Palma de Mallorca, Spain
A golden Gothic cathedral on the bay, an old town of courtyards and cafés, and mountain villages an easy drive away. Here’s how to spend your day on Mallorca.
The Balearics’ grand old capital
Palma is Mallorca’s capital and one of the most elegant cities in the Mediterranean. La Seu, the huge sandstone cathedral, rises straight from the old sea walls, with the royal Almudaina palace beside it and an old town of narrow lanes, hidden courtyards and tapas bars behind.
Beyond the city, the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hold the stone villages of Valldemossa and Sóller, and the Caves of Drach lie on the east coast. Below are the excursions we’d book, the ship tours worth knowing about and the details that make a Palma day easy.
Which pier you’ll dock at
Your terminal depends mainly on the size of your ship and what else is in port that day. Confirm yours on your itinerary a few days before you arrive.
Poniente terminals
Most ships berth at the Paraires and Poniente quays, served by Estació Marítima 1 to 4, about 2.5 miles from the cathedral along the seafront. Your cruise line will explain the options for getting into the old town, and tours meet you at the terminal.
Used by: Azamara, Crystal, Cunard, Oceania, Regent, Silversea, Viking and Windstar.
Dique del Oeste
The largest ships, generally those over 1,000 feet long, berth on the western breakwater at Estació Marítima 5 and 6, close to the Porto Pi area and a little farther from the old town. Many lines run their own transfer into town from here; check your daily planner for details.
Used by: Celebrity, MSC, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean.
Excursions we’d book
Hand-picked shore excursions from local operators, bookable through our partner Project Expedition. Every tour here carries Project Expedition’s Back to Ship Guarantee. Prices are per person and can change; check the live price when you book.
Shore Excursion: Private Tour of Valldemossa, Soller and Serra de Tramuntan
A private tour from the cruise port into the Serra de Tramuntana, with time in hilltop Valldemossa and the orange-grove town of Sóller. About five hours with your own guide and vehicle.
View on Project ExpeditionPrivate Tour: Mallorca Caves of Drach & Majorica Pearl Factory
A private trip to the Caves of Drach on the east coast, with a short classical concert on the underground lake, plus a stop at the Majorica pearl factory. Pickup is available from the cruise area, and the day runs about five hours.
View on Project ExpeditionThe Back to Ship Guarantee and refunds if your ship skips Palma de Mallorca are covered by Project Expedition’s shore excursion terms. Your advisor can walk you through them.
Cruise line favorites
Book these in your cruise planner. Ship-sold tours cost a bit more, but the ship waits for you if the tour runs late.
- Valldemossa & Sóller. A scenic drive into the mountains to the monastery town where Chopin spent a winter, often paired with Sóller and a ride on its vintage wooden train.
- Caves of Drach. The Palma tour our guests ask us about most: a walk through the caves to one of Europe’s largest underground lakes, with a short live concert on the water. Expect many steps.
- Palma highlights. The cathedral, the old town and Bellver Castle, the round 14th-century fortress with views over the bay. A good half day if you want an easy start.
- Wine & countryside. Mallorca’s inland wineries and market towns, with tastings of local wines and olive oil.
Exploring without a tour
Prefer to explore at your own pace? These are the highlights to know, wherever your day takes you. Keep an eye on the clock.
La Seu & the Almudaina
Palma’s Gothic cathedral has one of the largest rose windows in the world, and Gaudí worked on its interior. The Almudaina Royal Palace next door began as a Moorish fortress. Both charge admission.
The old town
Wander the lanes behind the cathedral for Renaissance courtyards, the Arab Baths, the Plaça Major and the leafy Passeig des Born. Try an ensaïmada, Mallorca’s spiral pastry, in one of the old cafés.
Bellver Castle
A rare circular castle on a pine-covered hill west of the center, with a museum of city history and some of the best views over the bay and your ship.
Before you go ashore
- All-aboard is firm. If you book independently, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Traffic along the seafront can be slow on busy days, especially with three ships in port.
- Fewer ships, by agreement. Palma and the cruise lines have agreed to no more than three ships in port a day, with only one carrying over 5,000 guests, and summer limits tighten further from 2027. Busy days still happen, so the mountain villages can be a calmer choice.
- Traveling with mobility needs? The cruise terminals are a long way from the old town, and the cathedral area and caves involve steps and slopes. If you or someone in your party has mobility needs, tell your advisor when you book. Our accessibility specialist can help arrange the right support.
- Dress for the cathedral. La Seu asks visitors to cover shoulders, and beachwear isn’t allowed inside.
- New EU entry checks. The EU’s Entry/Exit System is fully in place, so non-EU visitors have fingerprints and a photo taken the first time they enter the Schengen area. On a cruise this usually happens at your embarkation port, not on a port day. Your cruise line will tell you if anything is needed onboard.
Sailing to Palma de Mallorca
Many Western Mediterranean itineraries call here, often sailing round trip from Barcelona or Rome (Civitavecchia). Some lines also embark guests in Palma.Find a cruisePlan with Harr Travel
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