Palma de Mallorca Hotels

Best places to stay in Palma

To be in the heart of the old town, and steps from all the historical attractions, aim to stay in the central districts like La Llonja (also known as La Llotja-Born), Avinguda Jaume III, Sant Nicolau and La Calatrava, to the east just beyond the cathedral. These districts are home to the best (designer) shopping, food and architecture, and also home to some of the most luxurious boutique hotels in the city – although you’ll find some more budget-friendly options in the right season. For harbour views and fabulous food, make a beeline for Santa Catalina, a formerly neglected district that experienced a cool resurgence, making it a hub for market culture. El Jonquet is similarly delightful, retaining some of its colourful, fishing-village look – only the fishing boats have been replaced by enviably swanky yachts. As you head west along the Paseo Maritimo, with its fabulous sea views, you reach modern El Terreno and elegant, seafood-focussed Portopí. Here you can find glitzy hotels to match the gourmet ambience, but also some surprisingly affordable-yet-chic hotels.

Where to stay to be near the popular attractions

Many of Palma’s main bucket-list attractions are in the historic centre, around La Llonja and La Calatrava. This is also where you’ll experience that delightful atmosphere that comes from a thriving European capital where old meets new. Jaume III is similarly lively, with a good dose of shopping, and La Missio is also just steps from the main action. To be walking distance from attractions but with a slightly less hectic vibe, try Santa Catalina. This artsy and foodie district has plenty to recommend it and often a lower price tag. Perhaps choose to stay in El Terreno or Portopí if you’d like to intersperse your sightseeing with a few laid-back beach days. Here, you’re not far from the beautiful, sandy shore of Cala Major and it’s still an easy bus ride into the old town.

Where to stay with your family in Palma

Families looking to max-out on cultural attractions should make a beeline for the central districts of Palma, but perhaps consider being close to parks like Parc de Sa Feixina, Parc de Sa Riera and Parc Krekovic – Sa Feixina being the most popular. The Hotel HM Jaime III is very close to Sa Feixina and has handy triple and quadruple rooms for families. Just along the coast, overlooking the port and still very close to the heart of Palma, you’ll find Hotel Victoria Gran Melia. You can add two additional beds or a cot to your family room – which boasts a private terrace – or book a connected family room for the luxury of two bathrooms. There’s an indoor and outdoor pool, with a sun terrace, and breakfast is buffet-style so you can fill your boots for a day’s exploring.

Where to find cheap hotels in Palma

There are a good number of cheap hotels in Palma de Mallorca if you know where to look and hostels should be your first port of call for very cheap, friendly and easy-going accommodation. The Boc Hostels has two venues just outside the main city ring road, boasting far cheaper room prices than those inside the historic centre. The Boc Hostels - Palma has rooms for £40 per night and has a roof garden, hang out area, rooms with balconies and a cool urban aesthetic. The Boc Hostels - City goes one better, with a shady courtyard, sunny roof terrace and outdoor pool (rooms start at £60). Brick Palma is a three-star hotel, close to Placa Major with rooms from £70 per night. It’s well rated for its urban-chic interior, with dormitories, private rooms and a roof terrace space. If you’re looking for the more-budget end of luxury, check in to MHOUSE Hotel Palma. While not cheap, £100–150 per night is a decent price for a serene and beautifully decorated, modern oasis in La Missio, with a secluded rooftop pool and mouth-watering menu.

Where to stay as solo traveller

For your solo trip to Palma, you deserve a little luxury. Look no further than cool Brondo Architect Hotel, just off Passeig del Born and with a delightfully aesthetic interior. The Petite Rooms are perfectly proportioned for solo travellers on a weekend jaunt. Sant Jaume Design Hotel is a five-star luxury option tucked down a quiet side street. It has a chic, quiet-luxury interior, uniting local, modern art with grand original features, plus exceptionally spacious rooms and a photo-worthy breakfast offering. There’s also a gym, private rooftop terrace and secluded spa. For something more budget-friendly but no less boutique, try the Boutique Hotel Petit Montisión, close to the Banys Arabs and Basílica de Sant Francesc. It’s design-focussed with a stylish interior and high-tech amenities in the rooms, and dining at the intimate restaurant here feels like a true treat.

