Mallorca has been coveted since Roman times, with Palma de Mallorca founded in 123 BCE and shaped by centuries of Moorish, Catalan, and maritime heritage. Today, Gothic spires, Art Nouveau facades, and golden-stone lanes frame a cosmopolitan capital ringed by beaches that swing from serene coves to social, sunbed-lined clubs.

The island’s heart, Palma, puts you close to everything: the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountains, exquisite ports like Sóller, and a dining scene that runs from rustic “pa amb oli” to Michelin stars. Expect ensaïmada in century-old cafés, vermouth in La Lonja, and DJ sets beside the bay.

Practical notes: May–October is prime for beach days and boat trips; July–August is festive and busy. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful, EMT buses reach popular beaches, and smart-casual dress works for most rooftop bars and clubs. Book beach beds and boats in advance on weekends.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma blends historic drama and seaside ease: La Seu Cathedral gleams above the Parc de la Mar, while Sa Llotja and Arab Baths recall its mercantile and Moorish past. Santa Catalina hums with market-fresh eateries, cocktail dens, and late-night energy.

Top sights include La Seu and the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, the contemporary art museum Es Baluard, and the shop-lined Passeig del Born. For swims close to town, head to Portixol’s promenade, Cala Major, or Illetas’ coves.

• Where to stay: Design-led boutiques around La Calatrava and La Lonja; rooftop pools in Old Town; or waterside stays in Portixol for sunrise runs and café hopping.
• What to eat: sobrasada, pa amb oli, coca de trempó; seafood rice at seaside spots; creative tasting menus by local chefs.
• Nightlife: sunset cocktails on rooftops, DJ sets at Garito Café, and big-room energy at Social Club Mallorca; for super-club scale, Magaluf’s BCM is a taxi ride away.

How to get to Palma: Fly into PMI (Palma de Mallorca). Within Europe, search fares on Omio (flights); from outside Europe compare long-haul options on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com. Typical flight times: 1–2 hours from Barcelona/Madrid, 2–3 hours from London/Paris, 8–11 hours with one connection from the U.S.

Ferry alternative: From Barcelona or Valencia, 6–8 hours. Check routes/times on Omio (ferries). If you’re training to the port first, use Omio (trains in Europe). Taxis from PMI to Old Town are 15–20 minutes.

Where to book your stay: Browse tasteful Old Town boutique hotels and stylish apartments near the sea: - VRBO — Palma de Mallorca - Hotels.com — Palma de Mallorca

Stylish picks to consider: El Llorenç Parc de la Mar (rooftop infinity pool, adults-only vibe), Sant Francesc Singular (artful rooms, serene rooftop), Can Alomar (prime Passeig del Born address), Nakar Hotel (modern, close to Santa Catalina). For Portixol’s seafront, look for boutique rooms with balconies and bikes.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town flavor, and sunset on the water

Afternoon: Arrive in Palma and check into your boutique base. Shake off the journey with ensaïmada and almond ice cream at Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo, a 300-year-old café beloved by locals. Wander La Lonja’s golden lanes and pause at the Parc de la Mar for the postcard view of La Seu.

Evening: Sail into the golden hour on a small-group cruise with open bar—perfect for a stylish first dip and bay views of the cathedral.

Mallorca Midday or Sunset Sailing with Light Snacks and Open Bar (4 hours; typically from ~$85–$120).

Night: Dinner options: - De Tokio a Lima (creative Nikkei-Mallorcan plates on a chic terrace above Passeig del Born), - El Camino (standing tapas bar—order the tortilla, jamón, and daily fish), - Fera (Mediterranean-Asian tasting menus, refined but relaxed). For cocktails, try Ginbo (award-winning gin lab) or Brassclub (inventive classics). Dance into the night at Garito Café, a Palma institution on the marina with quality house and disco, or head to Social Club Mallorca on Paseo Marítimo for international DJs.

