Weekend in Palma de Mallorca
Trip Overview
Two days in Palma de Mallorca is enough to taste the island capital's full flavor. You'll slip down honey-colored sandstone alleys, bite into smoky sobrasada at century-old markets, and feel cool marble underfoot inside Europe's most dazzling Gothic cathedral. The rhythm pairs headline sights with lazy stretches of sand, then fades into candlelit plazas and the soft clink of ice against vermouth glasses.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$120-180 per day
Best Seasons
April through October
Ideal For
First-time visitors, Weekend escapees, Architecture lovers, Food enthusiasts
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Historic Heart & Harbor Views
Palma Old Town
Gothic grandeur meets seaside charm in the city's ancient core
Morning
La Seu Cathedral & Royal Palace
Step through the rose-filtered glow of the cathedral's 14th-century rose window, then climb to the terraces where salt wind brings the scent of pine from distant mountains. Next door, Almudaina Palace frames Moorish arches against the harbor's cobalt sweep.
Buy tickets at 10am to avoid cruise ship crowds
Lunch
Ca'n Joan de S'Aigo
Afternoon
Arab Baths & Old Town Stroll
Let orange-blossom perfume guide you through narrow lanes to the 10th-century Arab Baths, where palm fronds throw shadows across ancient stone. Slip into antique shops smelling of leather and old paper along Carrer de Sant Feliu.
Evening
Harbor-front dining & sunset drinks
Start at Bar Cuba for vermouth on their terrace, then dinner at Tabana overlooking the yacht masts
Where to Stay Tonight
Casco Histórico (Hotel Sant Jaume)
Steps from the cathedral with rooftop views over terracotta tiles
See all Palma de Mallorca accommodation options →The cathedral's south door opens at 8:30am for free (donation suggested) before ticketed hours begin
Day 1 Budget: $130
2
Beach Bliss & Bohemian Nights
Santa Catalina & Portixol
Morning sand between your toes, evening tapas in the city's coolest quarter
Morning
Playa de Palma & Es Portixol
Pedal the palm-lined path from Portixol's fishing boats to the wide arc of Playa de Palma. Warm sand carries traces of seaweed while the water glitters turquoise. Pause for ensaïmada pastries at Forn de la Gloria, where the sweet, buttery scent fills the morning air.
Rent bikes from Palma on Bike near Plaza de la Reina
Lunch
Mercat de l'Olivar
Afternoon
Santa Catalina neighborhood exploration
This former fishing quarter beats with energy as you weave between vintage clothing stores smelling of cedar and pocket-sized bars serving smoked octopus. The covered market's iron frame rings with vendors shouting the day's catch.
Evening
Rooftop cocktails & late-night tapas
Watch the sun set from Nakar Hotel's rooftop, then graze at La Rosa Vermuterían until midnight
Where to Stay Tonight
Santa Catalina (Hotel Nakar)
Modern rooms above the best nightlife strip, 5-minute walk to the harbor
See all Palma de Mallorca accommodation options →The #15 bus from Portixol drops you directly at Mercat de l'Olivar in 12 minutes
Day 2 Budget: $150
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Palma's compact historic center is entirely walkable. For beaches, rent bikes or use EMT buses (#15, #25) that run every 15 minutes from Plaça d'Espanya. Taxis from the airport cost a flat rate and take 15 minutes to reach downtown.
Book Ahead
Book your Palma de Mallorca hotels in Casco Histórico or Santa Catalina two weeks ahead for summer weekends. Cathedral tickets can be purchased day-of except during Easter and July.
Packing Essentials
Swimwear for impromptu beach stops, comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones, light sweater for evening harbor breezes, sunglasses for the intense Mediterranean sun
Total Budget
$280-330 for the weekend
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Stay at Hostal Apuntadores in the Old Town, eat lunch menus at bars near Mercat de l'Olivar for under €12, and use city bikes instead of rentals. Focus on free things to do in Palma de Mallorca like beach walks and Old Town wandering.
Luxury Upgrade
Upgrade to Hotel Cort's suites with cathedral views, book a private guided tour of La Seu Cathedral's rooftop terraces, dine at Marc Fosh's Michelin-starred restaurant, and arrange sunset yacht cruises from Muelle Viejo.
Family-Friendly
Base yourself near Playa de Palma for direct beach access, visit Palma Aquarium in the morning when it's less crowded, order simple grilled fish at beach chiringuitos, and take the vintage wooden train to Sóller for a memorable day trip from Palma de Mallorca.
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