Palma de Mallorca is easy to settle into. It has a compact Old Town, a palm-lined seafront and a gentle coastal pace. For things to do in Palma de Mallorca, start with free plans—courtyard peeks, harbour viewpoints and long waterfront walks. Families have it simple too, with sandy beaches, shaded parks and quick culture stops that don’t drag. And as night falls, enjoy low-lit lanes, vermouth bars and waterside terraces once the heat lifts and you’ve covered the main things to do in Palma.
Free things to do in Palma de Mallorca
Palma rewards slow exploring, and plenty of the best moments cost nothing. Architecture, coastal reserves and neighbourhood rituals carry the day.
- Windmills of Es Jonquet: a pocket of old mills, rustic stonework and wide-open views over the harbour. The area sits between Santa Catalina and El Jonquet, so it stays photogenic at golden hour.
- Es Carnatge coastal reserve: fossil-rich outcrops, plane-spotting and rocky coves. Boardwalks and dirt paths keep it easy-going.
- Modernisme trail: admire the façades of Gran Hotel, Can Casasayas i Pensión Menorquina and the wave-fronted Forn des Teatre.
- Petanca at Parc de la Feixina: locals pitch boules under the trees as the day cools.
- Contemporary art at Casal Solleric: exhibitions in this 18th-century manor often have free entry, with a mix of Mallorcan and international artists.
- Mirador de Na Burguesa: a hillside lookout above the bay for hazy, panoramic sunsets. The view sweeps across harbour cranes, rooftops and pine hills.
Things to do in Palma de Mallorca with kids
Keep plans bite-sized and tactile. Short hops, hands-on stops and easy snacks make Palma kind to younger travellers.
- Shark sleepovers at Palma Aquarium: roll-out mats by the tanks and night-time tours turn the aquarium into a proper adventure.
- Rock-pooling at Cala Gamba: a sheltered stretch with calm water, tide pools and low-key cafés for a refuel.
- Vintage train and tram to Port de Sóller: the mahogany carriages and orchard views feel like time travel. The tram adds a seaside finale with ice cream stops on the promenade.
- Big green play at Parc de Sa Riera: scooters, shaded playgrounds and long paths for running off steam. Picnic tables and water fountains are much needed on hot days.
- Family art mornings at Fundació Miró Mallorca: workshops riff on Miró’s colours and playful shapes, with the artist’s studio spaces adding context.
Things to do in Palma de Mallorca for couples and adults
Lean into slower pleasures: seasonal produce, small-batch wines, craft and performance in intimate venues.
- Market-to-table cooking class: start at Mercat de Santa Catalina to pick produce, then cook typical Mallorcan dishes such as tumbet or frit de matances.
- Mallorcan wine flights in La Lonja: cosy bars pour native grapes like callet, manto negro and gorgollassa.
- Sunset on a traditional llaüt: a wooden boat charter glides to calm water near Illetes for an unhurried swim.
- Contemporary theatre or dance at Teatre Principal de Palma or Trui Teatre: programming spans local troupes, touring companies and modern dance. Venues are central or a quick taxi from the old town.
- Ceramics workshop in El Terreno or Santa Catalina: studios offer wheel-throwing or hand-building sessions, with glazing and firing included.
Things to do in Palma de Mallorca at night
Palma’s evenings feel intimate and neighbourly, with small venues and sea air taking the edge off the heat.
- Ruta Martiana in Sa Gerreria: Tuesday nights bring a pocket-friendly pintxo circuit across side-street bars, with a tapa-and-drink combo that draws a mixed local crowd.
- Craft cocktails behind discreet doors: speakeasy-style spots around Passeig de Mallorca and Santa Catalina favour house infusions and short seasonal menus. Many sit behind signless facades with buzzer entry, low lighting and strong bartending.
- Open-air cinema at Parc de la Mar: films screen beside the lagoon under La Seu’s silhouette. Summer programmes tend to include a mix of classics and festival darlings.
- Traditional ball de bot evenings: summer festes often programme folk dance on squares with live music, twirling skirts and a friendly crowd.
- Sunset SUP or kayak from Portixol: guided paddles trace the bay as lights blink on along the promenade.
Living in Mallorca
Year-round life on Mallorca feels balanced if you pick a base with services that stay open beyond summer. Living in Palma gives you city-scale healthcare, schools and culture, while coastal neighbourhoods offer a slower pace.
And when cabin fever hits, ferries and short hops make a quick reset easy, with things to do in Menorca or find out what to do in Ibiza aside from the parties.
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