Rich in history and laced with medieval lanes, Palma de Mallorca wraps itself around a Gothic cathedral that commands the waterfront. I’ve visited twice, most recently on a cruise, and both times I was struck by how manageable the Old Town is for a day visit.
Whether you are arriving by cruise ship or staying elsewhere on the island, this post looks at what to see in one day in Palma de Mallorca. If it helps, I have mapped it out as a self-guided walking route, which you can save to your phone.
Plan Your Day: Practical Information
Palma’s Old Town is compact and easy to navigate on foot. This itinerary can be comfortably completed in a day with regular stops for coffee, lunch and photos — about 3–4 hours on foot – if you’re moving at a reasonable pace, longer if you linger in the cathedral or stop for lunch.
Getting to the Old Town: If you’re arriving by cruise ship, most dock at Estacio Maritima. From here, it’s a 45-minute walk to the cathedral or a 10-minute ride on bus No. 1 to Plaça d’Espanya (then 15 minutes on foot). Some ships dock at Porto Pí further west—from there, catch bus No. 1 from the Dic de l’Oest stop opposite the fort. Your cruise operator will likely run shuttle buses, and taxis are always available at the terminal
Best time to visit: Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) have the best weather for walking around without melting. Summer is hot and crowded. Winter is mild but you might get rain.
What to Do in Palma in a Day
If you have one day in Palma de Mallorca, focus on the historic centre. Start at La Seu Cathedral and then wander through the old town streets and small squares. You can walk along Passeig des Born for a change of pace before heading towards Santa Catalina for lunch.
1. Visit Catedral de Mallorca
Palma’s 13th-century cathedral, known as La Seu, sits where the central mosque of Moorish Mallorca once stood. Inside, Antoni Gaudí left his mark during restoration work between 1904 and 1914, and contemporary artist Miquel Barceló added a controversial clay chapel.
Two things hit you when you walk in: the height and the light.
The nave soars 44 metres, making La Seu one of the tallest cathedrals in the world. In the morning, the rose window throws coloured light across the floor, turning the stone pillars into kaleidoscopes. I stood there watching people’s shadows stretch across the nave, the whole space shifting colour as clouds passed outside.
Gaudí’s influence is clearest in the crown-of-thorns canopy hanging over the altar. He wanted to do more, but fell out with the contractor, and many of his plans were abandoned.
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel by Miquel Barceló divides opinion. He created a clay cave with a polychrome mural inspired by the loaves and fishes miracle. I found it jarring. You might love it.
2. Take time out in S’Hort del Rei garden
The S’Hort del Rei garden (The King’s Orchard) is a three-minute walk from the cathedral. It’s the perfect place for a short break from your sightseeing in Palma de Mallorca and a respite from the sun.
This oasis of cypress trees, trickling fountains, ponds and pergolas is medieval in origin. Formerly part of the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, this would have been planted with fruit trees, vegetables, medicinal and ornamental plants.
3. Explore Palma’s past at the Arab Baths
These baths are all that’s left of Medina Mayurqa, Palma’s Moorish past. They probably date back to the 10th century, though historians still argue about this. Originally part of a nobleman’s house, they’re now tucked away in a quiet corner of the Old Town.
What struck me most was the columns in the tepidarium (the warm room). There are a dozen of them holding up a half-orange dome, and no two match. Some are Roman, some Byzantine, some Muslim. Whoever built this place recycled whatever they could find, creating Palma’s entire history in miniature.
Step through one of the doors and you’ll find a courtyard with palm and orange trees. Standing there in the shade, I could imagine how welcome this space must have been after a hot bath. It still works as a quiet retreat today, especially when the Old Town gets busy.
4. Explore Basilica de Sant Francesc
Founded as a monastery in the 13th century, this church is dedicated to St Francis and feels resolutely Mallorcan. The sandstone exterior is sturdy and plain, but the doorway is intricately carved.
Walk inside and you’ll find peaceful cloisters with orange and lemon trees growing around a well. It’s another good spot to escape the heat for ten minutes.
5. Pay your respects at Santa Eulàlia Church
One of Palma’s oldest churches, Santa Eulàlia is dedicated to a 13-year-old girl martyred in the 3rd century for being Christian. Work started in 1236 but took over 300 years to finish.
The Baroque altar is impressive, as are the 15th-century paintings. I appreciated how calm it felt compared to the cathedral.
6. Snack on an ensaïmada at C’an Joande S’Aigo
Trying an ensaïmada is non-negotiable in Palma. This spiral-shaped pastry is traditionally made with sweet yeast dough and saïm, a kind of reduced pork lard. You can get them plain, filled, sweet or savoury.
The best place to try one is Ca’n Joan de S’Aigo, Palma’s oldest café. It opened over 300 years ago and still has its original Mallorcan tiles and dark wood fittings. I sat at a marble-topped table with my ensaïmada and coffee, watching locals do the same thing their grandparents probably did.
Address: Ca’n Joan de S’Aigo is on Carrer de Can Sanç 10.
7. Watch local life in Plaça Major
Palma’s grand central square is lined with arcaded ochre buildings housing shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s the focal point for local festivals, though when I visited, it was just full of tourists eating ice cream.
For 300 years, this square was the seat of the Spanish Inquisition. Hard to imagine now when you’re dodging selfie sticks.
8. Check out Palma’s famous olive tree
In Plaça de Cort, you’ll find an ancient olive tree next to the medieval town hall. The Olivera de Cort is 600 years old and was moved here from Pollensa in the north of the island in 1989. It’s considered a symbol of peace. Plaça de Cort is home to an ancient olive tree and Palma’s medieval town hall
The town hall has an ornate Baroque façade from the 17th century, though there’s an earlier Gothic hospital hidden behind it. People were sitting on the steps when I passed, using the old building as a casual meeting point.
9. Bellever Castle & Fundació Miró Mallorca (optional)
If you want to squeeze more into your day, extend your sightseeing beyond the Old Town.
Sitting on the crest of a wooded hill halfway between the cruise terminal and the historic centre, Bellever Castle is one of the few circular castles in Europe (and the only one in Spain).
From here, it’s a 20-minute walk to the Fundació Miró Mallorca in Cala Major. This museum is dedicated to the work of the prolific artist Joan Miró. 6,000 works of his are exhibited, including paintings, sculptures and ceramics
Palma de Mallorca Walking Tour and Map (Optional)
You can wander the old town and find these places as you go. If you like, my self-guided walking tour pulls them together into a simple route.
Click here for step-by-step directions and to send to your phone
Eating and Drinking in Palma
You do not need to plan this part of the day too tightly. Palma has plenty of easy places to stop for a drink or a relaxed meal, especially around Passeig des Born and Santa Catalina.
Around Passeig des Born, Bar Bosch is a long-standing option for a quick beer or sandwich and it works well if you want something simple. Cappuccino Grand Café is popular for coffee and light meals, with outdoor tables that are good for a short pause rather than a long sit-down. Rialto Living Café is another option if you fancy something small alongside a browse through the shop.
For lunch, Santa Catalina is a good area to aim for. The Mercat de Santa Catalina is lively at midday and ideal if you want to graze rather than commit to a full meal. Nearby, Ca’n Pintxo is a reliable choice for pintxos and a glass of wine, while Vandal offers more modern dishes if you want something a little more substantial.
One Day in Palma de Mallorca: FAQs
Is one day in Palma de Mallorca enough to see the main sights?
One day is enough to see the highlights of Palma’s historic centre, including the cathedral, old town streets and one or two nearby neighbourhoods. It suits a relaxed pace rather than trying to see everything.
What is the best way to see Palma in one day?
Walking is the easiest way to see Palma in one day. The historic centre is compact, and most major sights are within easy reach of each other.
Do I need a planned itinerary for one day in Palma?
Not necessarily. Palma works well if you prefer to wander, especially in the old town. A simple route or loose plan can help if you want to make the most of limited time, but it does not need to be rigid.
Is Palma de Mallorca suitable for a short visit or day trip?
Yes. Palma is well suited to a short visit because the city centre is manageable, easy to navigate and has plenty to see without travelling long distances.
Can you see Palma in one day from a cruise ship?
Yes. Many of Palma’s main sights are close to the port, making it straightforward to visit the city during a cruise stop without feeling rushed.
Thank you for reading my one-day Palma itinerary
Whether you are visiting Palma de Mallorca on a Western Mediterranean cruise or as a day trip from elsewhere on the island, I hope you have a fabulous time. I loved visiting Palma again, and strolling around its historic centre was a tonic, even in the rain.
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.