Palma de Mallorca Travel Guide

Enjoy Palma before planning the whole island

Give the old centre, cathedral area and waterfront a full day. Walk into a few of the smaller streets, stop for something to eat and leave the afternoon flexible. A city stay does not need a different beach excursion every morning to feel complete.

For an island outing, choose a town, walk or beach first and then check how to get there. A bus stop near a place name may still leave a long walk to the cove you pictured. Compare the last return with the daylight and the time you want to spend there.

Buy the cathedral visit you actually want

The official cathedral page lists €11 for adult admission to the cathedral and Museum of Sacred Art. The cathedral-and-terraces option is €25. A terrace-only visit is another product, so check the inclusions instead of choosing by a photograph of the roof.

The terrace route has stairs and access restrictions, including a minimum age above nine. Check the booking calendar and the requirements for your group. If the climb does not suit you, the indoor visit is a substantial choice on its own.

Keep city and island buses distinct

A1 is the airport bus for Palma centre; A2 goes towards s'Arenal. Choose the route for your address and follow the terminal signs for the current stop location. The ordinary cash-onboard airport single is €5 without an included transfer. Bank-card payment has separate discounts. Do not assume an ordinary city ticket covers the airport.

On TIB island buses, a contactless bank card can pay for a group of up to five travelling together. Tap in once for each person and tap out once for the group, using the same card and device. The network has different rules at train gates, and these instructions are not a description of every EMT city bus.

Choose meals that fit the day

A bakery breakfast or a llonguet sandwich can be useful before an outing. For an ensaïmada to take home, check the size and filling before ordering; a large boxed pastry is a different purchase from a single breakfast portion.

For dinner, compare the actual menu and setting instead of treating a whole neighbourhood as cheap or expensive. If your room has cooking facilities, a simple meal there can leave more room for a restaurant you are interested in later.

Treat Ibiza as a change of island

A ferry to Ibiza is a travel day with port transfers, check-in and a new place to stay. Compare the full Baleària journey for your date, including the fare for visitors who are not residents. Palma accommodation does not cover an overnight stay on Ibiza.

For a short break, staying on Mallorca may give you more time to enjoy it. If you do choose two islands, keep the ferry day free of an essential timed visit and confirm your accommodation on each island separately.