrera built it between 1426 and 1452 so merchants could close deals when Mallorca was a Mediterranean trading power. From outside it looks like a castle, with towers at the corners; inside it's a single huge hall with spiral columns that open out like palm trees towards the vault.
Today the Balearic government uses it as an exhibition hall. From 27 May 2026 until 31 January 2027 it hosts 'Arrels', an immersive installation by the German artist Katharina Grosse in collaboration with Es Baluard. Admission is free.
Note: when there's no exhibition on, the building may be closed. Next door is the Consolat de Mar, seat of the Balearic government presidency, and all around is the La Llotja neighbourhood, packed with bars and restaurants for the evening.
ℹ️ Distance: Passeig de Sagrera, facing the port, between the Cathedral and Es Baluard · Best time: When there's an exhibition on; check before you go · Admission: Free (source: planomato, cultural listings, verified October 2026). Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Mondays · Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
9
Basílica de Sant Francesc
A 13th-century Gothic church with a cloister of orange trees and the tomb of Ramon Llull, the great Mallorcan philosopher.
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The Basílica de Sant Francesc is one of Palma's oldest churches, built by the Franciscans after the Christian conquest. The façade is austere, with a large rose window, and inside the church combines its Gothic structure with heavily ornate Baroque altars.
Two things make it special. First, the tomb of Ramon Llull, the medieval Mallorcan philosopher, writer and mystic, in a carved 15th-century alabaster sarcophagus. Second, the Gothic cloister, with slender arches, orange and lemon trees and a well in the middle: one of the quietest corners of the old town. Bear in mind there's a school next door, so it can be noisy during school hours.
In the square in front stands a statue of Friar Junípero Serra, the Mallorcan missionary who founded missions in California. There's an admission charge for the basilica and cloister. Wear something that covers your shoulders and avoid very short shorts. On Sunday afternoons it's usually closed to tourists.
ℹ️ Distance: Plaça de Sant Francesc, in the heart of the old town · Best time: In the morning, Monday to Saturday · Admission: There's an admission charge for the basilica and cloister; the amount isn't published on an official website (aggregators give different figures, verified October 2026). Check at the ticket office or by phone on 971 712 695 · Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
10
Passeig des Born, Plaça Major and Plaça de Cort
Palma's urban axis: the tree-lined Born promenade, the arcaded main square and the City Hall with its ancient olive tree.
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To understand how Palma lives, you need to walk its central axis. The Passeig des Born is a boulevard lined with plane trees and stone benches that runs up from the sea towards Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I; along its sides are palaces, shops and the Palau Solleric, which hosts exhibitions. From there runs Avinguda de Jaume III, the street of brand-name shops.
Heading up through pedestrian streets you reach Plaça Major, an enclosed arcaded square with bar terraces and street performers. Very close by is Plaça de Cort, in front of the Town Hall, with a huge, gnarled olive tree that everyone photographs. The area also has the modernista buildings of Plaça del Mercat, such as the Gran Hotel and the Casasayas houses, from the early 20th century.
La Rambla, with its flower stalls, starts at Plaça Major. It's all free and you can cover it in an afternoon. If you're going to sit at a terrace on Plaça Major, check the menu first: prices are tourist-zone prices.
ℹ️ Distance: Central Palma, walking from the Cathedral · Best time: Afternoon and early evening · Admission: Free (public space) · Duration: 2 to 3 hours on foot
11
Mercat de l'Olivar
Palma's largest municipal market: fish, Majorcan cured meats, fruit and counters for a tapas lunch.
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The Mercat de l'Olivar is Palma's main covered market, a few blocks from Plaça d'Espanya. It's where the locals shop: fish and seafood stalls, butchers selling sobrasada and botifarró, Mahón cheeses, fruit and vegetables from the island, olives and almonds.
For travellers it's interesting for two reasons. First, to see and taste local produce: sobrasada (a spreadable pork sausage with paprika), Menorca cheese, ensaimada. Second, because it has tapas counters and food stalls where you can grab a bite or sit down, such as oysters and grilled fish, and they generally work out cheaper than the restaurants in the old town.
