When people think of city breaks, they usually make a beeline for the big hitters like Paris, Rome, Lisbon, Madrid, Budapest or Vienna. In fact, I’ve been to all these cities, but until recently there was one brilliant city I had overlooked: Palma de Mallorca.
Palma certainly isn’t the first city that springs to mind when you think of a long weekend in Europe, but there are loads of reasons why a Palma city break should be high on your list.
Because Palma has it all: a picturesque, safe and easily-walkable historic city centre, golden sandy beaches, masses of excellent bars, restaurants and shops, a magnificent castle, a huge and majestic cathedral, and the rest of Mallorca within easy reach.
It also enjoys a balmy Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine – at least most of the time. I went in November and it was unusually rainy, hence the lack of sunshine and blue skies in some of my photos.
But don’t worry, even if the weather isn’t perfect, there are so many things to do in Palma that it’s one of the best cities to visit in Spain. No wonder it was also voted one of the best cities to visit by Lonely Planet in 2025!
And because it’s flying under the radar, it’s not nearly as crowded or expensive as other popular city break destinations like Paris or Rome.
Convinced? You should be! But if you need more reasons, or are wondering what to do in Palma de Mallorca, welcome to my Palma travel blog!
About my Palma city break
I went to Palma for a conference. It was November so the weather was a bit hit and miss – some days we had glorious sunshine, some days we had rain.
I spent a week in Palma, so I had a few days exploring the Old Town by myself, and then moved to a different hotel to attend the conference.
That meant I had about 3 days in Palma to explore, which would be the perfect amount of time for a long weekend in Majorca.
What follows is everything I did, plus a few more recommendations besides. It should give you a great idea of what to do in Palma Mallorca and hopefully provide inspiration for your trip.
Top things to do in Palma de Mallorca
1. Get lost in Palma’s beautiful Old Town
The beating heart or city centre of Palma is its Old Town.
With 2000 years of history, this maze of narrow cobbled streets is bursting with Roman, Moorish, Christian and 17th– and 18th-century architectural influences.
With no traffic to worry about, beautiful weather, and plenty of cute cafés, shops and galleries to duck into, Palma Old Town really is a joy to walk around and the perfect starting point for your city break.
Here you can easily wander for hours, meandering through colourful alleyways and stumbling across cute plazas.
But you’re never really lost in Palma city centre, because the Old Town is manageably small and crisscrossed by a couple of main streets, meaning that before you know it, you’ll discover somewhere you recognise.
As you stroll around, look up at the glorious colours and designs above your head.
Keep your eyes peeled for some of Palma’s diverse architecture, such as the Gaudi-style Can Forteza Rey and the symmetrical pair of the Casasayas building and the Pensión Menorquina; the magnificent 17th-century Ajuntament de Palma (Palma City Hall) at Plaça de Cort; or the Moorish-style Can Corbella, just a stone’s throw away.
It’s worth buying a local SIM, getting an e-SIM from Airalo, or making sure you have phone reception and GPS for your Palma city break.
That way you can wander at random, taking whichever small side street takes your fancy, and then when you’re ready to stop, just fire up your phone and let it guide you out.
Another great way to explore is on a hop-on hop-off bus tour which goes round Palma city centre and beyond. You can buy tickets valid for 24 or 48 hours.
2. Try Palma’s many restaurants and tapas bars
One of the things all good city break destinations needs is a wide selection of bars and restaurants to choose from, ideally concentrated in a small area so that you can wander and pick whatever takes your fancy. And in this respect, your weekend in Palma certainly won’t disappoint.
There’s an enormous range of places to eat and drink to suit all budgets, from cute little bars serving traditional Spanish tapas, to fancy restaurants set in historic buildings. And many of them have outside seating so you can relax in the sunshine and watch the world go by.
There are too many tapas places to list here, but a couple of good options are classic favourite Bar España or budget choice El Tunel. Or head to Moltabarra, a relaxed bar with a great atmosphere that serves a huge selection of amazing pintxos (essentially Catalan appetisers, a bit like tapas).
For something fancier, try The Merchants Steak and Grill, an award-winning luxury steakhouse set in a former 18th century palace. Or if you want to sample everything all in one place, head to the fabulous Mercat 1930, an indoor street food market with counters serving every type of cuisine you could wish for.