Day 2: Beach clubs, catamaran time, and a big night out

Morning: Coffee and breakfast at La Molienda (specialty coffee, seasonal toasts) or Rosevelvet Bakery (buttermilk pancakes, excellent espresso). Beach hop to Illetas (15–20 minutes by taxi, or EMT Bus 4; taxi ~€15–20; bus ~€2): book a sunbed at Balneario Illetas for gentle entry shelves and clear water, or go a touch glitzier at UM Beach House Portals with Balearic beats and daybeds. Order a chilled glass of local white and a seafood rice for an early lunch.

Afternoon: Swap the shore for turquoise coves on a small-group catamaran with tapas. It’s social, scenic, and fabulously photogenic.

Luxury Catamaran sailing with welcome Drinks Tapas Max10-12Person (about 4 hours; typically from ~$110–$160).

Night: Siesta, then sunset drinks at a rooftop—try the terrace at Sant Francesc for old-stone views. Dinner picks: Vandal (street-art cool, global tasting plates), Adrián Quetglas (Michelin-starred value tasting menu), or De Tokio a Lima if you didn’t go last night. For a high-energy finale, start with a theatrical cocktail at Abaco (a baroque mansion filled with fruit and flowers), then hit Social Club Mallorca. If you crave a super-club, taxi to BCM in Magaluf (20–25 minutes; ~€35–45 each way) and book a table in advance; dress smart.

Day 3: Palma’s history, last swim, and departure

Morning: Explore the island’s past with a small-group stroll and cathedral visit, plus a proper pastry stop—ideal culture before one last swim.

Palma de Mallorca: Walking Tour & Cathedral with Local Pastry (2.5–3 hours; typically from ~$40–$65).

Afternoon: Grab a quick bite before you go: Fornet de la Soca (heritage pastries and savory coca), Mercat de l’Olivar (oyster and tapas counters), or Sa Roqueta in Portixol (grilled fish by the water). If time allows, sneak a swim at Cala Major (10 minutes by taxi) or stroll the Portixol boardwalk. Taxi to PMI is ~15–20 minutes; aim to leave the center 2–2.5 hours before your flight.

Optional add-on (swap for Day 2 if you want mountains + villages)

Trade the beach clubs for honey-stone villages, citrus-scented valleys, and Mediterranean viewpoints on a boutique small-group day. This route weaves Valldemossa, Deià, and Sóller, often with a summer swim stop.

Mallorca Full-Day VIP Tour: Valldemossa, Deià & Sóller Experience (full day; typically from ~$95–$145).

Food & drink shortlist (save for later): - Breakfast/coffee: Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo (classic), La Molienda (specialty coffee), Rosevelvet Bakery (brunch), Arabay (local roaster). - Lunch by the sea: Balneario Illetas (sunbeds + paella), UM Beach House Portals (dayclub dining), Sa Roqueta (Portixol seafood), Mercat de l’Olivar (market tapas). - Dinner: El Camino (standing tapas), Vandal (edgy tasting), De Tokio a Lima (Nikkei-Med), Fera (tasting menu), Adrián Quetglas (Michelin). - Nightlife: Hostal Cuba Sky Bar (sunset), Ginbo / Brassclub (cocktails), Garito Café (DJ staple), Social Club Mallorca (late-night club), BCM Magaluf (super-club scale).

Local tips: - Reserve daybeds at Illetas/Portals on weekends; bring water shoes for rocky coves. - EMT Bus 4 runs to Illetas; tap-on payment works, but taxis save time after dark. - Many clubs prefer smart-casual; sneakers are fine if clean. Dinner starts late; nightlife heats up after midnight.

In three days you’ll taste Palma’s past and present: gilded Gothic stone, tapas and vermouth, smooth-sailing coves, and nights that stretch beneath Mediterranean stars. This itinerary keeps you in style—beach by day, beats by night—with just enough culture to make the memories linger.