Southwest (Palma, Portals, Andratx, Santa Ponça)
Palma de Mallorca
Last checked: October 2026
Palma de Mallorca is the island's capital and, with a good 420,000 inhabitants (INE, as of 2023: 423,350), its only real city. It suits city breaks, culture, shopping and off-season holidays – and thanks to buses, the metro and its proximity to the airport it works entirely without a hire car.
Culture & city Couples Nightlife Luxury No hire car needed
La Seu Cathedral marks the transition between the harbour promenade and Palma's old town.
Quick answer
Is Palma worth it – and how do you get there?
Yes, above all for culture, food and strolling through the old town, and all year round. From the airport, bus A1 runs into the centre for 5 euros (Plaça d'Espanya to Passeig Mallorca); by taxi it takes around 15 minutes. You don't need a car for Palma itself: from 2027, vehicles with a B sticker will no longer be allowed into the low-emission zone inside the Avenidas.
Palma is not a resort with a city attached, but a city that functions all year round, where tourism is only one part of life. You notice it in what's on offer: the cathedral and the old-town lanes are just a few minutes from market halls, specialist shops and restaurants that are open even in January. If the beach is your main reason for coming, you're better off staying further east in Can Pastilla or west in Illetes – if you want the city, stay in the centre.
Is Palma de Mallorca right for your holiday?
Well suited for
- City breaks and long weekends
- Off-season from November to March
- Holidays without a hire car
- Culture, food and shopping
Less suited for
- Peace-seekers right in the centre (night-time noise in the old town)
- Families who want to go straight from the hotel to a shallow sandy beach
At a glance
- Region
- Southwest (Palma, Portals, Andratx, Santa Ponça)
- From the airport
- 8 km · approx. 15 min
- Without a car
- 5/5
- Nearby beaches
- Platja de Palma, Cala Major
- Coordinates
- 39.5696, 2.6502
Place profile compared
Editorial rating from 1 to 5 – for comparing places, not as a review.
- Beach2/5
- Peace and quiet2/5
- Nightlife5/5
- Families3/5
- Culture5/5
- Food & drink5/5
On the ground
What makes Palma de Mallorca special
La Seu Cathedral and Parc de la Mar
The Gothic cathedral, with its baldachin by Antoni Gaudí and the play of light through the rose window, is the city's visual anchor. In front of it lies the artificial lake of the Parc de la Mar – the best vantage point for photos in the late afternoon.
Old town between Cort and Sa Llotja
A network of lanes, inner courtyards (patis) and town palaces. If you want to see the courtyards, leave the main thoroughfare Carrer Sant Miquel and look through open gateways on Carrer Can Savellà or Carrer Morey.
Mercat de l'Olivar and Santa Catalina
Two market halls with different characters: Olivar is bigger and closer to everyday life, while Santa Catalina sits in a neighbourhood with lots of small restaurants and is livelier in the evening.
Es Baluard and the city wall
The museum of modern art occupies the Renaissance bastion above the harbour. Even if you skip the exhibitions, the terrace is worth it as a viewpoint over the harbour and the cathedral.
Palma in a day
- Morning: La Seu Cathedral – arrive early; on Sundays it is only open for services. In front of it, the Parc de la Mar for the classic photo.
- Old town on foot: from the cathedral through the lanes towards Plaça de Cort; open gateways on Carrer Can Savellà and Carrer Morey reveal the inner courtyards (patis).
- Midday: Mercat de l'Olivar – market hall with tapas stalls, right in the middle of everyday city life.
- Afternoon: Es Baluard – the museum in the bastion; the terrace is worth it even without visiting an exhibition.
- Evening: Santa Catalina – former fishing quarter with a market hall and lots of small restaurants, a 15-minute walk from the centre.
Accommodation
Where to stay in Palma de Mallorca?
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Old town / La Seu
Central, short distances to all the sights, lots of boutique hotels in converted townhouses. Partly noisy at night, awkward to reach by car.
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Santa Catalina
Former fishing quarter with a market hall and restaurants, a 15-minute walk to the centre. A good choice for couples who don't want to walk far in the evening.
