Palma

A compact, walkable capital that delivers a Gothic cathedral, a Moorish bath, a 1920s food market and a cycling-friendly seafront — all within 2 km².

🏞️ Nature & Outdoor Activities

• Cycle the 4km Paseo Marítimo seafront path from La Seu to Portixol
• Walk up the pine-forest hill to Castell de Bellver (112m above the city)
• Sail catamaran day trip from Palma Marina to Cala Vella
• Swim at Playa de Cala Major, 15 minutes by bus from the city
• Stroll the Bishop's Garden and the Parc de la Mar lagoon at dusk

🏖️ Beaches

• Playa de Palma — a 6km Blue Flag stretch, 10 minutes east by taxi
• Playa C'an Pere Antoni — the closest 800m city beach to the cathedral
• Cala Major — west-side resort beach, 15 minutes by bus from centre
• Portixol Beach — small converted-harbour cove with calm water, 10 minutes east

🍽️ Food & Drink

• Try pa amb oli (rustic bread, tomato, olive oil and Mahón cheese) at Bar España (Carrer Can Escursac)
• Sample sobrasada paprika sausage at Can Joan de S'Aigo, open since 1700
• Order fideuà (noodle paella) at Mar de Nudos in Portixol
• Sip hierbas de Mallorca herbal liqueur at La Vermutería de Can Cera (Carrer del Sol)
• Wine flight at Bar Cuba in Santa Catalina, with Binissalem and Pla i Llevant DO bottles

🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment

• Live jazz at Blue Jazz Club on the Hotel Saratoga rooftop
• Cocktails on Carrer Apuntadors in the La Lonja quarter
• Tuesday Pa amb tapa night across Old Town bars (€3 tapa-and-beer combos)
• Catch a recital at the 1857 Teatre Principal de Palma
• Sunset rooftop cocktails at Hotel Cuba's Sky Bar (Santa Catalina)

📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots

• La Seu Cathedral reflected in the Parc de la Mar lagoon at sunset
• The wave-cut promontory below Es Baluard contemporary art museum
• Castell de Bellver from the Mirador de Na Burguesa lookout
• The flower-filled courtyards of Carrer de la Concepció (free to peek into through wrought-iron gates)
• The 800-year-old olive tree on Plaça de Cort, planted before the cathedral existed

Best Value Deals

🏨 All-Inclusive Holidays

Palma is primarily a city-break and B&B market — all-inclusive options cluster around the eastern Playa de Palma strip rather than the old town itself. Iberostar Cristina, HM Tropical and Hipotels Mediterraneo Park (all on the 14km city beach) deliver UK-friendly AI from £349pp in May or October shoulder season. For a true Old Town experience, B&B and half-board boutique hotels are the better pick.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Holidays

Palma works well for older children and teens who can handle a city break, less well for buggy-stage toddlers. The seafront cycle path to Portixol is buggy-friendly, the Palma Aquarium (one of Europe's largest, with a 3.5-million-litre shark tank) is 20 minutes east, and the cathedral, Almudaina Palace and Castell de Bellver fill non-beach days. Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace and HM Tropical are the strongest family bases, both on the 14km beach.

💎 Luxury Holidays

Palma holds two of the Balearics' top urban hotels: Cap Rocat (Cala Blava, 20 minutes east) — a converted 19th-century military fortress with Leading Hotels of the World status — and Hospes Maricel Spa, a 19th-century mansion on the cliffs at Cas Català. Inside the city walls, Sant Francesc Hotel Singular (a 19th-century neo-Gothic palace) and Cappuccino Grand Café Hotel anchor the boutique luxury inventory. Nakar Hotel adds the strongest rooftop pool in Old Town.

⏰ Last-Minute Deals

Palma carries late availability better than the resort-heavy rest of Mallorca, particularly outside July and August. Mid-November to mid-March deliver the strongest discounts — boutique-hotel rates can drop 40–50% versus summer peak, and the city's restaurant and museum scene runs at full strength. Last-minute summer deals are uncommon during cruise-ship peak.

Why book with us:

💷 Low deposits from £49pp

🔄 Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel

🛡️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are safeguarded

✅ Free amendment window on selected packages

📞 UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day

📅 Best Time to Visit Palma

Palma is genuinely year-round, but each season offers a different city. April to June and September to October are the value-strong sweet spot — daytime highs of 19–27°C, terrace-cocktail evenings, and lower hotel rates than peak. July and August reach 30–32°C with cruise-ship volume at its highest; book restaurant terraces ahead. November to March stays mild at 14–16°C with five hours of sunshine a day, and city-break rates fall 40–50% — perfect for the cathedral, Old Town wanders, museum visits and Christmas markets in Plaça Major. The sea is too cold for swimming below 18°C, which rules out beach days from December through April.



🏨 Where to Stay

• Families: Hotel Almudaina (Old Town), Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace (Playa de Palma)
• Couples: Sant Francesc Hotel Singular (Old Town), Hospes Maricel Spa (Cas Català)
• Luxury travellers: Cap Rocat (Cala Blava), Castillo Hotel Son Vida (Son Vida), Nakar Hotel (city centre)
• Budget travellers: Brondo Architect Hotel, Hostal Cuba (Santa Catalina)
• First-timers & Old Town atmosphere: Hotel Cort (Plaça de Cort), Posada Terra Santa, Hotel Saratoga

🚗 Getting Around

Palma is best explored on foot — the Old Town, Santa Catalina, La Lonja and the seafront cover under 2 km². For longer trips, the EMT bus network covers the whole city for €2 a journey, and Citybike rentals run from 26 docking stations across the centre at €2 a day. A taxi from Palma Airport (PMI) to the city centre takes 15 minutes and costs around €25; the EMT line 1 airport bus runs every 15 minutes for €5. Don't bring a car into Palma — the Old Town is pedestrianised and street parking is almost non-existent. For day trips, the Sóller Train (€25 return) leaves directly from Plaça d'Espanya, and TIB inter-urban buses cover the rest of Mallorca.

💡 Travel Tips

• Palma is one hour ahead of the UK year-round (Central European Time).
• Spanish IVA at 21% applies — alcohol and electronics aren't notably cheaper than the UK.
• Mallorca's Sustainable Tourism Tax adds €1–4pp per night to hotel bills (May to October).
• Plug type is European C/F at 230V — bring a UK adapter.
• Tap water is safe but heavily mineralised; locals drink bottled.
• Restaurants in Spain open late — most kitchens don't fill until 9pm. Book Old Town terraces ahead in summer.
• Cruise ships disgorge passengers from 9.30am to 5pm — visit La Seu and the Almudaina Palace before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the busiest hours.
• Tuesdays in Old Town tapas bars deliver the Pa amb tapa deal — a tapa with a beer or wine for €3 across participating addresses.
• Sundays close the Mercat de l'Olivar; head to Mercat de Santa Catalina (open Saturday mornings only).