11 UNIQUE THINGS WE DID IN PALMA DE MALLORCA.
People talk about Mallorca as a beach destination first, so the capital often gets reduced to a stopover: somewhere to fly into, then leave behind on the way to the coast. On our recent visit, we realised that Palma has a lot more to offer than we had expected.
A Gothic cathedral quite literally towering over the water is the iconic image of the city. Wine bars are bustling long after midnight. It has all the best bits of a Spanish city – tapas, culture, historic buildings, but with an island zest.
In this blog post, we will set out 11 unique things that we did in the city.
1/ Sampled Palma’s coffee culture
Palma is a living and working city, and it does mornings rather well. Commuters from around the island spill of buses, arriving and cafes slowly fill. We really enjoyed rising quietly to get out before other tourists to see a different side to the city.
Café la Lonja became our old-town favourite when we wanted somewhere quieter and cooler. Bar Cafe Coto was better for people-watching.
2/ Gave real time to Palma Cathedral
La Seu dominates Palma is probably the most well known sight of the city. You catch glimpses of it constantly – we even saw it from across the island when we were walking in the mountains.
There are two things well worth your time when it comes to the cathedral. Firstly, finding the best view of it from the outside – from the Park de la Mar below is a great option. But as you walk around the city, you’ll catch it from different angles.
Secondly – spending some time inside the cathedral. The best details are the vast rose window – the largest of it’s kind in Europe. As well as the more modern installation by Miquel Barceló which adds a slightly surreal touch.
Tickets can be purchased online or on the door. But it’s worth booking in advance in peak season.
3/ The Palau de l’Almudaina
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina is more overlooked than the cathedral. We had planned to visit, but sadly it was closed for renovation during our stay in Palma.
This is the official residence of the King and Queen when they visit Mallorca – and it’s not often you get to enter an actual royal palace for a nose around. Tickets are €8.
Keep an eye on the website to find out when the palace reopens.
4/ Climbed up to Castell de Bellver
Castell de Bellver is a bit of an unsung hero of Palma. The location, a short walk from the city centre, means that many tourists skip it.
A good time to visit is early in the morning – if you just want a walk through the pine trees and a chance to take in the view, you can head up at sunrise. Otherwise, the castle opens up at 10:00 to enter.
The castle itself is unusual immediately. Circular castles are rare anywhere, and this one feels quite special.
5/ We took a food tour
Mallorcan food is not synonymous with Spanish food. Before visiting, we hadn’t really known what to expect. A food tour changed that within about twenty minutes.
Instead of generic tapas, everything felt distinctly tied to the island itself: sobrasada with honey, flaky savoury pastries, local cheeses, biscuits baked by nuns in hidden convent kitchens, wines produced in tiny quantities you rarely see exported elsewhere.
More than the food, though, it gave context to the city. We joined a tour with No Frills Excursions and it turned into a highlight of the trip.
6/ We lost an afternoon in Mercado del Olivar
Mercado del Olivar was supposed to be a quick stop. Instead, we somehow lost the better part of an afternoon there.
Markets can sometimes feel performative in heavily visited cities, but this one still felt genuinely functional and well used by locals. There are wine shops piled with unique Mallorcan bottles, cheese counters, pyramids of fruit and hanging jamón.
Eventually we stopped pretending we were “just looking” and settled in for a few rounds of wine and tapas.
7/ Looked for street art beyond the postcard version of Palma
Palma can feel very polished at first glance – all sandstone buildings and perfectly painted shutters. But it’s also worth looking for street art dotted around the city. It shows Palma’s more creative side.
8/ Discovered art galleries
The surprise of Palma was how creative it felt and how many wonderful (and free) galleries there were to visit.
Casal Solleric quickly became a favourite, partly because of the contrast between the historic building and the contemporary work inside. Fundació Joan March was smaller but brilliantly curated and even showcased Miró and Picasso pieces. Es Baluard is also top-rated and may interest modern art fans, if you’re happy to pay the entrance fee.
9/ Wandered the independent boutiques
Palma offers something for keen shoppers (or browsers) far beyond the usual souvenir shops and generic high street stores.
Around Sant Nicolau and Sant Feliu especially, there were independent boutiques selling things that felt carefully curated and just lovely: linen clothing, ceramics, handmade sandals, understated jewellery and unique homeware.
10/ Spent the evening in Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina felt different from the rest of Palma straight away. It’s much more of a neighbourhood, albeit a very gentrified one, filled with quirky cafes, cocktail bars and fusion restaurants.
Some streets were full of natural wine bars and modern restaurants; others felt more local, with older residents sitting outside small cafés.
11/ Finished with vermouth and small plates
If an evening doesn’t end with Vermouth or a glass of red, and a few bites to eat – somethings has gone a bit wrong.
La Rosa Vermuteria & Colmado is a crowd favourite, Bar España is louder and more authentic and El Camino slightly more refined, but never pretentious.
Where else in Mallorca?
- A guide to Puerto Pollensa
- A guide to Port de Soller
- Where to visit in the Tramuntana Mountains
- How to spend one day in Palma
- 11 things to do in Palma
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.
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