Things to do in Palma de Mallorca go far beyond transiting through the airport to the beaches: the capital of the Balearic Islands has a Gothic cathedral rising above the sea, an old town full of hidden patios, and Bellver Castle overlooking the bay. What to see in Palma, how long to stay and when to go based on the normals of the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET): here are the essentials, backed by verified sources.
Palma has around 441,000 inhabitants (2018), a little over half the population of Mallorca. Founded by the Romans in 123 BC, it was Moorish under the name Madina Mayurqa before its conquest in 1229 by James I of Aragon. Visitor numbers are very seasonal: high in summer, much quieter from January to May and from October to December.
Our travel deals for Palma
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Palma.Compare flights- Airport transferKiwitaxiPrivate driver booked in advance at a fixed price.Book a transfer
- Tickets and toursTiqetsEntry tickets and guided tours to book online; compare with the official price.See tickets
- Audio guidesWeGoTripSelf-guided audio tours on your phone.See audio tours
Palma de Mallorca essentials
- Location: south of Mallorca, at the back of the Bay of Palma; capital of the Balearic Islands
- Airport: Palma de Mallorca (Son Sant Joan), about 8 km (5 mi) from the center
- Languages: Spanish and Catalan
- Entry: Schengen rules for US and UK citizens (see entry requirements below)
- Currency: euro; time zone UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer), one hour ahead of London
- Ideal length: 2 days for the city, more to explore the island
Things to do in Palma: the highlights
The cathedral (La Seu)
Built from 1229 on the site of the city’s great mosque, the Cathedral of Santa María, known as La Seu, stands by the sea between the royal Almudaina Palace and the Bishop’s Palace. Its rose window, nearly 14 m (46 ft) in diameter, is one of the largest surviving Gothic rose windows. Antoni Gaudí led renovation work there from 1903, and Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló completely redesigned the Sant Pere chapel between 2001 and 2006, with a ceramic lining. It is Palma’s most visited sight: check opening hours and visiting conditions before you go.
The royal Almudaina Palace
Next to the cathedral, the former Moorish palace of the Almudaina forms Palma’s skyline with it when seen from the sea. Both buildings, cut from ochre Mallorcan sandstone, can be visited in the same morning.
The old town, its patios and the Arab baths
Behind the cathedral, the historic center is large and best explored on foot: cool lanes, old houses whose patios can be glimpsed from the street, churches such as Santa Eulàlia and Sant Miquel, and the convent of Sant Francesc. The Arab baths (Banys Àrabs) recall the city’s Muslim period.
La Llotja and the seafront
La Llotja, a medieval trading exchange restored in 2010, stands near the port, next to the Consolat de Mar. The Passeig Marítim, the seafront avenue, runs west along the bay. The Es Baluard museum of modern and contemporary art occupies a bastion of the old city walls.
Bellver Castle
Built in the 14th century for King James II of Mallorca, Bellver Castle (“beautiful view”) is a Gothic castle with a circular plan, rare in Europe. It stands on a pine-covered hill about three kilometers (2 mi) from the historic center and offers a view over the bay. It served as a royal residence and later as a prison.
The Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation
Joan Miró lived in Mallorca from 1956 until his death in 1983. The foundation created at his and his wife Pilar’s initiative holds nearly 6,000 works and documents by the artist. You can see his large studio designed by architect Josep Lluís Sert. It is west of the center.
The Sóller train
A historic train links Palma with Sóller, in the north of the island, and is mainly used by visitors. It leaves from the Plaça d’Espanya station, which is also the departure point for the metro and the island’s trains. Check timetables and fares on the operator’s website.
