Palma de Mallorca doesn’t reward rushing. It’s not a “tick-the-box” city, it’s one where history stacks on itself: Roman roots, Islamic rule, Gothic ambition, and modern Mediterranean ease. But if you only have two days (which, let’s be honest, is how most trips start), you can still experience the city’s defining landmarks without feeling like you’re sprinting between them.

The key is to anchor your time around Palma’s architectural icons and then balance them with experiences.

A cathedral that catches the sea light at sunset, a castle built for views before Instagram existed, and a century-old train that still does things the slow way. Palma rewards those who plan just enough to avoid friction like sold-out tickets, long queues, or missed time slots while leaving space to wander.

Here’s how to do it properly and see one of Spain’s charming towns without hurrying through it.

Best hotels in Palma de Mallorca

Palma Cathedral (La Seu)

There are cities where the cathedral blends into the skyline, and then there’s Palma where the cathedral is the skyline.

The Palma Cathedral’s construction began in 1229, shortly after King James I of Aragon conquered Mallorca. The construction took 400 years. The cathedral became a vast Gothic masterpiece stretching 121 metres in length, with a nave soaring to approximately 44 metres making it one of the tallest Gothic interiors in Europe.

Dominating the structure, an enormous rose window nearly 14 metres in diameter floods the interior with shifting, kaleidoscopic light throughout the day.

Its extraordinary location further distinguishes it. Architects built the cathedral directly overlooking the Mediterranean sea, placing it among the very few Gothic cathedrals in Europe with such a dramatic seaside setting.

Visitors should take their time here. By midday, queues often stretch long, particularly during peak season, so booking a ticket online or getting guided tour in advance ensures a smoother experience.

Early morning and late afternoon visits offer the best light, fewer crowds, and a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere that allows the architecture to truly breathe.

Royal Palace of La Almudaina

Directly adjacent to the cathedral, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina reveals a different perspective on Palma’s past – one that predates the Gothic grandeur next door.

Muslim rulers originally constructed the palace as an Islamic fortress during their rule over Mallorca. After the Christian reconquest, King James I and his successors transformed it into a royal residence. Today, the Spanish royal family maintains it as an official residence and uses it for state ceremonies when visiting the island.

Architecturally, the palace presents a harmonious blend of various styles. Its Islamic foundations, Gothic expansions, and later royal modifications coexist in its design.

Austere defensive halls lead into formal royal chambers adorned with tapestries, while elegant courtyards overlook the Mediterranean. Although it appears less visually overwhelming than the cathedral, it offers a better historic insight into the Palma de Mallorca’s past.

Given its proximity, visitors can explore both landmarks efficiently in a single visit. A guided walking tour that combines the cathedral, the palace and other nearby spots helps you see the best of Palma City without wasting time.

Castell de Bellver

Perched on a pine-covered hill about three kilometres from the city centre, Castell de Bellver sits in a sphere – a unique shape for a castle.

King James II of Mallorca commissioned the castle in 1311, and architects designed it with an unusual circular layout, a rarity among European fortifications. The structure features a central circular courtyard surrounded by three imposing towers and a detached keep, all connected by an elegant arched bridge.

The name “Bellver” translates to “beautiful view,” and the castle lives up to it without exaggeration. From the top, visitors can take in sweeping panoramas of the Bay of Palma, the city’s skyline, and the distant Tramuntana mountains.

Over the centuries, the castle has served as a royal residence, a military prison, and, today, a historical museum. This evolution adds depth to the visitor experience, though the breathtaking setting remains its greatest attraction. Few locations offer such a comprehensive understanding of Palma’s geography in a single glance.

If you take the city bus tour, the castle is one of the stops. Visitors can also reach Castell de Bellver via a steady uphill walk or a short drive.

Ferrocarril de Sóller

Experience a train ride from the 1900s via the Ferrocarril de Sóller train ride.

Inaugurated in 1912, this narrow-gauge railway was originally built to connect Palma with the town of Sóller, which was then isolated by the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. More than a century later, the train still operates using its original wooden carriages, polished interiors, and the same route it once travelled.

The train ride is popular for its journey through tunnels carved into the mountains, passing citrus groves, and opens onto expansive valley views that feel unchanged by time.

What makes it particularly appealing is its authenticity. Unlike many heritage rail experiences that feel staged, this remains a functioning line that simply never modernised as the world moved onto more tech-favoured rails.

You can purchase the tickets online to beat the first-come-first serve basis. The train ride takes you to the town of Soller which you can explore at your pace.

Cuevas del Drach

On the eastern side Mallorca lies a cave with one of the biggest underground lakes in the world – the Cuevas del Drach.

Ceuvas del Drach formed 11 million years ago and extend for over a kilometre, containing one of the largest underground lakes in the world.

What distinguishes this site from other cave systems is the experience built around it. Visits culminate in a short classical music performance staged on boats within the cave, with musicians illuminated against the darkness.

Lights drape against the stalagmites of the cave giving the place an otherworldly look.

Due to timed entry systems and limited group sizes, this is another attraction where advance booking is strongly recommended. Many visitors opt for organized private tours from Palma, which simplify transport and scheduling.

This highly-rated private tour picks you from your location in Mallorca, takes you on a private cave tour where you can enjoy a violin performance underground in the lake. After the tour you’ll also be dropped off back to your place.

Santa Catalina

For those who love to take a leisure stroll and explore a town with a story, then Santa Catalina must be on your list.

Once a fishing district, this old town is one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in the city, known for its mix of traditional markets, independent boutiques, and a strong food scene.

Santa Catalina also welcome rope makers flour millers to its town and you can even find an 18th century windmill still standing strong in the town.

At its centre is the Mercat de Santa Catalina, built in 1920, the oldest food market in Palma, where local produce, seafood, and prepared dishes reflect the island’s culinary identity. So food lovers will have a great time snacking and tasting various dishes of all kinds.

How to get to Palma de Mallorca

Getting to Palma de Mallorca is refreshingly straightforward. For a route that blends convenience with a bit of Mediterranean charm, ferries are often the smartest choice.

Regular sailings connect the island with mainland ports like Barcelona, Valencia, and Dénia, operated by well-established companies known for consistent schedules and comfortable onboard facilities.

It’s a practical, well-tested way to arrive in Palma, especially if you value flexibility, scenic sea views, and the reassurance of traveling with operators that have been running these routes for decades.

If not the ferry, then you can catch a flight to Palma de Mallorca’s airport.

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