Palma de Mallorca

Best time to go

The Balearic tourist-tax law defines low season as Nov 1–Apr 30. We found no official page with a month-by-month cruise schedule.

Check the weather before you go and bring sun protection in summer.

Ship tour or go independent?

Palma works well for an independent day, and your own tour is a good way to handle the berth-to-town transfer, with more choice and smaller groups. The ship's own tours are a fair pick if you want the timing handled for you, or if you are not sure which berth you will use. Browse the tours below and use the time-ashore filter to find one that fits your call.

• The old town is not at the pier. Ask which berth your ship is using and plan a transfer; pick a tour that includes pickup near the port.
• Cruise berths can change. The port authority sets priority berths for cruise ships but can assign others when the main ones are full.
• The planned port boat for cruise passengers had no published start date when we checked, so have a taxi or bus as a backup.

Getting around

• FerryPorts de Balears has awarded a contract for a port boat service, Bus Nàutic. One line is meant for cruise passengers, running every 30 minutes on port-call days from the West Dock to the Royal Staircase at La Lonja, on the city side. The port's presentation lists a 2026 single fare of €6 for the cruise line, but no start date was published when we checked, so do not count on it until your ship or the port confirms it.

  Port boat, single (2026 fare)

  €6

  Port boat, round trip (2026 fare)

  €12

• BusCity buses are run by EMT Palma, which manages 31 city lines according to Palma Tourism. Palma's city council gave initial approval in July 2026 to a fare ordinance (published Aug 8, 2026) that would link EMT to the island-wide ticket system, so check the current fare on EMT's site or app before you ride.
• TrainThe Sóller train runs from Palma to Sóller, with a tram on to Port de Sóller. Palma departures listed by the operator are 10:10, 10:50, 12:15, 13:30, 15:10, 18:30 (check at the box office) and 19:40, each arriving in Sóller an hour later. The site does not state a season, so confirm for your date.

  Palma–Sóller, one way

  €23

  Palma–Sóller–Palma

  €30

  Train + tram

  €40

  Sóller–Port de Sóller tram

  €10

• BusPalma Tourism's hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus runs a loop of 18 stops in 80 minutes, 10:00 to 18:00, every 30 minutes, and is used with a 24-hour ticket. Its stops include Estació Marítima / Passeig Marítim and Muelle Comercial at the port. No price is listed and the distance from the West Dock berths is not published, so ask where to board.
• TaxiPalma Tourism lists taxis and taxi ranks in the city. Taxis are the simple fallback for the berth-to-town ride. No official fare for the cruise berths is published, so agree on how you will pay before you set off.

Money, tipping & phones

Money

The euro (EUR). The Sóller train and tram list their fares in euros.

Must-sees

• Palma Cathedral and the Almudaina palaceRide neededPalma Tourism describes the cathedral as the city's great landmark, with the royal palace of La Almudaina facing it. Check hours and tickets on their own sites before you go.
• Bellver CastleRide neededA round hilltop castle with views over Palma and the bay, and the City History Museum inside. The city lists a €4 general ticket, free on Sundays, and closed Mondays.
• Palma's old townRide neededPalma Tourism's old quarter page points to walking between the cathedral, Plaça de Cort and Plaça de Santa Eulàlia, with Carrer de Sant Miquel as one of two main shopping streets off Plaça Major.
• Es Baluard museumRide neededA modern and contemporary art museum built into the old city ramparts, with works by Tàpies, Picasso and Barceló. The museum lists open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 8 pm and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm, closed Mondays, with a €8 general ticket. Confirm before you go.
• Sóller train and tramRide neededA rail day out from Palma to Sóller, with a tram to Port de Sóller. The operator lists fares and Palma departures; confirm the timetable and return times before booking a short call.

Free & cheap near the pier

• Bellver Castle on Sundays€4; free on SundaysAdmission is free on Sundays and for children under 14. Otherwise the general ticket is €4. The castle is closed Mondays, and hours change with concerts and city events.
• Es Baluard on FridaysPay what you want, from €0.10 (Fri)On Fridays the museum lets you pay what you decide, from €0.10. The regular adult ticket is €8.

Eat like a local

• EnsaïmadaMallorca's spiral pastry made with lard. Plain or with angel's hair jam are the classics; fillings include cream, chocolate and sobrasada. Bakeries and pastry shops across Palma sell it.
• LlonguetA small, soft, oval roll, usually lightly toasted. Common fillings are ham, sobrassada, cheese, tuna, or tomato with olive oil and salt.
• Cocarrois, panades and cocasSavory pastries and flatbreads. Cocarrois hold vegetables, raisins and pine nuts; panades hold meat, fish or peas; cocas can be topped with roasted peppers or trempó, an onion, pepper and tomato mix.
• Pa amb oliRound, unsalted payés bread with tomato, olive oil and salt.

Rainy-day backups

• Es Baluard MuseumA contemporary art museum open Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; closed Mondays. The ticket office closes 30 minutes before the museum.
• Castell de Bellver city history museumThe castle houses the City History Museum on Palma's Roman, Moorish and Christian past. It is closed Mondays. Part of a visit is outdoors, so check the weather.

Safety & scams

Official advisoryUS State Dept: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution (reissued Aug 1, 2026)

• The advisory cites terrorism and unrest in Spain. Stay aware in crowded places and avoid protests.
• Its Level 3 'Reconsider travel' note is for Ceuta, not the Balearic Islands.

From official government and port sources. Check the latest advisory before you travel.

Accessibility

At the pier

We found no published accessibility details for the cruise berths. Ask your cruise line about the berth and gangway for your call.

• Palma Tourism offers four accessible walking routes (Palma Alta, Palma Baja, Santa Catalina and Cala Mayor) plus the tourist bus, with a foldable map and accessibility PDFs for each route.
• A tactile city map with raised relief and Braille is available at a tourist office in Palma, and an audio and text guide called Map's Voice is offered in Catalan, Spanish, English and German.
• Es Baluard lists ramps, two lifts (one with three cabins) and wheelchairs for visitors who need them.
• A city sightseeing taxi adapted for people with reduced mobility is listed on Palma's transport page.