Pulling into Palma harbour on a clear morning is one of the great arrivals in the Mediterranean. The Gothic cathedral La Seu rises from the waterfront like a cathedral-ship itself : buttressed, vast, and golden in the early light. The city behind it is equally impressive: a compact old town of Renaissance mansions, Arab baths, tapas bars, and designer boutiques that manages to feel genuinely Mallorcan rather than just tourist infrastructure.
The one practical point to understand is that Palma’s cruise terminal (Moll Adossat) sits about 3 kilometres west of the city centre. It is not walkable for most people in summer heat, so you need to plan your transfer in. Many ships run a free shuttle; if yours does not, a taxi or the city bus is easy and cheap. Once you are in the old town, everything is on foot.
This guide covers transport into the city, the top sights in Palma, beach options for those who want a swim, and excursion ideas for seeing more of the island.
Port Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Port Type | Dock |
| Distance to Town | Cruise terminal (Moll Adossat) is 3 km west of the city centre; free shuttle or taxi |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Language | Spanish u0026 Catalan (English widely spoken) |
| Best Known For | The vast Gothic cathedral La Seu rising above the harbour, a sophisticated old town, and some of the most beautiful coves in the Balearics. |
- Cruise Terminal , Moll Adossat, Palma port
- La Seu Cathedral , Gothic cathedral, waterfront
- Old Town , Palma old town u0026 squares
- Palma Beach , Platja de Palma, city beach
Palma de Mallorca : Dock Port · View larger map
Getting From the Port to Town
Walking: The Best Option
Free (but long)- Walk time: 40–45 min walk from Moll Adossat terminal to La Seu Cathedral
- It is possible to walk from Moll Adossat along the palm-lined Passeig Marítim waterfront promenade into the city centre : it is a pleasant, mostly flat route and takes about 40–45 minutes. In the cooler months this is a lovely way to arrive. In July and August, the heat makes it less appealing and most passengers take the shuttle or a taxi.
Local Bus
Free shuttle (cruise line operated) or €1.50 city bus- Most cruise lines operating from Moll Adossat run a complimentary shuttle bus to the city centre (near La Seu Cathedral). Check whether your ship offers this before paying for alternatives. City bus line 1 also runs from the port area to the city centre for €1.50. The EMT bus network covers Palma well if you want to explore further.
Taxi
€10–€15 to old town; €20–€30 to beaches further afield- Taxis are available at the terminal exit. The fare to the old town or La Seu is typically €10–€15. For the popular beach area of Platja de Palma east of the city, expect to pay €20–€25. Uber does not operate in Mallorca : official taxis are your only app-free option.
Top Excursions
Foko Immersive Gallery Ticket
In the FoKO immersive gallery you will find 500m2 distributed in different rooms designed by local artists. You can play, paint…be a child again! Don't miss our wonderful Mediterranean-style ball pool.
Book This ExcursionWinery u0026 Villages of the Tramuntana Private Tour
Book a PRIVATE tour with us to discover the most beautiful place on earth, with a comfortable car and driver, and not the classic one with plenty of people having to share the same vehicle and strict stops. nnIdeal if you are spending some days in Mallorca and you want to discover it all, or if you
Book This ExcursionMallorca Southern cliffs and the Salt Marshes guided Tour
This route will take us to the southern part of the island, where we will find the most rugged coastline of the island, with impressive cliffs that we will approach to take amazing pictures.nnWhether you come with your own car, or if you hire our Vip-Trip service, with our communication system betwe
Book This ExcursionTour Beach Portal Vells, Cave Portal Vells.n
✨ Discover Mallorca with GoFurgo nnLooking for a unique way to explore Mallorca? Join our van tour experience and discover the island’s best beaches, coves, and hidden gems : all in one unforgettable day! nnWe’re a team of young adventurers with 10+ years of experience and ⭐ 1,000+ five-star reviews
Book This ExcursionMore Experiences in Palma de Mallorca
Mallorca: 5-hours Hidden Marvels Tour
An unforgettable journey through the Serra de Tramuntana to the Valley of Sóller that will allow us to explore hidden landscapes and places, learn about their legends, anecdotes and history, as well as enjoy the flavours of our local gastronomic products.nnWhether you come with your own car or with
Tour Sa Calobra, Torrent de Pareis y Cala Tuent
✨ Discover Mallorca with GoFurgo nnLooking for a unique way to explore Mallorca? Join our van tour experience and discover the island’s best beaches, coves, and hidden gems : all in one unforgettable day! nnWe’re a team of young adventurers with 10+ years of experience and ⭐ 1,000+ five-star reviews
Mallorca Shore Excursion Bellver Castle and Cathedral Private Tour
Admire one of the best preserved architectural marvels of medieval times and visit the inside of the Cathedral with your skip-the-line tickets and you'll be stunned by its magnificent interior. nPick up at Hotel or Cruise Terminal.
