Looking to book a trip to the incredible island of Mallorca? More specifically, the island’s capital, Palma? We had an amazing three days here and tried to cram in as much as possible during our trip. This is a list of the best things to see and do in Palma de Mallorca.
We stayed in the beautiful JS Palma Plaza located on Plaça de Madrid, a twenty-minute walk to the centre, but this hotel is stunning, and quite new. Modern, comfy rooms with a great bar and restaurant area.
CATHEDRAL OF SANTA MARIA
First things first, you simply have to visit the incredible cathedral that stands proudly overlooking the Bay of Palma and the city itself. To give it its full title, the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca is a huge gothic building with a rose window and canopy that hangs over the church’s impressive altar made by none other than Antoni Gaudí.
King James I of Aragon started work on the cathedral in 1229, and it remained incomplete until 1601. The building looks impressive both during the day, and in the evening, when lights shine, almost giving the cathedral a gold illuminance. A ticket costs around €10 for entry. Open from 10am until 17.15pm except Sunday when closed, and Saturday until 14.15pm.
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INSIDE PALMA CATHEDRAL
If you think the outside of Palma Cathedral looks incredible, wait until you see what’s inside. The Spanish sunshine bursts through its large stained glass windows, projecting bright rainbow colours across its interior.
CATHEDRAL MUSEUM
Aswell as the cathedral its self, there is also a museum, the Museu Diocesà is located to the rear of the church on Carrer del Mirador. Religious artifacts, relics, paintings and works by Antoni Gaudí.
Antonio Gaudí was based in the palace of the Bishops of Mallorca during the time he spent working on renovating the Cathedral. In this setting, he made a series of works and furnishings for the palace. This stained-glass window is one of them and is dedicated to Pere Joan Campins, the bishop who contracted and took on Gaudí.
Museum Citation
PALMA CATHEDRAL BY NIGHT
If you think the cathedral is beautiful by day, then you should check it out at night. There are a couple of small bars down by the lake if you would like to relax as the sun sets with a drink and see night descend. Or, you could do what we did, and several others, and bring your own. We even brought a sandwich to enjoy.
LA RAMBLA & PASSEIG DES BORN
Two long pedestrianised avenues lined with trees, cafes, coffee shops, flower stalls, statues, fountains and more. Perfect for a stroll in the Summer or people watching with a cappuccino and a slice of cake.
JARDÍ DEL BISBE, THE BISHOPS GARDEN
An amazing little garden in the centre of the city, smack behind the cathedral, with views of its roof. Tropical plants, palms, a pond, bougainvillea bushes, manicured hedges and terracotta pots. Worth a visit while you are wandering around the backstreets looking for things to do. You will find this secret garden at Carrer de Sant Pere Nolasc 6. The garden is closed on Sunday, but accessible in the Summer months from 9am till 1pm and then from 3pm until 6pm.
BANYS ÀRABS, THE ARABIAN BATHS
An old Arabian Bathhouse set in a small garden. Dating from around the 10th century, with traditional Moorish design. It costs €3.50 to enter. You will find the baths a short walk from the Convent of Santa Clara, Carrer de Can Serra, 7.
THE CONVENT OF SANTA CLARA
When we found out that the convent sold cookies, we had to visit. We have visited several places like this in other parts of Europe, convents and monasteries selling cookies, bread, sweets and cakes from a rotating door. You tell the nuns or monks what you would like and place your money in the door. A short spin later and you have your goodies. The money goes towards the upkeep.
We bought two boxes of delicious cookies here, chocolate stars, and almond. Worth a visit if you are looking for a unique little experience. Address: Carrer de Can Fonollar.
VISIT THE JOAN MIRÓ MUSEUM
I first encountered the work of Miró in Barcelona and instantly fell in love with it. So much so, that I am planning on having a tattoo of one of his artworks. I’ll post the pictures when it’s done.
Joan Miró, an artist famous for his Surrealist and Modernist artwork and sculpture, created works that are celebrated globally. His use of colour, strange forms, and symbolic elements transformed the art world.
If you have travelled to Barcelona, you can find more of his art at the Fundació Joan Miró, a museum dedicated to his life and work. Here in Mallorca, you can find his studio Taller Sert designed by close friend Josep Lluís Sert, former home Son Boter, and exhibition centre. He worked here from the 1950s into the 1980s. Located close to the beach mentioned below, Cala Major, C/ de Saridakis, 29, Ponent. An entry ticket only costs around €10. Absolutely worth a visit if you are into your art and history.
