What to Do in Palma de Mallorca for a Day

What to do in Palma de Mallorca for a day? When you first look at the capital of the Balearic Islands in a magazine, it almost seems like a dream. And when you finally get to its church, everything seems even stranger. Or take a walk on the beach at night and breathe in the salty air of the Med. Some people, like the famous English author Robert Graves, move to Palma and never leave. It’s easy to see why once you go there. But if you are always on the go and want to see new things, this lovely city has everything you need to surprise you in one day. If you follow this Palma de Mallorca schedule, you’ll be able to see the most interesting tourist spots and enjoy the island vibe of Spain.

What to do in Palma de Mallorca for a day

The Old Town of Palma is a great place to start your trip. Start your one day plan for Palma de Mallorca in the middle of the city. Don’t forget to bring your camera and comfortable shoes.

The Arab Baths

The Arab Baths may be the only thing left from Mediaeval Palma. The Moors built them in the 10th century and were only found again 100 years ago. To begin with, they were put in the orchard of the Can Fontirroig, a manor house most likely belonging to a wealthy Moor.

Today, the half-orange tepidarium fits right in with a garden, with its columns and changing shafts of sunlight. When people need a break from their busy days, they like to come here to read or eat lunch. The garden was kept for what it was meant to be: a place for people to cool off after a hot bath.

Catedral de Mallorca

Most visitors during the busy season start their trip at the church, which quickly becomes the busiest place in town. Everyone wants to see this beautiful rock building from the 1400s that rises straight up from the Mediterranean Sea into the sky.

It is also called “Le Seu.” King James I of Aragon built the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma after he and his men went to the island for one trip. On their way, they came across a rough sea with big waves and strong winds that put them in great danger. The king promised to build a huge church if they got to Mallorca safely. He did what he said he would and built one of the tallest churches in Europe.

La Seu was originally built in the Gothic style. In the 20th and 21st centuries, famous builder Antonio Gaudi added a huge illuminated crown-of-thorns canopy over the altar. The Chapel of the Holy Sacrament was changed by the artist Miquel Barceló from Mallorca. Some people didn’t like the last change, but you have to be there to know what you think.

As soon as you walk into the church, you’ll be amazed by the 61 stained glass windows, which let light in and give the floor and walls a pink glow. Because of this unique building feature, La Seu is known as the “Cathedral of Light.”

You can see something very special if you are in Palma on February 2 or November 11. On these days, the sun shines through the rose window in the middle and onto the wall across from it, just below the other rose window. When put together, they make a beautiful figure of eight, which is fun to watch.

Royal Palace of la Almudaina

Under Arab rule, the Palace of Almudaina, across the street from La Seu, was the home of the Emir. In the Middle Ages, it was home to the kings of Mallorca, and the king still holds important events here today.

The Almudaina is unique because it combines Gothic and Moorish styles. This shows how many different cultures inspired the City of Palma’s architecture.

When people visit for the first time, they find it interesting and beautiful, especially the 14th Chapel of Saint Anna with its huge stained-glass window and beautifully decorated staterooms.

The best times to visit the palace are early morning or late afternoon when you won’t have to deal with many other people.

S’Hort del Rei

A beautiful park outside the palace walls is a great place to relax and think about nature. The outside of the Palace of la Almudaina lets you imagine how the royal family spent their days wandering among the fruit trees and flowers. Around 1400, S’Hort del Rei had gardens with vegetables, and rabbits were raised there.

Since then, the park has grown, and new features have been added, such as a pond with fountains and statues by well-known Mallorcan sculptors.

Sa Llotja

In the 1400s, Mallorca was a major port for sea trade, so it needed a place where traders could bargain over goods like silk, silver, and spices. This was the city’s exchange, Sa Llotja. It was right next to the impressive Palace of la Almudaina and had a view of the sea.

Since Palma isn’t a trade hub, this beautiful building is now a fine art centre that puts on temporary shows. If you’re lucky, you might find one. But even if you don’t, the building with its beautiful towers is still worth seeing.

Plaça de Cort

Take a break in Plaça de Cort, where the royal court used to meet. People worldwide come to this cute area in the summer to see the “Olivera de Cort.” 

This is a 600-year-old olive tree. In 1989, it was brought to Palma from the Pedruixella Petit farm in Pollença as a peace sign. The ear-shaped rock became known as the “Orella de Mallorca” because many believe they can see faces.

