Art, culture, leisure, commerce, history—you name it, Palma de Mallorca’s Old Town delivers. Amble through its narrow, medieval cobbled streets and soak up centuries of history, from the Gothic cathedral to Moorish palaces, surrounded by great food and a sunny ambiance. Peer into hidden, flower-filled courtyards and check out cool tapas bars as you stroll.
You can sit with a coffee in a quiet courtyard or plaza or wander further still to feel the rhythms of Mallorca’s vibrant capital city. Old Town Palma, an ideal stop for culture and historical vibes, is a delight to explore.
Attractions in Old Town Palma
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
The 14th-century Royal Palace of La Almudaina, or Palau de l’Almudaina, is a grand Moorish fortress rebuilt and repurposed over the centuries to serve as the seat of the Spanish monarchs when residing on the beautiful island of Mallorca.
With Islamic, Gothic, and Renaissance design elements, among other styles, the palace showcases imposing halls and elaborate décor, including medieval paintings, tapestries, and ornate furniture, letting you glimpse the luxurious lives the ruling classes led in the past.
Perched above the sea and overlooking Palma’s harbor, La Almudaina was also a defensive bulwark for one of the Mediterranean’s most important ancient cities.
Walking through its courtyards and gardens today, you can enjoy the art and architecture here, accompanied by splendid vistas of Old Town Palma and the Mediterranean Sea.
La Lonja de Palma
La Lonja de Palma
La Lonja de Palma, or Llotja de Palma in Catalan, accessible from the waterfront and part of the old city center, is a brilliant site for late Gothic architecture.
Built in the 15th century, La Lonja was Palma’s commercial hub in the Middle Ages. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by impressive columns with twisting patterns merging with the vaulted ceiling above.
The building, erected by the sculptor Guillem Sagrera, often hosts art exhibitions these days, which you can attend. If you’re an architecture enthusiast, take note of the robust façade and then be wowed by the spectacular interior with its web of elegant columns and arched ceilings.
Palma Cathedral
Palma Cathedral
Palma’s glorious cathedral, La Seu, is the most impressive building you’ll find in Palma de Mallorca Old Town. You’ll know it at first sight, as its towering spires and intricately carved Gothic façades are hard to miss.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, built upon a former mosque, comes with a sweeping interior nave built to impress. La Seu’s architectural styles reflect centuries of Mallorcan history, including Morisco, Gothic, and Baroque, among others.
One of the cathedral’s most striking features is its enormous rose window, which bathes the interior in luminous colors.
Palma Cathedral
The cathedral also boasts some striking modernist additions, including stained glass windows—which employ trichromatic color theory—designed by a disciple of the famous Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí.
La Seu also sits close to the sea, granting you panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the Old Town, making this building worth visiting for its size, beauty, historical importance, and stellar views.
Banys Àrabs
Banys Àrabs
As soon as you enter the 10th-century Banys Àrabs, the old Arab baths, you’ll be transported back to Palma’s Moorish past. Inside this small, domed space, you’ll find yourself in front of a set of columns and arches emblematic of an ancient Islamic bathhouse.
And while much of the bathhouse complex, situated in a former manor, is gone, you can still visit the caldarium, or hot bath, and tepidarium, the warm bath areas or pause in the lovely garden to contemplate the centuries that have passed since these baths were first built.
Can Forteza Rey
Can Forteza Rey
Can Forteza Rey, just south of Plaça Major, is a striking building with colorful mosaics and elaborate decorations, making it one of the most stimulating architectural attractions in Palma de Mallorca’s Old Town.
As you approach Can Forteza Rey, you’ll notice an explosion of cheerful modernity, which stands in stark contrast to some of the more somber Gothic and medieval architecture that defines so much of the beautiful Spanish city.
Built by the Modernist architect Luís Forteza Rey in the early part of the 20th century, the building features Art Nouveau craftsmanship and eye-popping colors, all coming with a playful, modernist design.
The attention given to the decorative mosaics and the building’s whimsical, striated façade makes Can Forteza Rey a memorable stop during your rambles around Old Town Palma.
Things to Do in Old Town Palma
Stroll Along Passeig des Born
Passeig des Born
Passeig des Born is a wide street lined by old buildings and marked on either end by two stone sphinxes. The avenue is also lined with trees, creating soft shade, which will enable you to comfortably stroll through the city center on a hot day.
During your stroll, you’ll encounter plenty of great spots to shop at the high-end boutiques or, if you’re in the mood, delightful outdoor cafés, ideal for a cooling ice cream break between purchases.
Visit Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Fire up your creative side by visiting Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which features impressive works from contemporary artists like Barceló, Cézanne, Kiefer, Miró, and Picasso, from Mallorca and abroad.
Baluard is also a hub of cultural programming, with educational programs, workshops, special events, and exhibitions offering visitors the opportunity to interact with and enjoy modern Spanish and European art.
This Spanish museum, connected to the city’s ancient city walls, is a place of majesty—as are the views from its terrace and the museum’s café, which overlooks Palma’s harbor and La Seu Cathedral.
Sample Tapas at a Local Bar
Tapas
While exploring Old Town Palma, if you feel peckish, take advantage of Spain’s tapas and eat like a local. Depending on your hunger levels, you could even make a tapas crawl out of it.