Itinerary: Palma in 1 or 2 days
| Time | Day 1: the old town | Day 2: heights and art |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Cathedral, then the Almudaina Palace | Bellver Castle and the view over the bay |
| Midday | Old town, patios, Arab baths | Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation |
| Afternoon | La Llotja, Es Baluard | Passeig Marítim, port |
| Option | Sunset over the bay | Historic train to Sóller |
When to go to Palma de Mallorca
May, June and September are the best months to visit Palma: it is already or still warm (23.0 °C / 73 °F in the afternoon in May, 27.4 °C / 81 °F in September), rain is rare and the city is less crowded than in midsummer. July and August are the hottest months (30.2 °C / 86 °F in August) and almost dry (0.6 rain days in July), but also the busiest. Autumn is the wettest season: October gets 73 mm (2.9 in). Winter is mild (15.7 °C / 60 °F in January) and suits a cultural visit, not the beach.
| Month | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) | Rain days | Sun / day | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.7 (60) | 8.5 (47) | 44.4 (1.7) | 6.2 | 5.4 h | ⚠️ Mild, quiet |
| February | 15.7 (60) | 8.4 (47) | 36.7 (1.4) | 5.9 | 6.1 h | ⚠️ Mild, quiet |
| March | 17.6 (64) | 9.9 (50) | 29.2 (1.1) | 4.6 | 7.0 h | ✅ Mild, sunny |
| April | 19.7 (67) | 12.2 (54) | 37.5 (1.5) | 4.7 | 8.3 h | ✅ Pleasant |
| May | 23.0 (73) | 15.5 (60) | 31.6 (1.2) | 3.1 | 9.6 h | ✅ Ideal |
| June | 27.0 (81) | 19.4 (67) | 13.9 (0.5) | 1.9 | 10.9 h | ✅ Hot, dry |
| July | 29.7 (85) | 22.4 (72) | 5.1 (0.2) | 0.6 | 11.4 h | ⚠️ Very hot, busy |
| August | 30.2 (86) | 23.0 (73) | 21.7 (0.9) | 1.8 | 10.3 h | ⚠️ Hottest, busy |
| September | 27.4 (81) | 20.1 (68) | 60.5 (2.4) | 5.3 | 7.8 h | ✅ Hot, warm sea |
| October | 24.0 (75) | 16.8 (62) | 72.6 (2.9) | 6.3 | 6.7 h | ⚠️ Wettest month |
| November | 19.5 (67) | 12.4 (54) | 67.8 (2.7) | 7.2 | 5.4 h | ⚠️ Mild, showers |
| December | 16.8 (62) | 9.9 (50) | 49.3 (1.9) | 5.9 | 4.9 h | ⚠️ Coolest month |
How much sunshine?
Palma gets an average of 2,858 hours of sunshine a year, according to AEMET. Daily sunshine ranges from 4.9 hours in December to 11.4 hours in July; even in January, Palma averages 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. Destination de Voyage calculation based on AEMET normals (monthly sunshine hours divided by the number of days).
How many rain days in a week?
Over a seven-day stay, you can expect an average of 0.1 rain days in July and 1.7 in November, the most uncertain month. Even in winter, rain averages no more than two days a week. Destination de Voyage calculation based on AEMET 1991-2020 normals (days with precipitation ≥ 1 mm).
| Month | Expected rain days in 7 days | Monthly rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.4 | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| February | 1.5 | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| March | 1.0 | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| April | 1.1 | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 0.7 | 32 mm (1.2 in) |
| June | 0.4 | 14 mm (0.5 in) |
| July | 0.1 | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| August | 0.4 | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| September | 1.2 | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| October | 1.4 | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| November | 1.7 | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| December | 1.3 | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
For the whole archipelago, see when to go to the Balearic Islands.
Getting there and getting around
- By air: Palma de Mallorca airport (Son Sant Joan), about 8 km (5 mi) from the center, is the third-busiest in Spain according to Wikipedia; routes vary by season, so check current connections from your departure airport.
- By ferry: Palma is also a port; check sailings from the mainland with the ferry companies.
- In town: the historic center is best explored on foot. An 8.3 km (5 mi) metro line links Plaça d’Espanya with the university campus, and the island’s rail network starts from the intermodal station.
