Palma de Mallorca tours and tickets
Palma is a compact city by the sea, and most of its sights need no booking. The cathedral terraces and the Sóller train are the main tickets, and both fill in August. Day trips to the mountains and beaches are easiest with a car or a guided trip. Boat trips and sunset sails are best booked a day or two ahead.
Book these first
- Cathedral terraces tour
- A few days ahead, 1 to 2 weeks in August. The terraces are a separate booking from the main visit, run only from March to November, and start every 30 minutes.
- The Sóller train
- A day or two ahead in summer. The 10:10 from Palma is the busiest departure, and the train stops for maintenance for a few weeks between December and early February.
- Dinner at DINS Santi Taura or El Camino
- 2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer. Both take bookings online. DINS Santi Taura seats at 20:00 and 21:00 from Tuesday to Saturday and holds the table with a card guarantee.
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Churches and palaces
Palma Cathedral (La Seu)
A huge Gothic cathedral facing the sea, with a rose window, Gaudí's canopy and modern work by Miquel Barceló. Tickets include an audio guide, and a terraces tour reaches the roof.
Which to pick. Buy online for a morning slot. Book the terraces tour a few days ahead, and a week or two in August.
A few days ahead, 1 to 2 weeks in AugustVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPalau de l'Almudaina
The royal palace beside the cathedral, with state rooms and a chapel, still used for official events. Entry has a ticket, and audio guides are available.
Which to pick. Combine it with the cathedral in one morning. Buy at the door unless it is August, when queues build.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBellver Castle
A round castle on a wooded hill above the bay, with a museum of the city's history and a rooftop with views. It can be reached by bus or on foot.
Which to pick. Go in the late afternoon for the light. Buy at the door, and take the bus up if the day is hot.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
Es Baluard
A modern and contemporary art museum in the old bastions, with works by Miró, Picasso and Mallorcan artists and a rooftop terrace on the sea wall.
Which to pick. Buy at the door. Allow two hours, and use the terrace café for a break.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorFundació Pilar i Joan Miró
The artist's studio and a gallery of his later work, in a quiet garden above the sea west of the center.
Which to pick. Take a taxi or bus, and buy at the door. A guided visit gives more on how he worked.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Sóller by the historic train
A wooden train that runs from Palma through the Tramuntana mountains to the town of Sóller, and a tram to the port. The route takes about an hour each way.
Which to pick. Book a morning departure in summer, and buy return tickets ahead. Seats on the sunny side fill first.
A day or two ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorValldemossa and Deià
Two mountain villages with stone houses, olive groves and a former monastery where Chopin stayed. A guided tour or a drive links them with the coast road.
Which to pick. Take a guided trip or a rental car. Public buses run, but are slow, and a tour handles the parking and the views.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorEs Trenc and the south coast
A long, undeveloped beach on the south coast, with white sand and clear water, about 45 minutes from the city by road. A few boat trips cover the nearby coves.
Which to pick. Go by car or a guided trip on a weekday. Take food and water, since facilities are limited.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Sunset sail
A catamaran or sailing boat trip along the bay at sunset, with a drink. Trips last two to three hours and leave from the port.
Which to pick. Choose a small boat for a calmer evening. Book a day or two ahead in summer.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorBoat trip to the bays
A day cruise to the quiet coves on the south-west coast, with swimming stops in clear water, snorkeling gear and lunch on board. Trips usually last five to seven hours.
Which to pick. Go on a calm day and take sun protection. Book a weekday departure, which is less crowded.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Food tours and classes
Mallorcan tapas tour
A guided evening walk through the old town with stops for tapas, sobrassada, ensaimadas and local wine, plus stories about how the island eats and drinks. Most tours last about three hours.
Which to pick. Join a small group and say what you cannot eat. Book a weekday evening for a quieter pace.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on ViatorMarket and cooking class
A class that starts at the Olivar market, where you choose produce with the cook, and ends with a meal made from the ingredients you bought there, with wine.
Which to pick. Book a morning session so the market is at its best. Classes are small and fill up in summer, so reserve before you arrive.
A week ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Palma de Mallorca
Do I need to book the cathedral?
Not usually, except for the terraces tour. In August book a few days ahead for a smoother visit.
Is the Sóller train worth it?
Yes, for the scenery and the old wooden carriages. It is slower than a bus, so treat it as the activity, not the transport.
Can I see the island without a car?
Yes, the main sights have buses, and the Sóller train and guided trips fill the gaps. A car helps for the beaches and the north.
What is free in Palma?
Walking the old town, the sea promenade and the markets is free. Some churches charge, and museums have free hours on some days.
Is a sunset sail worth it?
On a clear evening, yes. The cathedral and the bay look their best from the water.
What can wait until I arrive?
The old town, markets, Bellver and Es Baluard can all be done on the day. Book the cathedral terraces, the Sóller train and a restaurant first in summer.