Party and Nightlife in Palma

Palma de Mallorca is a destination that promises vibrant nights filled with a wide array of experiences, from laid-back bars to energetic nightclubs and live music venues. Whether you're seeking a sophisticated evening or a night of dancing, Palma has something for every nocturnal preference.

Night Clubs

Palma's nightlife is renowned for its dynamic club scene. Key spots include:

• Social Club Mallorca and Garito Café Bar Nightclub, both in Palma, where the party spirit of the island comes to life with a diverse music scene and lively crowds.

• Club Mutante: An indie and electronic venue that offers an alternative night out.

Concert Halls and Live Music

For those who enjoy live performances:

• The Galactic Club is dedicated to swing, soul, blues, and rock and roll, providing a lively atmosphere for dancing.

• Sala Trampa offers a variety of live music, theatre, and comedy, with improv nights drawing a crowd every week.

Secret Party Spots

Santa Catalina stands out as a neighbourhood where every night offers something different. From quiet pubs and trendy wine bars to lively cocktail bars without the lines and cover fees of clubs, it's a gem for those looking to explore beyond the main streets.

Best Neighbourhoods for Going Out

• Santa Catalina and La Lonja are top picks for a night out, with an abundance of bars, clubs, and restaurants catering to a diverse crowd. Santa Catalina, known for its gastronomy and late-night venues, alongside La Lonja, with its historic charm and buzzing nightlife, make them ideal spots for bar hopping and enjoying Palma's vibrant evening scene.

• Paseo Marítimo is another prime location, especially for club-goers, offering an array of nightclubs along the waterfront, where the party continues until dawn.

Palma de Mallorca's nightlife is as diverse and colourful as the city itself, ensuring that every visitor finds their perfect way to enjoy the Mediterranean nights. From the historic streets of La Lonja to the trendy bars of Santa Catalina, Palma is ready to offer unforgettable nights filled with music, dance, and the joy of discovery.

The 10 must-sees of Palma

• Cathedral: A spectacular cathedral, inside and out, worth visiting in the day and in the evening.

• Castell de Bellver: A unique, 13th century, circular castle overlooking the city.

• Royal Palace of La Almudaina: An ornate palace used by the royal family, with shady gardens.

• Llotja de Palma: Dramatic 15th century guild house with Gothic architecture.

• Es Baluard: Museum of contemporary art with indoor galleries and open-air sculptures.

• Banys Arabs: Bath houses from the time of Moorish rule, surrounded by tranquil gardens.

• Museum of Mallorca: Small museum showcasing the island’s history, art and artefacts.

• Museu Fundació Joan March: Modern art museum in a grand, historical building.

• Wander down La Rambla and Passeig del Born, two of the city’s iconic streets.

• Visit the beach: There are so many nearby, it would be rude not to. You could even take the historic train to Soller for a day trip.

Hotels with rooftop bars

With Palma being a little tight for space at street level, and a higher chance of catching the rays at roof level, it’s unsurprising how many hotels in Mallorca’s capital have rooftop bars, pools and hangouts. In almost every budget bracket, you can relax at canopy level and enjoy views of the city from this unique angle. For example, Nivia Born Boutique Hotel is close to the royal palace and cathedral, offering a totally unique cathedral view from its cool rooftop bar. Hotel Saratoga is a four-star property close to the contemporary art museum, promising a sleek, state-of-the-art interior. The real draw, though, is the choice of pools – one spa pool and one al-fresco pool in the downstairs garden, and one rooftop pool with sweeping views of the city. Very close by is another four-star favourite; Nakar Hotel with its iconic rooftop pool and sundeck granting you breath-taking city views.

Hotels with gourmet restaurants

Almost all the luxury hotels in Palma have restaurants to write home about, but Quadrat at Sant Francesc Hotel Singular is something special. Chef Àlvar Albaladejo works with local and seasonal produce to create dishes which look as magnificent as they taste, crafting a down-to-earth menu with out-of-this-world flavours. The setting is understated and romantic, and the hotel also has a sunny rooftop terrace for a picture-perfect aperitif. Concepció by Nobis is a dream of a design hotel and five-star in every aspect, from its glorious architecture and colourful decor, to its bright and airy rooms, to its oasis-like, secluded pool and terrace. The restaurant in this former-soap-factory is sophisticated and contemporary, giving local specialities an aesthetic upgrade.

