15 of the best things to do in Palma, Mallorca
Palma deserves much more than a hurried dash from the airport to the beach.
Mallorca’s capital is a proper Mediterranean city, with a magnificent Gothic cathedral, a maze of old streets, excellent food markets, independent shops, beaches, galleries and neighbourhoods that change character from one block to the next.
Whether you have a few hours in the city or several days, these are some of the best things to do in Palma, including the famous landmarks and a few activities that make you look at the city rather differently.
1. Visit Palma Cathedral
La Seu dominates Palma’s waterfront and is the natural place to begin. Its vast sandstone exterior is impressive from every angle, but the interior deserves time too. Light pours through one of the world’s largest Gothic rose windows, while additions associated with Antoni Gaudí and contemporary Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló give the building an unusual mix of periods and styles.
Walk through Parc de la Mar first for the classic view across the reflecting lake, then approach the Cathedral through the old city walls.
2. Explore Palma Old Town
Palma Old Town is not one single attraction. It is a whole district of lanes, courtyards, churches, palaces, shops and small squares that rewards aimless wandering.
Look for the patios behind grand wooden doors, the Arab Baths, the former Jewish quarter and the quieter streets around Calatrava and Monti-sion. Some of the best details are above eye level, so remember to look up at balconies, carved stonework and painted tiles.
For a more detailed route, read our Palma Old Town guide.
3. Turn Palma into an outdoor escape room
If you prefer doing something to simply following a sightseeing route, try Adventure Hunt Palma.
This self-guided outdoor escape room uses the streets of Palma as the game. Your group follows clues through an app, examines real features around the city and solves a series of puzzles along the way.
There is no guide and no fixed departure time, so you can start during daylight hours when it suits you, pause for food or drinks and explore at your own pace. It costs €19.50 per group of up to six people, making it one of the more affordable activities in central Palma.
Adventure Hunt is our own Majorca Mallorca experience, created as a genuinely entertaining way to help visitors and residents notice more of the city.
4. See the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Beside the Cathedral stands the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. The site reflects Palma’s layered history, with Islamic origins and later Gothic alterations after the Christian conquest of Mallorca.
Its rooms are more austere than those of many European palaces, but the architecture, tapestries and views make it a worthwhile companion visit to the Cathedral.
5. Walk along the waterfront
Palma’s broad waterfront promenade is ideal for a walk or cycle ride. One side opens towards the marina and the Bay of Palma, while the other passes the old city walls and some of the capital’s most recognisable buildings.
Continue west towards Santa Catalina and Portixol, or hire a bicycle if you want to cover more ground without taking a taxi.
6. Eat your way around a Palma market
Mercat de l’Olivar is the central choice for fresh fish, meat, fruit, vegetables and casual places to eat. Mercat de Santa Catalina is smaller and surrounded by one of Palma’s liveliest food neighbourhoods.
Go before the late afternoon, when many traditional market stalls have already closed, and remember that these are working markets used by local residents rather than attractions created only for visitors.
7. Discover Santa Catalina
Once associated with fishermen and rope makers, Santa Catalina is now filled with restaurants, bars, cafés and small independent businesses. It is particularly good in the evening, although its market and colourful streets make it worth exploring earlier too.
The neighbourhood sits just west of Palma Old Town and is easy to combine with a walk through Es Baluard or along the waterfront.
8. Visit Es Baluard Museum
Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani occupies part of Palma’s Renaissance defensive walls. Its collection focuses on modern and contemporary art, with connections to artists who lived or worked in the Balearics.
Even visitors who are not committed gallery-goers may enjoy the building itself, its terraces and the views across Palma’s rooftops and marina.
9. See Palma from Bellver Castle
Bellver is one of Europe’s few circular Gothic castles. Set on a wooded hill above the city, it offers broad views across Palma, its port and the bay.
It is not in the Old Town, so allow time for the journey. You can reach it by taxi, bus or the sightseeing bus, followed by some walking depending on where you alight.
10. Find Joan Miró’s Mallorca
At Fundació Miró Mallorca, visitors can see studios used by Joan Miró as well as exhibitions exploring his work and legacy. The preserved creative spaces give the experience an intimacy that is difficult to reproduce in a conventional gallery.
The foundation is outside the historic centre in Cala Major, so treat it as a separate half-day outing rather than squeezing it into a rushed Old Town itinerary.
11. Have a Palma beach break
You do not have to leave the city to reach the sea. Can Pere Antoni is the closest substantial beach to central Palma and can be reached on foot or by bicycle along the promenade. Ciutat Jardí and Cala Major are other options accessible from the city.
In summer, go early or later in the day to avoid the strongest heat.
12. Try a local food experience
A food tour gives structure to Palma’s enormous choice of bars and restaurants while helping you discover dishes you might not order without a little guidance.
Majorca Mallorca readers can use the code MM10 when booking online with Food Tours Mallorca to receive 10% off.
13. Shop beyond the souvenir stands
Passeig des Born and Avinguda Jaume III carry familiar international names, but Palma is also excellent for independent shops. Explore Carrer de Sant Feliu, Carrer dels Paraires and the lanes around Plaça de Cort for fashion, interiors, food and locally made products.
14. Sit in a square and do very little
Not every hour needs an attraction. Palma makes a strong case for ordering a coffee and watching the city go by.
Plaça de Cort, Plaça de Santa Eulàlia, Plaça del Mercat and the smaller Old Town squares all have their own atmosphere. Choose one that is not overwhelmed by passing groups and give yourself permission to stop.
15. Check what is happening while you are here
Palma’s calendar includes exhibitions, concerts, open-air cinema, traditional fiestas, food events and sporting fixtures. Programmes change throughout the year, so check the official cultural agenda closer to your visit.
Planning your day in Palma
Central Palma is highly walkable, but summer heat changes what is realistic. In July and August, explore exposed sights and the Old Town in the morning, use the middle of the day for a museum, market lunch or rest, then return for the evening.
Comfortable shoes matter. Old Town streets can be uneven, and a day that looks modest on a map can involve far more walking than expected.
Things to do in Palma FAQs
What are the top things to do in Palma for a first visit?
Start with Palma Cathedral, La Almudaina and the Old Town. Add a market, the waterfront and either Bellver Castle or Es Baluard if time allows.
Is Palma worth visiting for a day?
Yes. The historic centre is compact enough to see several major sights in one day. Staying longer allows time for galleries, neighbourhoods, beaches and slower meals.
What can you do in Palma with children?
Families can try Adventure Hunt Palma, visit Bellver Castle, spend time at the beach, explore the markets or choose an age-appropriate museum. Build in shade and rest stops during summer.
What are some unusual things to do in Palma?
Turn the city into a puzzle with Adventure Hunt, visit Joan Miró’s preserved studios, look for historic patios or explore the less-visited Calatrava side of the Old Town.
Is Palma easy to explore on foot?
The centre and Old Town are very walkable. Bellver Castle, Cala Major and Fundació Miró require additional transport or a much longer walk.
What can you do in Palma when it rains?
Visit the Cathedral, La Almudaina, Es Baluard, CaixaForum, the markets or another museum. Palma also has cafés, shops and indoor cultural venues throughout the centre.
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