If you want to take a tour of Palma’s Old Town and see as much as possible, I recommend the following route. You’ll pass by several points of interest that, of course, you can visit. You can also step off the route at any time to explore other attractions or simply stroll through the many narrow streets.
Tour of the Old Town – Explore the center of Palma on your own
The route I suggest is perfect for exploring a large part of the Old Town in half a day. It’s also ideal for cruise ship visitors.
The tour begins at Plaza España, a great starting point as it has a large parking area and is well connected by bus and train.
From Plaça de la Portada, you’ll reach Carrer de Sant Miquel. Head down this pedestrian street, which is filled with many shops, on the left. After about 200 meters, you’ll see Plaça de l’Olivar on your left. If you’d like, you can stop at the Mercat de l’Olivar galleries.
Continuing along Carrer de Sant Miquel, you will pass by the Basilica of Sant Miquel and the Juan March Foundation Museum (free entrance), before reaching Plaça Mayor. Take a moment to admire the square, then head out in the opposite direction from which you arrived. You’ll pass through Plaça del Marqués del Palmer and be rewarded with a view of Can Forteza Rey. This building is one of the finest examples of architecture in Palma.
Continue along Carrer de Colón. This small street will lead you to Plaça de Cort, where you can admire both the Town Hall and a 600-year-old olive tree.
Now continue for 100 meters along Carrer del Palau Reial and turn right onto Carrer del Conquistador, which will take you through an arch. Along this 250-meter stretch, you’ll see the Parliament on your left before arriving at Plaça de la Reina.
Here, turn right and you’ll arrive at Paseo del Borne, the most famous avenue in Palma. Under the shade of the trees, continue walking until the end of the boulevard. Don’t forget to soak in the special atmosphere. If you wish, you can also visit Casal Solleric, the largest private palace in Palma, for free. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Now you need to stay focused, as we turn left onto Avenida de Jaume III. Here, many shops will tempt you with their high-quality products. So, it’s better to keep your eyes on the beautiful buildings, before falling into the temptation of shopping. We continue along Jaime III almost to the end, passing by the smaller El Corte Inglés.
Now you’ll come across a bridge that crosses the Torrent de Sa Riera. Don’t cross the bridge; instead, turn left onto Paseo Mallorca. Here, you’ll find various restaurants, bars, and galleries. This walk takes us about 200 meters to Plaça de la Porta de Santa Catalina. In this square, there is a peculiar piece of art: a church that is upside down.
We continue straight along Carrer de la Pólvora. On the right, you’ll see remnants of the old stone wall, and on the left, the artwork “Stone Egg”. It’s not particularly significant, but it’s worth a glance as you pass by. Inside the wall is the Es Baluard Museum of Art, which you can visit.
Now we are in the old La Llotja neighborhood. Here, you’ll find almost exclusively historic buildings. Turn left onto Carrer de Sant Pere and follow this street until you reach Plaça de la Drassana. Continue straight on the lower street (Carrer de la Llotja).
You’ll pass by the Govern de les Illes Balears and alongside La Lonja, arriving at Plaça de la Llotja. I recommend visiting the inside of the old La Lonja building. It’s a special place with impressive architecture. I also recommend trying Rivareno ice cream in the square or having a coffee at the old Café La Lonja.
You’ve likely already seen the sea. You can continue walking through the narrow streets or take the coastal path to the left. Enjoy the view before arriving at the island’s most visited attraction, the Cathedral of Mallorca (La Seu / Cathedral-Basilica of Santa Maria of Mallorca).
Follow your intuition and head directly to the cathedral. You’ll go up a few steps. Not only will you enjoy a beautiful view, but you’ll also see a second attraction. Right in front of the main portal of La Seu Cathedral is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. You can visit it as well, of course. After taking in all these new impressions, you can continue your tour. You’ve already completed most of the city tour.
Here it gets a little tricky. Head to the left side of the cathedral. At the end, you’ll find a small narrow path. Follow it until you reach Carrer de Sant Pere Nolasc. Walk down this street and take the fifth street on the right, Carrer de Can Serra. After about 50 meters, on your right, you’ll find the Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs). You can also visit the Monastery of Santa Clara and buy cookies from the nuns.
Now you are in the Calatrava neighborhood. I recommend exploring this area a bit, with its many courtyards, interiors, and beautiful squares, before returning to Plaça de Espanya. The simplest way is to go straight to Avinguda de Gabriel Alomar and turn left on the busy avenue until you reach your destination. Or, if you prefer, find your own way through the many narrow streets. Forget the city map and just wander.
The total distance of the tour is 5.3 km. However, allow at least 4 hours to complete it. Don’t forget that you’ll probably visit some points of interest and make a few additional detours.
Sights in Palma de Mallorca:
