Mallorca’s largest city has cozy narrow streets, beautiful architecture, exciting art, charming squares and local life. Here you can combine a city break with relaxing on the beach.
The guide to Palma de Mallorca is updated in January 2026. It was originally published in 2018.
1 Palmas Cathedral
Palma’s gigantic Roman Catholic cathedral is definitely the city’s landmark and main attraction.
The cathedral towers over the city facing the Bay of Palma, where it is reflected in the sea, and is known to have inspired a certain awe throughout history.
The cathedral is built in sandstone in Gothic style on top of a former Arab main mosque. Construction was started by King Jaume I in 1229 and the 121 meter long and 55 meter wide cathedral was completed in 1601. The nave is 44 meters and among the tallest in the world. As you enter, you are overwhelmed by the magical light from the 11.5 meter rose window with 1236 stained glass windows.
In 1902, Catalan architect Gaudí was hired to restore the cathedral, which had suffered a massive earthquake. He abandoned the project in 1914 due to an argument, but managed to add a wrought iron canopy over the main altar.
Local artist Miquel Barceló caused outrage among many of the church fathers and excited art critics when he presented his ceramic mural “La milagrosa multiplicación de panes y peces” in one of the chapels in 2007.
Catedral de Mallorca, Plaza Almoina
2 Joan Miró museum and studio
If you’re interested in art, a visit to Spanish artist Joan Miró’s museum and studio is a must.
Miró has had a lifelong connection to Mallorca because his grandparents lived there. Miró settled in Palma in 1956, where his studio was also built, where he lived and worked until his death in 1983.
Miro has said that in this studio – at the age of 63 – he had enough space for his art for the first time and it gave him new energy and drive. The 1960s was the most productive period of his career. In addition to the paintings on the easels in the studio, you can also see Miró’s printmaking workshop and photos of the artist at work.
The museum primarily holds works donated by the artist himself. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, prints, drawings, documents and part of Miró’s personal library.
Skip the line and buy a ticket to the Miró Museum (promotional link)
Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró Carrer de Saridakis 29
3. Stroll in the Jewish Quarter
Around Carrer del Call is Palma’s former Jewish quarter, called El Call, from the Middle Ages. It’s a great place to stroll through the maze of narrow streets and small squares. The neighborhood is filled with small galleries and artisan shops that are well worth exploring.
From the 1300s, the Jewish community was moved to the northeastern part of the city where they could not work. In 1391, the Jewish community disappeared from the city after an attack.
4 The Arabian Baths
The Arab Baths (Els Baños Árabes) date from between the 10th and 12th centuries and are practically all that remains of the Arab city in Palma. They are located in a former nobleman’s house on Can Serra street.
The baths have 25 arches supported by columns that allow light to enter. Notice how each pillar stands out from the others. They are thought to be recycled from a Roman building. A caldarium and tepidarium have been preserved in what was once a steam bath.
The baths were typical meeting and bathing places as they are known in Arab countries. The baths themselves are quickly seen, but the surrounding garden is worth spending time in.
The garden is a lush oasis with fragrant orange trees, wild flowers, palm trees and cacti. A wonderful place if you need some peace and quiet in the middle of the bustling city. You’re welcome to bring food and drinks into the garden and it’s a great place for a little picnic.
Baños Árabes, Carrer de Serra 7A 7
5 Go to the market
Giant sun-ripened tomatoes, lemons and oranges from Sóller, sausages, ham, cheese, artichokes, spices and tapas to take away fill the stalls. Palma de Mallorca has many delicious food markets that are well worth a visit.
Here you can shop for local delicacies such as salt, spices, oil, olives and ham for your suitcase. The largest and most popular is Mercat De L’olivar, right in the center.
Also visit Palma’s oldest food market, Mercat de Santa Catalina, in the Santa Catalina neighborhood. Fish, meat, flowers, delicacies, fruits and vegetables are sold here. There is also a small selection of good tapas bars. Bar Can Joan Frau has some really good ones.
If you want to experience the local vibe, get up early. The local housewives arrive early and fill their bags.
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6 Explore Palma’s house facades
The center of Palma de Mallorca is a colorful and beautiful jumble of architecture, ranging from traditional Mallorcan houses with small balconies and worn apartment blocks to stylish palaces and modernist buildings. Many of them are in delicate pastel or bright colors.
I can spend hours walking around the city center admiring the facades of buildings. Some are newly renovated, others worn, but infused with soul and personality by the creative minds that inhabit the properties.