The Best things to do in Barcelona, Spain.
PLAÇA MAJOR
One of the city’s main central squares. The square is lovely, and the architecture is cute too, lined with what I think are people’s apartment windows looking down. The green doors and yellow walls are striking in contrast. There are several small bars and restaurants here that could be worth visiting, too.
CASTLE BELLVER
An incredible hilltop castle overlooking the city and the Bay of Palma. People can reach this impressive structure, built in the 1300s, by walking through the park below from the seafront, entering the main gate at Carrer de Bellver, or by transport. We took the walk as it was a beautiful hot day. The views were far more impressive than taking the back road. Half way up there is the small chapel of Saint Alonso Rodríguez, and also a viewpoint across the city and harbour.
ADMIRE THE ARCHITECTURE & WALK THE STREETS
The city is home to some of the most beautiful architecture. Gothic, Moorish, Art déco, and Modernist. The city has it all. Walk and soak up the amazing atmosphere of the city. There is so much to see. You can see Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner heavily influenced some buildings. There are other delights to find as you walk around like fountains, quaint little squares, windmills and all kinds of monument and sculptures await. What will you discover?
VISIT THE BEACH
A short bus ride from the centre is Cala Major. A lovely clean beach perfect for a day of sun worshipping and swimming in the sea. Take bus 108 from the city. The ticket only costs a couple of euros each and in twenty minutes, you’ll be at the beach.
CHURCH OF SANTA EULÀLIA & BASÍLICA DE SANT FRANCESC
Santa Eulàlia de Ciutat de Mallorca & Basílica de Sant Francesc Monastery Courtyard
A stone’s throw from each other lie the church of Santa Eulàlia de Ciutat de Mallorca and the Basílica de Sant Francesc Monastery. You can see the monastery from the church roof. Both are incredibly beautiful buildings and are worth a visit. The monastery has a lovely open courtyard full of orange trees.
VISIT THE CEMETERY
After we checked out of our hotel, we had a few hours to kill, so a short walk from where we were staying was the city’s main cemetery opened in 1938. If you have read past blog posts, you’ll find we always spend time in places like this, and other creepy spots. This one even had a very spooky underground mausoleum. Again, worth a visit if you love stuff like this and have an hour to spare.
WHERE TO EAT
Although we only had three nights, we tried to make the most of our time by finding some great places for food. So, all these come highly recommended.
ENSAÏMADA
Mallorcas famous sweat pastry treat, and a must try if you love stuff like this. During our trip, we ate a handful of Mallorca’s famous sweat pastry treats from different shops for research, of course. We even tried them covered in different toppings, although the usual way to cover them is with powdered sugar. This one had Crème caramel and coconut as its topping, which Vicky tried.
FORNET DE LA SOCA
If you are looking for some grab’n’go snackage while you explore Palma, then head to Fornet de La Soca, a small bakery selling all kinds of local savoury and sweet nibbles. We bought Ensaïmada, and some tasty little pies stuffed with a pork filling. They sell other things like sandwiches, bread, cakes and more. Absolutely delicious, again, highly recommended!
BAR ESPAÑA
Tucked away in the corner of Carrer de Can Escursac, is Bar España. A fantastic little tapas bar that we had heard good things about, so we couldn’t wait to eat there. When we first arrived, there were several people waiting for tables outside, all local sounding, so we knew it had to be good. We were soon noticed by a server who offered us a drink while we waited, and within half an hour, they seated us.
The food here was good, and all washed down with several glasses of wine and Vermut! We selected several tapas, and it was all so good. You simply must add Bar España to your itinerary.
PAN & COCINA
We ate breakfast here on the day we visited Cala Major, a great little cafe bar en route to the beach. We highly recommend the toast with tomato, ham and cheese, freshly squeezed orange juice and café cortado! Address: Avinguda de Joan Miró.
VISIT THE FOOD MARKETS
Who doesn’t love a fresh food market, full to the brim with delicious vegetables, fruit, meats, fish, cheese and everything in between? There are several across the city, but we visited the main ones of Mercat de Santa Catalina, Plaça de la Navegació, Ponent and Mercat de Pere Garau, Plaça Pere Garau.
ONE MORE QUIRKY THING
We found this crazy hotel along the seafront in Palma. We loved its quirky design and vibe.
You will have an amazing time here in Palma, and we hope that this post will influence and inspire you to visit. If you have already been, why not leave us a comment below with your favourite and memorable experience?
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