With around 300 days of sunshine every year, Palma de Mallorca is perfect for a city break over those bleak winter months.
For adventurous families looking to occupy teens, or an old group of friends seeking some cultural exploration alongside great tapas and wine, the beautiful city of Palma has it all. From shopping, international restaurants and a vibrant nightlife scene to historical monuments, museums and stunning architecture… Palma’s abundant winter sunshine is just the icing on the cake.
Here's why we think Palma de Mallorca is so exceptional during those European winter months, alongside some suggestions on how best to spend your city break whilst on the wonderful island of Mallorca.
When it comes to shopping, this city is full of designer boutiques, shoe shops, interior design outlets and independent stores that have led to Palma’s unique retail originality. For those in need of everything and anything, two large branches of the Spanish department store, El Corte Inglés, are located within the city’s centre alongside all your usual favourite high-street and designer shops found in most major European cities.
Don’t forget, Palma’s markets are a great place to swing by for Mallorcan pintxos or a quick oyster accompanied by a ‘copa de cava’ in the vibrant halls of Mercat de l’Olivar or Mercat de Santa Catalina. These authentic undercover food markets are where the locals come for their weekly shopping, especially fresh fruit, veg, spices, and local meat and you’ll find tourists pining after the speciality cured meats, cheese, fresh pasta and olive oil.
When choosing Palma as a city break, the city centre is a great place to stay keeping you in the action and allowing you to maximise your precious time without having to travel too far for anything. Thanks to Mallorca’s ever-increasing popularity and annual increase in visitors, accommodation options in the capital city continue to expand and improve. Most of the hotels offer modern, high-quality accommodation whilst maintaining their historic charm and 19th century roots. You’ll often find top-notch restaurants and exquisite bars within the hotels themselves, alongside underground wellness spas and rooftop pools upon grand terraces, all with views of the cathedral, harbour, and distant mountains.
This charming hotel is located in the historical old town, in the very heart of Palma de Mallorca. It is within easy walking distance of attractions such as the 10th century Arab baths and Palma's breathtaking gothic Cathedral.
Set in the heart of Palma, on the tree-lined avenue of Paseo del Borne, you'll find the new and beautifully decorated Can Alomar hotel.
This hotel is specialised in golf, and they also have a spa. Sand-hued walls, terracotta coloured roofs, wood beam ceilings, and intimate lighting will greet you there.
Surrounded by little streets and green patios the Convent was in previous times dedicated to the formation of missionaries and is nowadays renovated and transformed into a stylish and sophisticated hotel.
The Portixol combines old tradition with modern style and comfort in a unique way. This small and exclusive hotel is beautifully situated in the Portixol harbour within easy walking distance of the centre of Palma and its majestic cathedral.
At the Hotel Palau Sa Font vibrant colours, modern artwork and designer furniture welcome guests to a hotel with charm and personality that offers a warm and familiar kind of service. The hotel has a real connection with its local neighbourhood from the local shop to the farmer supplying the organic olive oil.
Palma’s flourishing restaurant scene offers remarkable variety, from classic tapas to modern, flavour-packed twists. Across the old town and La Lonja, you’ll find traditional favourites alongside stylish newcomers, while Santa Catalina’s Calle Fàbrica buzzes with bars, bistros and brunch spots. Affordable menú del día options sit happily beside Michelin-starred hotel restaurants and tasting menus. Now firmly one of Spain’s most exciting food cities, Palma also shines for international cuisine, including excellent sushi and Asian dining.
La Despensa del Barón, located in the historic centre of Palma de Mallorca, offers a true taste of the island’s gastronomy. Situated within the charming Posada Terra Santa, this Mediterranean restaurant goes beyond simple dining, inviting guests to connect with the local history, traditions, and ingredients sourced just a few kilometres away.
Located just off one of Palma’s busiest shopping streets, Cappuccino Café San Miguel offers a calm and stylish retreat in the heart of the city. Part of Mallorca’s well-known Cappuccino Café collection, this branch reflects the brand’s signature blend of elegant design and relaxed Mediterranean charm, making it a popular choice with both locals and visitors.
Maria 5 Urban Restaurant in Palma brings the signature spirit of Maria 5 Beach to the heart of the city. Located in Plaza Cort, just opposite the Ayuntamiento, this urban venue blends contemporary design with warm, traditional touches inside, while the lively terrace offers a vibrant city atmosphere.
Feliz Restaurant in Palma is the ultimate spot to drink, eat, sleep, and repeat - all in one place. Perfectly located within the Hotel Feliz, this vibrant eatery welcomes both hotel guests and visitors alike for a relaxed yet stylish dining experience. Open daily for lunch and dinner, it’s easy to drop in whenever the mood strikes for a refreshing drink, a leisurely meal, or a special evening out.
Housed in a striking colonial-style building at the edge of Palma’s trendy Santa Catalina district, this is a long-standing local favourite that blends good food, great views and a vibrant social scene. Having made its mark in recent years as one of the more sophisticated venues within the hip city district, its Sky Bar is undoubtedly a great choice in which to start your night. Just a few blocks from the island’s best-known food market, the kitchen makes the most of fresh, seasonal produce, creating a menu of healthy, flavourful dishes served from breakfast through to late dinner.
