It’s no wonder they call Mallorca the ‘gem of the Mediterranean.’ This Spanish island is an absolute stunner. Whether you want to meander through the winding alleyways of Palma, head to one of the beautiful beaches to swim in crystal clear water, or head further into the luscious Mallorcan countryside, Palma de Mallorca cruise port is well-positioned to explore everything this Balearic island has to offer.
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A brief history of Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca existed through the Roman and Byzantine periods, but it’s the Moorish occupation which really left its mark on the city. The Moors- who largely came from Muslim countries in north Africa and the Middle East- arrived in the 8th century and stuck around until 1229.
Under Islamic rule, the Christian population was allowed to continue being, well, Christian, and although the Mallorcans had to pay a tax to their conquerors, the island actually flourished; controversially, all this flourishing was mostly down to piracy. Ships sailing through Balearic waters were often sacked (not fired, but ransacked for all their treasures), and this brought enormous wealth to the city and its people.
Eventually the Christian commercial seafarers grew rather annoyed with all the plundering of their ships, which is fair enough, and a Crusade was launched to regain control of the Balearic waters. Palma de Mallorca was taken by James I of Aragon, and the island was officially declared a Kingdom.
Eventually Spain became one big nation, of which Mallorca is obviously part of. And with the arrival of mass tourism in the 1950s, and thanks to its continuing popularity as a tourist destination, it’s one of the wealthiest regions in the whole country. Over half of the island’s population live in Palma, and it’s especially popular with German and English visitors.
If you’re not sure exactly where Mallorca is- that’d be in the Balearic islands, which include Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. And this beautiful little archipelago is in the western Mediterranean, not far at all from the coast of Catalonia, Spain. (In fact, Catalan is an official language of Mallorca, along with Spanish.)
Where is Palma de Mallorca cruise port?
There are two options for cruise ships docking at Palma de Mallorca cruise port, although they’re fairly close together.
The first, larger spot is Dique del Oeste which juts out into the sea next to an old fortress. This is slightly further out of the city, but taxis can drive right up to the cruise terminal.
The second port is right next to Dique del Oeste but much more accessible. This is Muelle de Poniente, where smaller ships can dock. There’s a bus stop directly outside the terminal building, which can take you into the city.
How to get from the airport to Palma de Mallorca cruise port
There are plenty of taxis at the airport, and the journey from airport to port takes around fifteen minutes. It’ll cost about €40-50. (2024) If you’re not sure which terminal your ship will be docked at, just say the name of the ship to the taxi driver; they’ll know where to drop you.
You can often save money by booking a transfer in advance as these aren’t metered. Check transfers from Palma de Mallorca airport to the cruise port.
How to get from Palma de Mallorca cruise port to the city
When you dock at Palma de Mallorca, chances are that you’ll be able to spy the magnificent Seu Cathedral from your ship. (It’s the gargantuan stone block along the coastline, and unless you’re facing the wrong way you can’t miss it.)
Most cruise companies organise a shuttle bus to take passengers from Palma de Mallorca cruise port into the city. The journey takes about 10-15 minutes each way, depending on traffic, and shuttle buses drop passengers very close to the cathedral. However, this can be very expensive! If there’s a group of you (or even just, more than one), it might be worth taking a taxi or bus.
There are always plenty of licensed taxis waiting directly outside both cruise terminals.
The Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus has a stop at the exit of Muelle de Poniente, and the circular route is a great way to see the city. Book tickets in advance.
You can also take the public bus from the cruise port to Palma de Mallorca city centre. Take Line 1- which runs every 15 minutes- either from the entrance to Dique del Oeste, or outside the exit of the Station 2 building at Muelle de Poniente. It’ll cost €3 (2024) and you’ll need to have cash on you.
Check the timetable for Line 1.
It is possible to walk from Palma de Mallorca cruise port to the city centre, but it’ll take about 50-90 minutes depending on which terminal you dock at. The walk is lovely, taking you all the way along the seafront past yacht clubs, hotels and old buildings, castles, and city walls; but a 90 minute walk might not be everyone’s cup of tea even on flat terrain.
What’s within walking distance of the cruise port?
Aside from the 90 minute walk to the city, you mean?
Right pals, so if you’ve not got a lot of time on your hands- maybe you’re a crew member with only an hour or so off, or maybe you’re a passenger who just simply can’t be bothered to have a full on day in the city- there is one main attraction near the cruise terminal.
