Cruise from Palma de Mallorca – the essential guide

As a holiday destination, Palma de Mallorca has it all. A cruise from Palma, the capital city of the Spanish Balearic islands, means that you can enjoy both the lively city and the beautiful island of Mallorca before you climb aboard your cruise ship.

Spend a few days here and start your cruise vacation immediately on an island with incredible beaches, mountains, a rich history, great shopping, and lively nightlife. And don’t limit your stay to Palma; we encourage you to explore the quaint Spanish villages, vineyards, olive groves, and beautiful coastline towards the north and east of the island.

With excellent transportation options and a busy airport, Palma is easy to get to and find your way around.

Base yourself in the center of the Palma, and you will still be within walking distance of the marina and close to the beach. Further afield, the surrounding countryside is ideal for exploring on a small group tour, with a rental car, or on a scooter.

And it doesn’t stop there. Get out on the water and enjoy many water sports—or even deep-sea fishing, diving, or snorkeling. You and your family will love this place.

We have a 3-day guide to make your visit memorable before your cruise from Palma. Most cruises depart from the main Palma cruise port, easily reachable by a short taxi ride from the city center. Check your cruise ticket to be sure which terminal you need, and find more details about getting to the port at the end of this article. 

Transport options from Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) to the city center

Here are the transport options from Palma de Mallorca Airport to your city center hotel.

Palma de Mallorca Airport is located 15km south of the city. You can find our expert tips on booking your flights here.

Upon arrival at the airport and through customs control and baggage claim, you will find services such as rental car desks, banking, a couple of cafes, and a gift shop.

Airport Bus

The airport bus is our favorite way to get from the airport into the center of Palma. It’s easy to find; follow the covered walkway signposted to the bus pickup area. Buses will be marked into the city.

You must take the blue, green, and white EMT buses. Route A1 is for rides into the city center. Buy your ticket from the driver upon boarding the bus. Have some euros in coins or small notes with you. If you travel with children under 5, they will travel free. The journey is about 40 minutes and offers ten stops in the city center.

Taxi

There are plenty of licensed taxis at the airport. Look for the official Palma Airport Taxis, which are white with a red and yellow stripe. Most taxis are metered. The airport is 15km from Palma, and a taxi journey should cost around 35 euros.

Follow the taxi signs at the airport to get to the taxi rank. This way, you will know you are getting into an approved licensed taxi.

Car Rental

If you want the freedom to explore the island whenever possible, renting a car is easy from the airport. Big brands such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and Alamo are all located at the airport. Book in advance and ensure you have the appropriate insurance. And do remember to check if you need to apply for an international driving license before you leave home.

Private Transfer

Where to stay in Palma

We have a selection of recommended hotels that are firm favorites for cruise passengers and ourselves when visiting the city.

The hotels are either in the center or close to the attractive marina. They offer modern and spacious rooms and are ideal hotels to stay in before your cruise from Palma. The marina is located about 2,5km from the Old Town in the center, so choose the location that suits you best:

Marina location:

  • Hotel Victoria Grand Melia
  • Melia Palma Marina
  • Innside by Melia Palma Bosque

City center location:

  • Hotel Sant Jaume
  • AH Art Hotel Palma
  • Can Alomar Urban Luxury Retreat

How to spend 3 days before your cruise from Palma de Mallorca

Palma has one of Europe’s best historical quarters. It’s a compact city, a maze of shops, cafes, restaurants, striking architecture, and palaces. Spreading out to the marina and the surrounding beaches. A few days here before your cruise from Palma will feel like a mini holiday, even before you climb aboard your ship.

The Hop-on, Hop-off bus, a visitor’s best friend

As with all major cities, there is a hop-on, hop-off bus in Palma too. Ideal especially during the heat of the high season or for those who cannot walk great distances, the stops on the bus routes include all the major sights. And also a stop at the main cruise terminal. It is an excellent way to get around if you don’t mind some crowds and joining the queue.

Day 1- Palma Cathedral, Palace of La Almudaina & Shopping on the Golden Mile

Palma Cathedral – a great starting point for your first day on the island of Mallorca

Start your day at Palma Cathedral. If you are in a group and want to split up and do different things, then the cathedral is a good meeting point to reconnect during the day.

The official name of this beautiful cathedral, a landmark in the city, is Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca, more commonly referred to as La Seu. It’s famous for its enormous rose window and wrought iron canopy. Do check the opening times for the cathedral before you visit.

We recommend buying a ticket with an audio guide to make the most of your time here. You can also include a tour of the terraces in your ticket, which gives you a spectacular view of Palma and beyond.

