Palma Cathedral above the Parc de la Mar
EuropeCoastalHistoryCulture

Palma

Gothic cathedral on a Mallorcan bay

Plan with AISee the 1 itineraryPhoto: Wolfgang Moroder, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Best timeApril to June or September to October for warm weather without peak crowds.
Typical trip length3 days
On travli1 itinerary
Getting aroundWalk the centre; city buses to Bellver and the train or bus to Sóller.
CurrencyEuro

About Palma

Palma is the capital of Mallorca, set on a broad bay on the island's south coast. La Seu, the Gothic cathedral, stands above the waterfront beside the Almudaina Palace. Behind it, the old town is a maze of narrow streets and courtyards. Bellver Castle, a round fortress, sits on a hill west of the center with views over the harbor.

Trips here suit those who want city sightseeing with beaches nearby. The Paseo Maritimo and marina line the seafront. Short visits focus on the old town, while longer stays add Valldemossa and the Serra de Tramuntana.

Why travelers love it

Palma CathedralPalma's huge Gothic cathedral on the seafront, known locally as La Seu.Royal Palace of La AlmudainaA former Moorish fortress beside the cathedral, now an official residence of the Spanish king.Palma Old TownA maze of narrow lanes, hidden courtyards and old mansions behind Palma's cathedral.Arab Baths of PalmaA small domed bathhouse from the Moorish era, set in a quiet garden in the old town.Bellver CastleA rare round Gothic castle on a wooded hill with wide views over Palma and its bay.Santa Catalina MarketPalma's oldest food market, with fresh produce stalls and busy tapas bars.

Top attractions

Palma Cathedral
CathedralPalma CathedralPalma, Spain
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
PalaceRoyal Palace of La AlmudainaPalma, Spain
Palma Old Town
NeighbourhoodPalma Old TownPalma, Spain
Arab Baths of Palma
Historic siteArab Baths of PalmaPalma, Spain
Bellver Castle
CastleBellver CastlePalma, Spain
Santa Catalina Market
Food marketSanta Catalina MarketPalma, Spain
Es Baluard Museum
Art museumEs Baluard MuseumPalma, Spain
Sóller Railway
Heritage trainSóller RailwayPalma, Spain
Port de Sóller
Harbour townPort de SóllerPalma, Spain

1 Palma itinerary

Palma, Spain
Palma, SpainPalma de Mallorca in 3 Days3 days · By travli

Palma questions

Is 3 days enough for Palma?

Yes. Two days covers the city's main sights, and the third leaves time for the train to Sóller or a beach.

Is the Sóller train worth it?

Yes, for the century-old wooden carriages and mountain views. It costs more than the bus, so some people take the train one way and the bus back.

Can you walk to Bellver Castle?

Yes, but it is uphill through woods and takes about 30 to 40 minutes from the centre. A taxi or city bus saves the climb.

What is Palma best known for?

Its Gothic cathedral on the seafront, a lively old town and easy trips to Mallorca's mountains and beaches.

Which days of the week work best?

Start on a Tuesday to Saturday. The cathedral closes on Sundays to visitors, and some sights close on Mondays.