palma de mallorca sights, attractions and itinerary

Welcome to the Drink in the Sights Palma de Mallorca itinerary. Here you'll find information on all the best Palma de Mallorca sights and attractions, I'll also throw in a bit of history and lots of pictures for good measure.
Culture, Sun and a Device to Root Out Evil
Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the Balearic Islands, and one of those perfect Spanish cities where you can escape the winter chill that comes across most of Europe. It's a city to savour. A place to sit out in the sun, looking up at the exceptional Palma skyline, or out over the port to sea. There's plenty of things to fill Palma de Mallorca itinerary at a leisurely pace, and some of the Palma de Mallorca sights are wonderful.
Getting to Palma de Mallorca from the UK is cheap and easy. There's flights from nearly every UK airport so finding a time and airport to fit your needs should be really straightforward. Palma sits right on the South Coast of Mallorca, and the best way to get there from the airport is the bus, which costs 5 euros and takes about 30 minutes, stopping all over the city. Alternatively book an airport to hotel transfer through Shuttledirect. ​Now that we've got you there lets check out the top Palma de Mallorca sights.

Palma de Mallorca Sights

Palma Cathedral
No Palma de Mallorca itinerary is going to start with anything other than Palma Cathedral. Completed in 1601 this gargantuan cathedral completely dominates the Palma skyline. Sadly although the great Gaudi was contracted to help design the Cathedral he quickly fell out with his bosses, and left the project. You enter the cathedral through a small museum and enter the naïve through the side. I'm pretty sure this is the only cathedral I've been to with a light up alter, and fairy lights dotted around. Presumably this was Gaudi's idea and it is reminiscent of his alter in Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. This certainly adds something to the feel of the place, as does the pleasant choir music playing in the background. It costs 7 euros to enter the cathedral, which I don't approve of but it's worth paying. On certain days there are tours that take you to the cathedral roof and I imagine the view from there is exceptional. This has to be top of most peoples Palma de Mallorca attractions.
Castell de Bellver
The Castell de Bellver is a bit of a trek from the centre, but well worth the effort. If you don't like uphill walking there is a bus that takes about 40 minutes, but in all honesty the walking time is similar. The castle was built in the 1300s, and can just about be seen peaking out from behind the trees as you look out over the harbour from the city centre.
The castle also doubles as the Palma history museum, so there's plenty of learning to be done while you're visiting. Probably the most striking thing about the castle is its circular design reminiscent of the castle in Rome. At 2.5 euros the entrance fee is modest, and the views alone make it more than worth paying. So make sure you take the time to sit back relax and enjoy the Palma De Mallorca sights from up here.
Catch the train to Soller
This can also be done as part of an all day tour around the island which can be booked here
Sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination. In this case it's a bit of both. This iconic old train has been running for over a century and has made a real name for itself. It has a seldom found quaint, old fashioned feel to it. And the route the train takes from Palma to the town of Soller is renowned for its beauty. Due to its popularity the price is a frankly extortionate 25 euros each way, so make sure you remember to ask for the 32 euro return ticket. Sadly this is very much one of those things where it's worth doing so you'll have to pay. ​
Most guides will tell you to sit on the right of the train as you leave Palma. I'm not most guides. The truth is both sides give excellent views of the countryside. The argument for the right side is that the iconic Soller train view is on that side, but the train stops for about 5 minutes so you can get out and take photos and drink in the Palma de Mallorca sights, which negates the need to fight for a seat on the right. While the train is moving the left side actually has slightly better scenery. ​
Once you get to Soller there's a few things to do. The first is a small Picasso museum right next to the station, it's 5 euros but if you're a Picasso fan you're going to want to go in. A little further away is the main square. Which has a really pretty church that's worth a look inside, next to it is a bank with the kind of facade that should belong to a church.
Wandering around the old streets you'll find find a lovely little modern art museum called Can Prunera. Again it's 5 euros, but for me this is better value than the Picasso museum. Also there's a nice black rabbit which lives in the outdoor sculpture gallery who kept us amused for ages. Once you've had a good luck round find one of the little shops near the station and pick up a little (or big if you want) bottle of wine to enjoy on the train ride back. The shops will give you some plastic glasses to pour them into. They know why you're buying them!! This really is one of the Palma de Mallorca attractions.

Palma de Mallorca Attractions

Pueblo Espanol
Now this is something you don't see everyday. Pueblo Espanol is probably best described as an imaginary Spanish village, in which full reproductions of some of the best architecture in the country have all been dropped in one place. There's bits of Madrid, Cordoba, the former capitol Toledo, and even rooms from the Alhambra, all remade for your viewing pleasure. It's quite a sight. What makes it even more bizarre is that for some reason it's not very busy, and they've started toying with the idea of selling bits off for people to live in. So you could live in a part of the Alhambra, in Palma de Mallorca now that would be an experience. It's surprisingly easy to get lost in the little village, given how different all the buildings are you'd think it'd be easier to navigate. The cost to get in is 6 euros which I personally think is a bargain, but then I love good architecture and slightly odd things. It really is one of the top Palma de Mallorca attractions.
Now for something Weird
The only thing I can find out about the above is that it's called The Device to root out evil which is a great name, but yea there it is. I like odd things so this had to make my Palma de Mallorca itinerary. Anyway moving on...
Es Baluard Museu d'Art Modern i Contemporani de Palma
Suffice it to say the name is a bit of a mouth full, so lets just call it the modern art gallery of Palma. There's some excellent works in this free museum, and the views from the roof over the city are breath taking. As most the exhibitions are temporary it's difficult to tell you exactly what you'll get when you visit. But the gallery itself is spacious, well designed and just seems to fit the modern art scene, so really should be visited. From the roof you get some exceptional views over the Palma de Mallorca sights.
Palau de l'Almudaina
Next to the cathedral this is the other great feature of the Palma de Mallorca skyline.  Inside the palace is fairly sparse with a few interesting tapestries and works of art dotted around. The courtyard, with palm trees is a nice place to relax in the sun if you need a small break from sight seeing.

Palma De Mallorca Itinerary Extras

Palau March Museu
Now this museum is much more to my taste. With works by Salvadar Dali and the hugely impressive nativity scene by Belen, with over a thousand pieces used to set the extremely detailed scene. It's fairly unusual for me to spend a long time looking at one piece of art, but this one really caught my attention. The time spent on it. The intricate detail of each piece, many of which would usually be deemed superfluous, but all adding to the splendor of the work as a spectacular whole. This piece alone makes Palau March Museu one of the top Palma de Mallorca attractions. The palace itself is beautiful, and the patio includes a work by Rodin so there's no lack of big names to enjoy. I've said it a hundred times but all galleries should be in palaces. It just makes the whole experience so much more rewarding.
Take a trip to the beach
As you would expect from a Balearic Island city on the coast there's a beach not far from the marina to sit back and drink in the Palma de Mallorca sights.
If you've got any time to spare after doing the main Palma de Mallorca sights and attractions why not consider a trip to the Caves of Drach for an underground boat trip and concert. The tour can be booked here
You can find my guide to where to drink in Palma de Mallorca here. It features all the best bars and pubs in Palma de Mallorca.
Now we've talked about all the main Palma de Mallorca attractions you can search Expedia for your Palma de Mallorca trip using the search box below. If you want anymore help planning your Palma De Mallorca trip Free Holiday Planning Service feel free to contact me. I hope you enjoyed my Palma de Mallorca itinerary.