One day in Palma de Mallorca

Let’s see the best places, coolest activities and cultural sites to visit during one day in Palma de Mallorca. If you have just one day, this article is for you. We have compiled a list that is possible to complete within one day in Palma de Mallorca. So let’s go!

What to see in Palma de Mallorca in one day

Can Forteza Rey

The characteristics of Can Forteza Rey modernist building are in line with the modernist Art Nouveau trend. Which uniquely incorporates the stylistic decoration of the façade into the interior design. A clear example of the strong influence of Catalan modernism, especially from the works of Gaudí. Can Forteza Rey is a five-storey building originally designed for housing.

In the bottom, on the corner of the building we can find the famous pastry shop, Forn del Santo Cristo, founded in 1910. It’s definitely worth to try their fresh ensaïmadas baked based on traditional recipes.

Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca

This impressive cathedral took more than 600 years to build. And due to its size and placement on the old city walls, is almost impossible to miss. As a result, in the moment you approach the city by car, it’s immediately standing out. It’s worth to know that on Sundays the cathedral is closed, and impossible to visit. On any other day we can look around inside and admire some of the 20th-century renovations were undertaken by the famous modernist architect Antoni Gaudí. For a few days each year, the cathedral’s upper terraces and bell tower can be also explored as part of an hour-long guided tour.

Royal Palace of La Almudaina

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina, is a castle with Roman origin that was modified and then became the Muslim alcázar in 1281. After it also became a place for Spanish and Mallorcan monarchs to hold court. The Spanish monarchy use the citadel for visits to this day. It is open to visitors all year round with an admission fee of €7 for adults. The courtyard features a series of historic tapestries, and the outer Moorish arches are home to yet another Joan Miró piece. To top it off, it offers some of the best views you’ll find in Mallorca.

Castell de Bellver

The Bellver Castle stands about three kilometres from the city centre of Palma, on a hill some 112 metres above sea level. It overlooks the city of Palma, its bay and a large part of southwest Mallorca. Its construction began in 1300, commissioned by Jaume II, King of Mallorca. They designed the castle as a royal residence. All the three kings of Mallorca stayed there for short periods of time: Jaume II, Sanç I and Jaume III. After the Kingdom of Mallorca’s fall in 1343, they used the Bellver castle as a prison in several occasions till the 19th century.

The building is circular in lay-out with three semicircular buttressed towers, and a single tower some seven metres from the body of the castle. The construction is arranged around a central courtyard, on two levels, the ground floor with semicircular arches and flat roofs and the upper one with Gothic arches and the ribbed vault so typical of Gothic architecture.

In 1931 the Government gave the building and the woods to Palma City Council who turned it into the Palma History Museum and the Despuig Collection of Classical Sculpture. In addition, the Palma Town council organises various cultural and leisure activities there.

Banys Àrabs

The Arab Baths of Palma were discovered only 100 years ago in the gardens of a manor house in the Old Town. The Arab Baths date back to some time between the 10th and 12th centuries, when Palma was an Arab city known as Medina Mayurqa. It’s worth noticing how every columns in and around the baths are different – they were probably salvaged from the ruins of various Roman buildings, an early example of recycling.

Colourful streets of Palma

To wander around in the jungle of narrow cobblestoned streets of Palma’s old quarter, and admire its elegant archways, the huge historic and modernists buildings, medieval churches and charming squares is an unforgettable experience. Just starting from the Cathedral all the way up to the main square and further on Carrer de Sant Miquel you can easily walk thousands of steps without noticing it. All the way uncountable fashion boutiques, lovely cafes and bars are welcoming you.

Plaça Major

The space occupied by the Plaça Mayor gave place to an old convent of San Felipe Neri and some neighbouring houses. Until 1823 the square was the seat of the Inquisition. Once they demolished the headquarters of the Inquisition, ten years passed before work began on the first wing, that they completed in 1838. The works lasted well into the 20th century, with the construction of an underground car park, and some commercial galleries.

