Palma de Mallorca—capital of Spain’s Balearic Islands—has worn many crowns. Romans mapped it, Moors fortified it, and Catalans crowned it with one of Europe’s great Gothic cathedrals: La Seu, a sandstone ship of light above the sea. Today, cobbled lanes, courtyards perfumed with citrus, and a lively marina frame a city that balances heritage with a spirited, modern food scene.

Beyond Palma, the Serra de Tramuntana (UNESCO-listed) lifts stone terraces and cliff-hugging roads through storybook villages like Valldemossa, Deià, and Sóller. Vintage wooden trams, centuries-old olive groves, and coves of glassy turquoise water make easy day trips. On the island’s east, the Drach Caves cradle an underground lake where music reverberates off cathedral-like chambers.

Practical notes: siesta hours can affect shop times (roughly 2–5 p.m.), many restaurants fill quickly—reserve. Summer brings beach weather and boat days; spring and fall are glorious for hiking and culture. The local bites to know: ensaïmada, sobrassada, tumbet, and a glass of palo or local wine.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma is compact and walkable, with neighborhoods that each feel like a village. The Old Town (La Calatrava, La Llonja) hides patios behind medieval walls. Santa Catalina buzzes with market energy, artisan bakeries, and cocktail bars. The bay stretches along Can Pere Antoni and Playa de Palma for bikeable, beachy mornings.

• Top sights: La Seu Cathedral, Royal Palace of La Almudaina, Banys Àrabs, Es Baluard Museum, Castell de Bellver, Fundació Miró Mallorca, Santa Catalina Market, Mercat de l’Olivar.
• Local flavor: ensaïmades at Can Joan de S’Aigo; vermut and tapas at La Rosa; seafood at Bar del Peix inside Mercat de l’Olivar; sunset from Castell de Bellver’s circular ramparts.
• Fun fact: Antoni Gaudí advised on La Seu’s early-20th-century restoration; look for the suspended baldachin that ripples like a golden wave over the altar.

Where to stay (Hotels.com + VRBO):

• Splurge: Cap Rocat — a 19th-century seaside fortress turned design sanctuary, peerless sunrises, and serene private coves.
• Great value: Hostal Pons — historic townhouse vibes in the center; leafy patio perfect for slow breakfasts.
• Beach-ready: Iberostar Playa de Palma — steps from wide sands, ideal for families and sunrise walkers.
• Apartment stays: Browse central flats and seafront homes on VRBO Palma de Mallorca or hotels on Hotels.com Palma de Mallorca.

How to get to Palma (PMI):

• From Europe: Search flights on Omio (2–3 hours from London/Paris/Frankfurt; often $50–$180 roundtrip off-peak). Ferries from Barcelona or Valencia take ~6–8 hours; check routes on Omio Ferries (~€35–€75).
• From outside Europe: Compare long-haul options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical routings connect via Madrid or Barcelona (12–16 hours total from the US East Coast, $650–$1100 depending on season).

Airport to city: EMT bus A1 runs ~15–20 minutes to the center (approx. €5). Taxis are ~€20–€30 to most central hotels. Palma’s EMT buses and bike lanes make getting around easy; car hire is great for Tramuntana forays.

Day 1 — Arrival, Seafront Stroll, Old Town Flavor

Afternoon: Land and settle in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk along Parc de la Mar, where La Seu’s golden facade mirrors the sea. Pop into Can Joan de S’Aigo for a first taste of Mallorca: ensaïmada with almond ice cream or thick hot chocolate.

Evening: Dinner at Celler Sa Premsa for Mallorcan home-cooking—think tumbet (layered vegetables), suckling pig, and local red wine. If you prefer contemporary tapas, book the counter at El Camino for seasonal, seafood-forward plates and a lively bar. Nightcap at Ginbo (serious gin and inventive cocktails) or wander to Bar Abaco for candlelit, flower-strewn theatrics in a baroque townhouse.

Day 2 — Gothic Grandeur, Courtyards, and Santa Catalina

Morning: Coffee at La Molienda (excellent flat whites, toast with sobrasada and honey). Tour La Seu Cathedral—trace the rose window’s kaleidoscope light—then cross to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina to see Moorish arches and royal tapestries.

Afternoon: Explore Banys Àrabs (tiny but evocative 10th-century Arab Baths) and slip through Old Town patios. Lunch at Mercat de l’Olivar: grab oysters or a mixed seafood plate at Bar del Peix, plus jamón and olives to share. Art stop at Es Baluard Museum for Balearic and Mediterranean moderns; the terrace frames the bay.

