Things to do in Palma de Mallorca: top sights and where to go
Palma de Mallorca's headline sights: the Gothic La Seu cathedral on the seafront, with an interior reworked by Gaudí, and the old town behind it. Around the island lie the mountain village of Valldemossa and its monastery where Chopin wintered, Sóller with its vintage train and tram to the sea, the Caves of Drach and their underground lake near Porto Cristo, old Alcúdia with its 14 km beach, and the resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf. The airport bus reaches the centre in 20 minutes.
Sights
Palma de Mallorca itineraries
Palma de Mallorca travel guide
Before you go: where to stay, airport and buses, Mallorca's beaches, weather by month, ensaïmada and trips around the island.
Palma de Mallorca: the essentials
- How long
- 1–2 days in Palma, +3–5 on the island
- Best time
- May–June and September–October
- Food
- Ensaïmada, sobrassada, tumbet
- Visa
- Schengen rules apply
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Money
- Euro; cards accepted almost everywhere
- Airport
- Palma (PMI), bus A1 ≈ 20 min
- Getting around
- TIB buses island-wide, car hire
- Beaches
- Alcúdia, Palma Nova, eastern coves
- Meal times
- Lunch from 2pm, dinner after 9pm
- Time zone
- CET, UTC+1; summer UTC+2
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, Palma CathedralSourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 1371Sourcei
Wikipedia, Ferrocarril de SóllerSourcei
Wikipedia, MallorcaThings to do in Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca's great sight is the Gothic La Seu cathedral on the seafront. Around the island are the mountain village of Valldemossa, Sóller and its vintage train, the Caves of Drach with their underground lake, old Alcúdia with its long beach, and the resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf. Every place with a YesGo score is in the list above.
| Palma | La Seu cathedral | Half a day |
|---|---|---|
| Tramuntana mountains | Valldemossa, Sóller | 1 day |
| East of the island | Caves of Drach | Half a day |
| North of the island | Alcúdia | 1 day |
| South-west | Palma Nova and Magaluf | 1 day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above includes ready-made Mallorca itineraries.
Mallorca in 1, 2 or 3 days
One day in Palma covers La Seu cathedral, the old town and the seafront. On day two head into the mountains on the vintage train to Sóller and on to Valldemossa and its monastery. Day three: the Caves of Drach in the east or Alcúdia's beaches in the north.
- Day 1 — La Seu cathedral, the old town and Palma's seafront.
- Day 2 — Sóller by train and Valldemossa.
- Day 3 — the Caves of Drach or the beach at Alcúdia.
Mallorca beaches
Mallorca's beaches are wonderfully varied: long sandy strips in Alcúdia in the north, family coves at Palma Nova near the capital, small turquoise calas between the rocks in the east and the wild beach of Es Trenc in the south. The swimming season runs from June to October, warmest in August.
- Alcúdia — 14 km of sand with gentle shallows.
- Palma Nova — sandy coves 15 km from Palma.
- Magaluf — a long beach and nightlife.
- Port de Sóller — a round bay in the mountains.
- Eastern calas — turquoise coves near Porto Cristo.
Where to stay in Mallorca
For sightseeing, Palma's old town or seafront is handiest, with buses all over the island. For beach holidays with children, choose Alcúdia or Palma Nova; for peace and mountains, Sóller and the Tramuntana villages.
| Palma old town | Sightseeing, restaurants | Bus to the beaches |
|---|---|---|
| Palma Nova | A beach near the capital | Busy in summer |
| Alcúdia | Families with children | An hour from Palma |
| Sóller | Mountains and quiet | Car or train needed |
Palma de Mallorca airport to the city centre
Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is 8 km east of the centre and one of Spain's busiest in summer. Bus A1 reaches the centre in about 20 minutes and a taxi in about 15. Direct buses and transfers serve the island's resorts.