Beatnik Bar and Restaurant, located in the heart of Palma at Purohotel, offers a globally inspired dining experience with a playful, adventurous edge. The menu blends bright Mediterranean flavours with exotic spices from Asia and Latin America, creating a fusion that is both fresh and exciting.
Whether you’re after a simple thirst quencher or an inventive cocktail, Palma delivers from morning to night. The city is brimming with traditional cafés, independent bars, specialist breweries, gin experts and stylish rooftop terraces. Wander the streets and you’ll find everything from a quick coffee or cold Spanish beer to regional wines and generous G&Ts. As evening falls, rooftop bars steal the show, offering sunset views best enjoyed with a well-crafted drink in hand.
Housed in a striking colonial-style building at the edge of Palma’s trendy Santa Catalina district, this is a long-standing local favourite that blends good food, great views and a vibrant social scene. Having made its mark in recent years as one of the more sophisticated venues within the hip city district, its Sky Bar is undoubtedly a great choice in which to start your night. Just a few blocks from the island’s best-known food market, the kitchen makes the most of fresh, seasonal produce, creating a menu of healthy, flavourful dishes served from breakfast through to late dinner.
De Tokio a Lima Bar in Palma offers a relaxed rooftop experience with a focus on exceptional cocktails. Located above the iconic Paseo del Borne, the bar combines city views with a menu of drinks designed to impress. Each cocktail is carefully prepared using quality spirits, fresh ingredients, and inventive combinations that highlight flavour and balance.
Beatnik Bar and Restaurant, located in the heart of Palma at Purohotel, offers a globally inspired dining experience with a playful, adventurous edge. The menu blends bright Mediterranean flavours with exotic spices from Asia and Latin America, creating a fusion that is both fresh and exciting.
The perfect place for a post-work pint, or an energetic evening with a bunch of friends and a buzzing atmosphere.
Forn de Sant Joan Restaurant in Palma is a celebrated fine dining destination, combining Mediterranean culinary traditions with contemporary flair. Housed in a historic 14th-century building in La Lonja, the restaurant was originally a bakery before being transformed in 1992 by founder Joan Baqués. Today, it offers an elegant setting where the charm of Palma’s old town meets sophisticated gastronomy.
This great casual hangout for larger groups of friends or family, offers the perfect spot to lounge in the evenings or on the weekends.
Palma is rich in history, architecture and culture, with plenty to explore on foot. The city’s magnificent Gothic cathedral dominates the skyline as you approach from the airport, overlooking the bay and standing as one of Mallorca’s most iconic landmarks. Beyond it, the old town unfolds in a maze of stone alleys, elegant patios and Gaudí-inspired buildings. Passeig des Born is perfect for a leisurely coffee, while nearby streets lead deep into the historic centre. For sea views, stroll or cycle along the harbour promenade. Cultural highlights include Es Baluard, Museu de Mallorca and the Miró Foundation.
The Gran Hotel was Palma's first luxury hotel when it opened in 1903. Designed by the Catalan architect Lluis Domenech I Montaner, it was the building that began the craze for modernists (art nouveau) architecture in the city.
A wonderful 18th-century Baroque building with feature courtyard and decorative touches, Casal Solleric is now home to temporary exhibitions specialising in contemporary art and photography.
The Plaça Major is Palma's main square and one of the busiest in Palma being also a city landmark. Rectangular in shape and surrounded by historic arcaded buildings, it was once the headquarters of the Inquisition. This rectangular space surrounded by traditional yellow buildings with green shutters has been the centre of the city life throughout the centuries.
For more than a century this short, tree-lined promenade has been at the heart of city life; it has witnessed fiestas, demonstrations and countless generations of families enjoying an evening stroll. During the Franco era it was renamed after the dictator, but everyone still called it 'the Born'. Now lined with a selection of mid and high range shops, the central promenade also hosts music and dancing during Palma's many fiestas.
The Museu Fundación Juan March houses a small collection of 20th century Spanish art shich belonged to the Mallorcan banker Joan March, once one of the world's richest men.
The small and charming square of Plaça Cort, located in the heart of the city, is famous for the ancient olive tree ('Olivera de Cort') that stands in the centre. The square is named 'Cort' because it was here where the feudal court gathered. The town hall dominates the plaça, built between 1649 and 1680 by local architects Pere Bauçá, Miquel Oliver and Bartomeu Calafat, its façade has been decorated with Mannerist and Baroque style features.
Find out all about what is happening in Mallorca and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, fabulous beaches, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see, and experience on the island.
See allLatest News & ReviewsThe island hosts all sorts of events, including agricultural fairs in the spring and autumn, live music and DJs in the summer, religious fiestas and international sporting events. Some of the most popular are the Mallorca 312 cycling race in April, the Copa del Rey sailing regatta in July and the Moors vs Christians mock battle in September.
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