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Portixol / Molinar
Former fishing harbour east of the centre, right on the seafront promenade. Quieter, with small bathing coves and a cycle path into the centre.
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Paseo Marítimo
Hotels with harbour views, clubs and bars in the evening. Noisy, but practical for nightlife and boat trips.
Compare & book · City hotels
Compare hotels in Palma de Mallorca
Palma works as a city destination: here a central location beats pool size, because the old town, restaurants and the bus network should be within walking distance.
What's comparable: city hotels with a central location – for Palma rather than a beach resort.
Discover Mallorca's most beautiful places now →
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From the airport to Palma
Airport bus A1 runs from the airport via Plaça d'Espanya to Passeig Mallorca on the edge of the old town. A single journey costs 5 euros; children under five travel free when accompanied. The stop has been in a new location since July 2025: from the arrivals hall, go straight ahead past the taxi rank, cross the road and keep right – A1 and A2 stop right next to each other. By taxi, the journey into the centre takes around 15 minutes.
Within the city, EMT city buses and the metro run; from the Estació Intermodal on Plaça d'Espanya, trains leave for Inca and Manacor, and the historic train to Sóller departs from its own station right next door.
Driving in Palma: low-emission zone (ZBE)
The centre inside the Avenidas is a low-emission zone. From 1 January 2027, vehicles with a B sticker will no longer be allowed in – this affects petrol cars first registered between January 2001 and August 2006 and diesels from 2006 to September 2015. From 2027 to 2029 only C, ECO and 0 stickers are permitted, and from 2030 only ECO and 0.
Vehicles with foreign number plates have been allowed into the zone since March 2026 if they meet the environmental requirements – the vehicle must first be registered in the city's register. If you're arriving in a hire car, it's best to ask the rental company about the sticker. More practical anyway: leave the car in a multi-storey car park on the edge of the old town and continue on foot.
Active
Activities & experiences in Palma de Mallorca
Top activities & experiences
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Golf Son Muntaner
Golf in Mallorca
Golf course in Palma's Son Vida area with green-fee options for guests and a demanding championship layout.
Carrer Miquel Lladó s/n, Son Vida, 07013 Palma
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Palma Sport & Tennis Club
Tennis in Mallorca
Established tennis club in the centre of Palma with playing and training options for different levels.
Carrer Joan Maria Thomàs 4, 07014 Palma
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Padel Club Mallorca
Padel in Mallorca
Padel club in Palma for recreational and experienced players – check booking options in advance.
Carrer George Sand 4, 07007 Palma
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Palma Padel
Padel in Mallorca
Padel facility near Son Rapinya with indoor and outdoor courts as well as open matches and training sessions. According to the operator, Palma Padel also supports bookings via Playtomic.
Carrer de Castellà la Manxa 6, 07011 Palma
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Piscines Municipals de Son Hugo
Swimming in Mallorca
Large municipal swimming complex in Palma for holidaymakers who want to swim proper lengths in Mallorca too.
Carrer de la Concòrdia s/n, 07004 Palma
More activities in Palma de Mallorca
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Padel Factory Son Castelló
Padel in Mallorca
Padel facility in the Son Castelló business park with several courts for recreational and club players.
Carrer Gremi Teixidors 3, 07009 Palma
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Piscina Príncipes de España
Swimming in Mallorca
Sports and swimming complex in Palma for regular training and lane swimming.
Carrer Gremi Forners 4, 07009 Palma
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Squash Club Mallorca
Squash in Mallorca
Squash in Palma – check guest access and current court availability with the operator in advance.
Carrer Ramón Servera Moya 43, Palma
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Club Bádminton CIDE
Badminton in Mallorca
Badminton club in Palma; holidaymakers should ask in advance about open training sessions or guest options.
Carrer de l'Arner 3, 07013 Palma
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Polideportivo Germans Escalas
Badminton / sports facility
Municipal sports facility in Palma with indoor sports; check free slots and guest access in advance.
