Palma

City · Mallorca, 🇪🇸 Spain

Palma is the capital of Mallorca and the main gateway to the island. It combines a historic old town, a large Gothic cathedral on the seafront and a busy harbor.

The city works as a city break or as a base for beaches and mountains. The old town is easy to walk, and the sea is always close.

Printable tourist map

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When to visit

April to June and September to October are the best months, with warm days and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy. Winters are mild, with some rain.

A good event to time a trip around is Sant Sebastià in mid-January, with bonfires and concerts in the squares.

Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good

14° (feels like 11°) · extremes 7°–17°
11° at night
8 rainy days
11 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Good

14° (feels like 11°) · extremes 6°–17°
10° at night
7 rainy days
11 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Good

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 8°–19°
12° at night
6 rainy days
16 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 11°–22°
14° at night
6 rainy days
17 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

22° (feels like 21°) · extremes 14°–26°
17° at night
5 rainy days
20 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
18°C · cool for a dip
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

27° · extremes 17°–31°
21° at night
3 rainy days
23 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
22°C · cool for a dip
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

29° (feels like 31°) · extremes 21°–33°
24° at night
1 rainy day
25 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in August

Great

30° (feels like 32°) · extremes 22°–33°
24° at night
2 rainy days
23 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
27°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great

26° (feels like 27°) · extremes 19°–30°
22° at night
7 rainy days
16 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great

23° (feels like 22°) · extremes 15°–27°
19° at night
8 rainy days
13 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
23°C · cool for a dip
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Good

18° (feels like 15°) · extremes 10°–22°
15° at night
10 rainy days
9 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Good

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes 8°–18°
12° at night
8 rainy days
9 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

Palma CathedralHistoric Gothic cathedral featuring modern architectural elements and contributions from Antoni Gaudí, recognized as a national monument.

Bellver CastleGothic-style circular castle built in the 14th century as a royal residence, now functioning as a museum and historic monument with panoramic views.

Almudaina PalaceHistoric royal residence and fortress featuring Gothic architecture and regional heritage. It serves as an official residence of the Spanish royal family and functions as a museum and cultural site.

Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art of PalmaOne of the finest art galleries on Mallorca housing some of the greatest exhibitions by artists of 20th century.

Palma ExchangeHistoric 15th-century Gothic building originally serving as a commercial and trade center, featuring notable architectural elements such as turrets and rib vaulting.

Convent of San FranciscoThe basilica was originally built in 1281, as ordered by James II of Majorca.

Palma Cathedral is the huge Gothic cathedral on the seafront. Its large rose window is one of the biggest in Europe, and the interior includes work by Gaudí.
Almudaina Palace is a royal palace next to the cathedral, with Moorish origins.
Bellver Castle is a round 14th-century castle on a hill, with views over the bay and the city.
Sa Llotja is a Gothic merchants' exchange from the 15th century, used today for exhibitions.
Sant Francesc is a church and cloister that holds the tomb of the philosopher Ramon Llull.
Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art of Palma is a museum of modern and contemporary art in an old fortress by the sea.
The Parc de la Mar is a park with a lake between the cathedral and the sea.

Featured Lists

Karel Stojaspal / cc-by-sa-4.0

Palma's Unmissable Icons

A Gothic cathedral, a circular hilltop castle and a historic old town of palaces, squares and museums define Palma's must-see highlights.

12 places

Miquel Cabot / GFDL

This collection traces Palma's history through its architectural evolution, from the Moorish foundations of the Almudaina Palace to the Gothic majesty of the circular Bellver Castle and La Seu Cathedral. The trail includes 15th-century trade centers like Sa Llotja, Baroque landmarks such as the City Hall, and several medieval churches. These sites showcase the city’s strategic importance in the Mediterranean, blending Roman, Moorish, and Christian influences across its historic districts and ancient settlements.

15 places

Jaume Blanquer / Joan Aragón /… / pd

Palma's Sacred Sites

From the great Gothic cathedral to Baroque basilicas and Romanesque chapels, Palma's churches reveal centuries of devotion and architecture.

10 places

Taxiarchos228 / fal

Palma Castles and Fortifications

From the circular Bellver Castle to the royal Almudaina and the coastal towers, Palma's defensive heritage tells of its strategic past.