And that is Porto Pi Centro. This is basically a big shopping mall, which has just about everything you need for sale. Head here for an afternoon shopping, to use some wifi, or to grab a bite to eat. This is also a go-to for stocking up on snacks and toiletries, for just about every crew member I know. If you can’t get it anywhere else on your route, you’ll probably find it at Porto Pi.
Except on Sundays and public holidays, because it’ll most certainly be closed.
The best things to do in Palma de Mallorca cruise port
Visit La Seu Cathedral
La Seu Cathedral is unmissable. Literally. If you go into the city of Palma de Mallorca, there is no way you can miss it: this gargantuan sandstone block with its gothic buttresses and turrets dominates the city’s waterfront, and in the late afternoon sunshine as the shadows get longer, it’s particularly breathtaking.
The cathedral is built on the site of a mosque; old James of Aragon decided to construct it here to assert Christianity as the dominant religion once he’d reclaimed Mallorca. And while he may have started work on the cathedral in 1229, it wasn’t actually finished until 1601- this was quite the project. In 1903, Gaudí was drafted in to help with the restoration of La Seu, as he was all the rage across the water in Barcelona. Some of Gaudí’s changes and influences can be seen in the cathedral, although he actually left the project earlier after too many squabbles with the bishop.
You can buy tickets to La Seu on the day, but to avoid queues purchase a skip-the-line ticket.
Wander through the old town
The winding alleyways of the old town of Palma de Mallorca are so, so pretty and well worth a visit. In fact, on my first visit I was positively shocked at just how pretty the old town is; I’d previously thought this was a city filled with high-rise hotels and tacky tourist bars.
How very wrong I was.
You can instantly see the Moorish influence on the city centre’s layout, and the narrow alleys also provide some cool patches of shade in the hot summer months. The architecture is a historic blend of beautiful structures: from the Moorish fort and baths, and Gothic churches, to the Catalán Art Nouveau buildings embellished with swirls and colours and patterns, reminiscent of the architecture of Barcelona. The best thing of all is that although these days the old town is filled with boutique hotels and tapas bars and souvenir shops, somehow the area has retained its historic atmosphere; and even on the busiest of days, all you need to do is divert slightly from the main streets and you’ll be in an empty lane with near-silence surrounding you.
Book this hugely popular private walking tour to explore the Old Town with a local guide. Or for another, faster-paced view of the city, book a tour of Palma de Mallorca by e-bike.
Chill out at one of the beaches near Palma de Mallorca cruise port
There are a few beaches near Palma de Mallorca cruise port, but Cala Major is my favourite. This spot has fine white sand, and is fairly sheltered from any choppy waters and windy conditions, so the water is completely clear.
Cala Major is a resort on the outskirts of Palma de Mallorca, so in the summer months it can get crowded. But that also means there are plenty of beach bars, restaurants and cafes around. (Check out Sí o Sí Cookies for your home-baked cookie fix. They’re delish.)
I have visited Cala Major on foot before (it took about 45 minutes from Dique del Oeste to Cala Major), but the most convenient way of getting to this beach is by bus. Take the Line 4 bus from Porto Pi; the journey takes about 5 minutes and costs €2 (2024).
Check bus timetables for Line 4.
Another firm favourite for cruise passengers is Playa de Can Pere Antoni, which is a long sandy beach right near the city centre. This is a great option if you want to see Palma as well as have some beach time, although bear in mind that as a city beach it can get busy.
Keep following the coastline away from the centre of Palma, and you’ll reach the trendy neighbourhood of Portixol, which was once a fishing village. This is another long sandy beach, with a very different vibe to the more secluded cove of Cala Major, but it is a chilled spot which is also a great place to enjoy a seafront drink and a meal later in the day.
Try an Ensaïmada
Ensaïmadas are big swirls of Mallorcan pastry, which are traditionally made with pork lard (saïm being the Catalan word for it). Don’t get me wrong, there’s something about pork lard in a sweet pastry that seems a little gross, but Ensaïmadas are really, really delicious.
These days, as well as plain swirls dusted with icing sugar, you can buy filled Ensaïmadas- the most common filling being ‘angel hair,’ which is the stringy strands of pumpkin, sweetened and made into a jam. Either buy a huge one in a traditional octagonal box, or try a small one instead.
The most popular place to buy Ensaïmadas in Palma de Mallorca is Horno Santo Cristo, but there are plenty of other really great bakeries in town.
Shop till you drop
Palma de Mallorca cruise port is a great shopping destination, so if you’re a shopper then you’re going to love it here. The Passeig des Born with its leafy central avenue of trees, and Avinguda Jaume III with its covered walkways, are the major players when it comes to big international brands and high-end boutiques.