It opens Monday to Saturday from 7 in the morning until early afternoon; it's closed on Sunday. The tapas area usually stays open a little longer, and on some Fridays part of the market opens in the afternoon. Go before 1 pm, as it fills up after that.
ℹ️ Distance: Plaça de l'Olivar, near Plaça d'Espanya and the train station · Best time: Morning or midday, Monday to Saturday · Admission: Free entry; you pay for what you eat and drink · Duration: 1 hour, or longer if you eat there
12
Santa Catalina neighbourhood
A former fishermen's quarter turned Palma's food hub, with its own market and bars for a night out.
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Santa Catalina sits right next to the old town, on the other side of Es Baluard. It was a humble neighbourhood of fishermen and sailors, with low houses and windmills on the higher ground of Es Jonquet. Today it's the trendy area to eat and go out: Carrer de la Fàbrica and the streets around it are packed with restaurants serving food from all over the world, wine bars and cafés.
The heart of the neighbourhood is the Mercat de Santa Catalina, a smaller market than the Olivar but with plenty of atmosphere, where the food stalls fill up at vermouth time. It's a good spot for breakfast or a casual lunch.
It's a practical place to stay: it's a short walk from the old town and the Passeig Marítim, and it has hostels and apartments. The downside is the night-time noise on some streets at weekends. Head up to Es Jonquet to see the windmills and the view of the harbour; it's a quiet, free corner.
ℹ️ Distance: West of the old town, past Es Baluard · Best time: Midday for the market; evening for bars and restaurants · Admission: Free (neighbourhood and market open to all) · Duration: 2 to 4 hours
13
Palau March
The March family palace, with a terrace of sculptures by Rodin and Henry Moore and murals by Josep Maria Sert, next to the Cathedral.
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The Palau March is the palace that the family of banker Juan March had built in the 20th century, on the slope that climbs from the Almudaina towards the centre. Today it's run by the Fundación Bartolomé March and works as a museum and library.
The highlight is the large open-air terrace, with sculptures by artists such as Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, and a direct view over the Cathedral and the bay. Inside you can see Josep Maria Sert's murals on the staircase and in the music room, a collection of Majorcan cartography, and an 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scene with hundreds of figures, one of the most talked-about pieces.
Watch the opening hours: according to Visit Palma, from April to October it opens Monday to Friday until the afternoon, and from November to March only in the morning; it's closed on Sundays and public holidays. Published prices don't match across sources, so check at the ticket office. It pairs perfectly with the Cathedral and the Almudaina, which are right opposite.
ℹ️ Distance: Carrer del Palau Reial 18, opposite the Almudaina · Best time: A weekday morning, especially from November to March, when it closes at midday · Admission: 10 € adults; 6 € seniors and children aged 7 to 12; under 7s free (source: Fever, aggregator, June-August 2026 season, verified October 2026). Visit Palma publishes a lower general rate: check at the ticket office · Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
14
Museu Fundación Juan March
A free museum of 20th-century Spanish art in a small mansion in the centre: Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Tàpies and Barceló.
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The Museu Fundación Juan March in Palma occupies an 18th-century building on Carrer de Sant Miquel, one of the pedestrian shopping streets in the centre. It shows the Fundación Juan March's collection of contemporary Spanish art, which began to be assembled in the 1970s.
In just a few rooms you can take in a good part of 20th-century Spanish art: there are works by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, Juan Gris, Antoni Tàpies, Antonio Saura and Miquel Barceló, among others. It also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
It's a small, quiet museum, ideal for an hour between other visits, and its big advantage is that entry is free. It opens Monday to Friday during the day and on Saturdays only in the morning; it's closed on Sundays and public holidays. It's a few minutes' walk from Plaça Major and the Mercat de l'Olivar, so it's easy to combine with a morning at the market.
ℹ️ Distance: Carrer de Sant Miquel 11, near Plaça Major · Best time: Any weekday; a good rainy-day plan · Admission: Free (source: Fundación Juan March leaflets and avygeo.com, verified October 2026). Monday to Friday 10:00 to 18:30, Saturdays 10:30 to 14:00; closed Sunday · Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
15
Sóller Train (Ferrocarril de Sóller)
The 1912 wooden train that crosses the Serra de Tramuntana from Palma to Sóller, connecting with the tram to the port.
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The Ferrocarril de Sóller links Palma with the town of Sóller, on the other side of the Serra de Tramuntana, the mountain range in north-west Majorca that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been running since 1912 with wooden carriages and keeps its period feel. The Palma station is on Plaça d'Espanya, next to the intermodal station.
The journey takes about an hour and crosses olive and almond groves and several tunnels; before descending to Sóller there's a viewpoint overlooking the valley. In Sóller you can stroll around the square and the church, and take the historic tram down to Port de Sóller, by the sea.
It isn't cheap: the return ticket costs 30 € and the combined ticket with the tram, 40 €. A cheaper alternative is to go by train and come back on the TIB bus through the tunnel, which is faster. Buy online at trendesoller.com or at the ticket offices in Palma, Bunyola or Sóller. In summer the morning departures fill up: go early.
ℹ️ Distance: Station on Plaça d'Espanya (Palma); Sóller is on the other side of the Tramuntana · Best time: Spring and autumn, morning departure · Admission: Palma-Sóller single 23 €; return 30 €; Sóller-Port tram 10 € per journey; train + tram return 40 € (source: trendesoller.com, verified October 2026) · Duration: Full day including Sóller and the port
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City beaches: Can Pere Antoni, Ciutat Jardí and Platja de Palma
Sandy beaches within the city, reachable by city bus or on foot along the seafront promenade.
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Palma has its own beaches along the bay, east of the centre. The closest is Can Pere Antoni, a sandy beach you can walk to from the Parc de la Mar along the coastal promenade; it has views of the Cathedral and it's the one used by people staying in the centre.
Further east is Portixol, a former fishermen's quarter with a small harbour and fish restaurants, and then Ciutat Jardí, a more local beach popular with Palma families. Further still begins Platja de Palma, the long tourist beach that stretches to S'Arenal, with hotels and beach clubs; in summer it gets packed and the vibe is mass-market holiday.
They're all public and free; you only pay if you rent sun loungers or a parasol. The turquoise-water coves from the Majorca photos aren't in Palma: for those you need to head out by car or on an excursion to the south or east of the island.
ℹ️ Distance: Can Pere Antoni, on foot from the Parc de la Mar along the coastal promenade; the rest, by EMT bus heading east · Best time: June to September; in July and August, go early to get a spot · Admission: Free (public beaches) · Duration: Half a day
💵 Prices
Tickets
| Type | Price |
|---|
| Catedral de Mallorca (La Seu) | General visit 10 €; under 8s free (source: The Calendar Mallorca, local listings, verified October 2026). Cathedral + terraces + Museum of Sacred Art 25 €; Balearic residents 8 €; diocese residents free on Fridays at the ticket office (source: Majorca Daily Bulletin, March 2026). Buy at catedraldemallorca.org or at the ticket office |
| Palacio Real de La Almudaina | Standard 8 €; reduced 5 € (65+, ages 5 to 16, students up to 25); guided tour 16 € / 13 € reduced; online +0,77 € booking fee. Free Wednesdays and Sundays 15:00 to 19:00 (Oct-Mar until 18:00) for Ibero-American and EU citizens, at the ticket office only with ID (source: tickets.patrimonionacional.es, verified October 2026) |
| Castell de Bellver | General 4 €; reduced 2 € (pensioners, ages 14 to 18); Palma residents 2,50 €; under 14s free; free for everyone on Sundays (source: castelldebellver.palma.es, page updated March 2025, verified October 2026). Pay at the castle ticket office |
| Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani | General 8 €; reduced 5,50 €; arriving by bicycle 2 €; Fridays «Tú decides» from 0,10 € (source: esbaluard.org, verified October 2026). Museum ticket office |
| Fundació Miró Mallorca | General 10 €; reduced 6,50 € (66+, youth card); Palma residents 4 €; under 16s free; free for everyone on Saturdays from 15:00 and on the first Sunday of each month from 10:00 to 15:00 (source: miromallorca.com, verified October 2026) |
| Palau March | 10 € adults; 6 € seniors and children aged 7 to 12; under 7s free (source: Fever, aggregator, 2026 season, verified October 2026). Visit Palma publishes a lower general rate: check at the palace ticket office |
| Baños Árabes (Banys Àrabs) | 3,50 € adults; free up to age 10 (source: online travel guides, aggregator, verified October 2026). Pay at the entrance, at Carrer de Can Serra 7 |
| Tren de Sóller | Palma-Sóller single 23 €; return 30 €; Sóller-Port de Sóller tram 10 € per journey; train + tram 40 € (source: trendesoller.com, verified October 2026). Buy online or at the stations in Palma, Bunyola and Sóller |
| Palma Aquarium | Admission 30,50 € (source: Civitatis, verified October 2026). Also sold on the aquarium's website |
| Museu Fundación Juan March, Sa Llotja y Parc de la Mar | Free (source: Fundación Juan March and Palma cultural listings, verified October 2026). La Lonja only opens when there is an exhibition |
| Impuesto de turismo sostenible (ecotasa), por persona y noche | High season (1 May-31 October): 5-star and 4-star superior hotels 4 €; 4-star and 3-star superior hotels 3 €; 1- to 3-star hotels, 1- to 3-key apartments and holiday rentals 2 €; hostales, guesthouses and hostels 1 €. Low season (1 November-30 April): 1 €, 0,75 €, 0,50 € and 0,25 €. Plus 10 % VAT. Under 16s exempt; 50 % less from the ninth night (source: illessostenibles.travel, Govern de les Illes Balears, verified October 2026). Paid at your accommodation |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
Activities and tours
Free walking tour of Palma's old town
Guided tour of Palma Cathedral
Train to Sóller and boat to Sa Calobra (Serra de Tramuntana)
Excursion to Sóller and Valldemossa
Caves of Drach with a concert on the underground lake
Price59 € per person (source: Civitatis, verified October 2026); there's a version for cruise passengers from the port of Palma at 54 €
Catamaran trip around the Bay of Palma with swimming and barbecue
Price59 € per person (source: Civitatis, verified October 2026). Other operators' websites quote 50-120 € depending on duration (source: Palma Weekly, verified October 2026)
Sightseeing boat around the bay (views of Bellver and the Cathedral)
Coasteering (climbing, jumps into the sea and caves)
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🚌 How to get there and distances
Getting around
Price2 € per journey in cash for non-residents; you can pay by bank card on board (source: mallorca.com, guide updated September 2026, verified October 2026). The City Council is working on raising it to 3 € for non-residents, not yet in force
NotesIt's the most practical way to get around between the centre, the Fundació Miró, Bellver and the city beaches. Residents travel free in 2026 with a card; tourists pay. If you're travelling as a group, paying by bank card gets you discounts for companions, according to an EMT announcement.
PriceFlag fall around €2.50 and around €1.20 per km by day; at night and on public holidays around €2.85 and €1.35/km (source: mallorca.com on Decree 20/2025, verified October 2026)
NotesTaxis are white with a stripe; you can catch one at a taxi rank or book by phone or app. A per-trip surcharge applies from the airport or the port. Luggage is not charged extra.
PriceBetween €3 and €13.50 for a single ticket depending on the route, paying without a resident card (source: mallorca.com, verified October 2026)
NotesThey leave from the Estació Intermodal at Plaça d'Espanya for Valldemossa, Sóller, Alcúdia and the rest of the island. Several lines accept bank card payment, which is cheaper than buying from the driver.
