Explore Essentials: Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca

“The capital city of the largest Balearic Island, Palma de Mallorca has a mix of historical sights, seaside activities and a food and drink scene equal to any Spanish city. Palma has roots in the 13th century and offers the chance to see some splendid Moorish and medieval architecture. Likewise, the city draws in the best of the island’s produce and European shopping, as well as a simple sun holiday. Here are the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca.

Stroll Along the Seaside on Paseo Marítimo
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There’s no question that Palma de Mallorca is a seaside city, and the best place to take advantage of its sunny weather is by taking a walk along the waterfront promenade known as Paseo Marítimo. Palma’s waterfront opens onto its arc-shaped harbour on the Bay of Palma. The whole section of the harbourfront here is pedestrianised and lined with palm trees, and you can walk right the way around from the Porto Pi shopping centre on the west end to Portixol, passing marinas, boathouses and yacht clubs as you go.

By LANOEL, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50815464

Pick out Some Beautiful Produce at Mercat de l’Olivar
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If you’re not hungry before you walk into Mercat de l’Olivar, it probably won’t be long before you are. This traditional indoor market is packed with a mix of produce and meat vendors, and old-school tapas cafes where you sit at a barstool to try ham, cheese and local wine. The bars and merchant stalls still maintain the mid-century design from the 1950s when Mercat de l’Olivar was built.

Gaze at the Gothic Spires of La Seu Cathedral
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La Seu, Palma’s Gothic treasure, was built on the site of a former mosque, and while construction started in the 13th century, it wasn’t finished for almost 400 years. La Seu’s interior elements were designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (best known for his spectacular architecture around Barcelona), with some artwork by contemporary painter Miquel Barceló.

Book it: Best of Palma & Cathedral Skip the Line Private Tour

By VagabondQuest – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15221893Take a Circular Walk Around Castell de Bellver
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Palma’s 14th-century castle, Castell de Bellver, is special because it’s the only rounded castle in Spain. It is on a hilltop called Puig de Sa Mesquida west and south of the city centre, and was built for King James II of Mallorca in the early 1300s. Though initially intended for use as a castle, it mainly functioned as a prison, and if you climb to the roof, you can still see graffiti that was scrawled onto the walls.

Explore the Narrow Streets of Palma’s Old Town
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La Palma’s old town stretches out from the main square, Plaça Major, as a series of crooked, uneven stone streets. A number of the city’s main historic sights are located here, and you’re never far from a medieval tower rising in regal silence from a bent corner. Like most old towns, it’s a pleasant place for a wander through a mix of shops and cafes.

Book it: Private Walking Tour of Palma’s Old City

Go Shopping on Luxe Passeig des Born
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Running down the west side of La Palma’s old town is Passeig del Born, the city’s main luxury shopping street. It’s a wide avenue lined on both sides by luxury stores, from Rolex to Louis Vuitton. There are also elegant bars and restaurants to take refuge in when your handbags get too heavy.

By Martin Furtschegger, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58504015Take in Picasso and Miró at Es Baluard
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Es Baluard is the foremost museum of modern and contemporary art in the whole of the Balearic Islands. The collection here includes names everyone knows, such as Picasso and Joan Miró. But it’s particularly important for its collections focusing on the artists of the Belearic Islands, particularly homegrown artists from Mallorca. The building also has an interesting design that combines 21st-century architecture with the ruins of an 11th-century Arab tower.

Admire Moorish Architecture at La Almudaina Palace
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One of Palma’s most popular historic attractions is the Almudaina palace, a 14th-century fortified palace. The Almudaina was constructed at the request of James II of Majorca. It contains some excellent examples of medieval Spanish and Moorish architecture, particularly its columned archways. The palace is maintained as an official royal residence for the Spanish family, although they rarely reside here.

Find somewhere to stay by checking out our hotels in Palma de Mallorca.“