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 7 days: day-by-day itinerary
7-day itinerary for Palma de Mallorca: the city, the Serra de Tramuntana, southern coves and a trip to Alcúdia and Cap de Formentor.
- 7days
- 21stops
- 14Areas
This 7-day itinerary is designed for those who want to get to know Palma at a relaxed pace and explore the island. It devotes the first day to the old town, the second to La Llotja, Santa Catalina and Es Baluard, the third to Bellver and the Palma coast, and then heads to the mountains, the south and the north, at a relaxed pace.
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, the south and the north, but book ahead and avoid peak hours on the mountain roads.
- 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.
- At the coves and at Es Trenc, bring water, a parasol and sun protection: there is little shade.
- 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
La Llotja, Santa Catalina and Es Baluard
La Llotja
Sa Llotja
A former 15th-century merchants' exchange and a jewel of civil Gothic, next to the seafront promenade. Its spiral columns are best appreciated from inside, if an exhibition is open; if not, admiring the facade is enough.
Es Baluard
Dalt Murada
A museum of modern and contemporary art in a former bastion of the city walls. Its terrace has views over the port and the cathedral.
Mercat de Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina
A neighbourhood market surrounded by bars and restaurants. It is a good place for lunch with a local atmosphere and to try island produce.
Seafront promenade at sunset
Paseo Marítimo
End the day by the sea, with the illuminated cathedral in the background and the port full of boats.
Day 3
Castell de Bellver, Cala Major and Fundació Miró
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.
Day 4
Sóller train, Sóller and Port de Sóller
Tren de Sóller
Palma
The journey on the historic wooden train crosses the mountains and is 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. 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 5
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 along the coast of the mountains
Deià
If you have a car, return along the coastal road with viewpoints and photo stops. Without a car, go back by bus from Valldemossa.
Day 6
Southern beaches: Santanyí and Es Trenc
Santanyí
Santanyí
A village of golden stone in the south-east of the island, with quiet streets and craft shops. It is a good morning stop, better by car.
Es Trenc
Es Trenc
A long beach of white sand and clear waters, with no buildings in the background. It is the best option for a beach day on the island, although it is best to arrive early.
Cala Figuera or Caló des Moro
Santanyí
If you fancy something smaller, these turquoise coves are surrounded by rocks and pines. Mind your footwear and bring water.
Day 7 · 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. With a car, continue through Pollença to Cap de Formentor, with viewpoints over cliffs and the lighthouse; without a car, the bus goes to Alcúdia and Pollença.
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.
Paseo Marítimo
For those who prefer seafront hotels and views over the bay, with the centre a long walk or a few minutes by bus away.
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
5 days
Palma de Mallorca in 5 days
- Day 1 Cathedral, Almudaina and the old town
- Day 2 Castell de Bellver, Cala Major and the seafront promenade
- Day 3 Sóller train, Sóller and Port de Sóller
- Day 4 Valldemossa and Deià
- + 1 day
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Palma de Mallorca?
Seven days let you see Palma at a relaxed pace, the Serra de Tramuntana, and the south and north of the island. It is an unhurried rhythm, with time for the beach.
What do I need to book before travelling on this 7-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?
Partly: Palma, Sóller and Valldemossa are accessible by public transport. The south and north are easier by car or on an organised excursion.
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 the beaches fill up early.
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
- La Llotja: José Luis Filpo Cabana, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Castell de Bellver: Friedrich Haag, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons