Mallorca in 1 Day: all you need to know

Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the Balearic Islands and the centre of the economic and artistic life of the whole archipelago. On arrival you will find yourself in front of a city brimming with charm and beauty: with its honey-coloured stone buildings and impressive Gothic architecture.

There are many things to see and do in this destination, but if you are just passing through Mallorca and time is not on your side, here is my one-day itinerary, designed to help you get to know one of the most charming cities in the whole of Spain.

Spend your day exploring the beautiful Palma de Mallorca, but make sure you come back on another trip to visit other areas of the islands such as Manacor; the Calas de Mallorca or the iconic Caves of Drach.

This itinerary covers an intense day of adventures and sightseeing, so I recommend getting an early night's sleep the night before and recharging your batteries. To make the most of your time in Palma de Mallorca it is advisable to book your transfer from Mallorca Airport in advance.

If your intention is to make the most of your day exploring Palma, I recommend getting up early and going out to explore the streets of the Old Town in the morning sun.

This recommendation is especially valuable if you go to Mallorca in summer, as you will have the opportunity to enjoy the quiet and coolness of the morning before the crowds of tourists and the heat make their presence felt.

Take a moment to have breakfast in one of the picturesque cafés in the area. Many open their doors really early. Here is a list of suggestions.

• QUADRAT: Open to the public from 7:30 am in the morning, the restaurant is part of the Hotel Francés.
• Sa Bodegueta: Sa Bodegueta opens its doors at 7am, its address is Carrer del Sant Crist no.2.
• Cappuccino Palau March: Serving from 8am. It is located at no.13 Carrer del Conquistador.

Located at the foot of the imposing Cathedral of Mallorca is one of the most beautiful public parks in the city: Parc de la Mar. I recommend taking the tour early in the morning on a leisurely stroll while you wait for the opening time of the city's monuments.

Covering approximately 70 hectares, the promenade is lined with trees and beautiful palm trees to provide shade on hot days, as well as a gigantic saltwater lake that functions as a water mirror for the Cathedral.

As you will see on arrival, Parc de la Mar offers spectacular views of the cathedral.

If you are a photography enthusiast, take advantage of this moment to capture the imposing beauty of the Gothic monument.

Any tour of Palma must include a stop to see the most beloved work of architecture of the locals: the imposing Cathedral of Mallorca.

Built with the most beautiful details of the Gothic style, the construction of its beautiful façade began in 1229, under the orders of King Jaume I of Aragon.

Even if you only have one day to visit Mallorca, I recommend that you do not overlook the interior of the cathedral, where you will find one of the tallest central naves in the world, at 44 metres high, as well as imposing Gothic stained-glass windows and beautiful period decorations.

Known by locals as La Seu, Mallorca Cathedral is Palma's most visited tourist attraction. I recommend arriving early and, if possible, booking tickets in advance, as the queues to visit the temple can be long and you don't have time to waste.

Useful information

• Opening hours: Open to the public from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5.15 pm and on Saturdays until 2.15 pm. Closed on Sundays.
• Price: From €8 per participant.
• Duration of the visit: 1 hour is usually enough time to explore the site.

Your next stop is just opposite the iconic cathedral: the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, the official residence of the King and Queen of Spain during their stays in Mallorca.

It is also one of the must-see sights on the island, as it is an impressive piece of architecture that combines years of history and tradition.

When planning your visit, remember that on certain days of the year the Royal Palace is closed for tourist visits. This list includes certain festivities such as New Year's Day or Christmas, or days when the Palace is closed for official events.

You can download the official Almudaina Palace App to have at hand a free audio guide with an explained tour of the different rooms of the Palace.

• App for iPhone
• App for Android

Useful information

• Opening hours: Open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday. The opening hours from October to March are from 10am to 6pm; and from April to September from 10am to 7pm. Closed every Monday throughout the year.
• Price: From 7€ per participant.
• Duration of the visit: Between 40 and 60 minutes is enough time to tour the facilities.

In the area behind the Royal Palace of La Almudaina you will find some beautiful Moorish-style gardens which, in former times, formed part of the Palace itself.

Today the place forms part of the public gardens of Mallorca and the best time to visit it is after you have finished your tour of the Palace.

If you go to Mallorca in April or at any other time in spring, you will find the vegetation here at its best.

