I absolutely love Mallorca. But here’s my slightly controversial opinion: while I definitely think Palma is worth visiting, I don’t think you need to spend several days here.
Mallorca has so much more to offer beyond its capital, from spectacular beaches and dramatic mountain scenery to beautiful little villages that, in my opinion, deserve plenty of your time too.
The good news is that one day in Palma is enough to experience the city’s highlights without feeling like you’re rushing from one attraction to the next.
That’s exactly what this itinerary is for. I’ve put together a realistic route for spending one perfect day in Palma, including some of the city’s must-see sights along with a few of my personal favourite spots.
Where to stay in Palma
If you’re only spending one day in Palma, I’d definitely recommend staying somewhere central so you can explore most of the city on foot.
I prefer to stay along the waterfront or just outside the center of the Old Town. My favorite accommodation is Hotel Basilica, a beautiful boutique hotel next to the Basilica of San Francisco, with lovely staff and a rooftop pool.
Santa Catalina is another great area if you’re more interested in restaurants, cafés and nightlife. It’s a little less historic than the Old Town but has a fun, laid-back atmosphere. I’ve stayed in the lovely Stay Catalina Boutique Apartments before, and we walked to the cathedral from here in about 15 minutes.
Meliá Palma Bay is another great option, east of the Old Town. It’s clean, modern and located right across from the beach.
One perfect day in Palma
This itinerary reflects my perfect day in Palma, starting from the waterfront. If you’re staying in the old town or further north, you might have to change the order of activities a bit. I like to get my day started here around 9:00 am.
1. Start your day at Palma Cathedral
There’s really only one place I’d recommend starting your day in Palma: Palma Cathedral. Known locally as La Seu, this enormous Gothic cathedral is impossible to miss—and honestly, no matter how many times I see it, I’m still impressed. Visiting is definitely one of the top things to do in Mallorca.
I’d recommend getting here before it opens at 10:00 am, so you can spend some time admiring the cathedral from Parc de la Mar and the waterfront first. This is also one of my favorite spots for that all-important first photo of the day.
If you have time, I’d recommend going inside as well. I was there in June last and bought a ticket just before heading in. The interiors are very impressive, and escaping the midday sun for a little while is a bonus.
After about an hour, we headed for the Museum of Sacred Art, which is included with your ticket. It was very calm, airconditioned and had great bathrooms. And yes, it was cool to see the artifacts too.
2. La Almudaina Royal Palace
As a history lover, I couldn’t resist also spending some time inside the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, which sits right next to Palma Cathedral.
Originally an 10th century Moorish fortress, major alterations were made at the beginning of the 14th century. Today, it is the official residence of the King and Queen during their stays in Mallorca.
You can explore the palace’s courtyards, historic rooms and terraces overlooking the city and sea. There are some great photo ops with the cathedral in the background.
From here, you’re perfectly placed to begin exploring Palma’s beautiful Old Town.
3. Wander through Palma’s Old Town
From the cathedral, I’d simply put your phone away and get a little lost in Palma’s Old Town. This is one of my favorite things to do in the city. The narrow streets, beautiful old buildings, hidden courtyards, and tiny boutiques make wandering around feel like an attraction in itself.
As you make your way through the old town, keep an eye out for the Arab Baths to the east, one of the few remaining examples of the city’s Moorish past. Stop to admire the beautiful architecture around Plaça de Cort, and peek into the little courtyards tucked behind the streets.
Another building to look out for is Can Forteza Rey, a striking Art Nouveau townhouse on the corner of Plaça del Marquès del Palmer. This was the most wow moment for me in the Old Town. Casa Casasayas and Pensión Menorquina are also worth mentioning for the architecture lovers.
From here, the most natural way to go is through Plaça Major, Palma’s main square and one of the central meeting points. The square sits in the heart of Palma Alta, the upper part of the historic city, with several of Palma’s main shopping streets branching off from here.
4. Shopping
I’ll admit it: I spent quite a bit of my time in Palma’s Old Town shopping. There are plenty of Spanish and international chain stores here that we don’t have in Norway, including Pull&Bear, Stradivarius and Rossmann.
