How to Spend 4 Days In… Palma

Written by Corie Daniel Last updated May 2nd 202402/05/24

Whether you only have so many holidays left to use and fancy a few days away in the sun, or you’re simply in need of a super city break, Palma is the perfect place for a marvelous mini getaway.

And with Majorca being only a quick two hour flight from the UK, you can pop there and back in no time! You might be surprised to discover how much you can see and do in just four days.

We’ve got just the itinerary that serves up a perfect mix of exciting days exploring and chilled says in the sunshine. Get ready to make some fantastic memories on your mini break to Palma!

The best of both worlds

With its iconic waterfront and grand architecture, Palma offers up the perfect mix of sightseeing and sunbathing. This Spanish city is the capital of the Balearics’ most popular island, and is breathtakingly beautiful in more ways than one.

Get ready to soak up amazing architecture, sip on oh-so-sweet sangria, and tuck in to some of the tastiest tapas you’ve ever tried. From its blissful beaches to the captivating culture of the Old Town, your short stay in this spectacular city will be big on brilliant experiences.

Day 1 – Exploring the Old Town and Palma City Centre

Your first day in pretty Palma should be spent getting stuck into the heart and soul of the city. This dreamy destination is easy to navigate, with main areas interlinked by wonderfully winding streets all vying for your attention.

One of the first things that will mark your arrival into Palma from the airport is the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria, standing tall and proud at the edge of the city. More commonly known as La Seu, this building acts as the most stunning backdrop, and a selfie with it in the background is a must.

Once you can take your eyes away from its impressive exterior, you simply must head inside where you’ll be blown away even further. Light bounces from one side to the other, thanks to the multitude of stained glass windows letting in the Majorcan sun.

Once you’ve visited the city’s most famous landmark, the rest of the day can be spent wandering the romantic streets of the city centre. With street performers singing wistfully in the distance and independent tapas bars setting up tables for two, it’s an amazing place to walk hand in hand with a partner or loved one.

Find yourself a spot in the shade to give you some respite after walking, and order some of the cities’ most delicious bites to eat. From Spanish paella to chorizo and cheese platters, your taste buds will be in for a treat.

Once you’re all fed and watered you can carry on exploring the city further, and perhaps pick up a few souvenirs to remember your trip by. Palma has an excellent shopping scene, ranging from big designer stores to tiny boutiques selling handcrafted Spanish items.

You might rack up a good few thousand steps on this day from your wonderful walks around the city centre – but it’s so worth it!

Day 2 – Harbour Drinks and History

We think you’ll be hungry to see more on your second day in Palma – so say hello to Bellver Castle. This amazingly well-preserved 14th century royal fortress sits just on the outskirts of Palma city centre, and is one of the few circular castles in all of Europe!

Your climb to the top of the castle will reward you with the most stunning views over all of Palma’s beautiful bay. It’s the perfect spot to simply stop, sit, and take in your spectacular surroundings.

You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into the set of something like Game of Thrones – this ancient piece of architecture has a real medieval feel to it and serves up 350 degree views of the surrounding area, including a great view of the cathedral down below.

It’s also home to the city’s history museum, so you can get an insight into Majorcan history right within the castle itself.

Once you’re done feeling like King or Queen of the castle, you can make your way back to Palma centre via a sunny stroll along the harbour.

The harbour stretches right along the waterfront and curves around towards the cathedral, so it’s easy enough to follow to make your way back. Along the way, you can enjoy a mini bar crawl, stopping off at as many marina-side bars as you like for a glass (or jug!) of sweet and refreshing sangria.

It’s the perfect place for a spot of people watching, and we’d recommend nabbing an outdoor table to enjoy watching the sun go down in the distance. With the water twinkling, the last of the sun shining, and a drink in hand, what could be better?

Day 3 – Beach Day

After two days exploring on foot and taking in culture at every corner, day three is all about rest and relaxation!

One of the best things about Palma is that the city is a stone’s throw away from a selection of beautiful beaches, meaning once you’ve had your fill of city life, you can pop on your swimsuit and head for the sandy shore!

There’s gorgeous beaches located either side of Palma city centre, the first being within walking distance of the iconic cathedral! Ca’n Pere Antoni Beach is just a short walk away from Palma Old Town, you simply follow the promenade along the bay front – and boom, hello sun, sand, and sea!

Grab a book or pop your headphones in, then sit back on your lounger and relax and unwind as you look out to the Mediterranean sea. You can’t come to Majorca without sunning it up a little!

If you don’t mind straying slightly out of the city centre, Cala Estancia is just a five minute taxi journey away. This more secluded bay is lined with restaurants, bars, and cafes, and its gentle waters make it a great spot for snorkeling too.

Day 4 – Road Trippin’

The great thing about Majorca is that it’s a relatively small island! So once you feel you’ve seen everything pretty Palma has to offer, you can visit any number of nearby areas and still be back in Palma that same day. It’s a great base for exploring the rest of the island!

So on that note, on day number four we’d recommend hiring a car and exploring somewhere nearby. There are so many beautiful and interesting places to visit outside of Palma that are only a short car journey away.

And car journeys on this island aren’t like your average car journeys back home – oh no! The roads here can vary – from winding little roads through hidden Spanish villages to breathtaking vistas along the hillside, overlooking the sea. The car journey is an experience in itself!

We’d recommend driving just over an hour away to Sa Calobra. The journey down to this village will have you on one of the most scenic drives in the world, known as Snake Road. You’ll see where it gets its name from as the road snakes up and down, from left to right, taking you downhill and eventually to the entrance to the village.

You’ll be blown away as you make your way into this magical place. It’s one of the most unique places on the island, and has even been used in film sets due to its striking beauty.

As you walk along the water’s edge you’ll notice how crystal clear the water is, before getting a sneak peak of the hidden beach just around the corner. Sa Calobra beach is a part pebble, part sand beach located at the end of a gorge, and you’ll find yourself walking through a short tunnel that’s been carved out of the cliff to get to it.

The beach here feels like a little piece of paradise hidden away from the rest of the world, disguised amongst a mountainous backdrop of beauty. Dare devils can even jump off the hillside into the sea, while others will be more than happy to just sit and take in their surroundings.

On your way back through the village you’ll be able to sit and enjoy a meal and drinks with one of the most scenic views of the entire island before you. Trust us, this is worth the journey!