Motorcycles Custom Rent – Easy Rider Mallorca
Easy Rider Mallorca was created to offer motorcyclist friends an unforgettable riding experience on comfortable and safe motorcycles. To enjoy the journey in total relaxation.nnThe island of Mallorca offers an exceptional variety of routes, twists and turns immersed in nature, whether they are the p
Popular excursions in Palma de Mallorca sell out fast : especially in peak summer months. Compare tours and prices before you sail.
Things to Do Without an Excursion
Palma rewards independent exploration. The cruise terminal sits right on the waterfront, a flat 10–15 minute walk (or a €5–7 taxi) from the old town, and almost every main sight clusters within a compact area you can cover on foot. La Seu cathedral dominates the skyline from the moment you dock and makes the obvious first anchor for the day.
A well-paced self-guided day works best if you spend the morning on the cultural core : cathedral, palace, Arab Baths : then drift westward into Santa Catalina for lunch, leaving the afternoon free for the Born boulevard and any last-minute browsing before returning to the ship.
- La Seu Cathedral. One of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Europe, built on the waterfront from the 13th century onwards : entry is €9. Don’t miss the extraordinary wrought-iron baldachin canopy over the high altar, designed by Antoni Gaudí during his 1903–1915 restoration, his only major work outside Catalonia.
- Dalt Murada Ramparts. The medieval city walls that run alongside La Seu offer a free, elevated promenade with sweeping views over Palma Bay. The walkway links Carrer de la Portella to Carrer de l’Almudaina and takes around 15 unhurried minutes end to end.
- Royal Palace of La Almudaina. The Moorish-origin royal palace sits directly opposite the cathedral; check patrimonionacional.es before sailing as it has periodically been undergoing renovation. When open, adult entry is around €7, with free admission on the first Sunday of the month.
- Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs). A tiny but atmospheric 10th-century hammam : the best-preserved Islamic monument on Mallorca : tucked down Carrer de Can Serra 7 in the old town; entry is around €3.50. The small garden courtyard alone makes it worth 20 minutes of your time.
- Passeig des Born. Palma’s grand tree-lined boulevard, built on a former riverbed, runs from the old town toward the waterfront and is completely free to stroll. Lined with plane trees, pavement cafés, and boutiques, it is the natural route between the cathedral area and Santa Catalina.
- Santa Catalina & Mercat de Santa Catalina. A 10-minute walk west of the Born, this former fishing quarter is now Palma’s best foodie neighbourhood : Carrer de la Fàbrica and Carrer del Cotoner are lined with tapas bars. The covered market (open Mon–Fri until 17:00, Sat until 14:00) has 50 stalls and eat-in bars, ideal for a cheap, authentic lunch.
- Castell de Bellver. A rare circular Gothic castle on a pine-forested hill 3km from the centre, with 360-degree views over Palma Bay; entry €4, free on Sundays. Take EMT bus 50 from the city centre directly to the castle.
- Plaça de la Seu & Waterfront Walk. The open plaza in front of the cathedral, with the Almudaina palace on one side and the bay on the other : is one of the finest urban set-pieces in the Mediterranean and costs nothing to enjoy. The palm-lined Passeig Sagrera runs along the water back toward the cruise terminal, making a pleasant final leg at the end of the day.
