Palma is Mallorca's genuine capital – the cathedral dominates the waterfront, the narrow old town streets buzz with energy, and you can walk to restaurants, galleries, and proper shopping without planning a journey. Unlike quieter villages, you're in a working Mediterranean city where locals actually live and work, not just holiday.
Why Stay in Palma
- The old town is genuinely walkable. Gothic cathedral, narrow twisting streets, hidden courtyards, proper bars and restaurants – you navigate it all on foot within 15 minutes from most villa locations. The best parts have zero tourist shop clutter.
- Restaurants range from cheap pintxos bars to Michelin-starred dining. What matters is the choice and authenticity. You're eating where Palma residents eat, not on an English tourist menu. Booking ahead is smart but walk-ins work for casual meals.
- Real city amenities: supermarkets, pharmacies, markets, cultural venues, live music venues, proper shopping streets. If you need something, Palma almost certainly has it.
- Beach access. Playa de Palma is just minutes away – not as dramatic as north coast coves, but sandy and swimmable. The trade-off is crowds, especially July-August, and considerably less solitude than mountain villages.
Things to Do in Palma
The cathedral sits right on the waterfront and is worth an hour inside, though it can become crowded. The surrounding old town – particularly the streets behind the cathedral – rewards slow walking. The Royal Palace (Almudaina) sits adjacent to the cathedral and offers tours when not in official use.
Es Baluard is a modern art museum with an good collection and genuinely good courtyard views across the bay. It's less famous than it deserves. The contemporary art scene here punches above its weight – galleries cluster around the old town and larger museums like Joan Miró's studio (though that's outside central Palma). Both require dedicated visits, but serious art lovers find real substance.
Sunday mornings: the Olivar market runs Wednesday-Saturday but feels most alive on Sunday. It's a proper neighbourhood market for produce, not a tourist photo-op. The surrounding neighbourhood (Sa Calatrava) is authentically local with cheap bars and minimal foreigners – a genuine working district.
The paseo marítimo (seafront promenade) runs several kilometres, well suited to evening walks or morning running. There are beach clubs with loungers and drinks, though these run busy and moderately pricey in summer.
Day trips: Valldemossa monastery (30 minutes) and the Sóller valley (40 minutes) are the standard excursions. Both are worth doing once, though expect coach tour crowds. The Bellver Castle overlooks Palma from a hilltop – 15 minutes drive, good views, moderate crowds.