A complete guide to Palma's attractions, walks, beaches, and day trips for 2026
Palma de Mallorca is one of the Mediterranean's most complete city destinations. It has a monumental Gothic cathedral that rivals any in Europe, a medieval old town made for wandering, world-class museums, a lively food market scene, and beaches within walking distance of the historic centre. Whether you have 24 hours or a full week, Palma rewards slow, curious exploration.
This guide covers every major attraction in the city, with practical tips on opening hours, getting around, and how to book your sustainable stay through IMPT — the platform that removes 1 tonne of CO2 per booking and gives you 5% cashback on the same rates you would find anywhere else.
Construction of La Seu began in 1229 after King James I of Aragon conquered Mallorca from the Moors, and the cathedral was built directly over the site of the former mosque. What makes La Seu extraordinary is its scale — the nave is 44 metres high, one of the tallest of any Gothic cathedral in Europe — and the quality of light that pours through its immense stained-glass rose window, known as the "Eye of God".
Antoni Gaudí was called in to restore the cathedral in the early 20th century after an earthquake damaged the apse. He added the wrought-iron baldachin over the altar and rearranged the choir stalls. Later, the Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló created the striking ceramic chapel of Sant Pere (2007), a swirling, textured installation that caused controversy on arrival but is now celebrated.
Practical tips: Open Monday-Friday 10:00-18:15, Saturday 10:00-15:15, closed Sundays for mass. Admission is EUR10. The cathedral roof tour, which takes you up between the buttresses for a city view, is worth the extra EUR5. Arrive early to avoid queues, especially in summer.
Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver) is one of the few circular castles in Europe, built in the 14th century for King James II of Mallorca. Its round design was both a defensive innovation and an architectural statement. Set on a wooded hilltop 3 kilometres west of the city centre, the castle offers a commanding 360-degree view of Palma's bay, the cathedral, and the Tramuntana mountains in the distance.
The castle now houses the Museu d'Història de la Ciutat (City History Museum), which traces Palma's development from its Roman foundation as Palmaria through the Islamic period, the Christian conquest, and into the modern era. The circular courtyard is stunning, and the surrounding pine forest makes for a pleasant approach on foot.
Practical tips: Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-19:00, Sunday 10:00-15:00, closed Mondays. Admission is EUR4, free on Sundays. The walk from the city centre takes about 40 minutes uphill. Bus 4 also runs from the Passeig del Born.
The Old Town is Palma's living museum. The district of La Lonja, named after the Gothic maritime exchange building (Sa Llotja), is a network of narrow, sandstone-paved streets lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and tapas bars. The architecture is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, with hidden courtyards and wrought-iron balconies at every turn.
Plaça Major is the city's main square, a large pedestrianised rectangle surrounded by arcaded buildings. It buzzes with cafe terraces, street performers, and a craft market on weekends. From here, the pedestrian Carrer de Colom leads past the Town Hall to the Passeig del Born, Palma's grand tree-lined boulevard.
Es Baluard is built directly into the 16th-century bastion walls of Palma's old city fortifications. The museum's permanent collection includes over 700 works, with a focus on Balearic and Mediterranean artists alongside international heavyweights. You will find pieces by Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, René Magritte, and Antoni Tàpies, as well as rotating temporary exhibitions.
The museum's terrace cafe offers one of the best views in Palma, with La Seu Cathedral to one side and the harbour to the other. The bookshop is excellent for art and architecture titles.
Practical tips: Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-20:00, closed Mondays. Admission EUR8, reduced EUR4.50 for students and seniors.
Tucked away on a quiet street in the Old Town (Carrer de Serra, 7), the Arab Baths are one of the few surviving Moorish structures in Palma. Dating from the 10th or 11th century, the small bathhouse features horseshoe arches supported by columns with Roman and Visigothic capitals, and a domed ceiling with star-shaped skylights that cast dappled light across the pool.
The baths are tiny — you can see everything in 15 minutes — but they provide a rare glimpse of Palma's pre-Christian history. A small garden adjoins the bathhouse, offering a peaceful spot away from the crowds. Admission is just EUR2.50.
Joan Miró spent the last 30 years of his life living and working in Palma, and his former studio complex — Finca Son Boter — is now the Fundació Miró Mallorca. The foundation comprises his two studios, a gallery space, and a sculpture garden set in lovely grounds in the El Terreno district.
