Palma de Mallorca 3-day itinerary

Start at La Seu — Palma's Gothic cathedral with its Gaudí-redesigned interior and Miquel Barceló's ceramic chapel. Entry €9. Walk through the old town to the Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths, €3) — a rare 10th-century Moorish hammam with horseshoe arches and a garden courtyard. Continue to the Palau de l'Almudaina — the Moorish-turned-royal palace (€7) opposite the cathedral with harbour views from its gardens.

Lunch at the Mercat de l'Olivar — tapas at the market bars, fresh seafood, and pa amb oli (bread with tomato and oil, €3–5). Walk to the Santa Catalina quarter — Palma's trendiest neighbourhood in a former fishing village. Browse vintage shops on Carrer de Sant Magí, then grab a coffee at Mistral — a specialty café with excellent flat whites. The area feels like a village within the city.

The La Lonja district is Palma's evening hotspot. Start with vermut at La Rosa Vermutería on Carrer de la Rosa — excellent vermouth and tapas (€4–8). Walk to the atmospheric 15th-century Llotja building (beautiful from outside, occasionally open for exhibitions). Dinner at Bar Dia on Carrer d'Apuntadors — locals' favourite for montaditos and cold beer. End at Ginbo for craft gin and tonics.

Visit Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani (€8) — a striking modern museum built into the Renaissance sea walls with works by Picasso, Miró, and Barceló. The rooftop terrace has panoramic harbour views. Then taxi or bus 3 to the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró (€8) — Miró's Mallorcan studio preserved exactly as he left it, surrounded by olive groves. His unfinished canvases are still on the easels.

Bus 3 to Cala Major beach — a local sandy beach 15 minutes from the centre with clear water and a relaxed atmosphere. For something more upscale, continue to Illetas (bus 3, 20 min) — turquoise water in a sheltered cove backed by pine trees. Rent a sunbed (€10–15) or claim a spot on the rocks. Beachside lunch at a chiringuito — grilled sardines and cold beer.

The Passeig del Born is Palma's elegant boulevard lined with designer boutiques and plane trees. Walk to the rooftop bar at Hotel Nakar on Avinguda de Jaume III — 360° views of the cathedral, harbour, and mountains. For dinner, try Forn de Sant Joan on Carrer de Sant Joan for creative Mediterranean cuisine in a beautifully converted bakery (mains €16–24). The courtyard is magical.

Take the vintage wooden train from Palma to Sóller (€25 return, 1 hour) — a stunning journey through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, through 13 tunnels and past orange groves. Sóller's Plaça Constitució has Art Nouveau buildings and excellent cafes. Then take the antique tram (€8 return) down to Port de Sóller — a beautiful horseshoe harbour surrounded by mountains.

Swim at Port de Sóller's crescent beach — sheltered bay with calm, warm water and mountain views. Walk the coastal path to the lighthouse at Cap Gros (30 minutes) for dramatic clifftop views over the coast. Lunch at one of the harbour-front restaurants — try fresh fish or paella. Alternatively, head to Sa Calobra beach — a dramatic cove reached by a winding road through the mountains (bus from Port de Sóller).

Train back to Palma. For a farewell meal, head to Can Joan de s'Aigo for one last ensaimada (Palma's signature spiral pastry, €3–5) and thick hot chocolate. Or a final dinner at S'Ànima on the Passeig Marítim — contemporary Mallorcan cuisine overlooking the harbour (mains €18–28). Walk the harbour at night with the illuminated cathedral as your backdrop.