Palma de Mallorca, or the island in general, is one of the first destinations we all think of when travelling in summer. Mallorca has spectacular beaches, good gastronomy and endless activities to make the most of the days we spend there. In this article I tell you things to see and do in Palma de Mallorca.
10 cosas things to do and see in Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is a city with a lot of charm. I lived on the island for a year and I never got tired of exploring every corner of it. If you visit the city in one or two days, you can’t miss the places I recommend in this article.
📍 Visiting the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca
The Cathedral-Basilica of Santa Maria, known as La Seu, is one of the best places to see in Palma de Mallorca. It dates back to the 13th century and is one of the tallest cathedrals in Europe. It is open all year round for tourist visits.
Its opening hours vary depending on the time of year, but -in principle- it usually opens to the public at 10:00 and closes between 15:00 and 18:00 (depending on whether it is winter or summer). Admission costs €8 for adults.
Only twice a year does a unique light phenomenon known as the “Spectacle of Eight” take place. Specifically, on the 2nd day of the 2nd month and the 11th day of the 11th month, i.e. on February 2nd, Candlemas Day, and November 11th, St. Martin’s Day.
On these two days, for a short period of time after sunrise, an eight of light is drawn on the wall of the central nave. The light passes through the 1,116 pieces that make up the main rose window until it reaches the main façade, which is directly opposite. It is here that the light beam joins the rose window on the main façade to form a perfect eight.
This phenomenon is attracting more and more people interested in experiencing it first hand. In fact, I would say it is one of the most interesting things to do in Palma de Mallorca.
📍 Eating an authentic Mallorcan ensaimada
Trying an ensaimada is a must-do in Palma de Mallorca. In fact, at Mallorca airport there are several points of sale, and all tourists (and non-tourists like me) return home with one under their arm.
The first time I tried them I didn’t like them at all. So I decided to give them a try somewhere else, and there they became a vice.
Mallorcan ensaimadas are a typical Balearic sweet made with lard. The two best places to eat ensaimada – for me – are Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo and Forn St Cristo. In this other article I’ll tell you about other places to savour a delicious ensaimada.
📍 Book a free tour in Palma de Mallorca
Free tours are an activity that I always recommend and like to do when I travel. They are free tours around the city in which you visit the most emblematic places in Palma de Mallorca (in this case).
📍 Visit the Royal Palace of the Almudaina
This is the official residence of the King and Queen during their trips to the island of Mallorca. It dates back to the 14th century and is located next to Palma Cathedral. Visiting the Almudaina Royal Palace is one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca.
It is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday. Its opening hours are from 10:00 to 16:00 (Tuesday to Friday); Saturdays and Sundays it closes a little later, at 19:00. Admission costs €7. However, admission is free every Wednesday.
📍 Admire Palma Cathedral from Parc de la Mar
This is a park built next to the Cathedral with a large lake where you can see the reflection of the Cathedral. It is ideal for strolling, having a picnic or attending one of the events they organise. In addition, going to a session at their summer cinema is one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca in summer.
📍Sightseeing in Palma city centre
The streets in the centre of Palma de Mallorca are postcard-perfect. I can’t recommend a specific route here because I think the ideal thing to do is to get lost in the city and explore them on your own. Some places not to be missed are Plaza Mayor, Paseo del Borne, Plaza de Cort and go in search of the Mallorcan patios.
📍 Visiting the Paseo Marítimo, the best thing to do in Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca’s Paseo Marítimo, or Gabriel Roca Avenue, is one of the city’s main attractions. It starts at Porto Pi, where the shopping centre is, and ends at El Molinar.
It is perfect at any time. It has numerous restaurants, pubs, discos and shops. During the day you can walk, cycle or rollerblade (which is very popular). By night it becomes the best place to go out for drinks in the city.
The Paseo Marítimo is one of the main places to see in Palma de Mallorca.
📍Entering Bellver Castle
Visiting Bellver Castle is one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca. From its surroundings you get a unique panoramic view of the city with the sea in the background.
Its construction dates back to the 14th century, by order of James II, King of Mallorca. Although it was used as a royal residence for several centuries, it also served as a mint and military prison (in the 18th century and during the Spanish Civil War).
🕝 Opening hours
Closed every Monday of the year. From April to September it is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00 hours, and on Sundays it closes at 15:00 hours.
In the winter months (October to March) it closes at 18:00 hours from Tuesday to Saturday, and on Sundays at 15:00 hour
💸 Admission
- General admission: 4€.
- Reduced admission (pensioners, retired persons, young people from 14 to 18 years old, youth card, public institution): 2€.
- Residents of Palma: 2.5€.
- Free admission: Sundays, children under 14, schools, accredited teaching staff and ICOM members.
To get to Bellver Castle you can use bus lines 3, 20 and 46. In addition, the Palma hop on hop off bus also includes the castle on its route.
📍 Walk around the old Jewish quarter of Palma de Mallorca
In Palma de Mallorca there are not many vestiges left of what was once the city’s Jewish quarter. Plaza de Santa Eulalia, Calle Sol and Calle Montesión are some of the places that used to make it up. In fact, where the present-day church of Montesión is located, there used to be a synagogue.
The Jewish quarter of Palma de Mallorca is not so well known. In fact, it is difficult to get to know the details if you do not know a little about its history. That is why I recommend you take a free guided tour of the Jewish quarter.
📍 Taste a llonguet in Es Vaixell
Where the Paseo Marítimo ends (or begins, depending on how you look at it), you will find the best place on the island to eat llonguets: Es Vaixell. Llonguets are a typical Mallorcan bread served stuffed like a sandwich.
Of all the llonguets I have tasted, the best are found here. Es Vaixell is a small establishment with only 5 or 6 months and a handful of chairs, located in front of the sea, in the Portixol area. My favourite llonguet is the tortilla de patatas (potato omelette), but whatever you order, it’s delicious.