The permanent exhibition includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, and ceramics from Miró's Palma period, showing the artist's evolution toward the abstract and symbolic language that made him one of the 20th century's defining artists. Regular temporary exhibitions place his work in dialogue with contemporary artists.
Practical tips: Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-18:00, Sunday 10:00-15:00, closed Mondays. Admission EUR8. A 15-minute walk from the Passeig del Born or bus 3 from Plaça Major.
Palma's seafront promenade runs for several kilometres along the Bay of Palma, from the Portitxol district in the east to the marina and yacht club in the west. It is the city's primary outdoor space: locals jog and cycle here, families walk in the evening, and a long line of restaurants and bars face the water.
The marina area (Moll Vell) is where the superyachts dock, and the atmosphere is glamorous without being stuffy. Historical ships and the Palma Aquarium are nearby. At sunset, the view of La Seu from the marina is unforgettable — the cathedral appears to rise directly from the sea.
The closest proper beach to the city centre is Cala Major, a sandy cove about 3 kilometres west of La Seu. It is a 40-minute walk along the Paseo Marítimo or a 10-minute bus ride (line 3 or 4). The beach is equipped with sun lounger rentals, a couple of beach bars, and calm water ideal for swimming.
Closer to the centre, Ca'n Pere Antoni is a small urban beach at the foot of the cathedral. It is popular with locals and has basic facilities. For larger sandy beaches, head further west to Illetas or Palmanova, both reachable by bus.
Mallorca's mountain spine is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an hour's drive from Palma. The mountain villages of Valldemossa, Deià, and Sóller are the highlights. Valldemossa is famous for the Royal Carthusian Monastery where Frédéric Chopin and George Sand spent a winter. Deià is a writers' and artists' colony with spectacular coastal views. Sóller is reached by a vintage wooden tram from the port of Sóller — one of Mallorca's most charming experiences.
Beyond Bellver Castle, the neighbourhood of Genova offers woodland walks and a quieter perspective on Palma. The area is also known for its traditional ceramic workshops.
The Binissalem DO region, 20 kilometres inland from Palma, produces Mallorca's best-known wines. Several bodegas offer tours and tastings, including Bodegas Macià Batle and Bodega José L. Ferrer. A half-day trip by car or taxi is easy from Palma.
Morning: La Seu Cathedral + cathedral roof tour. Late morning: Arab Baths + wander La Lonja. Lunch: tapas at Mercat de Santa Catalina. Afternoon: Es Baluard Museum. Sunset: Paseo Marítimo walk to the marina. Dinner: La Lonja or Paseo Marítimo.
Day 1: Follow the one-day itinerary above. Day 2: Morning: Bellver Castle walk. Late morning: Joan Miró Foundation. Lunch: Santa Catalina. Afternoon: Cala Major beach and swimming. Evening: Plaça Major for drinks.
Day 3: Day trip to Valldemossa and Deià in the Tramuntana mountains. Alternatively, take the vintage train from Palma to Sóller, a beautiful ride through the mountains that departs daily from the Plaça d'Espanya station.
Palma is one of the most walkable cities in the Mediterranean. The Old Town, La Seu, Es Baluard, and the Paseo Marítimo are all within 20 minutes of each other on foot. For Bellver Castle, Cala Major, and the airport, the EMT bus network is efficient and cheap (EUR2 per journey). Bicycle hire is available through the Palma Bike rental points and several private operators.
The metro from Plaça d'Espanya connects the city centre with the University and Marratxí. The train to Sóller and Inca depart from the same station and are scenic, low-carbon ways to explore the island.
La Seu Cathedral is the unmissable landmark. Other top attractions include Bellver Castle, the Arab Baths, Es Baluard Museum, the Joan Miró Foundation, the Paseo Marítimo waterfront, and the Mercat de Santa Catalina food market. All are within walking distance of each other.
Yes. The Old Town is compact and highly walkable, with most attractions within 20-30 minutes of each other on foot. The Paseo Marítimo and Bellver Castle are slightly further but easily reached on foot or by bus. The city is generally flat, though the hill up to Bellver requires good walking shoes.
Two to three days is ideal for exploring Palma itself. Add an extra day for a boat trip or a visit to the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. If you want to relax on beaches, allow at least three to four days. Palma works well as a long weekend destination or as a base for a longer Mallorca trip.
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