The following two days in Palma de Mallorca itinerary is brought to you by Sydney from Alone and Abroad, an American living in Spain! Read on for some of her top tips for making the most of 2 days in Palma.

If you’re looking for a sunny, fun-filled vacation spot, then the Balearic Island gem Palma de Mallorca has you covered.

Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, explore historic landmarks, or indulge in delicious Spanish cuisine, Palma de Mallorca has something for everyone.

I’ve visited Palma de Mallorca a few times now, and every single time it feels like stepping into a dream. Almost as soon as the plane hits the ground, I find myself thinking “Should I move here?”

Maybe I will one day, but for now, I’ve got to make do with just short visits to the Balearic Islands. Which begs the question, “What should I do if I only have a few days to spend in Palma?”

Well, without further ado, here’s an itinerary full of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca in two days.

Getting Around Palma

Palma is a small city with good public transportation, so there’s no need to rent a car unless you want to explore the more rural parts of the island. 

Seeing all of Palma de Mallorca in 2 days is quite a challenge, so the easiest way to get around town is by bus, where a single journey ticket is 2€. The buses here are fast, reliable, and can take you to nearly every part of the city.

The Main Languages of Mallorca

The main languages spoken in Palma de Mallorca are Spanish and Catalán.

While most people will speak English, it’s always a good idea to learn a few basic phrases of the local language whenever you travel somewhere.

So, here’s a few basic words to know before you travel to Palma!

Basic Phrases to Know Before You Go:

Day One – Exploring the City Center

Day one of our two day Palma itinerary is reserved for exploring the city center! Time for castles, grand cathedrals and So. Much. Food!

Breakfast at a Wes Anderson-esque Cafe

We’re starting our Palma itinerary by grabbing breakfast at Brunchit. When I walked past this cafe on my way to the Plaza Mayor I could not believe how adorable the outside was!

Not only is it the perfect spot for cute breakfast photos, but they also serve brunch all day long (I can personally recommend the cookie cappuccino and the salty pancakes!) It’s also super affordable and they have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

Morning: Shopping & Sightseeing

Next, it’s time to walk next door to the Plaza Mayor. This massive square is the heart of the Palma, and it used to be where the Inquisition operated on the island until 1838.

Now it’s filled with shops, cafes and restaurants, art galleries, and street performers. Throughout the year it hosts local markets, live concerts, parades, and festivals! 

After you get your fill of shopping, it’s time for one of the biggest highlights of this 2 Day Palma itinerary – the Cathedral of Mallorca! This massive cathedral took 300 years to build and was influenced by several different architectural styles.

In fact, Gaudi – the architect behind La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona – had a hand in designing this cathedral. In the 1900s he led the remodel for the cathedral’s interior, and you can see his work on the redesigned ceiling and main altar.

In the summer months, they also open access to the terraces to the public where you can see all of Mallorca from above!

Right next door to the Cathedral of Mallorca is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, where the royal family has lived for centuries.

Here, you can tour the palm tree-lined courtyards, grand halls, Arabic baths, and colorful chapel (not to mention gorgeous views from the top floors).

Lunch on the Waterfront

I generally don’t like having rules while traveling but there’s one I will stick to until the day I die – spend every second as close to the waterfront as possible!

It doesn’t get much closer to the water than at Marina Bay Palma, so be sure to enjoy a lunch here while admiring all the amazing views.

Wander Around the Castell de Bellver

After stuffing your face at lunch, it’s time to resume the sightseeing portion of this itinerary!

Another must-see for your trip is the Castell de Bellver, a Gothic-style castle that dates back to the 14th century. It’s tucked away on a hill, just outside the city center, but the biggest draw of this castle is its views. You can practically see the entire island from the rooftop!

Visitors can explore the castle’s interior, including its round courtyard and Gothic chapel, as well as the surrounding gardens.

Dinner: Tapas Time!

Alright, after all that sightseeing, you must be hungry.

We’re in Spain, and it’s dinner time, which means it’s time to indulge in all of the tapas.

