What to see and do in the cosmopolitan capital
Palma is rich in culture, entertainment and gastronomy. Being relatively compact makes it an attractive and viable option for visitors short on time. Explore the historic streets on foot and excite your senses in this vibrant capital.
What follows is our perfect plan for a day in Mallorca's capital, from breakfast to late night. Savour what the city has to offer in just 24 hours.
The elegant tree-lined avenue of Passeig des Born is where you'll find luxury brands like Louis Vuitton as well as high-street chains Zara, Massimo Dutti and H&M. For something a little more original head into Rialto Living, a beautiful lifestyle store set in a former theatre offering an exciting range of products from furniture to leather-bound notebooks and boutique designer labels. It also has a great little café, the perfect pit-stop to refuel.
The pedestrianised street of Calle Sant Miquel, leading off from Plaça Major, is one of Palma's main areas for shopping. Here you'll find familiar chains such as Mango and Pull & Bear as well as top brands from the Baleares. There are lots of eclectic, independent shops down narrow side streets so it's best to forget the map and follow your nose. If you're still hankering for more shops head to Avenida Jaume III where you'll find the popular Spanish department store, El Corte Inglés alongside even more high street names.
If you're looking for a place to start the day and enjoy some breakfast, then the picturesque neighbourhood of Santa Catalina is the perfect spot to begin a whirlwind tour of Palma. Time slows down as you breakfast in the sunshine on Calle Anibal, a charming street of brightly coloured facades and painted wooden shutters. There are plenty of breakfast options available in the area offering a typical Mallorcan breakfast consisting of 'café con leche', 'pan con tomate' or different types of 'ensaïmada'.
You could also head to El Mercat de Santa Catalina, Palma's oldest food market where you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the early market whilst enjoying a coffee, or if it takes your fancy, you can buy your own breakfast ingredients there and have a picnic at the nearby Parque de la Feixina.
Rialto Cafe is based within Rialto Living, a designer store focussing on stylish and relaxed living. It is the perfect place for a relaxing break after a bit of retail therapy.
This lovely restaurant is popular with locals and tourists alike and is situated in the heart of Mallorca close to the main shopping streets of San Miguel, Jamie II and Sindicato.
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.
Cappuccino Café Borne is a stylish bistro in Palma, offering a light, airy interior and a large terrace. Open all day, it’s an ideal spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or simply a coffee or cocktail after a morning of shopping or a day at the beach.
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.
Cappuccino Café - Palau March is an elegant café and restaurant in the heart of Palma, offering a refined spot to relax while exploring the city centre. Housed in a beautiful historic building, the venue combines classic charm with modern style, providing a welcoming space both indoors and on its terrace.
From Santa Catalina, it's a five-minute stroll to Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art where you'll find works by major artists including Picasso and Miró. It's well worth climbing the stairs up to the decked terrace beside the museum for a spectacular view of the 800-year-old Cathedral La Seu and the port.
Rialto Living is Palma's most famous interior design and concept store. Located right in the heart of the city, it has a small art gallery inside with temporary art exhibitions.
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.
Just next to the cathedral is the impressive Palau March (Bartolome March Foundation) with a great collection of 20th century sculpture.
This small museum of religious and historical antefacts is based in a wing of the former episcopal palace tucked behind the cathedral.
Spain gets the theme-park treatment at this 'village' in the outskirts of Palma, where reproductions of famous buildings from Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid are gathered together with typical houses from the Spanish regions.
Billed as Mallorca's most important museum, this undoubtedly contains some fascinating exhibitsbut beware that it is difficult to get excited about bits of stone in glass cases if you do not understand the captions. The museum has recently been refurbished, so we are hoping it is now more tourist-friendly.
The wonderful thing about dining on tapas is that you can try out lots of different restaurants, not to mention countless flavours, in one evening. La Ruta Martiana is a popular tapas route that takes place in the Sa Gerreria neighbourhood every Tuesday. However, don't let arriving on a different day stop you indulging in one of the favourite rituals of the island.
This gem of a restaurant is situated in Palma's old town. It has a simple yet charming interior as well as tables outside which are a popular choice on warm summer evenings.
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.
