Top Things to Do In Palma de Mallorca

Step Back In Time

You’ll feel like a character in Game of Thrones as you stroll through the 14th-century Bellver Castle, with its towering spires and arches, or the stunning Palace Almudaina – a 10th century Moorish fortress that was rebuilt four centuries later into the Levantine Gothic Style. Today, although Palace Almudaina is the official residence of the king and queen of Spain, it is open to visitors. Make sure to wander up the Royal Staircase to the opulent Royal Apartments and the adjacent chapel, Capilla de Santa Ana; then find your way to the serene Gardens, where graceful swans glide across a shimmering lake.

Directly across from the Palace, you’ll find one of Palma’s most iconic landmarks and one of Europe’s tallest Gothic structures: the impressive 14th-century, golden sandstone Cathedral La Seu. Known as the Cathedral of Light, La Seu boasts 61 stained-glass windows, including the spectacular central rose window. Also attention-worthy, the slender columns supporting the roof are some of the slimmest load-bearing pillars in the world!

For a taste of Palma’s Moorish roots, head over to the Arab Baths, thought to belong to a wealthy Muslim merchant of the 10th century. This astonishingly well preserved example of ancient Moorish architecture is nestled within a beautiful garden shaded by orange trees, palms and cacti.

Should you wish to deepen your understanding of Palma’s colourful – and often turbulent – history, several museums are well worth a visit. Although relatively small, the Museum of Mallorca is housed in a lovely 16th century mansion ("Casa de la Gran Cristiana") and features exhibits that date back to Roman times.

The Bellver Castle Museum, located within Bellver Castle, is another invaluable historical resource that shines a spotlight all the way back to an era when the island was ruled by the Moors. If it’s your first trip to the island, these museums will vividly transport you through the centuries to present-day Mallorca.

Soak Up the Outdoors

If you love baby-soft sand and translucent waters, you won’t get enough of Palma de Mallorca’s glorious beaches. Playa de Palma – the choice for visitors wishing to stay close to the City Centre – is flanked by a promenade full of restaurants, cafés and bars, including 15 “balnearios”, where fast food and drinks can be purchased. You’ll also find a wealth of water sports, including parasailing, banana boats, water skis, windsurfing and jet skis.

For a beach experience involving lots of palm trees and a near-Caribbean vibe, 10 kilometres east of Palma you’ll find Playa s’Arenal and the resort town of El Arenal. After chilling under the cover of lazy palm fronds and taking in the surrounding beauty, earn bragging rights at Aqualand, where high-speed water slides will kick your heart into overdrive! For less extreme adventurers, calm raft rides, giggle-inducing splash pools, and other tempered choices ensure fun for every family member.

Whatever you do, don’t pass up Cuevas del Drach, Porto Cristo’s legendary “dragon caves”. Although at this underground cave you may not bump into the legendary fire-breathing beasts, dagger-like stalactites and stalagmites suggest dangerous secrets fiercely protected since ancient times! For the full Cuevas del Drach experience, hop on a boat ride along Lake Martel, believed to be one of the largest subterranean lakes in the world.

With its many natural wonders – from the pristine splendour of the Parc Natural de Mondrago and its turquoise cove to the majestic Jardines de Alfabia and much more – Mallorca is an explorer’s mecca. For seamless sightseeing that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the moment, consider opting for a shore excursion. You’ll find available guided tours listed on the Royal Caribbean app and, to avoid missing out on your favourites, we suggest signing up as soon as you book your cruise.

Fiesta Like There’s No Maňana

Palma has earned a well-deserved reputation as both a fantastic foodie and nightlife destination. Here you will discover amazing places to eat, from neighbourhood hot spots serving tasty tapas and cold sangria, to gastronomical temples. Charming Old Town is dotted with alfresco dining options as well as authentic Mallorquin venues – like Tast, a perennial favourite where you can sample a variety of local dishes in a friendly and cosy setting.

Also known for its delicious Spanish delicacies served in an old wine cellar, Celler Sa Premsa is an excellent – and romantic! – choice. For a taste of local flavour as satisfying as it is delicious, consider trying the roast suckling pig. And on special occasions, the Michelin-starred Simply Fosh is a sleek, edgy restaurant located in what used to be a 17th century convent.

After dinner, head to the cobblestone streets of the La Llonga district for a night cap. Part of the fun is exploring the small, quirky bars – many tucked away on back alleys – but if you don’t want surprises, El Neo Gastro Bar has some of the best cocktails around, while Bar Abaco is famous for its idyllic courtyard setting.

Still not ready to call it a night? No worries, many of Palma’s hottest night-spots stay open until dawn! For live music with breathtaking views of the Bay of Palma, head to The Blue Jazz Club or dance the night away at Kaelum, a local favourite on Avenida Argentina.