3. Enjoy your long weekend in Palma’s cafés and bakeries
I have a ridiculous sugar addiction, so one of my favourite things about my city break in Palma was the huge range of cafes and bakeries, serving a dazzling selection of cakes, pastries and sweet treats.
You can’t spend any time in Mallorca without trying the iconic ensaïmada, a twisted pastry a little bit like a flat, circular croissant, that can be eaten plain and dusted with icing sugar, or with a variety of sweet or savoury fillings (my favourite was the one with apple and custard).
As you wander the streets of Palma city centre you’ll spot famous favourites, like the legendary Forn des Teatre with its enticing shop window display, or the historic Fornet de la Soca, located in the gorgeous Can Corbella building just off Plaça de Cort.
I also loved the hot chocolate and ensaïmadas at Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo, Palma’s oldest chocolate shop founded in the 1700s, and the chocolates and macarons at Pajarita Bonboneria.
But probably my favourite of all was Anita Cakes, a sugary pink-fronted paradise serving some of the most spectacular cookies, brownies and cupcakes you’ll ever try. I went there three times!
4. Walk, run or cycle along the iconic Paseo Maritimo
After all that eating and drinking you may feel like you need some fresh air and exercise, and happily Palma has just the place for it: the Paseo Maritimo, a wide, palm-tree-lined promenade perfect for stretching your legs.
The promenade has clearly defined lanes for walking and cycling, and runs for 4 km all the way around the bay from the Porto Pi shopping centre in the west to the mini marina of Portixol in the east.
Rent a bike or a scooter to zoom along the cycle lane, go for a run (it’s nice and flat!), or take a late afternoon stroll along the sea front to enjoy the sunset before heating to some of the cute bars and restaurants in Portixol.
If you enjoy cycling, there’s a great Old Town cycle tour you can do that even includes stopping off for tapas, the perfect way to refuel.
5. Visit one of Palma’s many beaches
City breaks and beach holidays don’t usually go hand-in-hand, but another fabulous thing about a long weekend in Mallorca is that you don’t have to pick one or the other – you can do both!
With so much to see and do in the city, you probably won’t want to spend your entire trip sunbathing, but if the weather’s nice, what could be greater than a couple of hours basking on a sun lounger, or taking a dip in the warm Balearic sea?
The main public beach is a soft stretch of golden sand called Ca’n Pere Antoni, located just to the east of the Old Town, about a ten-minute walk along the promenade.
It can get quite crowded in summer though, so if beaches are your thing, try taking a bus or taxi a little further afield, to Playa Ciudad Jardín or the 3-mile-long Playa de Palma (S’Arenal), both of which have plenty of cafes, and sun loungers to rent.
Read more: 11 Things To Do On A Thessaloniki City Break in Greece
6. Visit the magnificent Palma cathedral
Without question the most famous landmark in Palma is the immense Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, more casually known as Palma Cathedral.
This magnificent gothic building dominates the city skyline and if you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to stop yourself photographing it from every angle.
Palma Cathedral was begun by King James I of Aragon in 1229 but only finished in 1601. At 44 metres tall its nave is one of the highest of all Gothic cathedrals.
It’s easy to spend a couple of hours just wandering around the outside taking its structural beauty, but you’d be missing a trick if you didn’t pay the €8 fee to go inside as well (or it’s free if you want to attend a service).
Inside the lofty ceiling towers dramatically above your head, and on a sunny day the rainbow of colours cast on the walls by the gorgeous stained glass windows are nothing short of heavenly. Wander in your own time, or get the audio guide to learn all about the different statues and side chapels.
Note that Palma Cathedral is only open from 10 am to 2.15 pm every day, so don’t try to go in the afternoon like I did. Whoops!
You can skip the queues by buying your ticket in advance here.
6. Enjoy the views from Bellver Castle
The other major landmark, and another must-see on your holiday in Palma, is the Castell de Bellver, a stunning Gothic castle perched on a hilltop 3 km to the west of Palma city centre.
Built in the 14th century for King James II of Majorca, it’s one of the few round castles in Europe. In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries it was used as a military prison, and is now a tourist attraction and home to a historical museum.
From its lofty location Bellver Castle also offers stunning views of the city of Palma below. Entry costs €4, but note the the castle is closed on Mondays.
