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Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mallorca’s sun-drenched capital dazzles with a soaring Gothic cathedral kissing the sea, a labyrinthine Arab quarter, hidden aristocratic patios, and the iconic Sóller mountain railway — all easily reached from a city-centre pier.
Ships dock at the Estació Marítima on Moll de Ponent, about 3-5 km west of the old city. Four easy options get you to the centre.
Getting from the Ship to the City
1
Cruise Terminal ShuttleMost lines run a paid shuttle (~€5-€8 return) from the Estació Marítima to near Plaça de la Reina or the Cathedral. Check with your ship for timing and cost.
2
EMT Bus Line 1Public bus stops right outside the terminal, running every 15 minutes to the city centre. Fare is around €3 — contactless tap-to-pay accepted. Fast, cheap, and reliable.
3
Bus Nàutic (Electric Water Shuttle)New in 2026 — an electric water bus links the cruise docks directly to Muelle de las Golondrinas, right opposite the Cathedral, for ~€6. Scenic and quick; check the Port Authority noticeboard at the terminal for schedule.
4
Taxi or WalkTaxis wait at the terminal exit; expect €12-€15 to the Cathedral area. Or walk 35-40 min along the flat, scenic Passeig Marítim waterfront promenade — a pleasure on a clear morning.
💡 Pro move: If docked at Dic de l’Oest (berths 5-6), take the shuttle or taxi — the walk is long and partly industrial.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
Palma handles large cruise ships at the Estació Marítima, with multiple berths on the Bay of Palma. No tendering required.
Typical cruise-line arrival arrangements; confirm your ship’s assignment.
Cruise Line
Typical Berth / Arrival
Dock or Tender
Most major cruise lines (MSC, Costa, Royal Caribbean, NCL, AIDA, P&O, Marella, Celebrity, Princess)
From a vintage mountain railway to island-wide UNESCO scenery, Mallorca rewards both the casual stroller and the adventure seeker.
Iconic
La Seu Cathedral & Almudaina Palace
Palma’s Gothic cathedral rises directly above the sea with one of the world’s largest rose windows and a Gaudí-redesigned interior. Next door, the Royal Almudaina Palace blends Gothic and Moorish heritage. Book tickets online to skip queues.
Board the 1912 wooden Red Lightning train from Palma’s Plaça d’Espanya station and wind through orange-grove valleys and mountain tunnels to Sóller. A vintage tram then rattles down to the pretty harbour at Port de Sóller. One of Mallorca’s unmissable experiences.
This UNESCO World Heritage mountain range delivers dramatic coastal cliffs, ancient olive groves, and stone villages. Classic route: Valldemossa (Chopin’s monastery), Deía, Mirador de Sa Foradada. Best by organised tour or private taxi.
⏱ 5-7 hrs🌄 UNESCO📷 Stunning vistas🚗 Hire car / tour
Explore the Casc Antic’s lanes to discover hidden aristocratic courtyards (patios mallorquines) open to visitors. Don’t miss the Banys Àrabs — tranquil 10th-century Arab bathhouse ruins in a walled garden, one of Palma’s few remaining Moorish relics.
⏱ 2-3 hrs🚶 Easy🏗️ Moorish history💶 ~€2.50 Arab Baths
East-coast cave complex near Porto Cristo with spectacular stalactites and Lake Martel, one of the world’s largest underground lakes. A classical concert performed from illuminated boats on the lake is the showstopper. Allow a full day; best by organised tour.
⏱ Full day🎵 Boat concert💶 ~€15 entry🚗 ~1 hr from Palma
Two of Palma’s finest beaches are accessible by EMT Bus Line 3 from Passeig Mallorca. Illetes has fine white sand and clear turquoise water; Cala Major is closer and more family-oriented. Perfect for a few hours of sun on a long port day.
Palma’s compact old city is built for walking — every alley leads somewhere interesting, and the waterfront-to-cathedral route is one of the Mediterranean’s finest strolls.
Waterfront to Cathedral & Old Town Loop
⏱ 1.5-2 hrs · 🚶 Easy · 📷 Best photo walk
Start at Plaça de la Reina and follow the seafront Passeig des Born to La Seu Cathedral. Enter, then continue to the Almudaina Palace courtyard, down Carrer de l’Almudaina into the old town, past the Arab Baths and hidden patios, looping back via Plaça Major.
Stroll the elegant Passeig des Born lined with mansions and boutiques, stop at the Casal Solleric (free art gallery in a Baroque palace), then head to Santa Catalina neighbourhood — Palma’s trendiest barrio with independent cafes and Mercat de Santa Catalina.