Evening: Head to Santa Catalina Market district. Aperitif vermut at La Rosa Vermutería, then dinner at Fera Palma (Mediterranean with Asian notes) or Adrián Quetglas (tasting menu with island produce). Gelato stroll home via the marina.

Day 3 — Market Breakfast, Beach Time, and a Catamaran Sail

Morning: Breakfast at Rosevelvet Bakery (cardamom buns, eggs, and filter coffee) or Riutort Café (house granola, toasts). Walk or bike the seafront to Can Pere Antoni or Cala Major for a swim.

Afternoon: Take a small-group boat for an easy, sun-drenched escape:

Luxury Catamaran sailing with welcome Drinks Tapas (Max 10–12) — 4 hours of sailing, swim stops, snorkeling, a welcome drink, and tapas. It’s intimate, photogenic, and perfect for seeing Mallorca’s coast from the water.

Evening: Return for tapas in La Lonja. Try Bar España for classic pintxos (the tortilla is beloved) or Tast Club for elevated sharing plates in a clubby hideaway. For a mellow finish, Brassclub mixes precise, seasonal cocktails.

Day 4 — Tramuntana Highlights: Valldemossa, Deià & Sóller (Full-Day Tour)

Mallorca Full-Day VIP Tour: Valldemossa, Deià & Sóller Experience — Small group (max 8), with scenic lookouts and, in summer, a swim stop. Wander honey-stone Valldemossa (don’t miss coca de patata and the Carthusian monastery’s courtyard), coast the cliff road to artist-loved Deià, and roll into Sóller’s orange-scented valley with its Modernista architecture.

Tip: Bring a light layer; sea breezes can be cool even in summer. Back in Palma, keep dinner simple—sea bream or arroz a banda at a neighborhood spot near your hotel.

Day 5 — Art, Views, and a Castle at Sunset

Morning: Coffee and croissant at Fibonacci (multiple outposts). Visit Fundació Miró Mallorca in Cala Major to see studios where Joan Miró worked late in life—splashes of color and playful forms, plus sculpture gardens.

Afternoon: Lunch in Santa Catalina: Mola for seasonal bowls and clean flavors or Naan Street Food for inventive Indian street bites. Then beach time at Illetes (soft sand, teal water) or a siesta back at the hotel.

Evening: Head up to Castell de Bellver for panoramic golden hour over the bay—the only circular castle of its kind in Spain. Dinner at Marc Fosh (Michelin-starred; book early) or embrace casual seaside paella near Portixol. Night stroll along the promenade with gelat in hand.

Day 6 — East Coast Gems: Drach Caves + Porto Cristo

Morning: Journey east for one of the island’s natural wonders:

Drach Caves and Pearl Shop Mallorca Half Day Tour — Explore vast caverns and the subterranean Lake Martel set to live music; a classic island experience with easy logistics.

Afternoon: Linger in Porto Cristo for a seafood lunch (grilled squid, aioli, and a crisp local white), then relax on nearby Cala Mendia or Cala Anguila’s bright sands. Return to Palma via the inland road past almond groves.

Evening: Tapas crawl near Plaça Major: La Bodeguilla (excellent Iberian cuts and local wines) or Ombu for creative tapas. If you like live music, check who’s playing at a small venue in La Lonja.

Day 7 — Slow Brunch, Shopping, and Mallorcan Cooking

Morning: Brunch at Café Riutort or The Duke (Santa Catalina stalwart). Browse Santa Catalina Market for edible souvenirs: almond turrón, Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc, local olive oils, and wines from Binissalem.

Afternoon: Learn to cook Mallorcan and Spanish classics before you fly:

Spanish Cooking Class Palma (meals+drinks, 7 dishes) — Hands-on paella and tapas techniques, generous pours, and a convivial send-off to your week.

Evening: Farewell dinner at El Camino if you missed it, or a sunset table at a waterfront chiringuito along Portixol. Toast with a local malvasia or a herbaceous hierbas liqueur. Pack ensaïmadas for the trip home.

Practical extras: For European flights and ferries, check schedules and prices on Omio and Omio Ferries. For long-haul flights, compare deals on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Summer boat tours and top restaurants book out—reserve a few anchors in advance.

In seven days, Palma gives you Gothic stone and lemon-bright light, mountain hamlets and moonlit coves, markets, and a coastline meant for boats. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes, olive oil in your bag, and a plan to return in a quieter season—when the island hums in a lower, lovely key.