Palma de Mallorca is one of the most versatile destinations in the Mediterranean: the capital of the Balearic Islands pampers visitors at once with an imposing Gothic cathedral, an Arab heritage, contemporary art and the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. In recent years the city has moved away from the one-sided beach experience of mass tourism, and is now regarded as one of Europe's most liveable, most cultured Mediterranean cities. Here are the 10 places you absolutely must see in Palma and its surroundings.
1. La Seu cathedral
Begun in the 13th century and only finished in 1601, this Gothic cathedral is Palma's iconic symbol, dominating the cityscape from afar as it towers above the harbour. The nave is 44 metres high, making it one of Europe's tallest Gothic naves, while the huge rose window, at 12.55 metres across, is among the largest in the world. In the early 20th century, Antoni Gaudí also worked on the interior renovation; the baldachin above the altar was made to his designs. A special experience is the "Festa de la Llum", when around the winter solstice the sun draws a figure-of-eight of light through the rose window onto the opposite wall.
2. Bellver Castle
Europe's only circular-plan Gothic castle stands 3 km from Palma on a wooded hilltop, offering a 360-degree panorama of the city, the harbour and the sea. In the early 14th century, King James II of Mallorca had it built as a summer residence; later it also served as a prison. Today the castle houses the city history museum, where Roman sculptures and local archaeological finds can be seen. Admission is free on Sundays, it's worth combining the visit with a walk in the surrounding pine forest.
3. Old town alleyways
Palma's medieval city centre is a maze of narrow, winding streets, atmospheric courtyards and ornate Renaissance palaces you can't get enough of exploring. From the courtyards of the Can Marquès and Can Vivot palaces you can glimpse the characteristic Mallorcan "patios", adorned with centuries-old citrus trees and stone wells. Around Carrer de Sant Miquel and Plaça Major, cafés, tapas bars and local artisans' shops line the streets. The old town is quietest in the morning, you can photograph undisturbed before the groups arrive.
4. Serra de Tramuntana (UNESCO)
The island's north-western ridge has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011 and offers the finest natural experience on all of Mallorca. The 90-km mountain range peaks at Puig Major (1,445 m), where snow occasionally falls in winter. The GR 221 hiking route is a multi-day adventure through terraced olive groves, medieval stone villages and sea-facing cliff edges. By car the Ma-10 road is the legendary switchback, on the Valldemossa–Deià–Sóller stretch you'd stop to take photos at every bend.
5. Passeig des Born
Palma's elegant main promenade is a wide, lime-tree-lined boulevard that forms the central axis of the city centre. On both sides of the promenade stand 18th–19th-century palaces, luxury boutiques and characteristic cafés. Starting from Plaça de la Reina, it leads all the way to Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I, where city life pulses. In the evening the locals stroll here too, join them with an almond ice cream in hand and experience the true Mallorcan passeggiata atmosphere.
6. Palma Aquarium
Standing on the seafront in the eastern part of the city, this aquarium presents the marine life of the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Pacific across 55 tanks. The main attraction is Europe's deepest shark tank (8.5 m deep, 3.5 million litres of water), where tiger and hammerhead sharks swim above your head in a glass tunnel. The tropical rainforest section and the jellyfish room are captivating for children and adults alike. If you buy tickets online you get a 10–15% discount on the on-site price.
7. Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art
Built into a 16th-century Renaissance bastion wall, this contemporary museum is one of the centres of Palma's cultural life. The collection includes works by Picasso, Miró, Barceló and other 20th–21st-century artists. From the terrace, which runs along the top of the old fortress wall, there's a stunning view of the harbour and La Seu cathedral. On Friday evenings the museum welcomes visitors with extended opening hours and free admission, often accompanied by music programmes.
8. Mercat de l'Olivar
Palma's largest and most authentic market has operated since 1951, though the tradition is much older. In the hall, hundreds of fresh Mallorcan fish, Iberian hams, local cheeses, ensaimada pastries and olive specialities await. At several fish counters you can taste fresh oysters or grilled octopus on the spot with a glass of local wine. The market is open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 14:30, Saturday morning is the most atmospheric.
9. Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs)
These 10th-century Arab baths are Palma's oldest building and one of the last tangible reminders of Moorish rule in the Balearics. The horseshoe-arched columns and star-shaped ventilation openings of the little bath chamber have survived intact, and the filtered light creates a special atmosphere. The entrance garden is an oasis full of orange trees and palms right in the middle of the bustling old town. Admission is only €3, and the visit takes 15–20 minutes, easy to fit into any old-town walk.
10. Fundació Joan Miró
From 1956 until his death, the Catalan artist lived and worked in Mallorca, and in his former studio and the modern gallery built alongside it, 6,000 works can be seen. The building, designed by Josep Lluís Sert, is itself an architectural masterpiece, the organic forms and natural light provide the perfect frame for Miró's art. Monumental sculptures stand in the garden, and in the studio his brushes and paint tubes still lie about as if the master had just popped out for a coffee. The museum is a 15-minute bus ride from the city centre, buses 3 and 46 go directly there.
Practical tips
- Transport: Palma's city centre is compact and easily walkable. From the airport, bus 1 brings you into the centre in 20 minutes, with a €5 ticket.
- Serra de Tramuntana: Rent a car if you also want to explore the mountain range, the Ma-10 switchback is one of Spain's most beautiful driving routes. Parking in the small villages is limited, so set off early.
- Dining: Try the ensaimada (a coiled buttery-sweet pastry), tumbet (a layered vegetable dish) and sobrassada (a paprika-spiced spreadable sausage). The "cellers" (cellar restaurants) in the city centre are more authentic than the seafront restaurants.
- Timing: La Seu cathedral and Bellver Castle in the morning, the old town and markets early in the afternoon, and the Passeig des Born and harbour at sunset are the most atmospheric.
- Internet: Download an eSIM before departure so you have mobile internet at the airport already, you can then use maps and bus information right away, with no roaming.