SFM train and Palma metro
PriceBetween €1.60 and €4.10 for a single ticket depending on distance (source: mallorcard.es, 2026 guide, verified October 2026)
NotesThey leave from the Estació Intermodal at Plaça d'Espanya. The train goes to Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor; the metro goes to the university. It's useful for heading inland, not for getting around the centre.
Sightseeing bus (hop-on hop-off)
PriceFrom €27 for a one-day pass (source: Civitatis, verified October 2026)
NotesIt covers the centre, the port, the Castell de Bellver and the Poble Espanyol. It's mainly useful for getting up to Bellver without walking; the old town is best explored on foot.
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
How to get there
Palma Airport (PMI) → centre by A1 bus
Avg. price€5 per trip in cash (source: mallorca.com, guide updated September 2026, verified October 2026); you can also pay by bank card
Palma Airport (PMI) → centre by taxi
Avg. priceAbout €25-35 by day and €30-40 at night, including the airport surcharge of about €4.65 per trip; minimum fare from the airport about €16.95 (source: mallorca.com, verified October 2026)
Flight Madrid → Palma (or Barcelona → Palma)
Avg. priceFrom €20 one way on special offers; a typical return fare is €48-146 (source: Momondo, data from 9 October 2026, verified October 2026)
Avg. priceFrom about €13-17 per foot passenger in a basic seat; cabins €70-500 (source: Ferryhopper, aggregator, verified October 2026)
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🏨 Where to stay
No exact prices: a scale from $ (budget) to $$$$$ (luxury), with 2-3 options per category.
Recommended optionsUrban Hostel Palma, in Santa Catalina, 1.3 km from the centre, with a shared kitchen: an average of US$ 24 a night in January and US$ 74 in July (Kayak shows prices in dollars; source: Kayak, verified October 2026). In summer, book weeks in advance. Add the hostel eco-tax: €1 per night in high season plus VAT
3-star hotel in the centre or Santa Catalina
Recommended optionsAccording to Kayak, the cheapest 3-star room in recent weeks cost €76 a night and the most expensive €203 (source: Kayak, verified October 2026). There's plenty of choice in the old town, Santa Catalina and around Plaça d'Espanya. August is the most expensive month; November the cheapest. Eco-tax: €2 per person per night in high season
4-star boutique hotel in the old town
Recommended optionsAverage 4-star price in Palma: about €156 a night. Examples: Boutique Hotel Posada Terra Santa €153-707, Sant Jaume Design Hotel €180-933 (source: Kayak, verified October 2026). Many are in restored mansions with courtyards. Eco-tax: €3 per person per night in high season
5-star luxury (old-town palaces and Son Vida)
Recommended optionsAverage 5-star price in Palma: about €189 a night, but the boutique hotels in the centre cost quite a bit more: Can Cera €291-1,067, Sant Francesc Hotel Singular €256-1,052, Castillo Hotel Son Vida €293-4,140 (source: Kayak, verified October 2026). Eco-tax: €4 per person per night in high season
🍴 Where to eat
Ensaimada y chocolate en una granja histórica
Options / signature dishThe ensaïmada (ensaimada) is a spiral of flaky pastry made with pork lard, Mallorca's signature sweet. At Ca'n Joan de s'Aigo, a café open since the 18th century in the old town, a plain ensaimada costs around €1.40 (source: online food guide, verified October 2026); they also serve thick hot chocolate, homemade ice cream and cuarto (sponge cake)
Menú del día (almuerzo de lunes a viernes)
Options / signature dishStarter, main course, dessert, drink and sometimes coffee at a fixed price. The average in the Balearic Islands is €16 (source: Majorca Daily Bulletin, November 2025). Examples in Palma: Bar Sion (Carrer d'Alfons el Magnànim) €16, Bruixes Café €13 (source: Ultima Hora, December 2025, verified October 2026). It's the cheapest way to eat home-style cooking
Cocina mallorquina tradicional en un celler
Options / signature dishDishes to try: frit mallorquí (sautéed lamb or pork offal with potato and peppers), tumbet (fried aubergine, potato and red pepper with tomato), llom amb col (pork loin wrapped in cabbage) and snails. Celler Sa Premsa, a classic dining hall lined with wine barrels, costs around €20-30 per person (source: Gastroranking and food guides, verified October 2026); it doesn't take reservations
Alta cocina con estrella Michelin
