PALMA DE MALLORCA CITY GUIDE
Exploring Spain's Balearic Islands was on my list for a long time, and visiting Mallorca was an experience I'll never forget. Renowned for its blend of natural beauty, rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning sunshine, Mallorca is easy to fall in love with. It quickly became my new favorite Mediterranean destination, and after visiting twice, I still dream of going back again someday!
Depending on your travel style, Mallorca has something for everyone. Adventure seekers and cyclists will love the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, while those looking for relaxation can unwind on pristine beaches on the east coast. If charming villages catch your eye, head to the rocky west coast to explore Deia, Valdamosa, or Port de Soller (my favorite).
EXPLORING PALMA DE MALLORCA
Mallorca's capital city of Palma is a historical gem. Its roots date back to Roman times, and its narrow alleyways reflect centuries of diverse cultural influence. History and architectural fans will find plenty to explore along Palma's ancient streets, and foodies will delight in the island's culinary offerings, from traditional tapas to fresh seafood.
We flew into Palma towards the end of the summer (late August or early September) and were lucky to avoid hoards of summer tourists. Some days, it felt like we had everything to ourselves! If (when!) I return, I'd definitely aim for spring or early fall; traveling in the shoulder season offers warm weather without the crowds of tourists and usually offers lower prices for flights and accommodation.
Palma offers charming, quaint and historic scenery with an oceanside view. We loved walking along the beach and even spent a day swimming in the sea and sailing with Oasis Catamaran, it was wonderful!
Palma is relatively easy to navigate the alleyways by foot so, pack comfortable walking shoes and prepare for a hot hike! It’s best to explore in the morning and then take a siesta in the afternoon before heading back out for warm, late evenings full of lively entertainment and delicious food.
Curious for more? Discover day trips to cute villages in Mallorca with my other guides.
DISCOVER THE BEST OF PALMA DE MALLORCA
A collection of my favorite spots throughout the city. I did the research, so you don’t have to!
My bespoke guide makes it easy to plan a long weekend in Mallorca.
WHERE TO STAY IN PALMA DE MALLORCA
Canavall We loved staying in our small apartment tucked along a charming alley in Palma’s Old Town and it was remarkably quiet given the central location. Family-run and very friendly they have a roof terrace and a nice breakfast offering every morning.
Icon Rosetó Also in the heart of the Old Town, this former convent was revamped into a modern hotel. It has a rooftop pool and a great (unlimited) breakfast, which made our stay really special.
M House A lovely boutique hotel with large rooms, an interior courtyard, a good breakfast and a small rooftop pool. We stayed here twice and had mixed experiences, but overall, I’d definitely recommend it.
COFFEE, LUNCH & BRUNCH IN PALMA DE MALLORCA
Minstral Coffee House Speciality coffee that was great for a morning start before exploring the city. Their locataion in Plaça de Weyler has a large terrace.
Brunchit This Spanish chain is a bit trendy but they serve big plates of classics like Turkish eggs or classic eggs Benedict.
Santana Near the market in the heart of Palma, this brunch spot has fresh juice, smoothies, and big brunch plates.
Olula Café We stumbled onto this cozy coffee house serving brunch and lunch, plus great cakes.
Surry Hills is a super-friendly Australian cafe serving specialty coffee and lunch. I loved their flat white and tuna avocado sandwich and we definitely returned for more.
Rosevelvet This was our favorite spot for cakes, coffee, and croissants. Their sister store, Rosevelvet Eatery was just around the corner from M House where we often enjoyed savory breakfast and bites in their quaint courtyard.
Mis en Place Brunch, coffee, and bakery inside the famous Plaza Mayor
Kale Flavorful, healthy bites and vegetarian-friendly meals
Raw Coco Vegan-friendly, fruity drinks, lunch, snacks and fresh juices.
SNACKS IN PALMA MALLORCA
Fornet de la Soca This family-run bakery shines a spotlight on traditional Mallorcian pastries and savory delights. We visited their art nouveau-inspired shop every morning to beat the crowds and picked up orange blossom cakes, veggie-filled pies and other traditional Mallorcan treats.
Sa Gelateria de Mallorca famous for their cream (mint chocolate chip and manderin were great!) and horchata, a refreshing icy almond drink.
RivaReno Gelato There's no shortage of gelato and ice cream options in Palma, but this was our favorite. They have over 100 flavors, and we tried a lot of them. The blood orange sorbet is a perfect treat during hot afternoons.
Claudio Gelato con Passione has all the Italian classics plus gourmet flavors like turmeric and ginger, Iranian saffron or lavender along with frozen yogurts and sorbetto
Don't Cry For Me Empanadas Argentinan empanadas for a tasty snack on the go while exploring the city.
DINNER & COCKTAILS IN PALMA DE MALLORCA
OMBU This was actually our first stop in Palma and turned out to be one of our favorites that we returned many times for the pollo y pistachio croquetas and cocktails.