The concentration is high around Plaza Mayor and Passeig del Born. Also check out the former fishing district, Santa Catalina, where the buildings exude a mix of local and cosmopolitan vibes.
7 Museum of Modern Contemporary Art
Palma’s contemporary art museum, Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani de Palma, is the perfect place to explore local and international art.
The museum opened in 2004 in a mix of a modern concrete building and the remains of the city’s Renaissance walls in the Sant Pere neighborhood. Es Baluard houses a collection of over 900 works, spread over three floors, by local artists from the 19th century to the present day.
The collection includes works by famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Miquel Barceló, all with links to Mallorca. There are also works by younger, local talents. The works are in all genres from painting, sculpture, photography and video to installation.
In addition to the permanent collection, the museum hosts regular exhibitions by local and international artists, workshops and other cultural events.
Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani de Palma, Plaça de la Porta de Santa Catalina 10
8 Taste local baked goods
Palma de Mallorca is brimming with bakery shops ranging from family-owned artisan bakeries to ultra modern. What they all have in common is that they all make Mallorca’s signature pastry, the ensaïmada, which is a must-try. Even the souvenir shops sell ensaïmada, but I’d recommend you try the baker’s, either in their own shop or in a café.
The ensaïmada is a snail-shaped pastry made with lard and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
El Fornet de la Soca is one of the city’s most famous bakers and has a super charming shop. They make really good ensaïmadas and other baked goods. Try their panades , which are small pies with sweet or savory fillings.
If you prefer to sit in a café, I recommend Can Joan de s’Aigo, which has been around for over 100 years. Locals often enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with their ensaïmada here.
9 The impressive Bellver Castle
West of the center of Palma de Mallorca, Castell de Bellver sits high on a pine-clad hilltop. The architecturally beautiful castle is special. It is Spain’s only round Gothic castle.
Bellver Castle was built between 1300 and 1311 by order of Mallorca’s King Jaume II and served as a royal residence. After the fall of the kingdom, it was later used as a prison, most recently during the Spanish Civil War.
The circular castle has three semi-circular towers, centered around a two-storey courtyard and surrounded by moats. In the summer, cultural events are held in the courtyard.
Today, the castle houses Palma’s city history museum, Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat, where you can gain insight into the Roman, Arab and Spanish periods. You can also visit the castle chapel and the former castle kitchen.
At the top you get the best 360-degree views of Palma, the bay and the Tramuntana Mountains.
Castell de Bellver, Carrer de Camilo José Cela, s/n
10 Hop on the vintage train to Sóller
All over Palma you can buy the famous, tasty lemons and oranges from Sóller. Children and adults alike love the ride on the vintage train from Palma to the home of citrus fruits. The train has been running between Palma and Sóller since 1912, carrying both passengers and goods.
On the 27.3 km journey, the train rumbles through 13 tunnels and crosses several bridges along the Sierra de Alfabia mountain range. Along the way it passes through lemon and orange orchards and stops at small stations. At the stop just before the terminus, you’ll get a picturesque view of Sóller, located in the valley.
Stop by the beautiful Sóller Station from 1606, which has a nice little museum dedicated to Picasso and Miró. Here you’ll find several paintings and lithographs by Miró and ceramics by Picasso. Admission is free.
In Sóller you can drink freshly squeezed orange juice in the town’s cozy, popular square and explore the small side streets. Sóller is a popular tourist town, especially for families with children, but despite the many tourists, the town is truly charming.
From the station you can also take the tram to Port de Sóller with its beautiful sandy beach, where you can take a dip and eat at one of the many restaurants along the promenade. Try the freshly caught Sóller prawns for a delicate taste experience.
Ferrocaril de Sóller, Carrer Eusebi Estada 1
11 Cool off on the beach
If you need to wash off the city dust, head to Palma de Mallorca’s closest urban beach, Can Pere Antoni. The beach is just two kilometers from the city center, so it’s a short walk or bike ride.
The 750 meter long golden sandy beach, which many locals use, has showers, toilets and lifeguards in high season. You can rent sunbeds at one of the restaurants located at either end. The water is clear but gets deep quickly, so the beach is not the most child-friendly. If you have children, head to Playas de Palma or Can Pastilla.
Transportation in Palma de Mallorca
Palma’s city center isn’t big, so you can walk to most things. There are also plenty of city buses. Alternatively, you can rent a bike from one of the many bike rental shops.
If you want to get an overview of the city when you arrive, I recommend taking the Hop-on Hop-off bus. It stops at the city’s main sights and you’ll see both the city and the harbor area.
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