Useful information

• Opening hours: Open to the public 24 hours a day.
• Price: Free for the general public.
• Length of visit: You can spend 20-30 minutes touring the site.

The Llotja neighbourhood is located in the old quarter of the city and is one of the must-visits on any tour of Palma de Mallorca due to two fundamental aspects: the beauty of its old Gothic architecture and its gastronomic offer.

To reach the place from your location in the Jardines del Rey you only need to cross Av. d' Antoni Maura in a westerly direction. Take a break for lunch and take a moment to stroll through the narrow streets and admire the beautiful stone buildings. Here are some suggestions.

• Forn de Sant Joan: The restaurant is located in an old 19th century bakery. The gastronomic offer includes a variety of typical Mediterranean dishes but reservations are required in advance.
• La Paloma: Located in one of the oldest and most emblematic buildings in La Lonja, this place serves some of the best tapas in Mallorca.
• Orient Express: A Spanish gastronomy café ideal for a light lunch. The place offers fabulous views of Llotja de Palma, one of the oldest and most emblematic Gothic monuments in the Barrio La Lonja.

Very common throughout the city during the years of Muslim occupation on the island, a visit to the Arab baths is important for understanding the city's historical past. For their construction it was necessary to provide the city with a functional hydraulic system that was well ahead of its time.

In the heart of Palma you will find at least one of these impressive structures in the form of excellently preserved ruins.

In addition to numerous historical aspects, on this quick visit you can learn how the Arab baths worked, their duct system and the chimneys used to air-condition the chambers.

From your location in Barrio la Lonja, the sites are about a 10-minute walk from La Catedral.

In the city you will also find functional Arab baths where you can go for a spa day, although I recommend these for longer visits, for example a 5 day trip to Mallorca.

Useful information

• Opening hours: Open to the public every day from 09:30 to 20h. During the winter the opening hours are reduced to 19h.
• Price: Entrance to the site costs approximately €3.
• Duration of the visit: It usually takes about 30-40 minutes to complete the visit.

Touring Palma de Mallorca by Segway is one of the most fun and short activities that travellers can do during a first visit to the city. The activity has gained enormous popularity in recent times and can be undertaken on short trips of as little as 1 day.

Numerous local tour operators offer this type of experience, where an expert guide takes the group of travellers through Palma's historical highlights, including the iconic Cathedral, the Jewish quarter, the government building, the old medieval wall and much more.

It's a great afternoon option if you've had enough of walking; it's also a fun alternative tour for families and even if you're coming to Mallorca with children on holiday; children from 8-9 years old are usually allowed.

Useful information

• Timetable: Various times available, morning and afternoon.
• Price: Around 50€ per participant. The price includes the hire of all equipment necessary for the tour.
• Duration of tour: Varies depending on the company you hire and the itinerary. Tours usually take between 1 or 2 hours to complete.

The main square of the city is called Plaza Mayor de Palma and is worth a tour in itself.

Many important events are concentrated here throughout the year, such as the colourful festive markets during Christmas in Mallorca. During the festive season, crib stalls are set up and are focused on the sale of gifts for the festive season.

Regardless of when you travel to Mallorca, I recommend going to Plaza Mayor at dusk to enjoy the sunset over the city.

The buildings surrounding the square are mostly offices or private residences but almost the entire ground floor is occupied by cafés and restaurants where you can sit and enjoy a snack.

Useful information

• Opening hours: Always open.
• Price: Free of charge.
• Length of visit: As long as you like.

In recent years the city has more than recovered one of the most famous Spanish traditions: the tapas culture. I recommend saying goodbye to a night out in Mallorca by enjoying this delicious custom. Going out for tapas in Palma is the best way to connect with the authentic Mallorcan culture.

If you go to Mallorca in November you may come across festivities such as the TaPalma Tapas Festival, one of the most anticipated, fun and delicious culinary events on the city's annual calendar.

However, my favourite alternative for travellers visiting the city for the first time is to take a gastronomic tour of Mallorca. In this experience an expert guide takes the group of travellers through a tasting tour that includes food and drink at various restaurants in the city.

Useful information

• Timetable: Available at different times and in different formats.
• Price: Around €100 per participant, the price includes a range of tasting dishes.
• Duration of tour: The tour usually takes around 3 hours to complete.