PALMA DE MALLORCA – ULTIMATE GUIDE
Are you going to Palma in Mallorca, Spain and you need help planning your itinerary? You’ve come to the right place!
In this Guide, I have outlined everything you need to know to plan the perfect city trip!
This includes must-see places, the best restaurants, and hotels to fit all budgets as well as some secret tips to make this trip unforgettable!
So let’s not waste any more time and go straight into planning your perfect trip!
PALMA DE MALLORCA – WHY GO?
Mallorca’s capital Palma has been a must-visit destination for several years now. It is not hard to see why. The city is unbelievably charming, from ancient, winding streets in the Old Town, to the magnificent waterfront. Additionally, it has one of the most exciting food scenes in Europe. From morning pastries to midday tapas, to a Michelin-starred meal in the evening, Palma has a huge range of unforgettable dining experiences.
Otherwise, it has incredible culture and history to explore, with a variety of great galleries and important sites. Finally, there’s now great shopping here, with boutiques selling everything from interior design to chic clothing.
However, with so much to choose from it can be difficult to know where to start in Palma! Luckily, Voyage Provocateur is here with a guide to help you plan your dream trip…
BASIC FACTS
GETTING THERE
Palma is Mallorca’s capital, and it belongs to Spain.
Being an island, Palma is surprisingly easy to reach by plane from most parts of Europe. Furthermore, getting from the airport to the city center couldn’t be easier. A taxi will have you there in about fifteen minutes. But, even the bus only takes half an hour!
Otherwise, you can travel to Palma by ferry on frequent crossings from Barcelona or Ibiza. This might be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than a flight.
GETTING AROUND
Palma isn’t too big, so make sure to base yourself in the city center and then you will be able to walk everywhere without the need for either public transport or taxis.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
My absolute two favorite times to visit are either the end of May to the first half of June or mid-September. That said avoid the end of July and at any cost August, it will be overpopulated, overpriced, and overbooked.
Read here my Month-By-Month Guide to visiting Mallorca for more info.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED?
Ideally, you could spend at least two nights in Palma. This would allow you to cover some of the key points in this Guide, and truly soak in the atmosphere of Mallorca’s capital.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s dive in and plan the perfect Palma de Mallorca itinerary for you!
WHERE TO STAY IN PALMA?
Depending on your budget you could choose among the following options:
CAPPUCCINO
This is my top pick for watching when you want to go for a more luxurious option.
The great benefit of staying at Hotel Cappuccino is that you are really in the heart of Palma. Old Town’s cathedral, best restaurants, and bars are really within a few minutes walk from you! You can also escape the buzz of the city by simply going to the hotel’s rooftop where you can enjoy some drinks as well as a swimming pool!
HOTEL ANTIGUA PALMA
This is another great property in the center of the Old Town. Formerly, it was a noble family’s house. However, it has recently changed into a modern, stylish, and comfortable hotel. The service and facilities here are good, from breakfast to the spa. However, the really stunning features are the roof terrace with panoramic views and the old stone staircase with a huge skylight.
HOSTAL PONS
Hostal Pons offers an experience between a simple hotel and a hostel. It is surprisingly charming for the price you pay for it and has some traditional Mallorcas furniture, which you would normally find in much more expensive hotels. Its rooms are clean, bright and can come with a private en-suite bathroom. Furthermore, it has a central location. Therefore, it is perfect for visitors who want to stay in the heart of the city on a budget. Truly recommend!
WHERE TO EAT IN PALMA
Mallorca has too many world-class eateries to choose from. Luckily, we’ve narrowed down our favourites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to make choosing easier for you…
BREAKFAST, COFFEE & PASTRIES
CAFE RIUTORT
Without a doubt, Cafe Riutort is the best breakfast & brunch spot in the whole of Palma. Therefore, it is a must-visit! It is right in the center, with a gorgeous design that manages to feel modern and historic at the same time. Their menu includes every kind of toast you could wish for, all using delicious ingredients. These are local and seasonal where possible. They also have superb home-made llonguets, the iconic Mallorcan bread roll. Finally, they serve great specialty coffee, which comes from an excellent, small roastery nearby.
FORNET DE LA SOCA
This is an incredible bakery in the centre of Palma. It serves the best ensaïmada, as well as a range of other sweet and savoury delights. Its head baker Tomeu Arbona works hard to try and find traditional, delicious recipes from Mallorca’s history. Therefore, it is well worth visiting for a morning pastry. However, you’ll have to come early. It is such a popular spot that everything sells out quickly!
CA’N JOAN DE S’AIGO
Ca’n Joan de S’Aigo is Palma’s institution. It has been serving coffee, ice cream, and ensaïmada pastries for more than 300 years. Therefore, you can be sure to start the day right here in a warm, historic atmosphere. Otherwise, they serve afternoon tea – perfect for a break from exploring the city. Also, you can choose from their three venues dotted around the city.
FIKA FARINA
This is a great, modern Swedish bakery in the heart of the city. They specialise in delicious rye and sourdough loaves. However, their wonderful breads and pastries often have a Mallorcan twist. Visit Fika Farina for a trendy, contemporary atmosphere, and for the best cinnamon buns in the city.