7. Go shopping for fashion, artisan food, or pearls
I’m not a big shopper, but if you are, you can rest assured that Palma also has all your city break shopping needs well and truly covered.
From charming little delis selling traditional Spanish foods like Manchego cheese or jamon serrano, to pretty independent boutiques selling handicrafts and homewares, to tourist shops selling all the souvenirs you could possibly want, to all the main Spanish fashion brands, to high-end international designers, Palma has it all.
Wander the Old Town for souvenirs, gifts, and local delicacies; head to Paseo del Borne for designers like Louis Vuitton or Hugo Boss; or go to the Porto Pi Shopping Centre for high-street brands like Zara and H&M.
If you’re after something traditionally Mallorcan that won’t take up too much space in your luggage, one iconic thing to buy is pearls. Mallorca is famous for its pearls – not the super-expensive cultured ones that I saw when I visited a pearl farm in Australia – but much more affordable artificial ones.
These are not cheapy plastic baubles, but beautifully crafted replicas made using a process invented in 1890, which involves coating a glass nucleus in up to 40 layers of a pearly liquid made of fish scales or mother of pearl particles.
The result is a gem that’s virtually indistinguishable from a real pearl, and a fraction of the price.
8. Boat trips and water sports
If you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to spend too long on your city break in Palma without wanting to get out on the water.
Fortunately, Palma has a port and marina. Not only is it great just to wander around and marvel at all the floating wealth on display, but there are also loads of boat-based activities on offer.
Take a charter cruise on a sailing yacht to explore up and down the coastline, try paddleboarding or scuba diving in Mallorca’s crystal-clear waters, or take a four-hour sunset catamaran ride around Palma Bay.
9. Ride the antique train to Port de Sóller
The list above is more than enough to keep you busy on a long weekend in Palma, but if you’ve got a little extra time, one of the other things I loved so much about Palma is that it’s within easy reach of the rest of Mallorca with its great hiking routes, stunning scenery, and picturesque towns and villages.
One of the most popular – and a great day trip from Palma – is Port de Sóller on the north side of the island. You can easily get there by car or bus in about half an hour, but the more scenic way is to ride the historic Ferrocaril de Sóller, a narrow-gauge railway with an antique wooden train, founded in 1912.
The journey runs across viaducts and bridges, and through 13 tunnels, passing some of Mallorca’s finest scenery before arriving in the pretty historic town of Sóller about an hour later.
From there you can get the antique tram down to Port de Sóller, a picturesque bay and marina with loads of cute shops, bars and restaurants.
Both Sóller and the port are lovely places to explore for a few hours before heading back to Palma in time for dinner.
Read more: A day trip to Port de Sóller on the Palma Soller train, Mallorca
10. Do a walking tour of Pollença
Another worthwhile day trip from Palma is to Pollença, in the far north of Mallorca about 45 minutes’ drive from the capital. Pollença (aka Pollensa) is a very pretty town founded in the 13th century, though most of the houses you see today date from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Like Palma Old Town, it’s full of narrow pedestrian streets that are great for getting lost in, as well as an impressive church overlooking the picturesque main square, and a fascinating museum.
There’s also a 365-step stairway leading up to a chapel on top of the hill, offering magnificent views out over the town and the surrounding landscape.
Direct buses from Palma to Pollença take 50 minutes and run throughout the day.
Read more: Pollensa Mallorca: A Charming Day Trip From Palma
11. Take a drive into the Tramuntana mountains
You might have come to Palma for a city break, but if you fancy taking in some nature too, it’s worth remembering that the city is within easy reach of some stunning scenery and accessible hiking trails.
Mallorca is home to the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage area that runs for 90 km across the northwest side of the island (in fact you pass through it on your way to Soller, mentioned above).
With pine forests, canyons, and high mountain peaks (including the highest, Puig Major, at 1445 metres), it’s a wonderful area to stretch your legs in, go for a wander, or even open your senses to nature with a spot of forest bathing.
It’s easy enough to rent a car and go for a scenic drive through the mountains, stopping for a little wander up one of the well-marked trails, or you could do a self-drive tour.
