Things To Do in Palma de Majorca
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Palma de Majorca Attractions
Most visitors don't spend much time exploring the historic sights in Palma, but there are a number of places to see if you've had too much sun.
The area immediately surrounding the cathedral epitomizes old Palma, with mazes of narrow alleys and cobblestone streets. In the Gothic quarter, the 10th-century Banys Àrabs baths, Carrer Serra, 7 (pictured above; tel. 637-046-534), are the only intact Moorish-constructed buildings remaining in Palma. Admission is 2.50€; they’re open daily 10am‒7pm.
Viajes Sidetours, Av. Gabriel Roca 19 (tel. 97-145-35-11), offers numerous full- and half-day excursions throughout Palma and the surrounding countryside. The full-day excursion to Valldemossa and Sóller takes visitors through the monastery where former island residents Chopin and his lover, George Sand, spent their scandalous winter. After leaving the monastery, the tour explores the peaks of the Sierra Mallorquina and then makes its way to the seaside town of Sóller.
Another full-day tour of the mountainous western side of the island is conducted by train and boat, including a ride on one of Europe's oldest railways to the town of Sóller and the Monasterio de Lluch, as well as a boat ride between the port of Sóller and La Calobra. The eastern coast of Majorca is explored in the "Caves of Drach and Hams" tour. A concert on the world's largest underground lake (Lake Martel), tours through the caves, a stop at an olive-wood works, and a visit to the Majorica Pearl Factory are all covered. Times of departure may vary.
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- Historic Site
Banys Arabs
These Moorish baths date from the 10th century and are the only intact Moorish-constructed buildings in Palma. - Historic Site
Castell de Bellver
Erected in 1309, this round hilltop castle was the summer palace of the kings of Mallorca—during the brief period when Mallorca had kings. The castle, which was a fortress with a double moat, is well preserved and now houses the Museu Municipal, which is devoted to archaeological… - Cathedral
Catedral (La Seu)
This Catalan Gothic cathedral stands in the old town overlooking the ocean. Begun during the reign of Jaume II (1276–1311), it was completed in 1601. Its central vault is 43m (141 ft.) high, and its columns rise 20m (66 ft.). There is a wrought-iron baldachin (canopy) by Gaudí over… - Museum
Es Baluard Museu d’Art Modern i Contemporani
Created to promote Balearic and Mediterranean art from the 20th and 21st centuries, the building gives an impressive panoramic view of the whole Bay of Palma from the site of the 16th-century defensive fortress known as the Baluard de Sant Pere (Bastion of St. Peter). The museum… - Museum
Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró a Mallorca
Joan Miró lived in Palma from 1956 until his death and produced a prodigious amount of art here. After his death in 1983, his widow Pilar Juncosa donated a vast number of his paintings, drawings, and graphic works along with a collection of personal documents. Here at his former… - Zoo/Aquarium
Marineland
Eighteen kilometers (11 miles) west of Palma off the coast road to Palma Nova, this attraction offers dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows. The daily dolphin shows are at 11:30am and 3:30pm; the parrot shows, also daily, at 10:30am, 12:30, and 4:30pm. There's a Polynesian pearl-diving… - Museum
Museu de Arte Español Contemporaní (Fundación Juan March)
Small but select, this museum has 69 works of 20th-century Spanish art representing the first generation of the Spanish avant-garde—Picasso, Miró, Dalí, and Juan Gris—as well as Spanish painters such as Carlos Saura and Antoní Tápies from the mid-century. Temporary exhibitions show… - Historic Site
Palau de l’Almudaina
The former Alcázar Real was built first by Muslim rulers in 1281, then significantly modified by the kings of Arágon who held sway here over the next few centuries and made this their royal residence when they came to Mallorca. Opposite the cathedral, it is surrounded by…
Palma de Majorca Shopping
Stores in Palma offer handicrafts, elegant leather goods, Majorcan pearls, and fine needlework. The best shopping is on the following streets: San Miguel, Carrer Sindicato, Jaume II, Jaume III, Carrer Platería, Vía Roman, and Passeig des Borne, plus the streets radiating from the Borne all the way to Plaça Cort, where the city hall stands. Most shops close on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Loewe, Av. Jaume III no. 1 (tel. 97-171-52-75), offers fine leather, elegant accessories for men and women, luggage, and chic apparel for women.
For high-quality artificial pearls, head for Mediterráneo, Av. Jaume III no. 11, Centro (tel. 97-172-45-39). Since 1719, Gordiola, Carrer de la Victoria 2 (tel. 97-171-15-41), has been making the best glass products on island.
Palma de Majorca Nightlife
Palma is packed with bars and dance clubs. The island’s northern tier has some clubs, but for a laser- and strobe-lit club, boogie in Palma.
Right on the beach near lots of hotels, Lío, Av. de Gabriel Roca, 31, Ponent (tel. 871-18-16-26), took over the space where the Beautiful People used to go to be seen at Tito’s back in disco’s heyday. Now a combination dance club and contemporary, often risqué cabaret, it still draws a glam-oriented international crowd. Cover charge varies, but expect 15€ to get in the door. Restaurant and cabaret close Nov–Mar, but dance club is open Thursday to Sunday 11pm‒6am.
Palma’s best beer hall is Lórien, Carrer de les Caputxines, 5 (tel. 97-172-32-02), with 100 selections from two dozen countries.
Luckia Casino Mallorca lies on the harborfront promenade at Av. Gabriel Roca, 4 (casinodemallorca.com; 📞 97-113-00-00). You’ll need a passport to enter and play table games or slots. No shorts, swimwear, or flip-flops allowed. The slot parlor is open daily 10am‒4am, the gaming tables 5pm‒4am. Entry is 10€.