7 places

Public domain

Palma's Architectural Gems

Palma’s cityscape is a living museum of Mediterranean history, showcasing a blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Islamic influences. The skyline is dominated by the massive La Seu Cathedral, featuring Gaudí’s modern interventions, and the unique circular Bellver Castle. Within the narrow streets of the Old Town, you’ll find the 10th-century Arab Baths, the ornate 17th-century City Hall, and the Llotja’s elegant civil Gothic rib vaulting. These sites represent centuries of transformation, from Moorish strongholds and royal residences to grand religious monuments.

10 places

Ralf Roletschek / GFDL 1.2

Palma's Best Sandy Beaches

Palma’s coastline ranges from wide urban sands to the protected shores of Cabrera National Park. Central beaches like Can Pere Antoni and Ciudad Jardín feature paved promenades and shallow waters, while the six-kilometer Platja de Palma offers extensive resort facilities. The list also includes secluded coves like Caló des Grells, a known nudist spot, and the pristine, remote sands of Sa Platgeta on Cabrera Island, accessible only by boat. These locations provide varied environments for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

13 places

Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de / cc-by-sa-3.0-de

Palma's Museums and Galleries

Contemporary art in a bastion, Miró's legacy and Gothic-era art spaces make Palma a rewarding city for museum lovers.

9 places

Paucabot / CC BY-SA 3.0

Palma Squares and Landmarks

Explore the historical heart and scenic fringes of Palma through its most significant public spaces and landmarks. The collection features the Plaza Mayor, once the seat of the Inquisition, and the Plaza de Cort, home to the 17th-century Baroque City Hall and an ancient olive tree. Beyond the old town's monuments to figures like King James I, the list includes coastal viewpoints in Ciudad Jardín and specialized aviation observation points near the airport, as well as historical sites on the nearby Cabrera Island.

9 places

What to experience

Take a boat trip on the Bay of Palma in summer. Many short trips leave from the harbor.
Walk or cycle the seafront path from the cathedral toward the east at sunset.

Tours & Activities

Palma — Map

Palma — Printable Tourist Map Open the interactive map

Day trips

Valldemossa (about 18 km, 30 minutes by bus or car): a mountain village where the composer Chopin spent the winter of 1838 to 1839.
Sóller (about 30 km, 45 minutes by car or about 1 hour by historic train): a town in a valley of orange trees, with a port nearby.
l'Alcúdia (about 50 km, 55 minutes by car): a walled town with a long sandy beach.
Pollença (about 55 km, 1 hour by car): an old town with a calvary stairway and a nearby bay.

Where to explore

Other places on Mallorca:

Island: Mallorca has the full guide to the island.
North coast: l'Alcúdia and Pollença.
East coast: Cala d'Or for small coves.

Getting there

By air: Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is about 8 km east of the center. Buses and taxis run to the center, and the trip takes about 15 to 25 minutes.
By ferry: Ferries sail from Barcelona and Valencia to the port of Palma.
There is no train link from the mainland.

Getting around

On foot: The old town and the harbor area are compact and flat. Walking is the best way to see the sights.
City bus: City buses cover the wider city, including the area around Bellver Castle.
Cycling: A seafront path runs along the bay, and cycling is popular.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Not for the city. A car is useful for exploring the island.
Parking: Use an underground car park at the edge of the old town.
Restrictions: Much of the old town is closed to ordinary traffic.

Food & drink

Mallorca is known for ensaïmada, a soft spiral pastry dusted with sugar, and for sobrassada, a soft cured sausage. Try tumbet, a baked vegetable dish, and rice stews.

Go to the Mercat de l'Olivar for market food and snacks, and to the Santa Catalina district for restaurants and bars.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Palma is a safe city. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and on the beach in summer. In July and August the sun is very strong, so use sun protection.

History

The Romans founded a town here, and the Moors ruled it for centuries. King James I of Aragon took the city in 1229, and Palma Cathedral was begun soon after on the site of the main mosque.

In the 14th century the kings of Mallorca built Bellver Castle. In the 15th century the city grew rich from trade, and Sa Llotja was built for merchants.