Take Bus Line 46 or a taxi to the base, then walk up to Bellver Castle — a rare circular Gothic castle from 1311 with sweeping views of Palma Bay. Free entry on Sundays; closed Mondays.
AEMET station normals for Palma, Puerto (B228), 1981–2010: daily highs/lows and average wet days with rainfall ≥1 mm. This is the published historical reference period, not 1991–2020.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
60°F / 15°C
47°F / 8°C
5.8
8:08 AM
5:49 PM
Feb
60°F / 16°C
47°F / 8°C
5.6
7:41 AM
6:25 PM
Mar
63°F / 17°C
49°F / 10°C
4.5
7:00 AM
6:56 PM
Apr
67°F / 19°C
53°F / 12°C
5.1
7:12 AM
8:27 PM
May
73°F / 23°C
59°F / 15°C
3.6
6:35 AM
8:56 PM
Jun
80°F / 27°C
66°F / 19°C
1.7
6:21 AM
9:18 PM
Jul
85°F / 29°C
71°F / 22°C
0.7
6:34 AM
9:15 PM
Aug
86°F / 30°C
73°F / 23°C
1.9
7:02 AM
8:44 PM
Sep
81°F / 27°C
68°F / 20°C
4.7
7:30 AM
7:57 PM
Oct
75°F / 24°C
62°F / 17°C
6.7
7:59 AM
7:09 PM
Nov
67°F / 19°C
54°F / 12°C
6.4
7:33 AM
5:33 PM
Dec
62°F / 17°C
49°F / 10°C
6.5
8:03 AM
5:26 PM
Climate source: AEMET (Spanish State Meteorological Agency), Palma Puerto B228, 1981–2010 normals.
Representative sunrise/sunset — 2025, 15th of each month; local civil time including DST (Europe/Madrid). Source: Astral; not a forecast or climate average.
Insider Tips
🚢
Bus Nàutic is the smart move (2026): The new electric water bus from the cruise terminal drops you opposite the Cathedral for ~€6 — scenic, fast, no traffic jams. Check the Port Authority noticeboard at the terminal for schedule.
☀️
Summer heat: July and August are brutal midday. Start early, carry water, and use the Cathedral, Arab Baths, and Mercat de l’Olivar as cool-down stops.
📸
Cathedral light show: On sunny mornings, blue and gold light streams through La Seu’s rose window. Arrive before 10am for the best light and shorter queues. Book tickets online in advance.
🥐
Ensaimada — Mallorca’s edible souvenir: The coiled yeasted pastry is the island icon. The real deal is at Can Joan de S’Aigo (Carrer de Can Sanc, since 1700) or Forn des Teatre (Plaça Weyler — stunning Art Nouveau bakery).
🏗️
Hidden patios: Look for open doorways on Carrer de Sant Feliu and Carrer del Palau Reial — many 17th-century noble mansions open their courtyards for free. One of Palma’s most underrated experiences.
⏰
Allow 90 min back to ship: Palma gets crowded at turnaround. Leave the old town at least 90 min before all-aboard — taxi queues and security can surprise you on busy port days.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ✅ Uber, BoltUber launched in Mallorca in 2023 and is well established. Bolt is available but more limited. Port-to-center rides can be €15–30 depending on demand.
🚍 City Sightseeing
City Sightseeing stops at or near Estació Marítima (Maritime Station) close to cruise terminals. 24-hour bus-only pass covers Old Town, Cathedral, Bellver Castle area.
🚶 Walk
Free
The cruise terminals are located in the Port of Palma, roughly 1–2 km from the Old Town and Cathedral. A flat, scenic 15–20 min walk along the waterfront promenade is very manageable.
🚕 Taxi
€11–12
Taxis are plentiful at the port exit. Under Mallorca's 2025 fare system: €2.50 base + €1.20/km + €4.65 port surcharge. Quick 5–10 min ride to city center.
📱 Rideshare (Uber / Bolt)
€15–30
Uber is well established across Mallorca with multiple service tiers. Bolt is present but more limited. Prices can surge during peak cruise days; taxis may be cheaper for short hops.
🚌 Public Bus
€1.50–3
EMT Palma lines (Line 1, Line 4) connect the port area to the city center and beyond. Most affordable option — buy tickets on board or at nearby stops.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Mein Schiff 2
TUI Cruises
Hamburg → Palma de Mallorca
⚓ Calls 02 Oct 04:00 dep 04:00 202610 nights7 portsDeparts 2026-09-22
View itinerary · 7 ports
10 days, one-way from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca
22 Sep 17:00Hamburg, Germany
24 Sep 07:00 - 20:00Southampton, England
26 Sep 08:00 - 18:00La Coruna, Spain Galicia
27 Sep 09:00 - 19:00Porto-Leixoes, Oporto, Portugal
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