MAMA CARMEN
Above all, Mama Carmen is known for. being a hip breakfast and lunch spot not far from the waterfront. However, the real reason to visit is because they serve the best coffee you’ll find in Palma. Therefore, it’s perfect to go for a caffeine fix before a day’s exploring the city.
LUNCH & DINNER
SPOT MALLORCA
Spot Mallorca is in the gorgeous Santa Catalina neighbourhood, near its historic market. Here, you’ll find a trendy, modern interior full of character. The atmosphere is lively, featuring an open kitchen. This serves up a range of delicious, original dishes for lunch and dinner. Expect combinations of Asian and Spanish cuisine, making for some unforgettable flavours! Also, Spot boasts a long drinks menu with unusual, tasty cocktails.
BOTANIC AT CAN BORDOY
Eating at Botanic is a revolutionary fine-dining experience. Here, the head chef wants to put vegetables first in most dishes. Therefore, the food is original, local and seasonal, and unforgettable. Moreover, Conde Nast Traveler listed it as one of the forty most beautiful restaurants in the world. Therefore, it’s the perfect venue for a unique meal in a special setting. Don’t miss the Iberian pork taco or one of the colourful ‘Kurries’.
MERCAT DE L’OLIVAR
Mercat de l’Olivar is a historic market in the centre of Palma. It is open until about 1500 from Monday to Saturday. Therefore, it is the perfect place to grab a delicious, casual lunch from one of its many great kiosks. Moreover, you could spend most of the morning exploring its produce stalls.
CAPPUCCINO GRAND CAFE
There are several Cappuccino Grand Cafés to choose from. Each one is in a bustling spot and boasts gorgeous interior design. They serve a range of Mediterranean classics from breakfast to dinner. However, our top tip would be to find a spot on the terrace to enjoy a light lunch. They all offer lovely places for watching people go by with a delicious coffee or drink to hand.
DRINKS
BAR ABACO
Bar Abaco is a grand, surreal cocktail bar in the heart of the Old Town. Moreover, this hidden gem is undoubtedly the prettiest bar in the whole of Mallorca. It is behind grand wooden doors in the large courtyard of an old, aristocratic house. Here, you’ll find incredible, traditional decor with candles, paintings, mismatched antique furniture, and baskets overflowing with fruit and vegetables. The bar offers a superb range of delicious cocktails. Therefore, it is perfect for pre-dinner drinks or an atmospheric nightcap.
WHAT TO DO IN PALMA
There is so much to do, but probably you have limited time. So let’s go straight to highlights for Palma!
STROLL THROUGH THE CITY
Just strolling through Palma is one of the loveliest things to do. Lose yourself in the charming, medieval streets of the Old Town. Also, make sure you see the amazing modernist architecture of the Edifici Casasayas and Gran Hotel.
PALMA CATHEDRAL
Also known as La Seu, the Cathedral is a marvelous, fourteenth-century Gothic cathedral that towers over the city. However, its inside is extraordinary too. Visit in the morning to see the sunlight passing through some of its 61 glorious stained-glass windows.
MERCAT DE L’OLIVAR
This is a must-visit for its bustling atmosphere and an incredible range of stalls. Here, you can find everything from fruit and veg to sobrassada, a traditional Mallorcan cured sausage with paprika. Also, there are great lunch spots in the market.
ARQUINESIA PERFUMES
Arquinesia Perfumes is probably the most beautiful shop I’ve ever seen in my life. It is a visual (and a sensory) feast as this beautifully elegant boutique sells perfumes. Their artisanal scents take inspiration from the Mediterranean and the other Balearic Islands. A must-visit if you want to find a wonderfully fragrant souvenir of your trip!
EXPLORE THE BEACHFRONT
Lastly, a visit to Palma wouldn’t be complete without seeing the beach and waterfront. The former has an exclusive club called the Nassau Beach Club where you can sunbathe in privacy. Otherwise, stroll along the water to Portixol for delicious, fresh seafood.
FUNDACIO MIRO MALLORCA
This Foundation is a museum dedicated to Joan Miró’s life and beautiful artwork. Here, see many of his masterpieces in elegant, light-filled exhibition rooms. Also, his studio is preserved, meaning you can see how he once worked.
FINAL TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP TO PALMA DE MALLORCA
Palma may be small, but there is quite a lot to see and do (and eat and drink!)
Please consider the following points to make the most of your stay in Palma de Mallorca:
- Try to visit either the end of May to the first half of June or mid-September. That said avoid the end of July and at any cost August, it will be overpopulated, overpriced, and overbooked.
- Try to spend at least 2 nights here to fully soak up the special atmosphere of Mallorca’s capital.
- As always, book your accommodation and restaurants in advance, otherwise, all the good places will be booked out and you will end up staying somewhere average and overpaying for it!
- Make sure to have breakfast at Riutort, lunch at Mercat de L’Olivar and drinks at Bar Abaco!
Enjoy,
Voyage Provocateur
In case you would like to read some other of my posts:
BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA – HOTEL REVIEW
LE GRAND CONTRÔLE – HOTEL REVIEW
BIARRITZ – 10 TOP THINGS TO DO
ITALY’S 10 BEST RESTAURANTS WITH A VIEW
