Palma de Mallorca, travel guide to visiting Palma de Mallorca, Spain
A little about Palma
Palma de Mallorca is the sunny, seaside capital of the Balearic Islands, sitting pretty on the southwest coast of Mallorca. It’s a city where ancient history meets the perfect holiday spot - originally founded by the Romans, it later became a Moorish stronghold before the Catalans took over in the 13th century. Today, its sparkling harbour, palm-lined boulevards, and mix of Gothic, Moorish, and modernist architecture make it just as fascinating to wander as it is to simply sit back with a cold drink and watch the Mediterranean life roll by.
Europa Playa Marina Hotel
Our base for five nights was the Europa Playa Marina Hotel — and honestly, the ocean views alone were worth the trip. Perched right on the water’s edge, mornings here started with the sound of gentle waves and that glorious blue horizon stretching as far as the eye could see. We enjoyed breakfasts overlooking the sea, lazy afternoon swims, and sunset drinks on the balcony — all made even better with our travel buddies, Wayne and Anne, for company and laughs.
Exploring the Old City (plus a little train ride)
Palma’s old city is like a maze you’ll actually want to get lost in — full of narrow laneways, shady squares, boutique shops, and charming cafés just perfect for a tapas stop. You can wander for hours here, soaking in the history and atmosphere. But if you’re ready to escape the city for a bit, hop aboard the vintage wooden train from Palma to Sóller. It clacks its way through olive groves and mountains, delivering postcard views at every turn and a little taste of old-world travel charm.
The Cathedral
Dominating Palma’s waterfront, the Basilica Santa Maria de Mallorca, is impossible to miss — and you wouldn’t want to. This Gothic masterpiece took over 300 years to build, and it’s just as jaw-dropping inside as it is from the outside. Sunlight streams through its vast stained-glass windows, and the sheer scale of the building makes you feel both tiny and in awe. Whether you’re into history, architecture, or just beautiful places, this one ticks all the boxes.
Unique Touches Inside the Basilica de Santa Maria
Beyond its soaring Gothic architecture, Palma’s cathedral is full of details that make it truly special. Its huge central stained-glass window — one of the largest in the world — floods the interior with kaleidoscopic light, especially stunning during the morning sun. In the early 1900s, Antonio Gaudí brought his signature vision here, adding wrought-iron candelabras, moving the choir stalls, and introducing new lighting to open up the space. More recently, in the early 2000s, contemporary artist Miquel Barceló transformed the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament with a striking ceramic mural depicting biblical scenes in earthy, almost surreal textures — a bold modern contrast to the cathedral’s centuries-old stonework.
Arab Baths
Hidden away in Palma’s backstreets, the Arab Baths are a little pocket of Moorish history dating back to the 10th century. Step inside and you’ll find graceful arches, ancient columns, and a peaceful garden where you can sit and imagine life here a thousand years ago. It’s a small site, but a lovely, quiet break from the city’s bustle.
Valldemossa & hiking views
A short drive from Palma takes you to Valldemossa, a storybook village in the mountains with cobbled streets, flower-filled balconies, and more charm than should be legal. We laced up our walking shoes here and took to the trails on a hiking day trip. We loved the sweeping views of the coastline and the dramatic Tramuntana mountains. The air was fresh, the scenery spectacular, and the the water was so clear you could see the rocks on the bottom of the ocean. The hike we did was 8km and was quite easy and the guide gave us some great information along the way.
Small group boat trip
From Palma’s port, we joined a small group boat trip that was pure Mediterranean magic. With lunch, drinks, and plenty of sunshine, we cruised along the coast, stopping at three perfect swimming spots — one of them a cave that felt like a secret hideaway. We swam, snorkelled, and soaked up the views, feeling like we’d somehow stumbled into a postcard. We were able to jump in at every stop, and we could even use the stand up paddle board that was supplied on the day. It was the highlight of our five days in Palma, and would highly recommend doing a boat tour while in Palma.
Best Beach Picks Near Palma 🏖️
Playa de Palma – Long, sandy, and lively with a promenade full of shops, cafés, and people-watching spots.
Cala Major – Small cove close to the city with calm waters and plenty of nearby restaurants and beach bars.
Can Pere Antoni – Palma’s closest beach, just a short walk from the cathedral, with views of the old town.
Illetes Beach – A little further out, but worth it for turquoise waters and a more upmarket, relaxed vibe.
Portals Nous – Chic and family-friendly, near the marina with plenty of dining options.
Beach Bars by the Sea
Palma’s beaches aren’t just for swimming and sunbathing — they’re lined with relaxed chiringuitos (beach bars) where the vibe is all about cold drinks, sea breezes, and unhurried afternoons. You can grab an icy sangria or a crisp local beer, order up some fresh seafood or a simple snack, and settle in with your toes in the sand. As the sun drops, these spots come alive with music and golden light — the perfect way to end a day by the water.
If our smiles are anything to go by, Palma de Mallorca was a winner. We explored its old city streets, soaked up the views from mountaintop villages, sailed to hidden caves, and enjoyed long, lazy evenings by the sea. Great friends, great food, and great memories — that’s what this trip was all about.