Carrer de Sant Miquel

Calle Sant Miquel is one of Palma’s busiest high streets. It stretches 650 metres in length between Avenida Joan March and Plaza Mayor. The paved road is pedestrians only. In between the many international brands and independent boutiques you’ll find the Basílica de Sant Miquel. The first mass they celebrated here after the Christian conquest of 1229.

The best activities during one day in Palma de Mallorca

Where to stay in Palma de Mallorca

If you look for accommodation in Palma de Mallorca out of season, you will find at least 300 options on Booking, after a quick and random search, You can multiply this number several times during a normal summer season. So the opportunities are almost endless, everyone can find their own favourite ones, based on different needs and preferences. The standards are usually high and completing all requests.

How to get to Palma de Mallorca

By plane

From Spain usually we can find super cheap flight tickets to Palma. It is a very common route both for tourists and locals from most of the big cities of peninsula. There are several flight companies offering cheap connections to the Balearic capital all year long. And during the summer season even more.

In 2021 November we faced this fact at the Palma airport. Our return flight to Barcelona departed at 10:15 in the morning. As per the information on the departure board we were queuing at our gate, when the ticket controller told us, that no-no, this is not our gate. Exactly at the same hour 10:15 in the morning there were two flight companies covering the route of Palma – Barcelona. No need to mention that we needed to run through the whole airport to reach our correct flight at the very last minute. It’s worth to keep this information in mind and triple check your flight number & gate before your departure.

Once you are out of the airport, the Aerotib bus service connects the Palma airport with different towns around Mallorca without the need for transfers.

By ferry

Palma ferries connect Mallorca with Spain, Ibiza, Formentera & Menorca with crossings available to Denia, Valencia & Barcelona (in Spain), Ibiza (in Ibiza), Formentera (in Formentera) & Mahon & Ciutadella (in Menorca).

Balearia, Trasmediterranea & Grandi Navi Veloci operate the Palma Ferry crossings, and depending on time of year you’ll find a choice of up to 16 ferry crossings daily. The sailing durations starting from 2 hours.

How to move around in Palma de Mallorca

By car

The easiest is to rent a car at the airport in Palma. Then you don’t need to worry about your transportation around the island. Having your own car gives you the most freedom to explore the island on your time. Buses are an option, too, but they often limit the service, especially on weekends.

In the city of Palma you can find several parking places and garage lots, that makes the parking easier. However during the summer season the best is to limit to the minimum the usage of the car in the capital.

By metro

Palma’s Metro network is the smallest in Spain. Although it offers limited opportunities for getting around Palma city, it is a good option for reaching Palma’s northern districts. Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) operates the metro and first opened on 25^th April 2007. The Metro line does not go to the airport and there is no Metro connection from Palma Airport to Palma city. To get to the Metro station from the airport, you will need to take a bus or a taxi.

By bus

There are several lines all over the city of Palma, you can take a look and schedule your trip here.

By bike

Remember this name: Mou-te Bé! This is the public bicycle service that gets you around Palma from the Plaça d’Espanya. The bicycle is definitely the ideal alternative for getting around town, not just for ease of mobility. But also because it is environmentally friendly and healthy. Using the Mou-te Bé service, over 18 years old, who have travelled by bus, train or metro using the T20 or T40 ticket can use a bike all day long free of charge.

To do this they need to sign a loan and liability contract. The only person authorised to use the bike is the intermodal card holder. The service offers bikes fitted with child seats. You need to return the bike on the same day, prior to the time the service finishes. To the Intermodal Station information point, in Plaça d’Espanya.

Exploring the island of Mallorca

If you have more time, you should continue exploring the island out of the capital too. The island of Mallorca is offering a lot if activities. There are many beautiful calas to discover, hiking and tracking options, and wonderfully beautiful villages and towns. Check our round trip (below) that we have done in 2021 November:

Enjoy our discounts in the place

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