Palma de Mallorca by Cruise Ship — One of the Best Stops in the Mediterranean

Late departure — use it

Ships typically depart Palma in the early evening. That gives you the whole afternoon and early evening in one of the best cities on the itinerary. Don't waste it by heading back to the ship at lunchtime.

Best For

Old town, cathedral, and a brilliant evening

Planning Level

Low — easy to explore independently

Type of Day

Explore and linger — use the late departure

Special Note

Late departure — stay out until the ship calls

What Palma Is Really Like

Palma consistently comes out as one of the highlights of any Mediterranean itinerary that includes it — and it deserves that reputation. The old town is genuinely beautiful, the cathedral is one of the most impressive buildings you'll see anywhere on the cruise, and the city has a quality of life that makes you want to stay longer than the ship allows.

Unlike some of the other ports on this itinerary, Palma doesn't require complicated logistics. The city is walkable, the main areas are easy to navigate, and there's no difficult transport to organise. You can step off the ship and be in the old town in 15–20 minutes on foot, or less by taxi.

What makes this port special — more than anything else — is the late departure. Most cruise itineraries give you a 2pm or 3pm sailaway. Palma frequently gives you an early evening departure. That's an entirely different experience. You get the city in the afternoon heat, the cathedral in the late afternoon light, and if you use the time well, a proper evening out before you sail. Very few ports on a cruise offer that combination.

What I Recommend

Five things that make the most of a Palma port day.

La Seu — Palma Cathedral

Don't miss this

La Seu is one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Europe — and the waterfront location makes it even more striking. The exterior is extraordinary, particularly from the harbour side, and the interior is huge and atmospheric with Gaudí-designed elements that most people don't expect to find here. Worth at least an hour. Book tickets online to avoid the queue. The views of the cathedral from the harbour, especially in evening light, are among the best images you'll take from this entire itinerary.

The Old Town (Casc Antic)

Take your time

The old town of Palma is beautiful. The streets around the cathedral, through the Arab Baths, and into the Born area reward slow exploration. There are independent boutiques, excellent restaurants, beautiful courtyards hidden behind grand doorways, and a general quality of life that's immediately palpable. This is the area to spend most of your time. Don't rush it.

Passeig des Born

Perfect for an evening

The main boulevard of Palma is wide, tree-lined, and flanked by elegant buildings and good bars and restaurants. In the evening, it comes alive in the particular way that Spanish cities do well — unhurried, social, warm. This is the place to be when the late afternoon heat softens into a lovely evening. A drink here before heading back to the ship is one of the better ways to end a cruise stop.

Es Baluard Museum & Walls

If you want more

The old city walls offer excellent views over the bay and back to the cathedral. The Es Baluard contemporary art museum is built into the ramparts and is worth an hour if you have the time and inclination. Not essential — but if you've already done the cathedral and old town and have a couple of hours left before the ship calls, it's a good way to fill them.

Dinner in the Old Town

Use the late departure

The late departure from Palma is one of the best things about this itinerary. Use it properly. Have dinner in the old town — not a rushed tourist menu, but a proper sit-down meal at one of the many excellent restaurants in the Casc Antic. Spanish dining at 8pm, the city in the evening, warm air — this is the night to slow down and actually enjoy where you are.

Do's & Don'ts

Explore the old town at a relaxed pace — it deserves it
Visit La Seu Cathedral — it's genuinely extraordinary
Stay out into the evening and use the late departure
Have a proper dinner or at least a long evening drink
Walk along the harbour at dusk for the best views of the cathedral

Don't

Rush back to the ship early — the late departure is the whole point
Spend the whole day at the beach and skip the old town
Try to do a beach resort excursion — the city is better
Miss the cathedral because of the ticket queue — book in advance
Head back before you've had an evening drink somewhere nice

DIY vs Excursion

Palma is the easiest port on this itinerary to do independently.

Go DIY — almost always

Palma doesn't require an excursion. The old town is a short walk or taxi from the port, everything is clearly signposted, and the city is genuinely easy to navigate independently. Walking to the cathedral, exploring the old town, and finding somewhere good for lunch or dinner requires no planning at all. Just go.

Consider an excursion if

You want to see the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, the Caves of Drach, or other parts of the island that require transport. The island beyond the city is beautiful and worth exploring — but you'll need wheels, which makes an excursion the practical choice for those highlights.

Final Thoughts

“Palma is the stop where the cruise finds its best rhythm. By Day 7, you're experienced, you're relaxed, and you're in one of the best cities on the whole itinerary. Use it.”

After the intensity of the Italian port days and the reset of the sea day, Palma is where this itinerary genuinely delivers. The city is beautiful, the late departure gives you the time to actually enjoy it, and by this point in the cruise you know how to make the most of a port day. Don't go back to the ship early. Palma at dusk, with a drink in hand and the cathedral lit up across the harbour, is a proper ending to a brilliant cruise.

Full Itinerary

Mediterranean Route Guide

The complete planning guide for all 8 stops.

Back to the Start: Barcelona

The embarkation port and a city worth arriving early for.