| Bus A1 | Airport — central Palma | ≈ 20 min |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Airport — centre | ≈ 15 min |
| Train | Palma — Sóller | ≈ 1 h |
| Bus | Palma — Alcúdia | ≈ 1 h |
| Bus | Palma — Porto Cristo | ≈ 1 h 15 min |
| Bus | Palma — Palma Nova | ≈ 30 min |
Mallorca weather by month
Mallorca has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers around 30 °C and mild winters around 15 °C by day. The sea warms up by July and stays warm until October. The best time is May–June and September–October, and in February the island is covered in almond blossom.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 15° | 15° | 17° | 20° | 23° | 28° | 31° | 31° | 28° | 24° | 19° | 16° |
| Night | 5° | 5° | 7° | 9° | 13° | 17° | 20° | 21° | 18° | 14° | 9° | 6° |
| Rain | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: May–June and September–October
- day ≈ 15°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 6 days
Mild winter, quiet.
- day ≈ 15°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 5 days
Almond blossom.
- day ≈ 17°
- night ≈ 7°
- rain 5 days
Spring, first visitors.
- day ≈ 20°
- night ≈ 9°
- rain 5 days
Warm, gardens in bloom.
- day ≈ 23°
- night ≈ 13°
- rain 4 days
A great month, first swims.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 17°
- rain 2 days
Beach season.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 20°
- rain 1 days
Hot, warm sea.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 21°
- rain 2 days
Peak heat, busy.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 5 days
Warm, the sea still warm.
- day ≈ 24°
- night ≈ 14°
- rain 6 days
Mild, some rain.
- day ≈ 19°
- night ≈ 9°
- rain 7 days
Cool, few tourists.
- day ≈ 16°
- night ≈ 6°
- rain 7 days
Mild winter, Christmas lights.
In February Mallorca's valleys bloom with almond trees, their white and pink orchards especially lovely in the Tramuntana.
What to eat in Mallorca
Mallorca's emblem is the ensaïmada, a spiral pastry of airy dough dusted with icing sugar. Try sobrassada too, a soft paprika sausage, tumbet of baked vegetables, sweet coca de patata in Valldemossa and fresh orange juice in Sóller.
- Ensaïmada — a spiral pastry dusted with sugar.
- Sobrassada — soft sausage with paprika.
- Tumbet — baked vegetables with potato.
- Coca de patata — Valldemossa's sweet bun.
- Sóller oranges — juice and ice cream.
- Pa amb oli — bread with olive oil and tomato.
Mallorca attraction prices
Free in Mallorca: the beaches, Palma's old town, the villages and mountain viewpoints. You pay for Palma Cathedral, the Valldemossa monastery, the Sóller train and tram, the Caves of Drach and the Pollentia ruins in Alcúdia.
| Palma Cathedral | 47 | 1 h | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valldemossa | 29 | 3 h | Free; monastery paid |
| Sóller | 18 | 6 h | Train and tram paid |
| Caves of Drach | 16 | 4 h | Paid |
Free — 2 places: Palma Nova and Magaluf, Alcúdia.
Tips
- Take bus A1 from the airport.
- Catch the Sóller train early.
- A car makes island trips easier.
FAQ
What should I see first in Mallorca?
Palma Cathedral, Valldemossa, Sóller, the Caves of Drach and Alcúdia's beaches.
How many days do you need in Mallorca?
1–2 days in Palma and 3–5 more for the island and beaches.
How do I get from Palma airport to the centre?
Bus A1 in 20 minutes or a taxi in 15.
What is the weather like in Mallorca in May?
Around 23 °C by day and 13 °C at night, good for sightseeing.
When can you swim in Mallorca?
From June to October, warmest in August.
Which are Mallorca's best beaches?
Alcúdia in the north, Palma Nova near the capital and the eastern coves.
Where should I stay in Mallorca?
Palma for sightseeing, Alcúdia or Palma Nova for the beach.
Do you need a car in Mallorca?
Not essential, as buses cover the island, but a car is more convenient.
What should I eat in Mallorca?
Ensaïmada, sobrassada, tumbet and coca de patata.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 1371 — Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana
- Wikipedia, Mallorca and Palma de Mallorca; Palma climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Palma de Mallorca Airport and TIB transport, official websites