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina

Directly opposite the cathedral is the 14th-century Royal Palace of La Almudaina. This is the official residence of Spain’s Royal Family when they visit the island. Some areas of the palace are open to visitors, and the chapel, the parade ground, the baths, and the terraces are worth visiting.

A shopper’s paradise and the Golden Mile

From here, we suggest you head towards the historic square Plaça Major. Use the time on the way to explore the atmospheric side streets, as Palma is a real shoppers’ paradise. You will often find an outdoor market in the square, and one of the numerous cafes is an excellent place to stop for coffee and a bite to eat. Try the traditional Mallorcan ensaimada pastries.

If you’re looking for luxury brands and wide tree-lined boulevards, head to the area known as Palma’s Golden Mile, Passeig del Born. It’s easy to spend the rest of the day around this area, shopping, and sightseeing. Turn into Carrer de Sant Feliu for art galleries and exclusive home decor boutiques.

Finish the day by eating dinner at La Paloma. We love this rustic restaurant. They open at 5 pm if you want to eat early; otherwise, book a table in advance to avoid disappointment. Alternatively, very close by is the more formal restaurant Forn de Sant Joan; they also have a great cocktail menu.

Day 2 – Bellver Castle, Mercat de Santa Catalina & Joan Miró’s Workshops, followed by an afternoon at the beach

Start your 2nd day at the marina at one of the cafes along the waterfront. A morning stroll around the marina is a great walk. Indeed it’s our favorite part of the city where to stay, particularly at the Melia Palma Marina Hotel.

If you enjoy history, we recommend the short taxi ride to Bellver Castle – Castell de Bellver. The castle is just a few kilometers on a hill. Buy tickets in the visitor’s reception center upon arrival – but check their website before your visit for opening times and note the castle is closed on Mondays!

Originally built as a Royal castle by Jaume II in 1300, it is now a fantastic museum with outstanding architecture. Audio guides are readily available when buying your entrance ticket. Head to the top and be inspired by the spectacular view of Palma laid out before you.

The fantastic food market of Santa Catalina

If you prefer, head straight to Mercat de Santa Catalina to start your day. A foodie’s paradise, it is the oldest and one of the best food markets in Palma and is just a 20-minute walk from the marina. Here you are right on the edge of the Old Town in the charming neighborhood of Santa Catalina.

Specializing in fish, cheeses, fruit, and vegetables, you can buy local olive oils, fresh almonds, and wines. The market is open Monday through Saturday from 7 am until 4 pm. Order fresh tapas and a glass of local wine and sit in the sun if you are there around lunchtime.

Visit the workshops of Joan Miró, a portrait of life and art

While in Palma, you don’t want to miss a visit to the beautiful home, gardens, and workshops of the famous Catalan painter Joan Miró. Check out the website for opening hours. There is a cafe in the gardens and a great little gift shop.

Palma Beach Life

Time for the beach? You are spoilt for choice. Local buses are cheap in the city. Cala Major is one of the most popular. It’s a wide sandy beach but too far to walk from the center. The number 4 bus goes there from the marina. Otherwise, hop into a cab for the 10-minute drive.

Playa de Palma is the closest beach to the city. It’s a long sandy beach with great restaurants and numerous water sports. The beach is located 5km east of Palma. Get there using the bus stop opposite the cathedral at Plaça de la Reina and hop onto bus number 15. Alternatively, take a taxi from your hotel or rent bicycles and cycle the coastline to get there.

Santa Ponsa, a favorite family beach spot close to Palma, is a little further afield. Located about 25 minutes by taxi from Palma, you’ll find a great beach in a busy town with many choices for eating out and relaxing. And it’s an ideal spot for families with children and the chance to explore another part of the coast.

Finish your day back in the marina. If you are looking for a great restaurant with a view over the marina, try 49 Steps, it’s one of our favorites. Or, for something closer to the city center, try The Merchants, with a rooftop bar, to enjoy those after-dinner cocktails.

Day 3 – Best day trips from Palma

If you have time, we recommend using one of your pre- (or post) cruise days in Palma to see more of Mallorca Island. Our top choices for a day trip from Palma are:

  • Port d’Alcúdia and Drach Caves
  • Valldemossa and Sóller

It is easy to rent a car in Palma. The roads through the mountain ranges, Serra de Tramuntana and Serra de Llevant are excellent and some of the most scenic routes you will ever drive. If you opt for an electric car, there are charging points all over the island, including at public car parks.

With a rental car, you can zip around the island according to your schedule. But if you prefer not to tackle the traffic getting out of the city, book a guided tour with a trusted supplier.

Port d’Alcudia

Port d’Alcudia is 60km from Palma on the northeast coast of Mallorca. It’s an easy drive there across the island. It’s a beautiful beach destination next to the town of Alcudia. Enjoy the day at one of the many beaches and shopping in the old town’s cobbled streets.

