1 Day Palma de Mallorca Itinerary: Top Things to Do
Only have a day to explore this beautiful Spanish island? This post has everything you need to know for the perfect 1-day Palma de Mallorca itinerary.
While studying abroad in Spain, one of my favorite weekend getaways was to the picturesque coastal town of Palma de Mallorca. Known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culinary scene, Mallorca was a blast to explore.
A quick (and cheap – only $30! I love Ryanair lol) one-hour flight from Madrid landed us on the beautiful island! Luckily, we scored an early flight on Saturday and an afternoon flight on Sunday. This gave us a full first day to explore the city and another half day to wrap up anything we didn’t get to before making our way back to Madrid.
Whether you spend a day or a week in Palma de Mallorca, this city is definitely worth a visit. This post is all about the perfect 1 day Palma de Mallorca Itinerary.
PALMA DE MALLORCA HOTEL RECOMMENDATION
We stayed at the HM Balenguera, a beautiful 4-Star boutique hotel with gorgeous Mediterranean minimalist architecture. Close but on the outskirts of the city, the hotel was about a 20-25 minute walk to downtown. Although a bit further out, I absolutely loved our stay! The hotel felt super luxury and was a bit cheaper than hotels closer to the city. Highly recommend taking a look here!
GETTING AROUND PALMA DE MALLORCA
If you only have a day or so to spend in Mallorca, I recommend focusing the majority of your activities in the downtown area or along the beaches. The city is SUPER walkable, so you won’t need to rent a car. If you do have more time and want to venture out of Palma and explore other areas of Mallorca, renting a car would be a good option!
Don’t want to travel on foot everywhere? You can rent a scooter or bike in one of the many nearby shops! We ended up renting electric scooters for a day, which made getting around the city super easy.
THINGS TO DO IN PALMA DE MALLORCA
There is a plethora of things to do in Mallorca, from quaint but bustling markets to grandiose cathedrals that are absolutely jaw-dropping. We spent the majority of our day and a half exploring the downtown areas and beaches! By focusing our time in one area, we really got to soak up the atmosphere and take the city at a more leisurely pace.
#1. Grab breakfast at the city center and try a mouth-watering ensaimada pastry.
Start your day off right with a traditional Mallorcan confection, the ensaimada! Super light and flaky, the pastry is often dusted with powdered sugar or filled with sweet ingredients. Not only is the ensaimada unique in its flavor and texture, but its Arab-influenced ingredients preserve its strong cultural significance on the island’s history. Definitely a must-try for the full Mallorca experience!
#2. Awe at the beauty of the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma
More commonly known as the La Seu, the Palma Cathedral is Palma’s most famous landmark. After getting acquainted with the city center, walk to La Seu to see its mesmorizing Gothic features shine against the glinsing backdrop of the sea. If you have the time, you can even take a guided tour of the Cathedral to learn more about its history – make sure to check online for tickets!
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#3. Rent bikes or scooters to ride along the coast on Paseo Maritimo and stop for lunch.
Nice breeze in your hair, salty water, sun shining… who doesn’t love a good ride alongside the coastline? Rent bikes or scooters at one of the many rental shops in the city and ride alongside the beach on the Paseo Maeitimo! There are so many cute beachside restaurants along the way, so stop to grab a bite.
#4. Explore the Old Town’s charming boutiques, art galleries, and cafes.
Immerse yourself in Mallorca’s culture in the city center! You’ll find a multitude of small artisan boutiques, specialty food shops, and delicious cafes. Wandering through the vibrant and colorful walls of the city was my favorite activity to do since there is so much to see!
#5. Go to a vermutería and try Mallorcan vermouth and tapas in the early afternoon.
Vermouth’s popularity in Spain has birthed the opening of vermuterías – specialty bars that focus on serving fortified wine. Often enjoyed as an aperitif, vermouth has become a trendy choice for socializing in the afternoons! We went to La Rosa Vermuteria & Colmado for our first vermouth experience and it was a blast!
#6. Grab dinner in the lively neighborhood of Santa Catalina.
Santa Catalina is a super vibrant and trendy neighborhood known for its eclectic mix of bars, restaurants, and live music venues. When you’re ready for dinner, venture to Santa Catalina! Grab a few bites at the food stalls of Mercat de Santa Catalina, tapas at Bar España, or seafood at Patrón Lunares.
Palma de Mallorca is a captivating city that has so much to offer! A day or two in the city definitely left me wanting more. You’ll have a blast exploring all the history, culture and food within its colorful walls.
This post is all about the best 1 day Palma de Mallorca itinerary.