Around the square are some nice places to eat, so you can come here for lunch or a coffee to get you going for the rest of the day.

Basilica de Sant Francesc

Welcome to the second part of your one-day plan in Palma de Mallorca. You will visit a peaceful 13th-century church with a beautiful courtyard surrounded by lemon and orange trees. You can expect the Basilica de Sant Francesc to be huge, but it is. It has thin columns and the most beautiful painted glass.

A Catalan philosopher and mystic named Ramon Llull (1235–1316) was stoned to death because he thought he could turn Muslims in Tunisia to Christianity. You can visit his grave here if you are interested in mediaeval philosophy.

Also, look at the front of the church. After lightning struck it in the 1600s, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style.

Passeig des Born

You are now on Palma’s most stylish road, known for its high-end shops and restaurants. People from other countries come to this street to buy gifts or eat on one of the many terraces.

The street is known as “The Golden Mile” because it is home to Louis Vuitton, Rolex, and Carolina Herrera stores. And getting lost on foot might be the best way to experience Palma’s worldly vibe.

Dive with sharks at the aquarium

Visit the Palma Aquarium to escape the buildings and past for a while. Listening and seeing screens here let you learn a lot without getting wet. But if you want a trip you’ll never forget, go to Majorca, swim, and dive with sharks. 

Mercat de Santa Catalina

As in most Spanish towns, Palma has many places to eat and buy fresh food.

The Mercat de Santa Catalina is the oldest market in Palma. It is in the artsy Santa Catalina area and sells seafood, fish, other tasty foods, pumpkins, and tomatoes. Chefs from the best places in town often come here early in the morning to look for the best ingredients they need.

Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor, or Placa Major as the English call it, is where the day ends. That place wasn’t always so much happiness, but now it’s full of life and fun. The square was built on the Fortress of San Felipe Nerí site, which was the home of the Inquisition until 1838.

There is an art market in the square some days of the week, and in January, the celebrations for the feast day of Sant Sebastià begin.

You can walk around or relax at one of the many cosy bars and restaurants that serve chilled wine and delicious Mallorcan or European food.

Take a cruise to see Palma de Mallorca

Many beautiful buildings in Palma are near the water, so a tour or boat trip is a great way to see them. Picture yourself gliding on the blue water on a sunny day, past Palma’s Old Town and onto the island’s peaceful golf courses and beaches. With a tour from the Port of Palma de Mallorca, you can beautifully see the city and do even more water-based activities.

Some interesting facts about Palma de Mallorca

• The island’s first name was “Insula Major,” which in Latin meant “bigger island.” At one time, people from other countries called it Mallorca or Majorca, which is how it stayed. Its centre, Palma, got its name from the Roman town of Palmeria, which was built on the island.
• Romans, Moors, and Christian Kingdoms were just a few of the groups that came to attack the island over the years.
• The Serra de Tramuntana Mountain range in Mallorca is so beautiful that UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site in 2011.
• It took 400 years to finish building the huge La Seu church.
• Palma is home to almost half of the people who live in Mallorca.

When Should You Go to Palma de Mallorca?

People say the best times to visit Palma de Mallorca are June, July, and August. The weather is nice in the summer; it gets up to 30–35 degrees Celsius, and the water in the Mediterranean heats up to 25 degrees. Lots of people like to swim and lay out in the sun.

Palma stays warm all through the fall. At this time of year, the motels and restaurants are less busy, and the water is great for snorkelling.

The buildings go to sleep when it gets below 17 degrees in the winter. Although, there are still lots of fun things to do. You can go to the church without waiting in queue for a long time, for example, or you can enjoy the beautiful beaches yourself.

When you go in the spring, you might be surprised to see trees in bloom and other signs that nature is returning to life. Passeo del Borne is the best place to shop on the island, and now is the best time to go there.

How to get to Palma de Mallorca most easily

Mallorca is an island that is easily accessible from mainland Spain and other countries through various transportation choices.

Plane

The fastest way to get to Palma is by plane. Palma de Mallorca Airport is only 8 kilometres from the city, but despite what most people think, it is a huge international hub that millions of tourists use every year. In Spain, it connects to Madrid and Barcelona. It also connects to almost all big cities in Europe and some capital cities outside of Europe.

