The Top 13 Free Things To Do In Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca, or Palma in short, is the capital and largest city of the Balearic Island of Mallorca. It lies on Mallorca’s southwestern coast, offering an excellent climate year-round. This dreamy city in the beautiful Balearic Islands is a famous destination and a stunning base for exploring the island’s pristine beaches.

Besides its beach tourism and pleasant weather, the capital also boasts an exciting historic quarter. The old quarter has numerous notable homes and ancient buildings constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries. A perfect example is the impressive Palma Cathedral, a monumental structure located by the sea. It took a few centuries to build until the edifice was completed in 1601. Today, the modern city features fine buildings, art galleries, museums, gardens, and promenades stretching along the coast.

Since it’s a favored holiday spot, it’s natural to think it will be expensive to travel to this resort city. But don’t worry, as there are plenty of cheap and free things to do in Palma de Mallorca for budget travelers. If you arrive early and can’t check in to your hotel yet, you can rely on Bounce luggage storage in Palma de Mallorca to take care of your belongings while you make the most of your trip.

Join a Free Walking Tour through Palma’s Old Town

Discover famous landmarks and hidden gems as you wander through the narrow streets and small alleyways of the historic Old Town Palma. You can always tour on your own and get lost in the city. But if you aren’t too confident, participate in a free walking tour and learn about the capital and the Spanish Island's history, culture, and tradition with the help of a knowledgeable guide.

Most free walking tours are open from Monday to Saturday, so you can pick which day will work best for you. They usually meet at the Tourism Information Center in Parc de la Mar near the big lake, but the tour starts at the Plaza Mayor in the city centre. The guide will introduce numerous castles, old buildings, museums, and other points of interest.

Location: Pl. de la Reina, 2, 07012 Palma de Mallorca

Have a Relaxing Walk at the Parc del Mar

Palma de Mallorca is home to several renowned architectural pieces, and Parc del Mar offers the best views for many of these. That includes the La Seu Palma Cathedral and the Royal Palace of La Almundania. While touring these spots on their own provides an entirely different experience, they require admission fees. Parc del Mar, on the other hand, can give you fantastic city views for free.

Parque del Mar is perfect for relaxing walks, taking pictures, and picnics. You’ll get a front view of the majestic lake while soaking in the park’s fresh air. There are also bars and cafes you can visit nearby if you need to refuel after wandering through the area.

Location: Avenida Antoni Maura, 07006 Palma de Mallorca

Stroll through Passeig des Borne

Passeig des Borne gives visitors a feel of the luxurious lifestyle in Palma de Mallorca. It is the number one shopping spot in the city, with a selection of luxury brands in the area. This includes Rolex, Boss, Louis Vuitton, Zara, H&M, Carolina Herrera, and Sandro, among many others. If you don’t plan to spend on any item, you can always enjoy window shopping and people-watching on the promenade. However, there’s more to Passeig des Borne than its shops for everyone to enjoy.

Strolling through the area offers a great view of the city and is also ideal for photo ops, regardless of the season. During summers, the towering trees provide shade, while in winter, the trunks are decorated with lights, making the spot perfect for holiday trips. The architecture of the buildings and unique structures are also a feast for the eyes.

Location: Passeig del Born del Molinar, 7, 07006 Palma de Mallorca

Tour the Castell de Bellver

If you want to experience what made Palma de Mallorca reputable in architecture, visit its historic structures. One of the most renowned is the Castell de Bellver, a 14th-century architectural masterpiece made unique by its rare circular foundation, not usually found in Europe buildings. It was initially designed as a royal residence but was later used as a military prison throughout the 18th to mid-20th centuries. It is also home to the city's history museum, featuring classical sculpture collections and 18th-century artifacts.

Touring the Bellver Castle gives you insights into the city’s past and picturesque views you can rarely see anywhere else. However, the castle is only open to the public for free on Sundays, except for visitors under 14 years old, who can enter for free all days of the week.

Location: Carrer Camilo José Cela, s/n, Palma de Mallorca

Visit The Royal Palace of La Almudaina

With roots dating back to the 14th century, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina is a breathtaking historic landmark of Palma de Mallorca. It is directly opposite the main façade of another must-visit spot, the Gothic Palma Cathedral. While visiting the Royal Palace isn’t exactly free, you can still enjoy free entrance on Wednesdays and Sundays between 3 PM and 6 PM.

The Imperial Palace is the official residence of the Spanish Royal family whenever they stay in Mallorca. It boasts an incredible blend of Moorish and Gothic architectural styles, adding a unique charm to the palace. It features magnificent royal apartments, some of which are open to visitors. They are fully furnished with tapestries, unique furniture, and period pieces.

Location: Carrer del Palau Reial, s/n, 07001 Palma

Check out Museau Fundacion Juan March

Housed in Can Gallard del Canyar, a traditional 17th-century stately home, is the Museau Fundacion Juan March. It is catered toward art lovers interested in the works of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Miquel Barceló, and other contemporary and 20th-century artists. Besides the exhibition, this museum also offers guided tours, educational trips, music concerts, and workshops, among many other activities.