Options / signature dishMarc Fosh, in the Convent de la Missió hotel, has a Michelin star and serves creative Mediterranean cuisine. Its last published prices (2022) were €49 for the lunch menu and €84-89 for tasting menus; Gastroranking currently estimates €60-100 per person without wine (source: Gastroranking/guides, verified October 2026). Open Tuesday to Saturday; book well ahead
❓ Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa, EES or ETIAS to travel to Palma from Latin America?+
Argentines, Uruguayans, Chileans, Mexicans, Colombians and Peruvians don't need a visa for tourism of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen Area. Since 10 April 2026 the EES (Entry/Exit System) has been fully operational: at your first Schengen border check they record your fingerprints and photo, and your passport is no longer stamped. If you fly to Madrid or Barcelona and then on to Palma, you'll be registered at that first stop. ETIAS, a €20 online authorisation that will be valid for three years, is not required yet: the EU has pushed it back to 2027 with no firm date. Bring your return ticket, accommodation booking and health insurance, as immigration may ask to see them.
How much is the eco-tax (sustainable tourism tax)?+
It's charged per person per night at your accommodation, and depends on the category and the season. From 1 May to 31 October: €4 in 5-star hotels, €3 in 4-star, €2 in 1- to 3-star hotels and holiday rentals, and €1 in guesthouses and hostels. From November to April it drops to a quarter (€1, €0.75, €0.50 and €0.25). 10 % VAT is added on top. Under-16s don't pay, and from the ninth night in the same place you pay half. Example: a couple in a 3-star hotel for seven nights in July pays €28 plus VAT. The figures come from the official website illessostenibles.travel.
How many days should I stay in Palma?+
Two full days are enough for the city itself: one for the old town (Cathedral, Almudaina, Lonja, Born, Mercat de l'Olivar) and another for Bellver, Es Baluard, Santa Catalina and the Fundació Miró. A third day lets you add the Sóller train or a trip to Valldemossa. If you want to explore the island's coves and villages, Palma works well as a base for four or five days, using TIB buses or a hire car. Plan your visits around the free days: Bellver on Sundays, the Almudaina on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons for Ibero-American citizens, Miró on Saturdays from 3 pm and Es Baluard on Fridays.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?+
The cheap option is the EMT A1 bus, which leaves from outside the terminal and goes to Plaça d'Espanya and the Passeig Marítim. It costs €5 in cash and also accepts bank cards. It takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic. Note that in recent years the airport stop has moved because of building work; follow the 'Bus' signs. A taxi to the centre costs about €25-35 by day and €30-40 at night, airport surcharge included. If you arrive in the early hours with lots of luggage and there are two or more of you, the taxi is worth it. TIB intercity lines connect the airport with other parts of the island without going through the centre.
Is it worth hiring a car?+
Not for Palma. The centre is small and walkable, parking is expensive and scarce, and there are restricted-access zones in the old town. EMT buses cover Bellver, the Fundació Miró and the city beaches. A car is useful if you want to explore the island on your own: the coves in the south and east, the Serra de Tramuntana, inland villages. A good strategy is to spend your first days in Palma without a car and hire one only for your excursion days. To drive in Spain with a Latin American licence, it's a good idea to carry an International Driving Permit as well as your licence.
Is Palma expensive? How can I save money?+
It's more expensive than the Spanish average, especially in July and August: according to Kayak, August is the most expensive month for accommodation and November the cheapest. To save: travel in May, June, September or October; have the menú del día at lunchtime (€13-16 in Palma) instead of dining in tourist areas; make use of the museums' free days; get around by bus and on foot. Buy from the Mercat de l'Olivar or supermarkets for some meals. The city beaches are free. And if you stay more than eight nights in the same accommodation, the eco-tax is halved from the ninth night.
Sources consulted (35)
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