Just 5km from Alcudia is the hidden gem of Platja des Coll Baix, situated on Peninsula La Victòria. The only way to get down to this beautiful quiet bay is by hiking across cliffs or by boat from Port d’Alcudia. It is lovely here, and it will be well worth it. Take plenty of water and snacks with you; there is just the beach and peace and quiet here.

If you are seeking nature and aren’t one to sit on the beach, opt for hiking the Alcudia Peninsular instead. Spring and Autumn are ideal times to hike. The unique flora and fauna, hidden coves, and clear blue water make this a fantastic way to spend your day.

Many guided tours start at Plaça de la Porta de Mallorca in the center of Alcudia. We recommend you visit the tourist office on Passeig de Pere Ventayol for maps and advice before you set off.

Combine your day excursion with a visit to the Drach Caves

Some guided tours with transport will even include visiting the spectacular Drach Caves, south of Alcudia in Porto Cristo on the islands’ east coast. These limestone caves are stunning. Tickets can be purchased in advance, but check the website for opening times. Tours often include a boat trip across Lake Martel.

A visit to the Drach Caves can be done separately as a day excursion. There is plenty to see in nearby Porto Cristo, and we recommend you combine a visit to the caves with a boat trip from Port Cristo to explore the fantastic east coast of the island. Many of the catamaran cruises also include lunch.

Valldemossa and Sóller

Port de Soller and Valldemossa, Palma de Mallorca

This is our favorite of all-day excursions from Palma.

Valldemossa, just 30 minutes north of Palma, is a beautiful small town that gives you a feeling of old Spain. Walk the streets, shop in the markets, and support local businesses by enjoying locally produced arts and crafts. Surrounded by citrus groves, a hike from the village towards the mountains offers fantastic views as you discover more tiny villages scattered in the hills.

From Valldemossa, drive to the remote village of Sóller. In a small, charming coastal village, old wooden trams run through the town. Hop on the tram at the train station, which is in the village itself, and ride the 20-minute journey to Port de Sóller. The harborside is a perfect place for lunch. A much quieter alternative to Palma, you will also see spectacular sunsets if you lengthen your stay into the evening.

If want want to enrich your day even further and feel you have the driving skills to tackle a mountain road, then include the idyllic, honey-colored mountain village of Deià as you explore. Deià is located between Valldellmossa and Sóller in the dramatic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.

How to take the historic train journey from Palma to Sóller

If you do not want to rent a car in Palma, we recommend you take the landmark wooden train to Sóller instead. It’s a popular and easy train journey winding through the mountains and tunnels with fantastic views. It’s sometimes called The Orange Express.

First, you must get to the train station in Palma. The Sóller train departs from Palma railway station, located close to Plaça de Espanya. To get to Palma railway station is a 10-minute journey time by taxi from the center, or about 15 minutes using a taxi from the marina, and a few minutes longer if you are traveling from the cruise port.

The train journey from Palma to Sóller is about 7km and takes around one hour. A return ticket will cost you approximately 25 euros per person. However, we recommend adding on the tram ticket too, for about 32 euros per person. (Please note that prices are subject to change).

Once you get to Sóller train station, a little tram takes you from the village down to Port de Sóller and the beach (a further 5km). Use the ticket to hop on the tram any time during your visit to Sóller. Buying the combination ticket will save you money. See train timetables and buy your tickets on their website here.

How to get to Palma Port for your Cruise from Palma de Mallorca

How to get to Palma Port for your cruise
Your cruise port – Port de Palma

There are six cruise terminals in Palma port (Port de Palma) located across two zones, Poniente and Paraires Quays (Estacion Maritima terminals 1,2,3 and 4, which most major cruise lines use) and Dique del Oeste (terminals 5 and 6). Check your cruise ticket for the correct terminal address you need.

The cruise passenger terminals are only a 15-minute taxi ride from the city center. However, the Poniente and Paraires Quays can be reached about 45 minutes along the seafront boulevard from the marina. Remember you have your cruise packing and may not want to walk (especially in high season) with your luggage.

The hop-on/hop-off sightseeing bus stops at Estacion Maritima too. It is stop number 14 on the red route.

Ask your hotel concierge to arrange a taxi for you on the morning of departure. It is the quickest and most convenient way to get to the cruise port from your cruise from Palma.

Check your cruise ticket for instructions about your departure port and allocated boarding time.

Meet the author: Sarah has created and booked hundreds of travel itineraries for thousands of customers during a career in the travel industry that spans 20 years. Having worked hand in hand with cruise lines, hotels, airlines and tour operators worldwide, she offers inspiring & detailed insights in the world of travel and tourism.

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