Spa hotels in Palma

Palma is a city packed with luxurious hotels with spas and massage facilities. One that truly stands out for being so central, and so serene, is the Santa Clara Urban Hotel and Spa. The inside is designed to honour the traditional Mallorcan architecture while bringing nature in; its rooms feature exposed brick, wooden elements and rainfall showers, while the suites have an in-room hot tub. The spa has an exclusive feel, offering a menu of massages and treatments, as well as a sauna and steam room, hydro-massage bath and hot-stone beds. There’s a rooftop terrace with stunning city views and the hotel is cycle-friendly too – so you can recharge your muscles in the spa after a day exploring on two wheels.

Exceptional hotels

Many of the hotels clustered around the cathedral, palace and Passeig des Born are exceptionally luxurious in nature, but Palacio Can Marqués is a cut above. This five-star sensation is truly palatial inside, with cavernous ceilings, sweeping marble floors and glorious original stonework. This 18th century palace is dripping in decadent details and the spa is the icing on the cake. Storied Hotel Convent de la Missió is housed in a former convent in the mission district of the capital. The hotel is art-focussed, with contemporary works by local artists decorating the serene and chic spaces. Peaceful minimalism is the theme in the gallery-esque hotel with its own spa and secluded rooftop pool and terrace. The restaurant is also famous in its own right, headed by Marc Frosch, one of Mallorca’s most noted Michelin-starred chefs.

Luxury Hotels

You’re spoilt for choice for luxury hotels in Palma. Palma Riad is a five-star, adults-only oasis of tranquillity in the heart of the city’s shopping district. It has eleven unique suites, each opulently decorated with rich fabrics, art and antiques, and grand furnishings. No detail is left un-thought-of and the exclusive restaurant in the hidden courtyard is decadently romantic. Facing onto a bustling square, Hotel Cappuccino makes the list for its exceptional decor; playful, colourful and extravagant in every respect. Every space is photo-worthy, from the statement lobby to the rooftop pool and terrace to the private cinema and spa. Can Alomar Urban Luxury Retreat has picked the ultimate location, surrounded by designer retailers in the heart of historic Palma. The hotel is all about contemporary luxury; its decor oozes effortless charm and the spaces are dripping in artwork. No expense is spared in this former 18th-century palace; there’s a rooftop pool and terrace, as well as an al-fresco dining area for the renowned restaurant, and guests can book private spa treatments or sessions with a personal trainer.

Going Shopping in Palma

Palma, the vibrant capital of Majorca, offers an eclectic shopping experience, blending traditional charm with modern luxury. Whether you're hunting for high-end fashion, unique crafts, or local souvenirs, Palma's diverse shopping scenes cater to all tastes.

Trendy Shopping Areas

• Paseo del Borne: Known as Palma's most fashionable street, it's lined with designer boutiques and international brands, making it a must-visit for those seeking luxury shopping.

• Jaime III Street: This bustling area is a mix of international brands and trendy fashion boutiques, alongside stylish home decor stores.

Budget-Friendly Shopping

• Mercat de l'Olivar & Mercat de Santa Catalina: These markets offer fresh local produce and goods at reasonable prices, providing a glimpse into the local way of life.

Craft Shops

• For those interested in local crafts, numerous artisan shops scattered throughout Palma offer everything from handmade jewellery to traditional ceramics and leather goods.

Markets in Palma

• Mercat de l'Olivar: A popular spot for both tourists and locals, offering an organised space with a vast selection of food items.

• Plaça Major: Hosts an artisan market where you can find handmade items and souvenirs, perfect for taking a piece of Majorca back home.

Where to Buy Holiday Souvenirs

• Gallery Corner & Centre Perles: These speciality shops and art galleries in Palma are ideal for finding unique gifts and souvenirs that capture the essence of Majorca.

Shopping Malls

• Porto Pi: One of the oldest shopping centres in Mallorca, offering a range of shops from high street fashions to Spanish and international brands.

• FAN Mallorca Shopping: Near Palma’s airport, this modern shopping destination houses over 120 stores, including a vast Primark, alongside dining options and entertainment for kids.

Palma is captivated by its historical and cultural sights and serves as a shopper's paradise with its varied shopping destinations. From luxury boutiques to traditional markets and modern malls, the city offers an enriching shopping experience for every visitor.