One more word to the wise: when on a Mediterranean cruise to Mallorca, look for special fiestas and festivals featuring live music and fireworks. These summer events, held by local venues and resorts, are often complementary and bump up your Palma experience to a new level.

Pamper Yourself With Shopping

As superb a destination as Mallorca is for its history, natural beauty, dining and nightlife, it does not disappoint when it comes to shopping. Known as the golden mile of Palma, Paseo del Borne is the designer street par excellence, offering such luxury brands as Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Bulgari, Mulberry and Zara, to name a few. High-end shopping is also to be found in Avenida Jaime III, where such shops as Cartier, Lotusse and El Corte Ingles are among the many standouts.

A narrow, winding street graced by vines, picturesque boutiques, jewellery stores and art galleries, Vía Verí is a bucket-list topper. Here you are sure to find the perfect necklace, earrings or bracelet made from the coveted Mallorcan pearls.

The trendiest district in Palma, Santa Catalina is full of one-of-a-kind shops, including vintage, hipster and local clothes and goods. At its heart, the Santa Catalina market is full of fresh products, from typical charcuteries to fruit shops and food stalls. Look for hand-made sandals and pottery and the traditional straw bags – perfect souvenirs that speak to Mallorca’s rich heritage.

Cruise Onboard Wow-Worthy Ships

It is especially true that, on a cruise ship, the journey is every bit as important as the destination. After all, the ship is where you take most of your meals, sleep and adventure between ports. Everything you experience onboard – from that breakfast croissant to the evening’s entertainment – should push the envelope to the next level.

With Royal Caribbean being the cruise line voted Best Overall by Travel Weekly 19 years running, cruising doesn’t get bigger and bolder than this. Seven vessels sail to Mallorca – Oasis of the Seas®, Enchantment of the Seas®, Explorer of the Seas®, Rhapsody of the Seas®, Anthem of the Seas®, Odyssey of the Seas℠ and Symphony of the Seas® – a standout lineup for memory-maxing holidays. While they are all amazing, each ship displays its own personality, from the more intimate Rhapsody of the Seas to the vast Symphony of the Seas, one of the largest ships in the world.

A favourite among mega cruise ship fans, Symphony of the Seas packs nonstop bow-to-stern surprises, many of which are first-at-sea feats. Get your thrills on in the 10-story test of courage, the Ultimate Abyss℠, or ziplining in rarefied heights way above the Boardwalk®. Hang ten on Flowrider®, then try your hand at glow-in-the-dark laser tag on Battle for Planet Z®.

Catch a show at the stunning Aqua Theatre, where Olympic-level high divers perform mind-bending stunts and acrobatics, plunging into the deepest pool at sea. Or maybe there’s a chart-topping Broadway show you’ve been wanting to catch? It may well be part of the extensive entertainment options offered onboard!

When the need to refuel arises, you’ll find a staggering variety of palate-pleasing options. From the insanely tasty Mexican flavours of El Loco Fresh® and the meltingly yummy pies at Sorrento’s Pizza to the whimsical creations at Wonderland and the white tablecloth experience at Chop’s Grille℠, there’s something special for every mood and taste bud.

Ready to call it a night? Symphony of the Seas suites are nothing short of mic-dropping – like the you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it two-storey Ultimate Family Suite. With its private theatre, game room, slide, balcony with jacuzzi and other jaw-dropping perks, this space is one your family will never want to leave!

Choose From Inspired Itineraries

Royal Caribbean has no shortage of marvellous Mediterranean cruises that include Palma among the ports of call. Sailing from Barcelona and Rome, Symphony of the Seas offers 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises with stops in such area jewels as Florence/Pisa, Provence/Marseille and Naples/Capri. In the span of one week, your voyage will take you to some of the most coveted destinations on earth!

Or perhaps you would like to see how the Greek Isles stack up against the Spanish Balearic Islands? Hop aboard a 7-Night Athens to Barcelona cruise and dive into Mykonos, Santorini and Crete before delving into Palma! Have a hankering to explore Haifa on your way to Mallorca? No worries, our 6-Night Mediterranean Highlights Cruise has you departing from Israel and crossing the Med to end your journey in beautiful Barcelona.

You can even make your way to Mallorca from Southampton, home port of the magnificent Anthem of the Seas and starting point for a 14-Night Mediterranean Beaches and Cities Cruise which, in addition to including Palma, sweeps through Malaga, Valencia, Ibiza and Lisbon.

And when you flip over Mallorca - as we’re sure you will! - and you nurse a fiery yearning to explore other Spanish archipelagos, may we suggest the incandescent Canary Islands? Yes, that’s another can’t-miss destination we’d love to take you to, but until then, cheers and happy adventuring in Palma!