You’ll find many on Carrer de Sant Miquel, one of the busiest pedestrian shopping streets. It stretches for about 650 meters from Plaça Major up toward the northern parts near Plaça d’Espanya.
And then there’s English Fine Books on Carrer d’En Morei. This beautiful old bookshop feels like something straight out of Harry Potter. It is not too far from the cathedral, so stop by before you walk north.
For a more luxurious shopping experience, make your way towards Passeig del Born and Avinguda de Jaume III, often referred to as Palma’s Golden Mile. This is where you’ll find plenty of international designer brands, including Louis Vuitton, Loewe and Hugo Boss, alongside Spanish brands.
But for the most part, I much prefer browsing the smaller independent shops and boutiques scattered through the Old Town. Can Verí is one of my favorite streets in Palma and, in my opinion, one of the prettiest. It’s lined with stylish boutiques, galleries and charming little shops.
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Lunch
After shopping up an appetite, we headed to Matcha & Coffee by Mama Carmen’s for lunch. I was in the mood for something light and fresh, and the hummus toast and matcha did not disappoint.
Surry Hills | Coffee & Brunch is also great, but they only have seating inside. If you’d rather have something to go, you can’t go wrong with Full Proof Bakery. They make some mean focaccia sandwiches.
Or if you want to make lunch an experience in itself, skip this step and head straight for Mercat de l’Olivar.
4. Browse Mercat de l’Olivar
Mercat de l’Olivar is Palma’s main food market. This is the kind of place I could easily spend more time than planned, browsing the colorful stalls piled high with fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, meats, cheeses, and all kinds of local specialties. I was amazed by the selection in some of these stalls.
I always think markets are a great way to get a little taste of local life, and Mercat de l’Olivar is no exception. If you’re feeling hungry, this is also a great place to stop for a snack or something to eat before continuing your Palma adventure.
Don’t worry about having a strict plan here—just wander around, see what catches your eye, and enjoy the atmosphere.
5. Explore more of the city center
After the market, I walked back down towards La Rambla. And yes, Palma has its very own La Rambla. Much smaller and quieter than its famous Barcelona namesake, Palma’s tree-lined boulevard is one of my favorite streets in the city.
At this point, I needed a place in the shade to sit down, as it was almost 40°C when I was there last in June. So I got an ice cream and did some people watching from one of the benches.
And from there I walked down Passeig del Born, maybe Palma’s most beautiful and elegant boulevard, also lined with huge trees, grand buildings and plenty of shops and cafés.
Between the two streets, you can also stop at Kulturzentrum Palma, a 17th-century mansion with exhibitions that bring different historical periods to life. Admission is free and the restrooms are clean.
If you have more time in your day, go for a stroll along Palma’s waterfront, passing Sa Llotja, the old city walls and Es Baluard, with views across the marina towards Bellver Castle. It’s a lovely way to see some of Palma’s most impressive sights from a different perspective before heading to Santa Catalina for dinner.
7. Dinner & drinks in Santa Catalina
By now, you’ll probably be ready to slow down and enjoy a proper dinner, so this is the perfect time to make your way to Santa Catalina, my favorite neighborhood in Palma. I love the completely different feel here, with colorful buildings, independent shops, cute cafés and a more laid-back atmosphere.
Santa Catalina is also one of my favorite places to eat in Palma, with plenty of great restaurants and bars to choose from. I’d recommend booking a table in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the busy summer months.
🍸 If you’re looking for somewhere for a pre-dinner drink (or a late-night cocktail), keep an eye out for Quentin’s Saloon. I discovered it completely by chance while wandering around the neighborhood, and this little speakeasy was such a lovely surprise.
🍽 Lima – Santa Catalina, one of the best restaurants in the city, serves up fresh Mediterranean food with a Peruvian touch. At Krishna Curry Bar, you can enjoy some of the best and most authentic Indian food I’ve had in a while. For the meat lovers, head to Marui Steak, where the wagyu burger literally melts in your mouth.
