- 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 306 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 an electric railway connecting Palma and the town of Sóller, operating continuously since i...
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
Zoos
Marineland Mallorca is a coastal marine park located in Costa d'en Blanes, specializing in dolphin and sea lion presenta...
7
Historical places
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina serves as an official residence of the Spanish Royal Family for state ceremonies and re...
8
Venues
Ocimax Palma Aficine is a prominent multi-screen cinema complex located in the northern sector of Palma de Mallorca. Ope...
9
Museums
The Museu de La Seu de Mallorca is housed within the complex of the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, featuring a colle...
10
Historical places
La Llotja de Palma is a pinnacle of Mallorcan Gothic civil architecture, constructed between 1420 and 1452 by architect...
11
Parks
Sa Feixina Park is a prominent urban green space situated along the Riera torrent in Palma de Mallorca. The park is defi...
12
Museums
Pueblo Español de Mallorca is an open-air architectural museum designed by architect Fernando Chueca Goitia and inaugura...
13
Museums
Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani de Palma is integrated into the Renaissance-era defensive walls of Palma, specifical...
14
Beaches and ponds
Puerto Palma functions as a primary maritime hub and recreational waterfront area situated along the southwestern edge o...
15
Museums
Fundació Miró Mallorca is the artist Joan Miró’s former residence and creative base, centered around two distinct worksh...
16
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...
17
Venues
Trui Teatre is one of Palma de Mallorca's primary private cultural venues, located in the Ponent district. The facility...
18
Parks
Parque de las Estaciones is a linear urban park in Palma de Mallorca constructed on a concrete platform covering the und...
19
Places of interest
The Baños Árabes are one of the few remnants of the Moorish era in Palma de Mallorca, dating back to the 10th or 11th ce...
20
Parks
L'Hort del Rei, meaning 'The King’s Garden', is a historic park situated at the foot of the Almudaina Palace walls in Pa...
21
Parks
Parc de la Mar is a significant urban park in Palma, Mallorca, constructed on reclaimed land situated between the histor...
22
Beaches and ponds
Playa de Illetes is a small, sheltered cove located in the southwestern part of the Palma de Mallorca coastline. The bea...
23
Parks
Sa Riera Park serves as a major green corridor in Palma de Mallorca, stretching along the former riverbed of the Torrent...
24
Museums
The Museu Històric Militar de Sant Carles is housed within the 17th-century Castell de Sant Carles, a coastal fortificat...
25
Places of interest
CaixaForum Palma is an art gallery and cultural center housed within the historic Gran Hotel, a masterpiece of Catalan M...
26
Beaches and ponds
La Lonja Marina Charter is a specialized maritime hub situated in the heart of Palma de Mallorca's historic port distric...
27
Venues
Teatre Principal de Palma is the oldest theatre in the Balearic Islands, with origins dating back to 1667. Located in th...
28
Museums
The Fundación Juan March in Palma is housed within a restored 18th-century manor house known as Can Gallard del Canyar....
29
Temples
The Basílica de San Miguel de Palma is one of the oldest churches in Palma, occupying the site of the city's first mosqu...
30
Parks
Parque de la Riera is a sprawling urban green space in Palma de Mallorca designed along the path of a historic torrent....
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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 306 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 68 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia.
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