4 DaysSpain
Palma
Your 4-day travel guide
Spring or autumn for mild weather, fewer crowds
Palma•4D•All
Palma, Spain
Duration:4 Days
Activities:12
Best for:All travelers
Palma's Secret Courtyards & Coastal Dreams
Palma de Mallorca serves as the dynamic capital of Spain's Balearic Islands, blending medieval grandeur with contemporary Mediterranean allure. Its historic core features the soaring Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria, known as La Seu, alongside the adjacent Royal Palace of La Almudaina, remnants of Moorish and royal heritage. Narrow streets of the old town reveal Arab Baths and lively plazas like Plaça Major, while neighborhoods such as Santa Catalina offer modern dining amid residential charm. The expansive waterfront along Passeig Marítimo provides harbor views and access to urban beaches. This 4-day itinerary explores Palma's layered history, artistic legacy, culinary offerings, and local enclaves, allowing visitors to experience the city's compact scale on foot or by efficient public transport.
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1
Cultural Heritage
Day 1 of your journey
The Cathedral of Santa Maria, or La Seu, represents one of Europe's premier Gothic achievements, constructed from 1229 to 1601 with slender columns rising 44 meters and the world's second-largest rose window at 13.8 meters in diameter. Visitors tour vaulted interiors enhanced by Antoni Gaudí's modernist baldachin and tiles, ascend terraces for panoramic views, and witness light effects through stained glass. Entry tickets cost around €10, with combined palace access at €16. Mornings offer fewer crowds and optimal natural illumination.
Catedral de Mallorca
Why Visit
La Seu uniquely fuses Gothic scale with Gaudí innovations, creating vertical space unmatched elsewhere. Its waterfront prominence and daily light transformations provide repeated photographic opportunities, while rooftop access reveals Palma's layout from a singular vantage unmatched by ground views.
Arrive at opening to capture rose window rainbows; book skip-the-line tickets online. Flash photography prohibited inside; exterior best at dusk with Parc de la Mar reflections. Coordinates pinpoint main entrance.
2
Art and Museums
Day 2 of your journey
3
Culinary Exploration
Day 3 of your journey
4
Local Neighborhoods
Day 4 of your journey
Before You Go
Essential Travel Tips
Use EMT buses or bikes via BikePalma stations for efficient city navigation; single tickets €2.
Euro currency standard; cards widely accepted except small markets.
Spanish predominant, English common in tourist areas; 'gràcies' means thank you in Catalan.
Palma safe overall; watch bags in crowded old town.
Dress modestly at cathedral (shoulders/knees covered); siesta closes shops 14:00-17:00.
Tap water safe; buy ensaïmada pastries fresh mornings.
Book restaurants and attractions online to skip lines.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer mild 18-25°C weather ideal for walking, fewer crowds than summer peak (June-August, 30°C+ with high tourism), and vibrant fiestas like June's Nit de Foc fireworks. Winter suits cultural visits with December Christmas markets, though cooler 15°C and occasional rain.
Local Insights & Tips
Palma embodies bilingual Catalan-Spanish culture, evident in signage and 'bon dia' greetings. Siesta traditions pause commerce afternoons, respecting family time; punctuality valued at dinners post-21:00. Santa Catalina buzzes with creative locals at markets, La Lonja mixes history with nightlife, old town retains Moorish narrowness for shade. Tipping 5-10% customary; try sobrasada sausage and hierbas liqueur. Respect cathedral etiquette; island pace favors lingering cafe chats over rushed schedules.