🍔 Another burger worth mentioning is from Anni Burger, a fairly new spot opened up by a chef passionate about his craft. Everything is made from scratch.
Palma itinerary alternatives
This itinerary reflects exactly how I would spend one day in Palma, but of course, there are plenty of other things to see and do if you have different interests or a little more time.
Watch the sunset from a rooftop
To finish the day, head up to one of Palma’s rooftop bars and watch the city turn golden as the sun goes down. I’d recommend arriving a little before sunset so you have time to grab a drink and settle in before the best part of the evening.
A few good options are Rooftop Sky Saratoga, Es Princep Rooftop Restaurant & Bar and Singular Rooftop Terrace with views over Basílica de Sant Francesc.
Spend some time at the beach
You might notice that I haven’t included a beach in this itinerary. That’s because I usually book Mallorca as a beach vacation, so when I spend a day in Palma, I like to focus on exploring the city instead.
However, if you’re visiting Palma for a long weekend, there’s no reason you can’t add a little beach time to your Palma itinerary. Platja de Can Pere Antoni is right east of the city center. It is not the most beautiful beach, but it is possible to swim there.
Other nice beaches near the city are Cala Major, Comtessa and Illetas, all of which are a 15-20-minute drive away. You can also take bus no. 4.
Enjoy the view from Bellver Castle
For something a little different, head up to Castell de Bellver, a unique circular castle overlooking Palma. It’s a great choice if you’re interested in history, but I’d visit even if you aren’t—the views over the city, harbor, and surrounding coastline are reason enough to make the trip.
As mentioned, the last time I was in Palma, it was almost 40°C. So after walking around the Old Town all day, we were overheating and decided to buy a ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus. We thought it would be the best way to feel the breeze and cool down a bit, while still seeing the rest of the sights.
Bellver Castle is one of the stops on the route, and after that, we got off the bus right outside our hotel along the promenade. This was the first time I had taken a tourist bus like this and it was actually a great experience.
Visit a museum instead
If you’re more interested in history than modern art, I’d swap some of the wandering time for the Museu de Mallorca, the island’s main museum for history and art. Its collections cover Mallorca’s history from prehistoric and Talaiotic times through the Islamic period, the Middle Ages.
Es Baluard is another great alternative. The contemporary art museum is built into Palma’s old city walls and also has beautiful views over the harbor, bay, and cathedral—so you’re getting a little sightseeing in with your art, too.
Take a food tour
If, like me, one of your favorite parts of traveling is eating, this food tour is a fun way to experience Palma. You’ll get to try 10 popular local dishes while learning a little more about the island’s food culture. And probably discover a few places you wouldn’t have found on your own.
Watch the sunset from the water
If you want to make your visit feel a little more special, consider booking this yacht tour from Palma. Seeing Mallorca from the water is a completely different experience, and you can choose a midday sailing for a few hours of sun and swimming, or opt for a sunset cruise for a more romantic way to end the day.
How to get from Palma Airport to the city centre
The good news is that getting from Palma de Mallorca Airport to the city center is really easy, with the airport located around 8 km from central Palma.
🚌 By bus >> If you’re traveling on a budget, the A1 bus (blue, white, and green) connects the airport with Palma city centre. The last stop is at the Es Baluard art museum, from where the bus will return via the same route to the airport. At the airport, it stops opposite the arrivals hall on the right side. You can easily pay by tapping your card when you enter.
🚕 By taxi >> You’ll find the official taxi rank on the right side of the covered walkway outside the arrivals hall. The journey into central Palma typically takes around 15–20 minutes and costs anywhere from €25 to €35.
The taxis are not restricted to local destinations, so you can take them anywhere on the island. Just keep in mind that you might have to wait in line. Last time I took a taxi during the high season, I had to wait for almost 30 minutes.
🚙 Book a private transfer >> Personally, if you want to make your arrival as stress-free as possible, I’d recommend booking a private transfer with Welcome Pickups. Having someone waiting for you at the airport is particularly nice if you’re arriving late or only have one day in Palma and want to make the most of every minute.
🌟 Don’t miss >> Mallorca: Everything you need to know as a first-timer
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