Before you go

Your trip to Palma.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Palma – Balearic Islands Capital

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto de Palma de Mallorca (PMI) Palma · 8 km
  • Estació Intermodal de Palma 1 km
  • Port de Palma (terminal de ferries) 3 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. Palma airport is 8 km from the center, with a bus in about 20 minutes. From Barcelona, the flight takes about 50 minutes and the ferry 7 to 8 hours. There are also ferries from Valencia and Dénia and sea connections to Ibiza and Menorca.

How many days

Two days for the cathedral, the Almudaina, the historic center, Es Baluard and the Castell de Bellver. The third day is for the Sóller train and Valldemossa, and with more time you can include the Drach caves and the beaches.

When to go

From May to June and from September to October the weather is usually best, with good sea conditions and fewer people. July and August are hot and crowded. The winter is mild and quiet, with the city functioning, and from February to March the almond trees usually bloom inland.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not for Palma: the center is walkable, and city buses go to the airport, Bellver and the beaches. The Sóller train and buses link the capital to the mountain villages. A car helps for the calas and the Tramuntana roads.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Palma
  1. Morning
    Cathedral

    Start with the cathedral, the Seu, with the Miquel Barceló chapel and Gaudí's baldachin.

  2. Afternoon
    Almudaina and center

    Almudaina palace next door and lunch in the historic center.

  3. Late afternoon
    Courtyards and Arab baths

    Walk the streets of the old quarter, looking at the courtyards, up to the Banys Àrabs and Sant Francesc.

  4. Evening
    Passeig des Born

    End the day at Passeig des Born and have a tapas dinner in La Lonja.

2 days in Palma

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Cathedral

    Cathedral at the opening, with the stained glass and rose window lit by the morning sun.

  2. Afternoon
    Almudaina

    Almudaina palace and lunch near the Born.

  3. Late afternoon
    Historic centre

    Banys Àrabs, Sant Francesc and the courtyards of the old streets.

  4. Evening
    La Lonja

    Tapas in La Lonja and a walk along the waterfront with the cathedral lit up.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Mercat de l'Olivar

    Coffee and fruit at the Mercat de l'Olivar and a walk to Plaza Mayor.

  2. Afternoon
    Es Baluard

    Es Baluard museum, with a terrace overlooking the bay.

  3. Late afternoon
    Bellver

    Bus or walk to the Castell de Bellver for the bay view at late afternoon.

  4. Evening
    Santa Catalina

    Dinner in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood.

3 days in Palma

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Cathedral

    Cathedral at the opening, with the morning light in the stained glass.

  2. Afternoon
    Almudaina and Born

    Palácio da Almudaina and lunch near the Passeig des Born.

  3. Late afternoon
    Historic centre

    Banys Àrabs, Sant Francesc and the courtyards of the noble houses.

  4. Evening
    La Lonja

    Tapas dinner in La Lonja.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Sóller train

    Wooden train from Palma to Sóller, along the serra de Tramuntana.

  2. Afternoon
    Sóller and the port

    Lunch in Sóller and tram to the Port de Sóller.

  3. Late afternoon
    Valldemossa

    On the way back, by bus or car, the Carthusian monastery of Valldemossa.

  4. Evening
    Palma at night

    Return to Palma and dinner in Santa Catalina.

Day 3

  1. Morning
    Es Baluard and Olivar

    Mercat de l'Olivar in the morning and Es Baluard.

  2. Afternoon
    Fundació Miró

    Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró, with the painter's studio.

  3. Late afternoon
    Bellver

    Castell de Bellver at sunset.

  4. Evening
    Farewell

    Last night on the waterfront, with the cathedral lit up.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Palma airport to the center?

The A1 bus connects the airport with the center and the port in about 20 minutes, with frequent departures. Taxis are at the terminal exit.

Does Palma have a beach?

Yes. Ca'n Pere Antoni is close to the cathedral, and the Playa de Palma, which is longer, begins about 10 km away, near the airport. The most popular coves are outside the city.

What to eat in Palma?

The ensaïmada, a spiral sweet made from light dough; sobrasada, a cured pork sausage with paprika; tumbet, a vegetable dish; and pa amb oli, bread with tomato, olive oil and cold cuts.

Can you go from Palma to Ibiza?

Yes, by plane in about 30 minutes, or by ferry in a few hours. Check schedules.

Where is Palma's nightlife?

In La Lonja and Santa Catalina, with bars and restaurants, and on the Paseo Marítimo, with nightclubs.

Back to Palma