1. Palma Cathedral (La Seu)
The monument the trip is built around: a 44-metre nave, one of the Gothic world's great rose windows, Gaudí's wrought-iron canopy and Miquel Barceló's ceramic chapel. Enter at 10:00 sharp.
Skip-the-line tickets from €11 →Palma & Mallorca
What to Do in Palma de Mallorca: The Full Guide
Wondering what to do in Palma? The short answer: more than fits in a day. A Gothic cathedral above the sea, a royal palace, Spain's only circular Gothic castle, two first-rate museums and beaches one bus ride away. This guide ranks the things to do in Palma de Mallorca, builds a perfect day hour by hour, and solves the two tricky briefs — kids and rain.
ⓘ Independent guide. Not the cathedral’s official website.The things to do in Palma that actually matter
2. Royal Palace of La Almudaina
A Moorish citadel rebuilt as the palace of the Kings of Mallorca, two minutes from the cathedral — the natural pairing for the same morning.
What's near the cathedral →3. Bellver Castle
A fully circular 14th-century Gothic castle — a European rarity — on a wooded hill with the best panorama of the bay. Ride up by tourist bus or taxi, walk down through the pines.
Hop-on hop-off bus stop →4. La Llonja (Sa Llotja)
Guillem Sagrera's 15th-century merchants' exchange: spiral columns and civil Gothic at its purest. Entry is usually free when an exhibition is on.
Five minutes from La Seu →5. Es Baluard
Modern and contemporary art inside a bastion of the Renaissance sea walls — Miró, Picasso and a terrace overlooking the harbour.
Fit it into your day →6. Palma Aquarium
By Playa de Palma, home to one of Europe's deepest shark tanks. The strongest plan with kids and the city's rainy-day lifesaver.
Palma Aquarium tickets →Two natural extensions of the list: the Miró Mallorca Foundation in Cala Major — Joan Miró's real studios, preserved as he left them — and sunset at Parc de la Mar, which needs no ticket at all. For the cathedral in depth, the full La Seu guide covers history, interior and terraces.
One perfect day in Palma, hour by hour
| 10:00 | Cathedral and the Museum of Sacred Art with a pre-booked ticket: the first hour is the quietest and morning sun lights the rose window. |
|---|---|
| 11:45 | La Almudaina just across the square, or a wander through the Calatrava quarter and the Arab Baths. |
| 13:30 | Tapas lunch between La Llonja and Passeig del Born; dessert is an ensaimada from a historic bakery. |
| 15:30 | Bellver Castle for the bay panorama — or a beach afternoon if the heat wins. |
| 18:30 | Back to the centre: shopping along the Born or coffee in an old-town courtyard. |
| Sunset | Parc de la Mar by the lake: the cathedral glowing gold, then floodlit. The photo guide pins the exact best spot. |
Order matters: the cathedral caps visitor numbers and closes at 17:15 on weekdays (14:15 Saturdays, no
tourist visits on Sundays). Always put it first and check the current
opening hours before you go.
Combos and bundles that save money
Palma is a combo town: nearly every major attraction is sold paired with the cathedral, and the saving adds up fast once two or more of you are travelling.
- Best of Palma Bundle: cathedral + Palma Aquarium + hop-on hop-off bus. The most complete option for a first visit or a family weekend.
- Hop-on hop-off bus: 24 hours of audioguided loops linking the port, Bellver Castle and the centre — the easiest way up the castle hill.
- Cathedral combos: with the Miró Foundation, the Rafa Nadal Museum or the Génova caves; details on the ticket comparison and the Mallorca tickets page.
Prefer to build your own plan? The full Tiqets catalogue of Palma activities lists everything bookable in the city — tickets, boats and guided tours.
Beaches: a swim without leaving Palma
Palma is not a pure beach destination, but it delivers a fine swimming afternoon between monuments:
- Playa de Palma: the long sandy strip east of the city, with a promenade, full services and the aquarium next door. City buses run there; in summer, earlier means a better spot.
- Cala Major: west of the centre, smaller and more local, a step from the Miró Foundation. A neat pairing: Miró in the morning, swim after.
Palma with kids
The city works for families if you alternate stone with fun. The trio that never fails: Palma Aquarium (sharks, rays and play areas), the tourist bus from the top deck, and Bellver Castle, which to a child is simply a round castle with a moat and battlements. At the cathedral, under-10s go free, and the visit stays fun if you turn it into a spotting game — count the fish on Barceló's ceramic mural, for a start.
Plan B: Palma in the rain
Grey days happen even here, and Palma absorbs them well: cathedral and museum first thing (the interior gets more dramatic without harsh sun), then Es Baluard or the Miró Foundation, a long old-town lunch, and Palma Aquarium in the afternoon — its main zones are fully covered. With the aquarium ticket booked online you skip the box office entirely.
Beyond the city
Once Palma is done, the island multiplies the options: caves, catamarans, vintage trains and the stone villages of the Serra de Tramuntana. It is all ranked on the Mallorca tickets and tours page. And if your trip revolves around La Seu, start with the cathedral guide, its prices and how to get there.
FAQ: what to do in Palma
What is the number one thing to do in Palma?
Palma Cathedral (La Seu). Go inside rather than just photographing it from the park: the 44-metre nave, the great rose window, Gaudí’s canopy and Miquel Barceló’s ceramic chapel are all interior experiences. Book a timed ticket and enter at 10:00.
How many days do I need in Palma?
One full day covers the essentials: cathedral, old town, Bellver Castle and sunset at Parc de la Mar. A second day adds Es Baluard, the Miró Foundation and a beach afternoon. From day three, rent a car or book tours and explore the rest of Mallorca.
What can you do in Palma with kids?
Palma Aquarium is the banker — it has one of Europe’s deepest shark tanks. Add the hop-on hop-off bus (kids love the open top deck), Bellver Castle with its moat and battlements, and Playa de Palma in the afternoon. Under-10s enter the cathedral free.
What should I do in Palma when it rains?
Build an indoor day: cathedral and its museum first thing, then Es Baluard or the Miró Foundation, a long old-town lunch, and Palma Aquarium in the afternoon. The old town itself, with its courtyards and cafes, walks well under an umbrella.
Is the hop-on hop-off bus worth it in Palma?
Yes if you are short on time or want Bellver Castle without the uphill walk: the route links the port, the castle, the centre and the upper districts with an audioguide. There is also a bus + cathedral combo that brings the total down.
What is the Best of Palma Bundle?
A Tiqets package combining the cathedral, Palma Aquarium and the hop-on hop-off bus in a single checkout, cheaper than three separate tickets. It suits first-time visitors and families spending a weekend in the city.
Which beach is closest to Palma city centre?
Two practical options: Playa de Palma, the long sandy strip east of the city, and Cala Major, a smaller local bay to the west near the Miró Foundation. Both are reachable by city bus from the centre.
Do I need to book Palma attractions in advance?
The cathedral, yes — capacity is limited and box-office queues run long from May to October. For the aquarium, Bellver or the tourist bus, booking a day ahead is enough outside peak August.
Facts last reviewed: August 2026. Cathedral details cross-checked with the official site (catedraldemallorca.org) and tickets with Tiqets.