The Perfect Combination of Seaside Relaxation and Culture
Table of Contents
A. About Palma
Nickname: Ciutat de MallorcaSituated at the northwestern end of a bay in the southwest of the island of Mallorca, the beautiful capital of the Balearic Islands offers the perfect combination of seaside relaxation and culture and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
After voting on the name change since 2017 the capital of the Balearic Islands is officially named just "Palma", claiming that the ‘de Mallorca’ tag is a leftover from Spain’s centralist past. Half the population of Mallorca lives in the city of Palma.
➕ The Good
With almost 2,800 hours of sunny weather each year — almost eight hours of sunshine per day, Palma is known for its exceptionally appealing climate, which makes it a popular year-round destination.
Furthermore, Palma enjoys a fantastic seaside location and offers great nightlife, with plenty of bars, nightclubs, and cafés.
➖ Negative Aspects
Palma has no noticeable weaknesses, though the score for sights is low.
There are not so numerous attractions and only the cathedral is hugely impressive.
B. Best Things to Do in Palma in 2025 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
In total, we count more than fifteen sights in Palma. The following sights contribute to a score of 5.4/10 in this most important category:
# Cathedral La Seu 7
Located close to the seaside, Palmas striking sandstone cathedral took an astounding six hundred years to build and is the highlight of the city. Don't miss the spectacular terrace with its wonderful views.
Gothic on the outside, the interior is partly modern and features one of the world's largest stained-glass windows and Antoni Gaudí's canopy.
Church ⚠️ Prebooking for the terrace required
# Royal Palace of Almudaina 5
Located next to the cathedral, the Royal Palace of Palma features a remarkable blend of gothic and Moorish architecture and is still used for ceremonies and receptions.
Highlights include the royal chapel and the gothic hall.
by Wolfgang Moroder / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Old Town (Casco Antiguo) 4
Wander the pedestrianized cobbled streets of Palma’s picturesque Old Town with its countless restaurants, bars, shops, and galleries.
by Olaf Tausch / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol Palma) 4
The Poble Espanyol is an open-air architectural museum containing twenty-two facsimiles in 1:2 scale of the major classical works of Spanish architecture on more than 6,300 m².
by Martin Furtschegger / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Palma Aquarium 4
Situated near the airport, this aquarium, which opened in 2007, contains the largest collection of live coral in Europe.
The exhibits include more than seven hundred types and 8,000 creatures, such as more than 2 m-long sand tiger sharks in the impressive "Big Blue" tank containing three million liters of water.
While (as number 12) the Palma Aquarium didn’t make it into our top ten list of the best aquariums in Europe it is still a great aquarium, especially if you consider, that the differences between ranks 3 and 20 are quite small.
Aquarium Biggest Tank: 3.5 million liters | Total Water Volume: 3.5 million liters | Viewing Panel: ca. 8 m wide / ca. 3 m high | Tunnel: 10 m | Species: 700 | Established: 2007 | Rank in Our List of The Best Aquariums in The World: 33
# La Llotja 4
Constructed in the 13th century, today this elegant former guildhall is a cultural center hosting art and cultural exhibitions.
by Singdrossel / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Juan March Foundation Museum 4
Housed in a beautiful 17th-century mansion this modern art museum houses a permanent collection of seventy works by contemporary Spanish artists of the twentieth century including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Juan Gris, and Salvador Dalí. In addition, there is a collection of meticulously crafted figures of an 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scene on display.
by Olaf Tausch / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Paseo Marítimo 4
Officially known as 'Avenida Gabriel Roca' this fabulous wide seaside promenade runs 5 km (3.1 miles) along the shore of Palma's beach from the Porto Pi shopping center all the way up to the former fishing village of Portixol. Lined with beautiful palm trees, Paseo Marítimo features a pedestrianized walkway and a cycle lane.
Seafront Promenade Length: 5 km / 3.1 miles
by Ruta Badina / CC BY-SA 3.0
#10 | Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art 4
Housed in a beautiful 16th-century fort incorporated into the old city walls, this small museum of contemporary art possesses a permanent collection of over seventy paintings, drawings, and sculptures by modern artists including Cézanne, Matisse, Dalí, and Picasso. From the rooftop bar you can enjoy drinks with a scenic view.
by Olaf Tausch / CC BY-SA 3.0
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Palma
Cuevas del Drach 7
The Cuevas del Drach in Majorca caves feature stunning limestone formations, four main chambers, and Martel Lake, offering boat rides and live classical music concerts.
Network of Caves Distance from Palma: 70 km
by Anther / CC BY-SA 4.0
Sóller and Port de Sóller 5
Port de Sóller is a beautiful coastal village situated just a few kilometers from Sóller, in a natural harbor.
Port de Sóller is connected to Sóller by a historic tram, providing a scenic and convenient travel option.
Small Towns Distance from Palma: 26 km (ca. 1h by bus/vintage train)
by BuzzWoof / Public domain
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Palma (including close-by excursions)
To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend you visit first while spending at least three or more days in Palma.