Old town
For sleeping next to the cathedral and getting around almost everything on foot. It is lively at night, so choose your street carefully if noise bothers you.
Itinerary · Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca in 5 days: day-by-day itinerary
5-day itinerary for Palma de Mallorca: the old town, Bellver Castle, Sóller, Valldemossa and a trip to Alcúdia and the north of the island.
- 5days
- 15stops
- 9Areas
This 5-day itinerary is designed for those who want to get to know Palma and head out to discover the island. It devotes the first day to the old town, the second to Bellver and the Palma coast, the third to Sóller by train and the fourth to Valldemossa and Deià, and leaves the last day for the north, with Alcúdia and Formentor.
There are several ways to get from Palma airport. The EMT A1 city bus links the airport with the centre and stops at arrivals and departures. The A2 line goes to S’Arenal and Platja de Palma, useful if you are staying in that area. TIB Aerotib buses leave from arrivals for other parts of the island. And the taxi, with a rank on floor 0, takes about 15-20 minutes to the centre.
Tips
- A rental car gives you a lot of freedom in the mountains and in the north, but book ahead and park in the villages’ public car parks.
- Check the bus and train times before setting out: in small villages services are less frequent in the afternoon.
- Book the cathedral and the Sóller train ahead in high season.
- Wear comfortable shoes and a light layer: it gets cooler in the mountains, even in summer.
- In summer, the beaches fill up early: arrive early or choose a lesser-known cove.
- Try the ensaimada and the sobrasada, two typical products of the island.
Day 1
Cathedral, Almudaina and the old town
Catedral de Mallorca (La Seu)
Old town
La Seu rises above the sea and is Palma's great icon. Its bright interior includes work by Gaudí and Miquel Barceló. Book ahead and visit first thing in the morning.
Palau de l'Almudaina
Old town
A former Moorish fortress turned royal palace, right opposite the cathedral. It can be toured quickly and completes the visit to the monumental complex.
Banys Àrabs
Old town
A small bathhouse from the Andalusian period, preserved in the old town, with a quiet garden. It is a short visit and fits nicely between the cathedral and lunch.
Passeig del Born and the streets of the centre
Old town
A tree-lined avenue that runs down towards the port and serves as a hub for strolling, shopping and having a drink. From here you can walk to the squares and courtyards of the old town.
Day 2
Castell de Bellver, Cala Major and the seafront promenade
Castell de Bellver
Bellver
A circular Gothic castle surrounded by woodland at the top of a hill. The terrace has one of the best views of the Bay of Palma. You can get up by city bus or taxi, or on foot through the forest if you feel like a walk.
Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró
Cala Major
The studio and work of the artist, who lived in Majorca, set among gardens a few minutes from Cala Major. Book ahead in high season.
Cala Major and the seafront promenade
Cala Major
A small, convenient beach for a swim without leaving Palma. Afterwards, the seafront promenade leads to the centre, with waterfront terraces.
La Llotja and Santa Catalina
Sa Llotja
Go down along the port to the Gothic La Llotja and finish in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood, with its market and bars, for dinner in a local atmosphere.
Day 3
Sóller train, Sóller and Port de Sóller
Tren de Sóller
Palma
The journey on the historic wooden train crosses the mountains and is already part of the experience. Book ahead in high season.
Sóller
Sóller
A village surrounded by mountains and orange trees, with a square, a church and quiet streets. It is a good place for lunch before continuing to the port.
Tram and Port de Sóller
Port de Sóller
A vintage tram connects Sóller with the port, a sheltered bay with a seafront promenade, a small beach and fish restaurants. A good spot for lunch and a swim before heading back to Palma.
Day 4
Valldemossa and Deià
Valldemossa
Valldemossa
A stone village in the Serra de Tramuntana, with cobbled streets and flowerpots on the facades. The Valldemossa Charterhouse recalls the stay of Chopin and George Sand. You can get there by intercity bus or by car in about 30-40 minutes from Palma.
Deià and the Tramuntana coast
Deià
A village perched above the sea, with stony coves below and a church at the top. The coastal road linking it with Sóller offers very photogenic viewpoints; if you are not driving, check the bus times carefully.
Return route along the coast
Deià
If you have rented a car, returning along the coast and through Sóller is a lovely end to the day. If not, go back by bus from Valldemossa.
Day 5 · Day trip
Alcúdia and Cap de Formentor
Alcúdia and Cap de Formentor
This excursion, about 55-60 minutes from Palma, takes you to the north of the island. Stroll through the walled old town of Alcúdia and then head down to its long beach. If you have a car, the road to Cap de Formentor, with viewpoints over cliffs and the lighthouse, is one of the most spectacular in Majorca; without a car, the bus goes to Alcúdia.
Palma de Mallorca
Where to stay in Palma de Mallorca
Santa Catalina
A neighbourhood with a local feel, with a market, bars and restaurants, ten to fifteen minutes on foot from the old town. A good option for eating well without tourist-centre prices.
Portixol
A former fishing district by the sea, quiet and with a seafront promenade, a little way from the old town but well connected by bus.
Itinerary · Palma de Mallorca
More Palma de Mallorca itineraries
3 days
Palma de Mallorca in 3 days
- Day 1 Cathedral, Almudaina and the old town
- Day 2 Valldemossa, Sóller and Port de Sóller
- Day 3 Castell de Bellver, Cala Major and Palma by night
7 days
Palma de Mallorca in 7 days
- Day 1 Cathedral, Almudaina and the old town
- Day 2 La Llotja, Santa Catalina and Es Baluard
- Day 3 Castell de Bellver, Cala Major and Fundació Miró
- Day 4 Sóller train, Sóller and Port de Sóller
- + 3 days
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Palma de Mallorca?
Five days let you see Palma at a relaxed pace, the Serra de Tramuntana and the north of the island. If you only want a beach holiday, you can add rest days.
What do I need to book before travelling on this 5-day itinerary?
It is best to book the cathedral, the Sóller train and paid visits ahead in high season. The rental car too.
Can this itinerary be done without a car?
Yes, but it requires more planning. There is a train to Sóller and intercity buses to Valldemossa and Alcúdia, although with limited frequency out of season.
When is the best time to travel to Majorca?
Spring and early autumn offer good weather, fewer people and more moderate prices. In the height of summer it is very hot and there is more traffic on the mountain roads.
Photo credits
- Catedral de Mallorca (La Seu): Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Palau de l'Almudaina: Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Castell de Bellver: Friedrich Haag, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- La Llotja: José Luis Filpo Cabana, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons