Things to see in Palma de Mallorca in one day
Palma de Mallorca is one of those cities where as soon as you arrive, you feel like you’re at home. The warm welcome is immediate and it won’t take long for you to be carried away by its energy. The good news? The city, with its magnetic personality, can be seen in a day. It’s not about touring it in a hurry but making the most of each moment you spend there.
Whether you are on a cruise and stop in the city, or if you decide to spend your vacation in one of the best hotels on the island (Mallorca has much to offer in addition to its capital). Below we tell you what to see in Palma de Mallorca in one day so that not only do you not miss anything, you understand more about the essence of this Mediterranean city that forever captures all who visit it.
What to see in Palma de Mallorca in one day
While there are plenty of reasons to visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Santa Maria de Palma de Mallorca, "La Seu" to locals, or, simply, the Cathedral of Palma, some of them may surprise you. Like, for example, its raison d'être: this unique Gothic temple represents an oath to life or death intimately linked to the sea, with its divine and natural forces. According to records, King James I had it built in 1229 to fulfill a promise he made to Saint Mary, his patron saint, in the middle of a shipwreck: if he was saved, he would build a cathedral for her that would be reflected in the water.
The patios of the old town are also worth a leisurely visit. The best way to see them is to stroll through the streets of the center and let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere, stopping to admire architectural masterpieces dating from different historical times such as the Al Andalus period or the golden age of Modernism in the early twentieth century. Some of these courtyards, like that of the former Hospital de Sant Pere i Sant Bernat (Calle de San Bernat, 1) are part of public buildings, while others are from private mansions that have been repurposed. Can Vivot (Calle de Can Savellà, 4), Can Balaguer (Calle de la Unión, 3) and Can Bordils (Calle de la Almudena, 9) are among some of the most iconic.
In addition to its beaches and coves, Mallorca is famous for its modernist architecture. When you pass through the capital, you can’t help but be impressed by the groundbreaking beauty of this artistic movement. Antonio Gaudí left his mark on the cathedral, however, perhaps the Gran Hotel de Palma (Plaza Weyler, 3), designed by Lluís Doménech i Muntaner, is the most representative building of the Art Nouveau movement in Mallorca.
The neighborhood of Santa Catalina, known for its young, vibrant, and diverse atmosphere, is not just a trendy area. It is worth including in your one-day trip to Palma de Mallorca to see its colorful houses, cafes, and stores, and to stroll through its mythical market. It is located between Son Espanyolet and Son Armadams up on a hill, just a ten-minute walk from the port.
Finally, you can’t leave the city without seeing the port and the city walls. The palm-tree-lined promenade of Gabriel Roca Avenue, ideal for walking and cycling (there is a bike path along the sea) is the maritime backbone of the city. The port and the walls, facing each other on both sides of the street, are its nerve endings. The former will take you from Portopí to Portixol along the ocean; the walls take you to the cathedral and the old town.
Even if you don’t plan on it, you may like Palma so much that you decide to stay a few more days to explore the rest of Mallorca, or even visit its neighbor, Ibiza. There are many Iberostar hotels in the Balearic Islands to choose from. Find the best fit for you and your companions to make your trip even more memorable.
How long does it take to get around Palma de Mallorca?
With an area of roughly 130 square miles, the city, in the center of the Bay of Palma is the perfect blend of Mediterranean atmosphere and history. It is a medium-sized and accessible city, which can be explored on foot and enjoyed through its food, monuments, museums, squares, narrow streets, and of course, its views overlooking the sea.
If you are still wondering how long it takes to get around Palma de Mallorca, we can tell you that the city can easily be covered in one day. However, it’s very likely that after visiting it, you’ll be left wanting more. The Iberostar Selection Playa de Palma Hotel, located about 9 miles from the center of Palma, is the perfect place to rest on the beachfront and recharge so that you’re ready to keep exploring the next day.
What to do in Palma de Mallorca in one day
Where to eat in Palma de Mallorca
Just as important as what to see in Palma de Mallorca in one day, is where to eat. Here are some of our top recommendations. With the slogan ‘Green is the new sexy’, Botànic (Calle Forn de la Gloria, 14), located in the old town, has one of the most exciting plant-forward or flexitarian takes on haute cuisine. Its dishes are inspired by travel, and love for the land, vegetables, and local and seasonal products. There is a tasting menu, as well as an á la carte menu that varies throughout the year.
El Pesquero (Muelle de la Lonja, s/n) is a dream for lovers of fresh fish and seafood. Located next to the fishermen’s port, it was once a place where sailors gathered to eat after a day of work. Today, it is a renowned restaurant specializing in tapas, rice dishes, paellas, other fish and seafood dishes, and typical Mallorcan recipes.
If you feel like eating a delicious Neapolitan pizza (the best in the city according to many), L’Artista (Avenida de Gabriel Roca, 34, Paseo Marítimo) is the place for you. In this pizza paradise, they also offer traditional and innovative types of pasta; saltimbocca, a special Italian sandwich made with pizza dough; caravells, a boat-shaped pizza dough with extra filling; and their already characteristic Artista caps, which is pasta and salad served on a pizza plate.
A unique, eclectic, and exquisitely decorated restaurant that connects Mallorcan cuisine with the Mexican culinary culture of Baja California is Mestís, located in the Santa Catalina neighborhood (Calle Aníbbal, 12A). From breakfast to snacks, brunch, or lunch, this space serves delightful dishes brimming with flavor and color.
Finally, though it is a little distance from the city, Iberostar resorts in Playa de Palma are host to some of the island’s top restaurants including Katagi Blau, which fuses Asian and Mallorcan cuisine from the rooftop of Iberostar Selection Llaut Palma overlooking the bay; or The Origin Beach Soul, which is a new concept using local and organic produce, part of Iberostar Waves Bahía de Palma.