Best hotels in Palma de Mallorca
Most guides to Palma will tell you to stay in the Old Town, where you’ll be at the very heart of things, with all of Palma’s shops, bars and restaurants right on your doorstep.
This is excellent advice, though you’ll find that Old Town hotels are more expensive, with smaller rooms and fewer facilities, than hotels a bit further out.
Top pick: El Llorenc Parc de la Mar – Adults Only
Right in the heart of the Old Town and just a few blocks from the beach, this is one of the very top hotels in Palma. Here’s where you come if money is no object, if you’re having a big celebration, or if you just want to splash out and treat yourself for a few nights.
El Llorenc Parc de la Mar has everything you’d expect from a 5* luxury hotel, from the elegant design to the rooftop bar and pool, fitness centre, hot tub and hammam and impeccable service. The breakfast is to die for.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Booking.com rating 9.3 | 💻 Click here to see reviews
Comfort: Melia Palma Bay
For about half my trip I stayed in the Melia Palma Bay, where I was attending a conference. This beautifully stylish and modern hotel has sparkling new rooms, a rooftop pool, spa and gym, and is opposite the beach. The breakfast was first class too.
It’s only a 25 minute walk from here along the promenade to the old town and the number 25 and A1 buses into town stop right outside, so being a little bit outside the main hub wasn’t really an issue for me.
If you want more space and facilities for your money and don’t mind staying a bit further out you could do a lot worse.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Booking.com rating 8.4 | 💻 Click here to see reviews
MIDRANGE: Petit Palace Hotel Tres
Two great options are both on the same street, Apuntadores, a narrow pedestrian cut-through right in the heart of the Old Town.
Petit Palace Hotel Tres is a charming boutique hotel, housed in a former palace dating from the 16th century. It has smart and nicely decorated rooms and a small rooftop pool and gym. Some friends stayed here and said it was excellent.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Booking.com rating 8.8 | 💻 Click here to see reviews
BUDGET: Apuntadores 8
Just five doors down at Apuntadores 8, this is where I spent my first 3 nights in Palma. Apuntadores 8 is a simple and affordable but comfortable guesthouse with a rooftop terrace that overlooks the city.
It was clean and nice, and being right in the city centre made it incredibly convenient for everything.
Rating: N/A | 🏨 Booking.com rating 8.5 | 💻 Click here to see reviews
How to get to Palma de Mallorca
One final reason why I think Palma makes a really excellent city break destination, especially for my British readers, is that it’s so incredibly easy to get to.
There are direct flights from all four of London’s main airports and they start from as little as about £50 return (on Ryanair, so if you’re taking luggage it’ll be more expensive).
Plus the flight time from the UK is only 2 hours 20 minutes.
How to get from Palma airport to the city centre
To get from the airport to your hotel, the A1 bus departs from directly outside the front of the terminal and takes you right into the city centre in 30 minutes. It costs just €5 per person in cash or €3 if you tap your contactless card. Find out more about airport buses here.
This same bus also stops directly outside the Melia Palma Bay, if that’s where you’ve decided to stay.
I honestly don’t think I have ever been on any city break where getting there has been so quick and painless. Meaning you’ll be relaxed and ready to start your holiday!
How to get around in Palma and Mallorca
Whether you’re staying in the city or exploring further afield, getting around is pretty easy.
The city centre easy to get around on foot, with most sights within walking distance.
For longer journeys, Palma has an efficient bus network, and there are also trains and Uber. The easiest and cheapest way to pay is by using your contactless credit or debit card (but make sure you’re using one that doesn’t charge you a hefty international fee!)
If you’re heading beyond the city, trains run from central Palma to towns like Sóller and Inca, so you can explore more of the island without needing to hire a car.
Is Palma nice? Is Palma worth visiting?
If you’re still asking this, you clearly haven’t been paying attention.
But apparently it’s something people ask, so, for the avoidance of doubt, the answer is a resounding YES. And if you’re still not sure why, maybe scroll back to the top of this post and read it all again!
How long should I spend on a weekend in Palma de Mallorca?
One commonly asked question is: how many days do you need in Palma?
If you’re planning a short city break in Palma, I’d say 3-4 days is a good amount of time to soak up the atmosphere and get a feel for the Old Town.
However, if you have more time to spare, I’d highly recommend staying a bit longer so you have time to venture a bit further afield and see more of what Mallorca has to offer.
