Palma area guide: things to do, local history and walks

November 8, 2026
|In Holiday Guide
|By Vicki McLeod

Palma can be a morning among Gothic courtyards, lunch in Santa Catalina and a walk by the sea before dinner. If you’re here with children, a castle or the aquarium might win the vote. The city is good at giving everyone a reason to come along.

Palma Cathedral seen from Parc de la Mar
Palma Cathedral seen from Parc de la Mar. Photo by Arieleisenhammer, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

What to see and how to plan your visit

Start with La Seu, the Almudaina and the old streets around them. On a separate outing, see the Bellver area or choose a coastal neighbourhood such as Portixol. Use the city’s own transport information when planning between stops.

Local history and heritage

Palma’s history includes a Roman city, Muslim Madina Mayurqa and the medieval Christian city that followed the 1229 conquest. The Gothic route is a way to see one layer in detail, especially La Seu and La Llotja. Use the city’s Jewish heritage information for a different perspective on the old town.

Suggested walk or outdoor visit

Choose an old-town heritage walk, or use the seafront as a simpler walking option. Give yourself time to stop instead of treating the whole municipality as one itinerary.

Cabrera National Park and its connection to Palma

The Cabrera archipelago belongs administratively to the municipality of Palma, although it is a separate island outing. The maritime and terrestrial national park protects the islands and surrounding waters. If you want to visit, use the park’s current access and boat information. The nearest harbour on Mallorca is Colònia de Sant Jordi, in ses Salines.

Balearic Government visitor information for Cabrera National Park

Regular markets

  • Pere Garau: the regional calendar lists outdoor stalls from Monday to Saturday in Plaça de Pere Garau. Santa Catalina: outdoor stalls on Carrer de Soler on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and a separate covered market at Plaça de la Navegació.
  • Organic market: Tuesdays and Saturdays in Plaça del Bisbe Berenguer de Palou, also known as Plaça dels Patins. Es Coll d’en Rabassa: Wednesdays and Saturdays. Can Pastilla: Tuesdays and Thursdays. S’Arenal on the Palma side: Wednesdays.
  • Other regular markets: Fridays in Rafal Nou, between Carrer de Selva and Carrer de ses Salines, and in sa Vileta at Plaça de Tarent. Saturdays in Son Ferriol and at the Son Fusteret market.
  • Mercat de l’Olivar is a covered food market in Plaça de l’Olivar. Check the market’s own hours. Seasonal craft and evening markets have separate dates in the regional calendar.

Balearic Government’s 2026 market calendar · Mercat de l’Olivar opening information · Palma’s Santa Catalina route and market information

What makes this area special

The old town, distinct neighbourhoods and the seafront are best explored as separate walks.

Attractions and things to do

Fiestas and saints’ days

  • Sant Sebastià: 20 January, with the city’s revetla and surrounding programme.
  • Sant Joan: 24 June, with Nit de Sant Joan on 23 June.
  • Festa de l’Estendard: 31 December in the old town, commemorating the conquest of 1229.
  • Check separate neighbourhood and parish programmes for their local celebrations.

Use the feast day as a guide, then check this year’s programme for the procession, music or other events you’d like to catch.

Fiesta calendar and visitor information

Beaches and swimming spots

  • Can Pere Antoni. City sand with a cathedral view. A good choice if you want a beach stop within the same outing as the old town.
  • Ciutat Jardí. A residential seafront stop for a walk or a beach break away from the old town.
  • Platja de Palma. A long resort beach with a promenade. This is the one to combine with Palma Aquarium, but check which part of the seafront you’re aiming for.
  • Cala Major. A separate sandy bay west of the centre. Check the bus or parking before setting out.

Check the flag and current conditions on the day. If you need step-free access or specific facilities, use the linked beach information to pick your entrance.

For more local ideas, see our Palma city guide.

Before you go, see our Mallorca beach etiquette and safety guide for swimming flags, Blue Flag beaches and what to do in an emergency.

Try Assaona in Portixol for a meal by the water, Anima Beach for a sunbed near the old town or Purobeach Palma in Can Pastilla for a pool day. See our beach club and chiringuito guide.

What to eat here

Start with an ensaïmada or a llonguet, Palma’s local bread roll. Mercat de l’Olivar is a good place to look for ingredients to take away if you want a picnic later.

Good to know before you go

Use the city bus or walk for a compact old-town visit. Give Bellver or Palma Aquarium its own time, and check exactly where you need to get off for the beach.

Where to stay

Casa Delmonte Turisme d’Interior

An old-town stay on Carrer de les Tereses, with antique-filled rooms and plenty to look at between the front door and your bed. Google guests single out the helpful owner and staff.

Google guest reviews averaged 5.0 out of 5 from 82 reviews when checked in November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Palma without a car?

Yes. The old town is easy to explore on foot. For the seafront or the aquarium, check city bus routes and the last service back before you set off.

How would I spend half a day here?

  1. Start at La Seu and see the Almudaina if time allows.
  2. Walk through the old-town lanes towards La Llotja.
  3. Finish with coffee or lunch, or carry on to Can Pere Antoni if you want sea air.

Useful links

Get the Majorca Mallorca newsletter

Get our pick of what’s on in Mallorca, from village fiestas and markets to family days out, straight to your inbox.

Sign up for the newsletter

This post may contain affiliate links that help support Majorca Mallorca in creating content like this. If you make a purchase using one of these links, Majorca Mallorca may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read our disclosure for more information.  

Add comment