Palma de Mallorca Sights - Top 12 Attractions

Palma de Mallorca has far more to offer than sun and beach. The island capital is full of history, striking architecture and hidden corners that many visitors never even notice. Whether it is your first time here or you have lived on the island for a while, the sights of Palma de Mallorca keep surprising you. In this article I show you the twelve highlights you really should not miss.

La Seu Cathedral - Palma's landmark by the sea

La Seu Cathedral is without question the city's most famous building. It sits right by the harbour and impresses with one of the largest rose windows in Europe. Construction began in the 13th century and took several hundred years. Especially fascinating is the light installation inside, which Antoni Gaudi helped to shape.

A visit is best in the early morning, when sunlight falls through the rose window and casts colourful patterns on the floor. Admission costs around 9 euros, and the ticket desk can get busy in high season.

Tip: the best time to visit La Seu

Come between 8 and 10 in the morning. It is still quiet then, and you get to see the famous play of light through the rose window. On Wednesdays and Saturdays there is sometimes free admission for the Mass.

Palma's old town - strolling through narrow lanes

The old town of Palma is among the most beautiful in the entire Mediterranean. Behind the honey-coloured facades hide historic courtyards (patios), small boutiques and cosy cafes. Particularly worth seeing are Carrer de Sant Miquel with its shops and the quieter side streets around Placa de Cort.

If you really want to experience Palma's old town, give yourself at least two to three hours. Deliberately lose yourself in the small lanes and discover the many details on the historic buildings. For more ideas on what to do, see our guide to leisure and sport on Mallorca.

Bellver Castle - the only round castle in Spain

Bellver Castle stands on a hill west of the centre and offers a fantastic panoramic view over Palma, the harbour and the sea. The 14th-century castle is unique in Spain because it has a perfectly circular layout. Inside there is a small city museum that tells the story of Palma.

The climb on foot takes about 20 minutes from the city centre. Alternatively you can go up by bus (line 50) or by car. Admission is free on Sundays.

The royal palace La Almudaina

Right next to the cathedral stands the Palau de l'Almudaina, the official residence of the Spanish royal family on Mallorca. The building goes back to a Moorish fortress and was rebuilt many times over the centuries. Today you can visit the grand halls and the throne room.

The combination of La Seu and La Almudaina makes for a perfect morning in Palma. The two are only a few steps apart.

Mercat de l'Olivar - the culinary heart of the city

The Mercat de l'Olivar is Palma's largest market hall and a paradise for food lovers. Here you will find fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, cheese, cured meats and Mallorcan specialities. At some stalls you can sit down right away and order tapas or fresh oysters.

The market is open Monday to Saturday (roughly 7 am to 3 pm). It is at its liveliest between 10 am and noon. Besides the Olivar there is also the smaller Mercat de Santa Catalina in the trendy neighbourhood of the same name.

Santa Catalina - exploring the trendy quarter

Santa Catalina has become Palma's most fashionable neighbourhood in recent years. Tapas bars, international restaurants and small shops line up one after another. The atmosphere is relaxed and cosmopolitan, and many expats and digital nomads feel at home here.

Especially worth a look:

Placa del Progres as a central meeting point
Carrer de Fabrica with its many restaurants
The Mercat de Santa Catalina for a fresh snack
The small galleries and vintage shops in the side streets

Heads up: parking in Santa Catalina

There are barely any free parking spaces in the neighbourhood. It is best to come on foot, by bike or by public bus. EMT lines 1 and 5 stop nearby.

Paseo Maritimo and the harbour

Palma's harbour promenade stretches for several kilometres and is perfect for a walk or a jog. From the Paseo Maritimo you have a great view of the cathedral and the harbour with its yachts and sailing ships.

At the western end you will find the Club de Mar and various restaurants overlooking the water. The area around the Lonja (the historic maritime trade exchange) is especially atmospheric in the evening. The Paseo Maritimo also links the old town with the ferry terminal and the Porto Pi shopping centre.

Es Baluard - the modern art museum

Anyone interested in art should visit Es Baluard. This museum of contemporary art sits in a restored 16th-century bastion. The collection includes works by Picasso, Miro and many contemporary artists. From the roof terrace you have one of the best views over the city.

Admission costs about 6 euros, and it is free on Tuesdays from 6 pm. Besides Es Baluard, it is also worth a side trip to the Fundacio Miro in the west of the city, where you can visit the artist's studio.

Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro

The Fundacio Miro in Cala Major shows the studio and sculpture garden of the famous artist Joan Miro. He lived and worked on Mallorca for years and drew inspiration from the island's landscape and light. The museum is less crowded than many other Palma de Mallorca sights and offers a quiet retreat.

The garden with its sculptures and the view of the sea in particular make the visit a special experience. The bus ride from the centre takes about 15 minutes.

Banys Arabs - a piece of Arab history

The Arab Baths (Banys Arabs) are one of the few surviving relics from Palma's Moorish era. The small site is tucked away in the old town and shows a bathhouse with a domed roof and a pretty garden. Admission costs just 3 euros, and a visit takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

The baths are on Carrer de Can Serra and combine well with a walk through the old town and other leisure activities.

Placa Major and the Ramblas

Placa Major is the large central square in the old town, surrounded by arcades with cafes and street performers. Beneath the square there is a shopping passage with shops and boutiques. From here the Rambla de Palma leads down to the Paseo del Born, lined with flower stalls and plane trees.

Tip: plan a walk through Palma

Start at Placa Major, walk down the Ramblas to the Paseo del Born and then turn towards the cathedral. From there continue to the Almudaina and back along the harbour to Santa Catalina. That way you see the most important Palma de Mallorca sights in a single morning.

Poble Espanyol - Spain in miniature

The Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) is an open-air museum west of the centre that recreates Spain's most important buildings on a smaller scale. Here you will find replicas of the Alhambra, the Plaza Mayor in Madrid and many other well-known buildings. For families with children it is a varied outing, and architecture enthusiasts get their money's worth too.

The site also has workshops where local craftspeople make traditional products. A visit takes about one to two hours, and with a guided tour on GetYourGuide you learn even more about the individual buildings.

Conclusion

Palma de Mallorca surprises with an incredible variety of culture, history and atmosphere. Whether you marvel at the imposing cathedral, sample your way through the market halls or simply stroll the lanes of the old town, you will quickly notice that the island capital is far more than a stopover on the way to the beach.

The twelve Palma de Mallorca sights in this article can easily be explored in two to three days. It is best to start in the morning at the cathedral and work your way through the different neighbourhoods. If you want to dive deeper into island life, take a look at our guide to leisure and sport with more recommendations for everyday life on Mallorca.