Manataco is an excellent Mexican restaurant with homemade tortillas and aqua fresca for a taste of Mexico City in Mallorca. We loved the fish tacos and chicken al pastor, so reservations are suggested.
Ca n'Eduardo Renowned for its fresh seafood, traditional Mediterranean cuisine and great service, it’s one of Palma’s most notable restaurants. Located along the harbor with a large terrace, we had delicious sea bass here for our anniversary dinner. Reservations are required in advance.
Botànic A plant-forward restaurant in Palma with a creative cocktail menu.
BOCALTO Super friendly service at this tapas bar with a classic interior and outside seating.
Bazaar Tapas We stumbled onto this fusion tapas restaurant and bar on the corner of a lively square. Although the scenery was a bit touristy, the food was great. They don’t take reservations, but it was worth the wait.
Fervor Contemporary yet cosy we came here to try their renowned paella and enjoyed the homemade sangria and overall friendly vibe.
Mar de Nudos Located right along the harbor, there is plenty of people - and yacht- watching here. Although the clientele was not really our vibe, it’s a nice spot for happy hour with a great view and cocktails.
Forn is A former bakery turned restaurant, serving modern Mediterranean food and wine.
La Caña Near the harbor, we relaxed on their breezy terrace after a long day of sailing and loaded up on snacks and sangria.
Bodega La Rambla has been serving tapas and wine since 1940, a great spot along La Rambla but inevitably a bit touristy.
KOA This bar and grill serves cocktails and tapas inspired by Hawaiian flavors.
Toque De Queda Serves gourmet tapas, cava, and specialty local products in a cozy, simple setting that feels very homey.
Temple Natura Café Garden is a laid-back vegetarian/vegan restaurant with a tranquil garden courtyard. We had a cute date night here and enjoyed live guitar music under a big tree full of sparkling lights.
La Velo Brewery has a Cool atmosphere and offers a mix of in-house craft beers and brews from across Spain in the Santa Catalina area.
Harajuku Palma makes fresh and fantastic sushi with a fusion of flavors. We loved the flambe salmon!
HISTORY & CULTURE IN PALMA DE MALLORCA
Banys Àrabs Created for relaxation and ritual purification, the Arab Baths date back to the 10th century, offering a glimpse into the island's Moorish past and Islamic architecture. Surrounding the old bathing area is a peaceful garden and we spent most of our visit enjoying the lush plants, watching butterflies, and having a midday rest under the orange trees.
The Windmills Locally known as Molins del Career Indústria, we ran into accidentally on the way to dinner at and this was an interesting peak into Mallorca's heritage.
Fundación Juan March Free to visit, this modern art musuem is a good place to cool off from the heat and view art by Dali and Miro.
Jardí del Bisbe is a hidden gem of Palma, located near the Cathedral (La Seu). This tranquil, traditional Mallorcan garden is full of orange trees, lemon trees, palm trees, bougainvillea, jasmine and herbs like rosemary, thyme, and lavender. A perfectly peaceful spot to rest and relax, this garden features a mix of Moorish and Mediterranean influences and dates back to the 13th century.
Palma Cathedral La Seu is the city's magnificent cathedral, known for Gothic architecture. We skipped inside and roamed around the outside, where there was a wonderful view of the water and adjacent promenade.
Caixa Forum With gorgeous architecture outside and a cultural center and bookstore inside and it’s a nice spot to buy postcards.
Olivo de Cort is an ancient olive tree estimated to be around 600 years old located in front of Palma’s City Hall. With thick gnarled trunk and winding branches, it represents the historical and cultural significance of Mallorca’s agricultural heritage.
SHOPPING IN PALMA DE MALLORCA
La Luna An artisanal shop full of local products like honey, wine, olive oil and snacks. We picked up a lot of tasty souvenirs here!
Veritas This organic grocery store chain is a great spot to grab bites and snacks on-the-go. We loaded up on veggies, hummus and kombucha for our day trip to Soller.
Mallorca Delicatessen This gourmet food shop near Plaza Mayor has local products from around the island like vegetable-based pates, olive oils, seasoned salts.
Bon Vivant Concept I loved the rounded archways and minimalistic decor of this interior design concept shop.
Cuida Tu Cabello is a Small shop with a variety of Black hair products.
Seattle Vintage Store This is a great vintage store with lots of classic American brands; Saray got a cool jumpsuit here.
English Bookstore With three levels of books, this shop is a local landmark.
Mercat de l’Olivar A historic indoor market full of stands serving everything from fresh seafood to spices, ceramics, produce and more.
House of Kimane A mother-daughter-owned bouquet full of sustainable pieces.
Passeig del Born is an elegant (and expectedly touristy) boulevard lined with luxury boutiques, high-end fashion brands, and stylish cafes.
Sant Miquel, Sindicat, and Carrer de Sant Nicolau are quaint pedestrian streets in Palma’s old town offer a mix of local boutiques, international brands, and unique shops.
Do you have a favorite spot in Palma, Mallorca? I’m always curious to discover new places, let me know in the comments below! Follow along on Instagram.