Sampling tapas at a local bar is one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with Mallorca’s food culture. As you wander about, try tapas like pimientos de padrón, which are small green peppers, jamón ibérico, oxtail croquettes, patatas bravas, and other dishes.
The fun part of eating tapas is that you’ll get a variety of dishes to share with friends or fellow travelers, all paired with a glass of local wine or a cool, refreshing caña, a small beer.
You can devour delicious tapas at places such as Tapas Palma, Bar Espanya, Vermutería San Jaime, and other bars that perfectly reflect the vibe of the food they serve.
Shop at Mercat de l’Olivar
Mercat de l’Olivar
Head to Mercat de l’Olivar in Palma de Mallorca’s Old Town for fresh, seasonal vegetables, traditional spices, and fish recently caught from the Mediterranean.
This large, covered market is a riot of color, with stalls jam-packed full of fruit, cheese, olives, and sobrasada, a cured Mallorcan spiced pork sausage. If you fancy trying some local morsels while you shop, you can grab snacks or a drink at one of the market’s bars or food stalls.
Stock up on ingredients for later, or simply wander around Mercat de l’Olivar to bask in Palma’s food culture.
Enjoy a Coffee at Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor
For the quintessential Palma experience, there is perhaps no place better than Plaza Mayor, where you can relax in a café with a hot cup of coffee, tea, a cool beer, or a glass of wine while observing the beating heart of the Old Town.
Plaza Mayor, the former headquarters of the organizers of the Spanish Inquisition on the island, is the largest open square in Palma. This rectangular plaza, surrounded by magnificent buildings, is a lively bastion of activity.
The terrace restaurants and pavement cafés are ideal spots to sit and watch the world go by. Have a café con leche or a sweet ensaimada rolled pastry here. After your plaza break, you’ll be within easy reach of many of Palma’s chicest boutiques and centrally located sights.
Join an Old Town Palma Bike Tour
Palma Cathedral
If you’re short on time, a great, eco-friendly way to discover Palma de Mallorca Old Town is on a bike tour lasting several hours. You’ll cover lots of ground as you pedal along cobblestone streets in the old quarter.
Whether you rent a bike on your own or join an official tour, you’ll see more on two wheels than you could see on foot. A typical itinerary takes you to iconic locales like the Cathedral of La Seu, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, and, of course, Plaza Mayor.
Additionally, you’ll discover many delightful hidden spots as you cycle down tiny alleyways, through beautiful courtyards, and past the old town walls; all the more reason to become a pedal-powered city explorer.
Restaurants
Tapas
Arlequin Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
Arlequin is a great spot for drinks and food served with a contemporary twist, including mini burgers, pulled pork tacos, creative cocktails, and a variety of tapas. The lively, circus-like atmosphere and décor here make this restaurant the perfect place for some fun and tasty nourishment.
Forn de Sant Joan
For a stylish meal, Forn de Sant Joan, a former bakery, combines Mediterranean and international flavors with flair. You can have tapas, seafood, grilled meats, and more while dining at an elegantly set table for lunch or dinner. Go for a spot on one of the restaurant’s four floors to enjoy the historic setting.
El Camino
One of the most delicious tapas restaurants in town, El Camino offers a traditional Spanish food experience with a modern, lively energy, with chic décor surrounding you.
Its long countertop bar will give you a front-row seat to the chefs who prepare your food and tapas from fresh ingredients, right in front of your eyes, making this a magnificent spot for a snack, meal, or glass of wine.
Bondo Cocina
Bondo Cocina, in the heart of Old Town Palma, adheres to a farm-to-table ethos, offering food made from seasonal ingredients with an emphasis on sustainable and traceable produce.
Bondo puts passion down on the plate in the pursuit of Argentinian and Mallorcan flavors. It is a small restaurant, so reservations are highly recommended if you want to experience this venue’s modern take on tapas and tapas-inspired meals.
Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo
For traditional Mallorcan pastries and sweets, make your way to the old-fashioned Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo. A favorite among locals, this café, situated in a historical building, serves ensaimadas, hot chocolate for dipping baked goods, ice cream, and other delectable pastries to accompany your coffee, tea, or juice.
Travel Tips
Old Town Palma
If you enjoy art, you’ll find some cool galleries in Old Town Palma, including Gerhardt Braun Gallery, Galería Horrach Moyà, Gallery RED, and ABA Art Lab, all presenting works by local artists. Wander down the city’s side streets, away from the crowds, to find some of these galleries and others.
Instead of buying souvenirs at typical tourist shops in the main squares and busier areas, consider picking up something more stylish from local artisanal producers. Arquinesia is great for designer perfumes and soaps and Terra Cuita for handmade ceramics. Try Cortana for handmade clothing and textiles, too.
Restaurant in Old Town Palma
And here’s a foodie tip: drop in on a few specialist shops such as the delicatessen Colmado Santo Domingo, a bodega wine cellar like La Viniloteca, which also sells vinyl. Or check out a shop like La Pajarita to savor local delicacies including sobrasada, Mallorcan liqueurs, natural wines, bonbons, and olive oil, all of which make excellent gifts.
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Old Town Palma
Explore Palma’s Old Town on one of Celebrity’s cruises to Mallorca and soak up the charm of this enchanting island capital.