And for smaller shops, artistic boutiques, specialist delis and galleries (as well as more of those international brands), head in to the labyrinth of streets of the Old Town, behind the cathedral.
If you’re wondering what souvenirs to buy in Mallorca, look for Mallorcan-made pottery and baskets, olive oil, Flor de Sal (that’s Mallorcan sea salt), or ‘roba de llengos’ fabric. This strong, dyed fabric, is a type of Mallorcan ikat which originated in the Far East. It’s now used to make bags, tablecloths, cushions and beach towels, so there’s plenty of options for your roba de llengos needs.
Visit one of Palma de Mallorca’s museums
If you want to discover a bit about Mallorcan culture (whilst perhaps staying out of the heat), there are plenty of museums, palaces and galleries to visit in Palma de Mallorca.
Bellver Castle is a 14th century hilltop castle located in between Palma de Mallorca cruise port and the city centre. The Gothic circular fortress was built by King Jaume II of Mallorca, and although it later became a prison, these days it houses the Municipal Museum of History. Check out artefacts from Roman, Arabian and Medieval times, showcasing Palma’s multicultural heritage, and if that doesn’t float your boat enough, just head there for the 360º views. (The Hop On Hop Off Bus has a stop at Bellver, FYI.)
The Palau March Museum is an absolute gem which often gets overlooked, even though it’s right next to the Cathedral. Set in an old family palace, the museum houses works of art by some of Spain’s most well-known artists, including Picasso, Miró and Dalí, and has a courtyard filled with sculptures. Aside from the fact that the house is beautiful, the most interesting thing for me is the Mallorcan cartography on display. Mallorca’s history as a seafaring nation led to its own unique style of cartography, which was developed by a predominantly Jewish collective of cartographers who resided in Mallorca. (Once upon a time there was a sizeable Jewish population in the city, particularly during the days of Muslim rule.) The maps these cartographers drew were stunning, but also unique in that they were so colourful and very illustrative; mountains and rivers are drawn on, and tiny people cross the paper on the trade routes across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina is the official residence of the Spanish king and queen when they come to visit Mallorca. There has been an alcazar on this site since the days of Moorish rule, but when Jaume II arrived on the scene he converted the building to more of a gothic vibe. There are hints of Islamic architecture to be spotted around the building, like the archways at the front of the building, or the stone baths within. Part of the royal apartments are open for visitors, and the gardens at the side of the palace also make a beaut spot to sit and watch the world go by.
Other popular spots include Es Baluard museum of contemporary art, the Museo Mallorca, and the Fundació Miró Mallorca, which is in Cala Major and is dedicated to the work of artist Joan Miró.
Get the train to Sóller
Full disclaimer here folks: as a crew member, I’ve never had time to get the famous wooden train from Palma de Mallorca to Sóller, but it’s on my list. The reason for this isn’t necessarily the length of the journey- a one-way trip takes just an hour- but the train runs roughly once every couple of hours. Time is of the essence when you’ve got to get back to work; for cruise ship passengers the timetable is a much easier challenge to navigate.
The iconic wooden train began chugging along the tracks through the brilliant Sierra Norte countryside back in 1912, and once you reach the pretty town of Sóller you can hop onto a tram to take you down to Port Sóller and its little harbour.
The best excursions from Palma de Mallorca cruise port
The island of Mallorca is incredibly pretty, verdant green landscapes, sweeping mountain ranges, and stunning rocky outcrops into turquoise water. If you’ve already seen enough of Palma de Mallorca, it’s a really great idea to head out into the countryside and explore the island even further, either on your own or as part of a tour.
This six hour private tour is ideal for cruise ship passengers. It doesn’t just take you to visit the cobbled streets of Valdemossa, through the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, and on to Sóller, but it’s also covered by Viator’s guarantee to return you well in time to your ship.
Another perfect excursion- for more thrill-seeking cruise ship passengers- is this Coasteering Trip. The trip lasts four hours, you’ll be picked up and dropped off at the cruise port, and shown how to make your way along Mallorca’s rocky coastline using a combination of abseiling, climbing, swimming and cliff jumping. There is a guide with you the whole way, and the minimum age limit is eight years old.
Or hire a car and head off on your own tour of the island, wherever the wind takes you! I had an amazing road trip to the tiny town of Andratx right up in the Tramuntana mountains, which we were able to do with just a few hours spare.
Whatever your travel style is: beaches, history, beauty or adrenaline, if you’re docking at Palma de Mallorca cruise port, there really is something for everything here. Don’t skip this wonderful Mediterranean pearl- Palma is a true gem.