Carrer de Sebastià Arrom 4, 07008 Palma
Beaches
Swimming near Palma de Mallorca
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Platja de Palma
Fine sand · approx. 4.5 km Kilometres-long, fine-sand city and holiday beach with complete infrastructure and a gently shelving entry into the water. Families Beach profile →
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Cala Major
Fine sand · approx. 200 m Densely built-up but fine-sand bay just west of Palma with clear water and year-round infrastructure. Families Snorkelling Beach profile →
View all beaches with filters →
Excursions
Activities around Palma de Mallorca
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Catamaran trip
Catamaran trips start from Palma, Port d'Alcúdia, Cala d'Or, Port d'Andratx and Cala Ratjada, among others. Typical options are half-day trips of about three hours, full-day tours with swimming stops and sunset trips in the evening. 2–8 hours April to October Selection guide & details →
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Tramuntana panorama tour
The classic day route through the Serra de Tramuntana links Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller and Port de Sóller – by hire car, guided coach tour or combined with the historic railway and tram. 1 day all year round Route & schedule for one day →
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La Seu Cathedral
La Seu Cathedral in Palma is the island's most important building, known for its large rose window and the baldachin by Antoni Gaudí. 1 hour all year round Admission & opening times →
Location of Palma de Mallorca and the nearest beaches.
Food & drink
Restaurants in Palma de Mallorca
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€
7 Machos (Santa Catalina)
Santa Catalina, Palma
Mexican · Fusion
Tex-Mex restaurant belonging to a chain with several locations, in Santa Catalina since 2024.
- Casual
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€€
A Casa Mia
Santa Catalina, Palma
Italian
- Families
- Casual
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A GoGò Pizzabar
Old town, Palma
Pizza · Sicilian
Roman pizza (scrocchiarella – thin, crispy crust) in the Sa Gerreria quarter of the old town. Speciality: entirely homemade plant-based cheese alternatives (mozzarella/burrata made from fermented Mallorcan almonds, a Parmesan substitute made from lupins, scamorza made from rice).
- Old town
-
€€
A Tarantella Pizzeria
Portixol, Palma
Italian · Pizza
Neighbourhood restaurant in Portixol with pizza, pasta, risotto and seafood.
- Terrace
- Locals
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Repsol Soles €€
Adrián Quetglas
Centre, Palma
Mediterranean
- Couples
- Business meals
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Affamata
Palma
Italian · Pasta
Pasta specialist with its own pasta machine on site (spaghetti, fusilli, tagliatelle, rigatoni, casarecce, gigli, penne) and 5 signature sauces (including Pomodoro della Nonna, Ragù Bolognese, Pesto Genovese, Pesto Calabrese). Wide range of dietary options (vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein, wholegrain). Two locations in Palma, one of them in Platja de Palma.
Plan ahead from Palma de Mallorca
- Find the right type of hotel Combine place, holiday type and location
- Check car hire Without a car: 5/5 in Palma de Mallorca
- Choose excursions by interest, duration and season
- Travel information When to go, getting there, practical tips
Alternatives with a different character
Frequently asked questions about Palma de Mallorca
Is Palma worth visiting in winter too?
Yes. Palma is not a seasonal town: museums, market halls, restaurants and shops are open all year round. Swimming is generally not an option from November to March, but flights and hotels are cheaper and the old town is much quieter.
Do you need a hire car in Palma?
Not for the city itself. Within Palma, EMT buses and the metro run, and line A1 goes to the airport. A hire car is only worth it for day trips inland or into the Tramuntana – and can also be hired by the day.
Where is the nearest beach to Palma's centre?
Cala Major to the west and Ciutat Jardí/Can Pastilla to the east can be reached by city bus in about 20 to 30 minutes. The long sandy beach of Platja de Palma begins to the south-east at the Can Pastilla district.
How do I get from the airport to Palma?
By bus A1 for 5 euros to Plaça d'Espanya and Passeig Mallorca, or by taxi in around 15 minutes.
Can I drive a hire car into Palma's old town?
The old town is within the low-emission zone. From 2027 only vehicles with a C, ECO or 0 sticker are allowed there; foreign number plates must be registered in advance. Parking spaces are scarce; car parks on the edge are the better choice.
How many inhabitants does Palma have?
A good 420,000; according to INE there were exactly 423,350 as of 1 January 2023.