1 Day in Palma de Mallorca: A Perfect Walking Itinerary

If you have only 1 day in Palma de Mallorca, you can still have a meaningful experience, whether you’re visiting from a cruise ship or a beach town nearby. You can see a lot of this beautiful city on foot, from the markets to the Old Town sights to the harbor. Here’s what to do in Palma in a day, including what to see, where to eat, and the best route to walk around.

👉 Staying overnight? Check out our guide on where to stay in Palma de Mallorca.

How to Spend 1 Day in Palma de Mallorca on Foot

We spent three days walking all over Palma, and we never needed a taxi after we arrived in the city. Everything on this itinerary is in walking distance, so all you need is comfortable shoes. We build this 1 day in Palma de Mallorca itinerary from morning to late night activities, but you can also pick and choose based on your preferences and how much time you have.

Big Mistakes to Avoid: If you can help it, don’t plan your day in Palma for a Sunday. Markets, the cathedral, and many restaurants and shops are closed. You can still have a meaningful day, but mid-week is better to ensure things are open. Also, don’t assume things will be open late. Always check the times for markets and sights, as they may change depending on the day and may close earlier than you expect.

Start Your 1 Day in Palma at Mercat de l’Olivar

If you have time for only one market, check out Mercat de l’Olivar, which has been open since 1951, and has dozens of fish and seafood stalls, butchers selling local charcuterie, cheese counters, and green grocers. Many Palma chefs do their shopping here, so you know the quality is good. There are also tapas bars inside that use ingredients from the market. For more on what to order at the markets and around the city, check out the Foodie Frontiers guide to Palma de Mallorca food.

Explore Plaça Major and Museu Fundación Juan March

From Mercat de l’Olivar, head down to Plaça Major, Palma’s big arcaded square. Just around the corner, the Museu Fundación Juan March has a free collection of 20th-century Spanish art with works by Miró, Picasso, Dalí, and Juan Gris.

Wander Over to the Santa Catalina Neighborhood

Next you can take a slow stroll over to Mercat de Santa Catalina, which is a small neighborhood market in the middle of Palma’s best food district. You’ll find fresh fish, handmade cheese, and local meats, fruits, and vegetables – plus an oyster bar and a few counters where you can sample some dishes while you shop. Be sure to wander the streets around the market, too, where you’ll find cool cafés, galleries, and restaurants. We love this neighborhood.

Check Out Sa Feixina Park and the Torrent de Sa Riera

From the market, it’s about a 5 to 10 minute walk to Sa Feixina Park to enjoy some lovely green space between Santa Catalina and the Old Town. We enjoyed walking along the Torrent de sa Riera toward the Old Town.

Enjoy Lunch at Marina Bay on the Harbor

Walk down to the harbor for lunch at Marina Bay, which was our favorite restaurant near Palma’s Old Town. The seafood is fresh, and the windows look right over the yachts in the marina. We shared the gambas al ajillo, the tuna tataki, and a burrata salad, and all three were great. It isn’t cheap, but you’re paying for the setting and the seafood. Book ahead if you can, and order the seafood even though the menu offers a lot more.

Pro Tip: If you have a little time after lunch, grab a cocktail at Mar de Nudos right next store.

Palma Cathedral and the Old Town

This path through the marina and Old Town will lead you right to the Palma Cathedral, which locals call La Seu. The Almudaina Palace is also there, right next to the cathedral, and you can admire both from Parc de la Mar. Plan ahead if you want to go inside the cathedral. We didn’t do this, but you can check the latest times and buy tickets on the official cathedral website.

After checking out the cathedral, wander the narrow streets of the Old Town. The Arab Baths are a short walk away. They date back to a time when Palma was influenced by the Moors. It’s a small site with beautiful architecture and a shaded garden. After that, head down the famous Passeig del Born.

Dinner at El Camino or Marc Fosh

El Camino in the Born is a small tapas bar with an open kitchen and one long counter. It was founded by Eddie Hart of London’s Barrafina, which is right next to our favorite place to stay in SoHo, Mimi’s Hotel. So, I was excited to try El Camino, which is open Tuesday through Saturday. A line forms fast, so get there right at 6 p.m. when they open. This casual spot is best for a couple due to the counter seating.

Marc Fosh is a Michelin-star splurge with a Mediterranean tasting menu served in a 17th-century convent. We weren’t able to get a reservation, but we’re planning to book ahead next time we’re in Palma de Mallorca.

Evening: Rooftop Bars in Palma de Mallorca

Palma has a lot of lovely rooftop bars that are perfect for sunset or nighttime views of the city:

Nakar Hotel has a small, intimate rooftop with a beautiful view of the cathedral, and it opens to the public at night. 👉 You can read our full Nakar Hotel review here.
Hotel Saratoga has a bigger rooftop, also with views over the cathedral and the port, and you can have dinner there too.
If you’re in Santa Catalina earlier in the day, Hotel Hostal Cuba has a rooftop with 360-degree views that’s open to everyone all day.

You can explore more in this Foodie Frontiers guide to the best rooftop bars in Palma de Mallorca.

Boat Tour Alternative

If you really want to get out on the water, you can skip some of these activities and either do a 4-hour day trip on a boat, or a sunset catamaran. Our sunset trip left the marina at 7:15 p.m. in late August and returned at about 9:15 p.m. in time for a late dinner or to start a night out in Palma. 👉 Read our full boat tour itinerary, including both daytime and sunset options, and how you can book them: Palma sunset catamaran review.

Late Night: Pinchos at Molta Barra

End your day at Molta Barra, which was the last stop on our Palma de Mallorca food tour. It’s a lively and fun tapas spot that gets packed with locals. If you’re still hungry, order a plate of pinchos from the bar, like shrimp, chorizo, morcilla, roasted peppers, and patatas skewered on bread. We added vermut over ice, which was also fantastic. If you’re there on a Tuesday, you can find specials.

Cozy restaurant exterior with chalkboard menu and warm interior lighting.

Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca

If you decide one day isn’t enough, we’d easily stay at Nakar Hotel again for the location, swanky vibe, rooftop, and included breakfast.
Hotel Saratoga is the best pick for groups and families since it has full-size pools and a great location.
Hotel Hostal Cuba is a great choice for the scene, right in the middle of Santa Catalina’s restaurants and bars. 👉 We compare all three in our guide to where to stay in Palma de Mallorca.

Marina at night with illuminated yachts and city skyline in the background.

1 Day in Palma de Mallorca FAQs

Is 1 Day in Palma de Mallorca Enough?

One day is enough to see the markets, the Old Town, the cathedral, and the harbor on foot. If you want to add a food tour, a sunset cruise, or a private island tour to the mountain towns, plan on a two or three night stay.

Can You Walk Around Palma de Mallorca in a Day?

Yes. Palma is a great walking city, and everything on this itinerary is within walking distance of the Old Town. We never needed a taxi in town.

What Is Closed in Palma on Sundays?

Both Mercat de l’Olivar and Mercat de Santa Catalina are closed on Sundays, and so is the cathedral for tourist visits. Many shops and restaurants close too, so we’d plan your day in Palma for another day of the week, if possible.

Have you been to Palma? Let us know in the comments.