The Museum Foundation Juan March is one of the few free museums in Palma de Mallorca. To get there, take bus numbers 16, 23, or 25 or take your car and look for nearby parking spots. This museum is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM and Saturdays from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.

Location: Calle de Sant Miquel, 11 07002 Palma de Mallorca

Stop by Cap de Formentor

Just as how renowned Palma de Mallorca is for its architecture, so is for its beaches and natural landforms, one of which is the Cap de Formentor or Formentor Cape. This peninsula is located at the city’s northernmost point and is famous for its cliffs. Some of these even go up to 384 meters above sea level.

To fully enjoy your visit to Cap de Formentor, you must see the view at Es Colomer and the 380° panorama at the Albercutx tower. The scenery, after all, is the best part about this peninsula. However, you can also enjoy checking out the lighthouse, coves, and beaches.

Location: Carrer del Cap de Formentor 07011 Palma de Mallorca

Enter the Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

For historians and art lovers, don’t miss the chance to see the beautiful art pieces of local and international artists at the Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. It is located in the Sant Pere neighborhood, offering the largest space for preserving, distributing, and promoting contemporary art in the Balearic Islands.

The collection at the art gallery and museum includes more than 800 works, including items from the late 19th century to the present day. It boasts an array of permanent and temporary exhibitions, activities, educational programs, and training. Although visiting the art museum is not entirely free, young visitors under 12 years old and those unemployed are entitled to a free ticket. If you come on Friday, they will allow you to decide how much you want to pay for the ticket from $0.12.

Location: Plaça de la Porta de Santa Catalina, 10, 07012 Palma

Enjoy Nature at S’hort del Rei Gardens

Located just outside the walls of the famous Royal Palace is the S’hort del Rei. It was an enclosed medieval garden that belonged to the Imperial Palace. It enjoyed its golden period in the early 14th century during the time of King James II of Mallorca. However, the S’hort del Rei gardens were modified multiple times over the centuries. Today, the gardens feature fountains, cypresses, shady arcades, orange trees, and a pond with black swans.

Visiting this urban oasis is undeniably one of the best free things to do in Palma de Mallorca. Besides the plants and fountains, it features sculptures, wooden benches, and other gorgeous elements, offering a delightful place to take a break and embrace the beauty of nature.

Location: Av. d'Antoni Maura, 18, 07001 Palma de Mallorca

Visit Caló des Moro

One of the most famous beaches in Palma de Mallorca is Caló des Moro. It’s located in the southern point of the city near Santanyi and Cala Llombards. To get to the beach, pass by these two towns or ride a bus to stop #57047. While getting to the location can be challenging, the beach makes it all worth it.

Even if you don’t want to go for a dive, you will be amazed by the turquoise waters, beautifully carved cliffs, and lush greeneries. This makes Caló des Moro a great photo op spot, especially during the summer season. You can snorkel, but only if you bring your own equipment, as there are no rentals and facilities nearby.

Location: 07690 Cala Llombards, Balearic Islands

Take a Trip to Castillo Museo San Carlos

A stone’s throw from Palma’s emblematic symbol, the Porto Pi Lighthouse, is another cultural attraction you don’t want to miss in the capital city. The Castillo Museo San Carlos is nestled in one of the city’s oldest defensive forts, featuring wartime and military artifacts from the Medieval era to the 20th century.

The Tower was constructed between 1610 and 1612 in the original place of the old lighthouse. It was built to defend the maritime area and the Porto Pi zone, which was the city’s natural port in the 17th century. Today, visitors are welcome to visit the ten rooms and an open area at the military museum. It is open to the public from Tuesdays through Sundays, between 10 AM to 2 PM.

Location: Carretera Dic de l'Oest, s/n, 07015 Palma

Hike the Rugged Serra de Tramuntana Mountains

Whether you’re a serious hiker or just want to embrace the great outdoors, you might want to tackle the magnificent Serra de Tramuntana mountains. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this remarkable mountain range is one of Mallorca’s most extraordinary natural sites, with deep canyons and bizarre rock formations.

As you begin your journey, you’ll discover the rich flora and fauna of great beauty and variety. Then you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views over the Spanish Island of Mallorca when you reach the summit. The hiking routes vary from easy and family-friendly to medium-difficulty, making it ideal even for beginners.

Location: Balearic Islands, Spain

Head to a nearby Fishing Village

Don’t limit your adventure to the city center. If you want to venture further and escape the hectic capital city, check out other nearby villages and harbor towns like Banyalbufar. It’s a coastal village with quiet coves and is surrounded by the towering peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.

A few miles from the Mallorcan capital is Cala Figuera, another fishing village tucked between fig trees, pine trees, and rocky cliffs. Numerous fisherman’s houses make up its colorful façade with terraces leading to the waterfront.

Location: Balearic Islands, Spain

Explore Palma de Mallorca for Free!

Palma is a spectacular coastal city with lots of medieval castles, churches, museums, and interesting sights that will fill your adventures. And the best thing about planning a trip to Balearic Island's capital is the chance to visit as many places as possible and enjoy different experiences without going beyond your travel budget. From exploring the parks and gardens to touring the museums and castles, you won’t run out of free things to do in Palma de Mallorca.