La Vermutería De Can Cera offers a refined taste of Mallorca in the heart of Palma’s old town. Nestled within the courtyard of the elegant Can Cera boutique hotel, the restaurant blends Mediterranean flavours with a stylish, art-filled setting.
Vandal Restaurant in Palma brings a bold and contemporary approach to dining, offering guests more than just a meal - it’s a full sensory experience. Founded on a philosophy of creativity and expression, Vandal was born as a space to share the passions and lessons its team has gathered from their culinary journey around the world.
La Casa Gallega brings the very best of Galicia to the heart of Mallorca, offering a warm and welcoming dining experience for locals and visitors alike. This family-run restaurant, part of the renowned Grupo Babuxa, combines generations of hospitality expertise with a passion for quality and flavour.
La Paloma restaurant, nestled in the heart of La Lonja, Mallorca, offers a dining experience that combines history and flavour. Housed in a charming medieval building, the restaurant provides a unique setting where guests can enjoy the best of Spanish cuisine while surrounded by centuries of architectural heritage.
Palma has a vibrant nightlife, however, many bars don't get animated until well after midnight so there's plenty of time for a show before the dancing starts. For an evening of entertainment check out the Teatre Principal where an assortment of shows take place. Alternatively, you'll find listings for ballets, plays and flamenco at the Auditorium on the Paseo Maritimo, which is where the main partying breaks out. Jazz lovers might be interested in visiting one of Palma’s jazz clubs.
Perhaps some cocktails could be on the cards before hitting the dance floor? Head to the Old town and once you are ready to throw some shapes on the dance floor direct yourself to the late-night bars and clubs dotted along the Paseo Maritimo.
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.
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.
Arlequin Cocktail Bar & Kitchen, in Palma’s old town, is a fun and creative spot for drinks and snacks. With a circus-inspired theme and the playful slogan ‘we’re all mad here’, the bar offers a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
Small winding streets, lined with beautifully painted, traditional Mallorcan houses lead you up cobbled streets to Plaça del Vapor, a gorgeous and typically Spanish plaza filled with orange trees. You’ll find Sala Luna in the centre of this Plaça, surrounded by a beautiful, open-air courtyard. Once inside you'll experience one of Palma’s more upmarket late night venues, with exceptional views and a packed dance floor.
Lorien Bar is a local favourite in the heart of Palma, perfect for craft beer enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Situated in the city centre, this relaxed bar has built a reputation for its impressive selection of beers from around the world, making it a must-visit spot for anyone who appreciates quality brews.
Even with limited time in Palma, there is no need for a hasty lunch. There are plenty of options a short walk away from Passeig des Born. Our advice is to look out for boards announcing 'Menu del Día', a three-course menu which will cost between €9 and €30, including a bottle of wine.
This gem of a restaurant is situated in Palma's old town. It has a simple yet charming interior as well as tables outside which are a popular choice on warm summer evenings.
De Tokio a Lima Restaurant in Palma de Mallorca offers a unique fusion dining experience where Mediterranean traditions meet the vibrant flavours of Japan and Peru. Situated within the boutique Can Alomar Hotel, this stylish restaurant combines sleek, modern interiors with warm, inviting touches. Dark walls and wood floors are softened by large floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the space with natural light and providing access to a terrace with sweeping views over Palma’s iconic Passeig del Born.
Nestled in a historic enclave just a few metres from Palma Cathedral and the sea, DINS Santi Taura is a culinary jewel in Mallorca’s old town. Located in the vibrant Sa Calatrava neighbourhood, where centuries of history meet contemporary life, this Michelin-starred restaurant (holder of two Repsol Suns) offers a unique perspective on Mallorcan gastronomy.
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.
Quadrat Restaurant and Garden at Hotel Sant Francesc offers a relaxed yet refined dining experience in the heart of Palma. With its entrance on the charming Plaza Sant Francesc, the restaurant is divided into three distinct areas, each designed to provide a welcoming space for guests to enjoy a leisurely meal at any time of day.
Marc Fosh Restaurant in Palma de Mallorca is a premier destination for contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Situated within the stylish 17th-century Hotel Convent de la Missió in the old town, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers a modern and relaxed setting where gastronomy takes centre stage.
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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