- Around the island: three motorways leave Palma (Ma-1, Ma-19 and the Ma-20 ring road), linked to the Ma-13 toward central and northern Mallorca.
Where to stay
The historic center, around the cathedral, puts the main sights within walking distance. The seafront and the port suit those wanting a view of the bay. The resorts of El Arenal to the east and Magaluf and Palmanova to the west are mass-tourism and nightlife areas, best avoided if you want peace; GOV.UK notes local restrictions on alcohol sales in Magaluf and Playa de Palma. In summer, book early.
If you… then…: choosing your style
| If you… | Then… |
|---|---|
| only have one day | cathedral, Almudaina, old town and La Llotja, all on foot |
| like modern art | Es Baluard and the Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation |
| want a view of the bay | Bellver Castle in the late afternoon |
| are looking for peace | visit from March to May or in October, outside high season |
| want to explore the island | see our Mallorca guide |
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025): Schengen rules apply. Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay, and you need sufficient proof of funds and a return ticket.
- UK citizens (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026): no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) means fingerprints and a photo may be taken at your first entry, free of charge.
- Lost passport: according to GOV.UK, you cannot use a police report to leave Spain: you need a new passport or an emergency travel document.
- Health: UK travellers can use a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare, which does not replace travel insurance; whatever your nationality, take out insurance covering medical costs. Emergency number: 112.
- Safety: the U.S. Department of State notes that pickpocketing and theft are very common at tourist spots, airports, train stations and beach destinations. GOV.UK warns of extreme heat in summer, wildfires and flash floods (follow AEMET warnings), and of strong undercurrents on some beaches: never swim when the red flag is flying.
- Balearic alcohol rules: according to GOV.UK, local laws limit alcohol sales in parts of some resorts, including Magaluf (Calvià) and Playa de Palma in Mallorca and San Antonio (Sant Antoni de Portmany) in Ibiza: no happy hours, open bars, vending-machine sales, pub crawls or party boat trips, and no off-licence sales between 9:30 pm and 8 am. Drinking in the street is illegal in some areas and can bring an on-the-spot fine.
- Balconies: GOV.UK reports serious, sometimes fatal falls from balconies; hotels can evict you and you may be fined for dangerous behavior, and travel insurance may not cover such incidents. It also notes serious accidents at illegal commercially promoted parties in villas on Ibiza and Mallorca.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to visit Palma?
One day for the cathedral, the Almudaina and the old town; two days to add Bellver, the Miró Foundation and the seafront.
What is the best time to go to Palma?
May, June and September: warm weather, little rain and fewer visitors than in July-August. October is the wettest month (73 mm / 2.9 in), according to AEMET.
Can you visit Palma in winter?
Yes, for a cultural visit: highs stay around 15.7 °C (60 °F) in January, with more than 5 hours of sunshine a day, and the city is much quieter.
Do I need a passport for Palma de Mallorca?
Yes for US and UK citizens. US citizens need a passport valid at least 3 months beyond their stay (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025); UK citizens need a passport issued less than 10 years before arrival and valid 3 months after leaving the Schengen area (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026).
Where can you swim near Palma?
The center is a port city; the beaches are along the bay. Avoid El Arenal and Magaluf if you want peace and quiet.
Our sources
- AEMET (Spanish State Meteorological Agency), provisional 1991-2020 normals for Palma (port, WMO 08301), via the Wikipedia climate box (article “Palma de Mallorca”), checked 23 October 2026
- Entry requirements, health and safety read on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Spain country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), and UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Spain (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026)
- Wikipedia: “Palma de Mallorca”, “Bellver Castle”, “Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró”, “Palma Cathedral”, “Palma de Mallorca Airport”, checked 23 October 2026
- Destination de Voyage calculations: sun per day, rain days per week
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To go further, see our guides to Mallorca, the Balearic Islands, Ibiza, Menorca and Spain.