To get to the city centre, rent a car, take a shuttle bus, or take a public bus from the airport. There are also taxis right next to the airport. If you want to travel in style, a helicopter can pick up and drop off tourists at their hotel.

Car

It’s best to drive around the whole island to see everything. You can stop whenever you want. Renting a car in Palma is easy. You can pick it up at the airport or by boat from South Spain.

Buses and coaches

You can get where you need to go on a long-distance coach, but the ride is rarely enjoyable. You won’t be able to get up and move around for at least a day on the bus. It’s better to take the plane for a trip.

So, who knows? Can have a great time with new friends they make on the bus. If this is your choice, Eurolines and Ouibus are two of the biggest companies that go to Palma.

Train and ferry

Taking the train might be too much since you must take the boat to continue your trip. But if you have a lot of time, you can do this.

You must take the boat if you are going by bus or car.

Getting Around The island of Mallorca

You don’t have to take the bus or rent a car to get to the best places in Palma. The city is small, and all its sights are in the Old Town, except for Bellver Castle. This means that you can easily walk around and enjoy the narrow, beautiful streets, lively markets, and restaurants that line the edges of the markets with palm trees.

However, there is a way to see more on the same day. You can purchase a free tourist pass that lets you ride the tour buses and enter some of the most important sights. 

Bikes are also becoming more popular in Palma. Visitors can use them for free, but they must be returned by the end of the day.

Do you have an extra day to spend in or near Palma Mallorca?

Palma is small, but its limits don’t end at the Old Town. For those who have an extra day, here are some other places you could visit:

• Bellver Castle – It is the only Gothic castle in Spain that is built in a circle. It is on top of Palma, so it offers the city’s best views. On the ground floor, you can learn more about the museum’s history as a military jail, which will help you understand Palma’s troubled past.
• If you love art, visit the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró. As long as you don’t have too much time on your first day in Palma, you should go there on your second day. It was here that Juan Miro and his wife lived for a while. Before they died, they set up this Fundacio and gave the house and many works of art you can now see there.
• Es Baluard—People who like modern and current art could spend an hour or two looking at the interesting displays at Es Baluard. The King and Queen of Spain opened the museum in 2004. In its first month, it had over 55,000 visitors and is still one of the most popular cultural spots on the island.
• Visit Iglesia La Porciuncula (la Iglesia de Cristal) for a magical experience. This beautiful church is made of concrete and iron ribs and has 39 stunning painted glass windows. Each window tells a story from the Bible or the Franciscan order’s history.
• Tren de Soller, for a day trip to the town of Sóller, takes an old train that winds through the beautiful Serra de Tramuntana. Spend the day in Port de Soller, a charming fishing town with gardens full of citrus fruits and orange trees. The fish dishes there are some of the best on the island.

What to Eat in Palma de Mallorca

• Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo: You must go to Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo to try the famous Ensaimada, a dessert made only in Mallorca with dough and saïm, a pork lard. This cosy café is on a narrow street in the middle of the city. It serves great coffee and sweets and is a great spot to rest after a walk.

• Asador Bolixe Cocina Esencial: If you love meat, this is the place to eat in Palma de Mallorca. You’ll love the fast service, delicious desserts, and best steak in town. Pair it with a delicious Mallorcan wine to make your day.

• Fera Palma Restaurant: This world-class restaurant in the Old Town has a beautiful balcony. The setting is classy but cosy, and the food is delicious. The sea bass and beef tartar nori are out of this world.

Places to Stay in Palma de Mallorca That Are the Best

• The Nakar Hotel is very fancy and close to the Old Town, making it a great place to explore the city. Tourists love it because it has great service and tasty breakfast choices.
• Casa Terra Santa, the Posada Terra Santa, is a beautiful hotel with cosy rooms, a kitchen, a pool, and a sauna that can be booked separately. It will make you want to stay inside all day.
• The Hotel Costa Azul is a great choice for a lovely city break. It has a great view of the Mediterranean Sea. You can end the night in the hotel’s great restaurant while watching the moonlight move across the water, and every morning, you’ll wake up to a beautiful blue sky.

What to do in Palma de Mallorca for a day? Even though one day may seem like insufficient time, you can see many of the best parts of Palma de Mallorca. A well-thought-out plan and cheap Palma de Mallorca holiday packages guarantee a wonderful time in the city with Good Vibes Only!