Palma: The Cathedral City Hiding Behind Mallorca's Beaches
Palma de Mallorca is a proper Mediterranean capital that happens to sit on an island famous for beaches — a walled old town of honey-colored stone, a cathedral that seems to float over the sea, and a market and tapas scene that has nothing to do with sunburn or sangria buckets. It rewards slow walking as much as it rewards a day at the coast.
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✈ Plan Your Visit →Sights
Catedral de Mallorca (La Seu)
A soaring Gothic cathedral right on the seafront, with a rose window and interior reworked in part by Antoni Gaudí.
Palau de l'Almudaina
A former Moorish citadel turned royal palace, still used by the Spanish royal family for official ceremonies.
Banys Àrabs
One of the few surviving pieces of Palma's Moorish past, a small horseshoe-arched bathhouse from the 10th century.
Es Baluard Museum
A modern and contemporary art museum built into the old city bastions, with terraces overlooking the bay.
Passeig del Born
Palma's grand tree-lined boulevard, built over an old riverbed and lined with historic mansions and shops.
Castell de Bellver
A rare circular Gothic castle on a hill above the city, offering the best panoramic views of Palma and the bay.
Mercat de l'Olivar
The city's main produce and seafood market, a working, unpretentious place to eat like a local.
A Sample Day
Food & Drink
Mallorcan cooking leans on pork, almonds and simple peasant bread rather than showy plates, and Palma's market halls are the easiest place to taste it all in one visit.
Late April to June or September to October, when the sea is warm, the light is soft and the summer crowds and heat haven't taken over the Passeig Marítim.
The old town is compact and walkable, but Palma also has an EMT bus network and a metro line out to the UIB campus; for the bay and beaches, the historic wooden Tramvia to Sóller (via train from Palma first) or a rental car opens up the island properly.
Skip the packed Born and Jaume III shopping streets around midday and head into Santa Catalina instead — it's where locals actually eat, with better small plates for less money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palma de Mallorca worth visiting beyond the beach?+
Yes — the old town alone holds a Gothic cathedral, Moorish-era baths, a Modernista block by Gaudí's circle, and a market culture that rivals any mainland Spanish city.
How many days do you need in Palma?+
Two full days cover the historic centre and cathedral properly; add a third to reach Valldemossa, the Tramvia de Sóller, or a boat trip along the bay.
Is Palma expensive compared to the rest of Mallorca?+
The old town and marina are pricier for dining and hotels, but a short walk into Santa Catalina or the Es Fortí area gets noticeably better value without losing the atmosphere.
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