City guides

Palma de Mallorca city guide

Palma de Mallorca City Guide

Capital of Mallorca island and of the region (Comunidad Autonoma of the Balearic islands) Palma de Mallorca extends over 12 miles along the shore of a vast bay. It offers the numerous tourists that visit every year, hotels, exceptional town planning, and luxurious living quarters, apart from the preserved Old Town that dates back to the 17 Century. This Palma de Mallorca city guide will focus on the top things to see and enjoy in the city.

Palma is not just a tourist destination, but a city with very high living standards. This implies, besides a complete cultural agenda, that the city vibrates energy. This can be seen in Palma´s seafront with an abundance of restaurants and bars, in the high-street boutiques at Avenida Jaime II or Paseo del Borne, or in the Marina. Put all this and much more together, and you will understand why Palma is known as the pearl of the Mediterranean.

Palma de Mallorca city guide - Table of Contents

palma de mallorca city guide

Practical information to plan your visit to Palma de Mallorca

5 top reasons to visit Palma de Mallorca

Enjoy a visit to the Cathedral (La Seu)

This immense gothic cathedral (with parts of it in Reinassence style) is very different from other Gothic cathedrals in Spain. You can learn more about the Palma de Mallorca cathedral in this article. A visit to la Seu is a must for any visitor to Palma.

Enjoy Palma’s old town

Palma de Mallorca is an actual city with a long history. The walls near la Seu were built to protect the city from pirates, the cobbled streets of the old quarter are too narrow for cars. In the city center you can enjoy the Royal palace or Almudaria, an impressive palace that was named the Zuda at the time of the Reconquista and that was rebuilt by Jaume II. The old quarter is full of small bars and restaurants and you will also find El Jardi del Bisbe, a tranquil garden that belongs to the Diocese and which is shaped following the style of the historical villas in Palma de Mallorca.

Walk down la Marina and enjoy a dinner with views or its vibrant night live

 Restaurants like Can Eduardo, Pesquero or Mar de Nudos offer the option to enjoy Mediterranean gastronomy including paella, excellent seafood and views from their terraces to yatchs, sailing ships and la Seu.

Nightlife in Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is lively all year round. The city offers very different styles and a great atmosphere no matter what you look for. Nightlife here may not be as nightlife in Ibiza and its clubs, but Palma offers also a lot! Many bars and pubs are opened 7 days a week. The best areas to enjoy the nightlife are the old quarter, La Lonja and Santa Catalina. Bars in these areas stay open till 2 am. From there, and if you are looking for more, you will need to head either to La Marina or to the beach resorts near Palma (Magaluf, or S’Arenal).

Enjoy an “ensaimada Mallorquin”

A traditional, yet trendy pastry from Mallorca and a great addition to your stay in Palma de Mallorca to ensure you enjoy a bit of cultural flavor! There are many special dishes in Mallorca and the islands, but ensaimada is a very simple pastry, but it is so tasty that it is perfect for the local breakfast or brunch. Where can you enjoy the best ensaimada in Palma de Mallorca?

1) Orxatería y Heladería Ca’n Joan De S’aigo. Over 300 years of history. Address: Calle Sans, 10, 07001 Palma de Mallorca
2)  Forn des Teatre: Besides ensaimada, you can enjoy its terrace. Address: Plaza Weyler, 9, 07001 Palma de Mallorca
3)  Forn Fondo: This pastry shop opened its doors in 1742.! Address: Carrer Unió, 15, 07001 Palma de Mallorca
4)  Pastelería M.Llull: Very famous among locals. Address: C/ 31 Desembre, 27, 07003 Palma de Mallorca

Best time to visit Palma de Mallorca

The best time to travel to Mallorca is from April to September because they are the warmest months in the Balearic Islands. Especially for a beach vacation, the summer months are recommended.

Weather in Palma de Mallorca

This geographical diversity is noticeable affects the weather in Mallorca, which is different in each part of the island.

Winters in the interior of the island are colder and it can even snow in the Sierra de Tramuntana. In contrast, winter temperatures in the coastal area are mild, between 8 degrees and 15 degrees. In May, the lows rise to about 15 degrees and the highs to 22 and continue to rise until August, when they reach 29 degrees. The weather in October is still mild, with pleasant temperatures ranging from 16 degrees to 23 degrees.

The rainy season lasts throughout the month of November. The water temperature varies from about 14 degrees in January to 25 degrees in August. In June and October it is about 21 degrees.

interactive tourist map of Palma de Mallorca

Recommended hotels in Palma de Mallorca

There are many hotels in Palma de Mallorca  and it is a city where prices can get very high during the high season  Our team of experts recommend the following hotels in Palma (we believe they are the best options at different price levels)

Recommended attractions in Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca boosts a great combination of Mediterrean culture, history and fun.  Religious temples stand next to the city walls, the Marina with mdern yatchs, shopping streets and fortresses in a puzzle in which all pieces fit perfectly together.

Palma de Mallorca Cathedral

Mallorca cathedral was built between 1230 and 1600 and thus has parts which are Renaissance despite most of the building is gothic. Locals from Mallorca

Recommended restaurants in Palma de Mallorca

Asados are an important part of local gastronomy, but it is the famous morcilla de Burgos (blood-pudding) the tapa or dish which everybody knows Burgos for. Burgos is also well-known dur to its excellent wines and cheese as well!

Best things to do Near Palma de Mallorca

Es Trenc-2 kilometers of white sand and caribbean style waters. One of Mallorca´s best known beaches
Es Trenc – Balearic islands

Es Trenc beach in southern Mallorca This beach is located in a protected area. The beach is long, with over 2 kilometers, and has white

Video of Palma de Mallorca - The city in a nutshell

Other city guides in the Balearic islands