Tapas are basically small plates of food that showcase quintessential Spanish cuisine. The idea is to order several different tapas and share them with your whole table. 

Some of the more popular tapas are patatas bravas (fried potatoes that are covered in a mildly spicy tomato sauce), tortilla de patatas (a Spanish omelette with potatoes and a controversial onion), croquetas de jamon (small bits of ham smothered in bechamel sauce, then coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried) and plates of Iberian ham and cheese.

Because there are simply too many amazing tapas bars in Palma de Mallorca to choose from, here’s a list of some of my favorites:

• Bar España: Hands down, the best patatas bravas in Mallorca.
• La Boveda: They serve simple and delicious tapas. They’re always busy, but that’s a sign of how good their food is.
• Tast Club: Definitely on the fancier side of tapas bars. Their cellar dining room feels like you’re having dinner on a Game of Thrones set. Plus, all their tapas are prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
• La Rosa Vermutería: This one is technically a bar, but every drink comes with a complimentary tapa, so it still counts!

Day Two – Sand, Surf, and Sun

After all that sightseeing in Day One, Day Two of our Palma itinerary is slower-paced, meant for relaxing on the water and enjoying island life.

Breakfast at a Traditional Bakery

Is there any better way to start a day than with coffee and a freshly baked pastry? That’s exactly what we’ll be doing at Fornet de La Soca, a traditional Mallorcan bakery in the center of town.

Their main goal is to bring back once-forgotten Mallorcan recipes – they even use a few types of flour that are only found on the island. 

When you visit, you absolutely must try ensaïmada. It’s a standard breakfast here in Mallorca. It’s a bit like if you took a croissant and rolled the dough into a spiral and covered it with powdered sugar. Absolutely to die for. 

Morning/Early Afternoon: Take a Catamaran Cruise

Now for the highlight of this whole trip – a catamaran cruise!

We didn’t fly all the way to a gorgeous Mediterranean island to not spend a day chilling on the water. Palma has some of the most stunning beaches in the world, and it’s time to explore them!

While there are hundreds of different tour companies offering similar excursions, my personal favorite is this half-day Catamaran cruise that takes you out to sea to go snorkeling, swimming, and cave exploring!

They even have an open bar and an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet.

Late Afternoon: Lounging on the Beach

Just because the cruise ends at 3:00 doesn’t mean that your beach time has to be! Grab your book, sunscreen, and a beach towel because it’s time to lay in the sun and not move for hours.

Some of the best beaches that easily accessible from the Palma de Mallorca city center are: 

• Platja de Can Pere Antoni
• Platja Ciudad Jardín
• Platja de Cala Major
• Platja Cala Guix

Dinner at a Traditional Mallorcan Restaurant

Time for more food! One of the best restaurants on the island is, without a doubt, Celler Sa Premsa. They’re extremely popular amongst locals and tourists alike and for good reason.

I genuinely don’t know what’s cooler – the outdoor terrace or the rustic indoor ambiance. Either way, it’s a wonderful way to end your trip to Palma de Mallorca. They serve traditional Mallorcan food, which means lots of seafood, pork, and rice!

Speaking of rice dishes, if you like paella, then you have to try their arros brut. It translates to “dirty rice” and it’s a traditional Mallorcan recipe that’s sort of like if you combined paella and soup together.

Every restaurant has its own unique recipe, but it usually contains some combination of chicken, pork, pepper, mushrooms, saffron, and beans. 

Rooftop Drinks with 360-Degree Views of Palma

Finally, we’re ending our Palma de Mallorca two day itinerary in style with drinks at the Cuit Hotel Rooftop Bar.

You can see the whole city and almost all the monuments visited on this itinerary from their rooftop – the cathedral, both castles and best of all, the beautiful turquoise water.

I Hope You Enjoyed This Guide on How to Spend Two Days in Palma de Mallorca!

Let us know in the comments if you have any more questions about this Palma two day itinerary!