Where to have a drink in Palma de Mallorca
In Palma de Mallorca, the aperitif is sacred so if you visit the city, it’s something that you can not miss. It is customary, especially on Fridays and weekends, to gather to enjoy the so-called "tardeo", which consists of meeting with friends for a mid-afternoon or after-dinner drink (sometimes, the plan lasts well into the night). Two of these areas, perhaps favorites of the Mallorcans, are the neighborhood of Santa Catalina and Paseo Mallorca.
The bars and terraces of the old town are other excellent places to toast with wine, cava, or vermouth, in this case, while enjoying an aperitif before lunch or dinner. There you will find La Biblioteca de Babel (Calle Arabí, 3), a beautiful and well-stocked bookstore-café with a Parisian feel, included in the New York Times list of best bookstores in the world. Here, book presentations, talks, and concerts are also held. Another great plan without leaving the area? Sit and relax on one of the terraces of the Plaza Mayor or Plaza Drassana.
A little further away from the city center is the port and old fishing village of Portixol. To reach it, just walk along the promenade from the city and feel the Mediterranean spirit still present today. It has bars and restaurants for all tastes, as well as stony and sandy coves where you can relax and sunbathe before sunset or an aperitif. At sunset, the beauty of Portixol is especially captivating.
What beaches and coves to visit in Palma de Mallorca
Being a city surrounded by sea, Palma de Mallorca has all of the beaches and coves that allow you to enjoy the advantages of being on an island without having to travel too far away. Therefore, any route around Palma in one day must include an excursion to the beaches of Can Pere Antoni, Ses Palmeres, Es Portixol, or Cala Mayor, next to Portopí.
Can Pere Antoni is the most urbanized and central beach and is easy to access. It is located near the port along the promenade, not far from the cathedral. There are beach clubs and water activities available to take part in. For this reason, it is one of the most comfortable beaches in Mallorca to go with small children and is also suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Ses Palmeres, a cozy sandy cove with some pebbles, is in front of the residential area El Molinar and next to the Club Nautico de Portixol. It is small and there are no sunbeds or umbrellas, so during high season it is best to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Cala Mayor has both sandy and rocky areas and is wilder, crossed by picturesque wooden walkways. Its turquoise waters and tranquil atmosphere makes it attractive not just for the view, but the feeling when you breathe it in. If you go, be sure to stop by the viewpoint (wear comfortable shoes!).
A bonus? Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation and well-being in Playa de Palma, less than a fifteen-minute drive from the center. The rooftop terrace of Iberostar Selection Llaut Palma offers panoramic views of the sea, and its restaurants only serve fish and seafood that have been responsibly caught. Like the rest of Iberostar’s hotels, it has been free of single-use plastics since 2019.
What museums to visit in Palma de Mallorca
Another thing to do in one day in Palma de Mallorca is to go to one of its many museums and galleries. Es Baluard, the Museum of Contemporary Art (Plaza de la Puerta de Santa Catalina, 10) showcases the best of contemporary art from local, national, as well as international artists. The building itself is a work of art, combining part of the city walls with large windows, metal structures, and futuristic corridors, where natural light creates a play of shadows and reflections, which all adds to the experience.
The Miró Foundation or Pilar i Joan Miró a Mallorca (Calle de Saridakis, 29) occupies the space where Barcelona artist Joan Miró lived and worked with his wife, Pilar, for almost thirty years. At the Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation, you can visit the artist's studio and admire some of his most iconic works, which fuse surrealism, chromatism, and movement. There are more than 6,000 creations including paintings, sculptures, drawings, sketches, and other pieces.
Palma de Mallorca has a long artistic tradition built over many centuries. As a result, there are many art galleries to visit. In one of the most traditional corners of the old town, there are several clustered together to create an oasis of contemplation and delight; In the Gallery, Galería K, and Pelaires (at numbers 9, 5, and 3 of Can Verí Street, respectively).
One-day walking tour through Palma
Touring the city on foot is easy, and therefore an excellent option for those who want to get to know the city in more depth. To not miss anything, we recommend starting your route in the neighborhood of Santa Catalina. After a breakfast of local and organic produce at Mama Carmen’s (Calle de Cervantes, 21), we stop by La Salina, a Mediterranean bookstore with editions in Spanish, Catalan, English, and French (Calle Bayarte, 21). Head along to La Molienda (Plaza de la Puerta Santa Catalina, 2) for a cup of freshly ground specialty coffee, or the Santa Catalina Municipal Market (Plaza de la Navegación, s/n) to have your first snack of the day.
Next stop: the port and the walls. The walk itself will guide us with spectacular views of the sea to the old part of the city located behind the remaining walls. Here you can eat, drink, or visit the most interesting art galleries of Palma, as well as take a look around some typical stores, fashion boutiques, and homeware stores. The Rivareno ice cream parlor (Plaza de La Lonja, 1) is a local institution.
After having lunch in the center, we continue our tour by walking to the cathedral. At the end of the day, there’s nothing like walking along the promenade to the beach of Can Pere Antoni and from there to Portixol, just in time for golden hour. Dinner here will be truly magical.
Looking for other places to see in Palma de Mallorca in one day that can be reached on foot? Cala Mayor and Portopí, in the Poniente district, are two adjoining enclaves ideal for enjoying a moment of beach and sun. Nearby is the Miró Mallorca Foundation as well as the Marivent Palace, the summer residence of the Spanish Royal Family (Avenida Joan Miró, 235).
