- Palma's cathedral is one of the few in the world to feature a light-filled interior redesigned by Antoni Gaudí, including his unconventional crown of thorns installation.
- The city's underground geography includes a vast network of medieval water cisterns and tunnels, many of which remain hidden beneath the modern street grid.
- Palma was historically a major center for cartography, with the 14th-century 'Majorcan Cartographic School' producing the most accurate maps in the medieval world.
- The city walls, which once entirely enclosed Palma, were demolished in 1902 to allow for urban expansion, though parts of the Ses Voltes bastion survive.
- Mallorca maintains its own distinct dialect of Catalan, known as Mallorquí, which features unique vocabulary and phonetic variations compared to mainland variants.
About Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca serves as the capital of the Balearic Islands, defined by its massive Gothic sandstone skyline dominated by the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca. Positioned on the southern coast of Mallorca, the city acts as a Mediterranean crossroads, featuring the historic Royal Palace of La Almudaina and the unique circular architecture of Castillo de Bellver. Beyond its historical core, the city offers accessible coastal experiences like Cala Major and specialized cultural institutions including the Train Sóller Station (Palma de Mallorca). Its urban layout preserves layers of Roman, Moorish, and Christian history within a densely packed maritime district.
Highlights of Palma de Mallorca
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
See the iconic Gothic structure that dominates the waterfront and features extensive interior renovations by Antoni Gaudí.
Historical places
Explore one of the only circular-designed Gothic castles in Europe, offering panoramic views over the Bay of Palma.
Historical places
Visit this historic site that serves as the official residence of the Spanish royal family when they are on the island.
Historical places
Examine this masterpiece of Balearic Gothic civil architecture, formerly the headquarters of the merchants' guild.
Museums
Board vintage wooden trains that have connected Palma to the town of Sóller since the early 20th century.
Beaches and ponds
Relax on this accessible sandy beach located just a short distance from the city center.
Museums
Walk through an open-air architectural museum that replicates famous buildings and styles from across Spain.
Parks
Visit this central green space that serves as a quiet urban retreat near the historical fortifications.
Top things to do in Palma de Mallorca
The 561 highest-rated places in Palma de Mallorca, ranked by travellers.
1
Temples
Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca, known locally as La Seu, is a landmark Gothic cathedral situated on the Pa...
2
Zoos
Palma Aquarium is a marine park housing over 8,000 animals from approximately 700 species. Its centerpiece is 'The Big B...
3
Historical places
Castillo de Bellver is a rare example of a circular Gothic castle, constructed in the 14th century by King James II of M...
4
Museums
The Ferrocarril de Sóller is a historic narrow-gauge railway connecting the city of Palma to the town of Sóller via a vi...
5
Beaches and ponds
Cala Major is a sheltered 200-meter long sandy beach located on the southwestern outskirts of Palma de Mallorca. The cov...
6
Museums
The Ferrocarril de Sóller is an electric railway connecting Palma and the town of Sóller, operating continuously since i...
7
Beaches and ponds
Caló del Moro is a narrow, sequestered cove characterized by steep rocky cliffs and high-visibility turquoise water loca...
8
Beaches and ponds
Es Trenc is a 2-kilometer stretch of undeveloped sandy coastline located in the south of Mallorca. The beach is characte...
9
Zoos
Marineland Mallorca is a coastal marine park located in Costa d'en Blanes, specializing in dolphin and sea lion presenta...
10
Historical places
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina serves as an official residence of the Spanish Royal Family for state ceremonies and re...
11
Beaches and ponds
Platja de Santa Ponça is a 560-meter-long sandy beach located in a sheltered bay on the southwest coast of Mallorca. The...
12
Places of interest
Jardins d'Alfàbia is a historic estate located at the foot of the Tramuntana mountain range, notable for its fusion of M...
13
Beaches and ponds
Port Adriano is a premier luxury marina in Mallorca, designed by French architect Philippe Starck. The facility features...
14
Venues
Ocimax Palma Aficine is a prominent multi-screen cinema complex located in the northern sector of Palma de Mallorca. Ope...
15
Museums
The Museu de La Seu de Mallorca is housed within the complex of the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, featuring a colle...
16
Amusement parks
Katmandu Park is a themed amusement park in Magaluf featuring an inverted 'upside-down' Tibetan-style house as its cente...
17
Historical places
La Llotja de Palma is a pinnacle of Mallorcan Gothic civil architecture, constructed between 1420 and 1452 by architect...
18
Parks
Sa Feixina Park is a prominent urban green space situated along the Riera torrent in Palma de Mallorca. The park is defi...
19
Museums
The Carthusian Monastery of Valldemossa, or Real Cartuja, is a former Carthusian monastery located in the Serra de Tramu...
20
Places of interest
Cala de Deià is a small, horseshoe-shaped cove located at the mouth of the Torrent des Racó on the northwest coast of Ma...
21
Museums
Pueblo Español de Mallorca is an open-air architectural museum designed by architect Fernando Chueca Goitia and inaugura...
22
Beaches and ponds
Playa de Cala Pi is a narrow, sheltered sandy beach located at the mouth of a deep limestone gorge on the southern coast...
23
Museums
Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani de Palma is integrated into the Renaissance-era defensive walls of Palma, specifical...
24
Historical places
Torre del Verger, also known as Sa Torre des Verger, is a historic stone watchtower situated on a cliff edge in the Tram...
25
Parks
Aqualand S'Arenal is one of the largest water parks in Mallorca, featuring a wide range of slides, wave pools, and dedic...
26
Beaches and ponds
Palmanova Beach is a prominent Blue Flag destination on Mallorca's southwest coast, characterized by a 500-meter-long st...
27
Places of interest
Coves de Campanet are limestone caves located on the southern slopes of Mount Sant Miquel in Mallorca, Spain. Discovered...
28
Beaches and ponds
Puerto Palma functions as a primary maritime hub and recreational waterfront area situated along the southwestern edge o...
29
Parks
Western Water Park is a Western-themed water amusement park located in Magaluf on the island of Mallorca. The park featu...
30
Beaches and ponds
Marina Port de Mallorca is a premier deep-water yacht facility located in the heart of the capital of the Balearic Islan...
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Palma de Mallorca on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Palma de Mallorca
May to June or September to October, when temperatures are moderate and the peak summer crowds have not yet arrived or have begun to dissipate.
3 days, allowing enough time to explore the historic old town, visit local museums, and spend time at the nearby coastal areas.
The city center is highly walkable, while an extensive network of municipal buses (EMT) and the historic vintage train to Sóller facilitate travel to peripheral areas.
Stay in Casco Antiguo for immediate proximity to historic landmarks and boutique hotels, or Santa Catalina for a high concentration of local dining and nightlife.
Mid-range; while luxury accommodation and dining are plentiful, the city offers a wide variety of affordable local markets, tapas bars, and free historical sites.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 561 curated attractions in and around Palma de Mallorca, ranked by traveller ratings.
Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca is the highest-rated place to visit in Palma de Mallorca right now.
The largest category is temples, with 124 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Madrid, Vigo, Barcelona.
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