Palma de Mallorca, the vibrant capital of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is a place that feels like a dream mix of sun-soaked beaches, historical gems, and a laid-back Mediterranean vibe. From its stunning coastline and bright-blue waters to the medieval architecture that dots the cityscape, Palma offers plenty to discover around every corner. The city’s character blends modern style with rich traditions, creating a unique atmosphere that draws visitors in year-round.
Wandering through Palma’s streets, you’ll find everything from bustling local markets filled with fresh produce to winding lanes lined with artisan shops and tapas bars. The city’s heart is the impressive Gothic-style Palma Cathedral, known as La Seu, which stands proudly overlooking the bay. But Palma has more than just classic sights; the waterfront promenade, boutique-lined shopping streets, and thriving food scene keep things fresh, with plenty of spots for enjoying a long, lazy lunch in the sun or a late-night drink by the sea.
Whether you’re after outdoor adventure or want to soak up the local art and culture, Palma has it all. Day trips to explore nearby beaches or simply people-watching in one of the city’s lively plazas make every day feel like an adventure. With warm weather almost year-round, Palma de Mallorca is a destination that always promises something exciting to see, taste, and experience.
Palma De Mallorca
We landed in Palma at 1pm and caught the bus into the centre of Palma. The bus was easy to find just outside of the terminal. You can pay with cash to the bus driver or by card at the machines. There are ticket machines at the bus stop and it costs 4 euros for a one way trip. The bus goes around the outside of the old town, one of the main stops being Plaza d’Espanya.
We stayed at Protur Naisa Palma Hotel and got off at stop 19 – passeig Mallorca which was just down the road. The hotel was great and perfect walking distance from all the main sights in Palma. The few complaints were the slow lifts and having to keep the blinds closed all the time due to facing an office block! There was no privacy curtains, just a singular blind in the main room and also the bathroom.
The breakfast was great and the rooftop pool looked lovely, although we didn’t end up spending any time there. We did head to the spa and the heated pool and sauna though, which were all excellent.
After checking in, we headed out for some food. We ate at Alubia, a plant-based restaurant that was just down the road from the hotel.
After lunch, we wandered around the old town in search of gelato. We did a bit of shopping and headed along the beautiful Born passage. It is a gorgeous, tree-lined avenue with a promenade down the centre. It is a must-see in Palma! Whilst exploring the old town, we stumbled across ‘the best sangria in town’ and ate gelato from Gelateria Rosario. We looked at reviews for the best ice cream places and found this one. I always lean towards pistachio, caramel or a fruity cheesecake flavour and this place did not disappoint!
We continued our walk around the old town and stumbled across a beautiful old book shop called English Fine Books. The little streets of the old town in Palma could be explored endlessly. Around every corner, there seems to be a beautiful church or a pretty square or some other wonderful sight to see. Two pretty squares near to one another are Palma Square and Plaza de Santa Eulalia. Palma City Hall is in Palma Square and it is a lovely old building.
To conclude our first day of exploring, we headed to the sea front to see the Catedral de de Santa Maria. It is a stunning, gothic basilica overlooking the sea. We didn’t go inside but we walked all the way around the outside, admiring the view.
Afterwards, we headed back to the Born passage and sat outside in one of the restaurants, soaking up the atmosphere and people-watching. There was a saxophonist moving up and down the Born passage playing outside each restaurant. It was lovely!
