Palma de Mallorca is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to explore, eat, and relax their way through a city in the heart of this island in the Mediterranean. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting for work or pleasure, Palma de Mallorca has something for the intrepid traveler, digital nomad, or family vacationer.
Starting in Palma’s old town, we are going to take a tour around the southwest coast and stop off at some of the best locations around the island for your travel itinerary.
Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca in the city
Palma de Mallorca is the capital and largest city of Spain’s Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s world-famous for its sandy beaches, culture, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and pristine Catalan architecture. The city’s Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a lot to offer, with some of the must-see tourist attractions like the ‘La Seu‘ Cathedral. It’s a great holiday destination in Spain. You can find cheap flights from other major Spanish cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia to the island that take less than 2 hours.
Visiting “Old Town Palma” is always highly recommended. Leave the map in your hotel room and let yourself wander around the cobbled streets, marveling at the views of historic architecture, grand churches, and scenic squares. You will be sure to stumble across many traditional restaurants and cafes, so food will not be an issue. One of my favorite places to eat is Ombu Tapas located on Passeig del Born. The perfect place to relax and enjoy a twist on the delicious Spanish Tapas Food. Overlooking the Fontaine on Passeig del Born, it really can be a romantic little stop-off.
If you prefer the more traditional Tapas, check out La Taperia Bar De Tapas, located on Carrer de Montenegro. You can immerse yourself in the beautiful Mallorcan atmosphere and enjoy freshly prepared tapas. Remember to book your hotels ahead of time, because this little gem does get busy very quickly in the summer months.
Playa de Palma
The Playa de Palma is a gorgeous beach that has been frequented by tourists and locals alike for decades. The beach is located in the Port of Palma and has an ambiance of complete relaxation. There are many shops and restaurants to enjoy, as well as a famous lighthouse situated at one end of the resort peninsula. The Playa de Palma is beautiful at all times of the day, but it looks even more stunning at night when the twinkling lights add to the romantic atmosphere.
One of Mallorca’s biggest holiday resorts stretching about 10km from the east of the city, the Blue Flag Beach stretches beyond Can Pastilla and finishes at the resort S’Arenal. Suitable for everyone looking for access to a beautiful beach. The great thing about this island is its ability to cater to everyone’s needs; with disability access to most beaches on the island, including this one.
Take a look at Assaona beach club where you can enjoy outstanding views overlooking the bay of Palma, whilst sipping a cocktail or enjoying some of the best local products from the sea and the land. You will be mainly coming here for the views as the service leaves somewhat to be desired.
Palma Nova
Palma Nova is located in the Calvia district and was one of the first purpose-built tourist destinations on the island. It extends from the coast to the town, which is separated by a large cliff. The most important road on the island, the Ma-11, leads through the town, so access from the city is very easy. With buses running around this area all the time. A local taxi ride from the city may cost around 20 – 35 euros depending on the time of year.
There are two beaches, one on each side of the town. On the north side is Platja des Canyamel, which stretches along the coastline, while on the south is Platja de Palma Nova, which faces east. There are also many bars and restaurants lining the shore of both beaches.
Platja des Canyamel is a large sandy beach with a promenade and three small beaches within walking distance. It has been awarded the blue flag for cleanliness. The beach restaurants are mainly at the west end of the beach, which means it isn’t too busy during the day. The restaurants serve everything from pizza to paella and there is a nice variety of cafes and bars on the promenade, which are ideal for enjoying a relaxing drink or meal at sunset.
Platja de Palma Nova is quieter and more peaceful, with a small beach around the headland. For a more traditional relaxing beach experience. Check out Il Chiringo for an amazing vibe serving fresh seafood, salads, and pasta dishes. The best part for families, it’s right on the beach, so the children can keep themselves entertained while you sip on Cava Sangria and enjoy the sunset.
Port d’Andratx
Port d’Andratx is a small coastal town with beautiful panoramic scenery, clean water, and amazing beaches. The harbor is charming with its old stone buildings still intact. Visit the Church of Sant Joan to see how beautifully it’s decorated inside. On the other side of the port is Fonoll Beach, a secluded little beach area accessible by steps.
Fancy doing something different? Jump on one of the many water taxis and take a trip around to the natural park; Dragonera. A small dragon-shaped island is completely uninhabited. Be sure to take plenty of fluids on your trip because there are no shops on the island.
If you want to head out of the Port you can visit Beach Club Gran Follies. With stunning views over the coast, you can enjoy premium service whilst relaxing in seafront hammocks. You could even enjoy a massage in this natural setting.
The hot summer weekends see plenty of evening music in the Port. Visit Tim’s Bar or Mitj and Mitj Bar to enjoy some of the best sunsets. Drink in the atmosphere and enjoy some of the best cocktails that the port has to offer.
Sant Elm
Finishing off a 5-day whistle-stop tour of South West Mallorca is Sant Elm, a stunning picturesque fishing village at the far Southwest corner of Mallorca. Also known as San Telmo in Spanish. With good quality restaurants, this town has an amazing local feel, with international holidaymakers buying homes around the area.
Water sports are very popular around this area in the winter months and that is reflected in the vibe of the beach bars. There is a small park on the edge of the beach, ideal for children and walking up the main pedestrianized street, some of the bars have games to keep the children amused. There are only a handful of hotels, making this resort a perfect place to keep away from the hustle and bustle that Palma has to offer.
Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca
Old Town has the historic charm and it shows in where you will be staying. They have guesthouses, luxury resorts, and boutique hotels for you. Getting away from the bustling city center and closer to the waters, you can find more trendy experiences involving beach life in the suburbs of Molinar and Portixol. Everything is still within walking distance so don’t feel like you are going to be out of the loop on what’s going on. You also have our other suggestions mentioned throughout this article.
The Southwest region of Mallorca is one of my favorite places to visit and having been to all of these locations with and without children, I always come away feeling relaxed and full of culture. Enjoy your holiday in Spain.