The Cathedral of Palma (La Seu) is genuinely extraordinary inside : the nave is one of the widest Gothic naves in Europe and the stained glass floods the interior with colour. Entry is €9 and the queue can be long in summer. Arrive early or book ahead online at catedraldemallorca.org. The Gaudí-designed canopy over the altar is a genuine surprise.
Best Restaurants in Palma de Mallorca
Fera Palma Restaurant
Hidden among the cobbled streets of the centre of Palma, in a restored mansion in the old town, is the restaurant FERA. A u0022sensory orchestrau0022 directed by Austrian chef Simon Petutschnig, he seamlessly combines Mediterranean and Asian flavours to create what he calls u0022Mediterranea
#28 of 2,905 Places to Eat in Palma de Mallorca
View on TripAdvisorDuke Restaurant
We are a family operated Restaurant in the heart of the hip Santa Catalina district in Palma. Our purpose is to comfort and inspire with both: Food and Service. Thank you. Ronny
#30 of 2,905 Places to Eat in Palma de Mallorca
View on TripAdvisorBeatnik Restaurant u0026 Bar
Discover Beatnik and taste the world in the heart of Palma de Mallorca, at Puro Hotel Oasis Urbano and Puro Grand Hotel. Amazing gastronomy, unique cocktails, live music and DJ
#41 of 2,905 Places to Eat in Palma de Mallorca
View on TripAdvisorRatings & reviews powered by TripAdvisor
Getting Around
If your ship runs a free shuttle, the queue to board it back to the ship in late afternoon can be very long : particularly from around 4pm onwards when everyone heads back at once. Either leave the city by 3:30pm or take a taxi (€10–€15) direct to the terminal to avoid a 45-minute queue in the heat.
Essential Travel Tips
Palma's old town rewards serious wandering. The Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs) on Carrer de Can Serra are a remarkable survival from Moorish times (entry €3), the Almudaina Palace overlooking the cathedral is worth a visit, and the narrow streets of the Santa Catalina neighbourhood just west of the centre have the best independent restaurants and tapas bars.
Palma receives an enormous number of cruise passengers and the narrow old town streets become very congested from mid-morning. If you want to visit the Bellver Castle or Marivent Gardens on the western hillside, do it first thing : both are on the way from the cruise terminal and much quieter in the morning before the main crowds arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cruise terminal (Moll Adossat) is 3 km west of the old town. Many ships run a free shuttle bus to La Seu Cathedral area : check your daily programme. Alternatively, taxis from the terminal cost €10–€15, or you can walk the pleasant waterfront promenade in about 40–45 minutes.
Yes : once you are in the old town, everything is compact and walkable. La Seu Cathedral, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, the Arab Baths, and the main shopping streets are all within easy walking distance of each other. Wear comfortable shoes as the old streets are cobbled.
Platja de Palma is the main city beach, about 6 km east of the centre and reached by city bus or taxi (€15–€20). For something prettier, Cala Major is 5 km west and closer to the cruise terminal. For the stunning coves the island is famous for : Cala d'Or, Cala Pi : you really need a full-day excursion or hire car.
Yes, with planning. Sóller and its mountain railway is a popular day trip (about 30 km north). The Tramuntana mountain villages are beautiful. An organised excursion is easiest, but hiring a car from the terminal or city centre is also straightforward and gives more flexibility.
If you only have 3–4 hours, walk from the shuttle drop-off to La Seu Cathedral, spend an hour inside, walk along the old town waterfront to the Passeig des Born, have coffee and an ensaïmada at a terrace café, and browse the streets around the Mercat de l'Olivar before heading back. It is a perfect short visit.
Ready to Explore Palma de Mallorca?
Palma is one of the most satisfying city stops in the western Mediterranean : genuinely beautiful, food-obsessed, and with enough depth to reward a full day without any sense of having scraped the surface. Book La Seu tickets ahead of your cruise and check whether your ship offers a free shuttle to avoid the taxi queue.