For example, the resort town of Magaluf is just 20 minutes’ drive along the coast. When you’re in Palma de Mallorca, Magaluf holidays are a great option for enjoying vibrant nightlife, stunning beaches, and thrilling water sports.
And that’s it! Thank you for reading my Palma de Mallorca blog. I hope you found it helpful and have a great weekend in Mallorca!
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Where to next?
If you enjoyed this Palma blog, why not try some of my other Europe posts?
- My First Time Forest Bathing On A Rainy Day In Mallorca
- A day trip to Port de Sóller on the Palma Soller train, Mallorca
- An Unhelpful Guide to… Bruges, Belgium
- What to do in Assisi, Italy
- A Neilson Activity Holidays Review – Messini Beach Club in Greece
My favourite travel tools and brands
To help you organise your trip, here’s a short list of some of the brands and tools I use over and over again when I’m planning my travels. You can see more on my Travel Resources page.
- Booking.com: A huge range of hotels to choose from, often with free cancellation. If you book hotels regularly you can earn discounts. I’m on Genius Level 3 which gets me 20% off!
- Expedia: Another great place to find hotels and Expedia also sell flights, car hire, and loads more all in one place.
- Skyscanner: The only place I ever go to search for flights and compare prices.
- Flight Centre: Booking a more complicated route? Let Flight Centre organise it for you (and deal with the drama when something goes wrong).
- Priority Pass: I love having access to 1600+ airport lounges when I fly, allowing me to enjoy my time at the airport. Buy through my link and you get up to 20% off!
- Airalo: Say goodbye to ridiculous mobile roaming charges. Did you know you can now buy ane-SIM, install it in your phone before you leave home, and then use data abroad at local prices? Game changer. Get US$3 credit with code BELLA5735.
- TourRadar: If you prefer group travel and organised tours, TourRadar has a huge range of fantastic tours from respected operators. They’re very helpful and have 4.5 stars on TrustPilot.
- Viator: Part of the TripAdvisor brand, Viator is another great place to search for group adventures and day trips.
- GetYourGuide: A great place to find local tours and day trips in your destination.
- Wex Photo Video: The UK’s best camera gear store.
- Ellis Brigham: Looking for good quality backpacks, travel clothes and other gear? Ellis Brigham is where I buy almost all of mine.
- Rentalcars.com: Part of the Booking.com family and the world’s largest online car rental service, with 24/7 customer service.
- World Nomads Travel Insurance: I never ever travel without travel insurance and nor should you!
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My favourite travel tools and brands
To help you organise your trip, here’s a short list of some of the brands and tools I use over and over again when I’m planning my travels. You can see more on my Travel Resources page.
- Booking.com: A huge range of hotels to choose from, often with free cancellation. If you book hotels regularly you can earn discounts. I’m on Genius Level 3 which gets me 20% off!
- Expedia: Another great place to find hotels and Expedia also sell flights, car hire, and loads more all in one place.
- Skyscanner: The only place I ever go to search for flights and compare prices.
- Flight Centre: Booking a more complicated route? Let Flight Centre organise it for you (and deal with the drama when something goes wrong).
- Priority Pass: I love having access to 1600+ airport lounges when I fly, allowing me to enjoy my time at the airport. Buy through my link and you get up to 20% off!
- Airalo: Say goodbye to ridiculous mobile roaming charges. Did you know you can now buy ane-SIM, install it in your phone before you leave home, and then use data abroad at local prices? Game changer. Get US$3 credit with code BELLA5735.
- TourRadar: If you prefer group travel and organised tours, TourRadar has a huge range of fantastic tours from respected operators. They’re very helpful and have 4.5 stars on TrustPilot.
- Viator: Part of the TripAdvisor brand, Viator is another great place to search for group adventures and day trips.
- GetYourGuide: A great place to find local tours and day trips in your destination.
- Wex Photo Video: The UK’s best camera gear store.
- Ellis Brigham: Looking for good quality backpacks, travel clothes and other gear? Ellis Brigham is where I buy almost all of mine.
- Rentalcars.com: Part of the Booking.com family and the world’s largest online car rental service, with 24/7 customer service.
- World Nomads Travel Insurance: I never ever travel without travel insurance and nor should you!
