Palma de Mallorca is a bustling city and the largest of the Balearic Islands, the four islands located off the East Coast of mainland Spain. The city offers amazing architecture, art, culture, and some of the best food I’ve ever had.
It’s no wonder that Mallorca and its capital are such popular destinations for travelers from around the globe, especially when you can get there so cheaply from most of mainland Europe.
In this guide, I’m going to take you through the best neighborhoods in Palma de Mallorca. Whether you’re looking for 5-star luxury with views of the Mediterranean or an artsy apartment in the heart of the city, you’re sure to find the perfect accommodation in the perfect neighborhood!
The Best Places to Stay in Palma de Mallorca
Palma is a beautiful city that’s separated into several areas, each with their own style and vibe. The neighborhoods around the city center and the port are all within easy access to each other and some of the ones a little further out can be reached by bus.
Accommodation is very diverse and you can find great apartments, hotels, and B&Bs for different budgets and traveling styles. Here are the best neighborhoods in my opinion:
Santa Catalina: A lively and trendy neighborhood full of music cafés, bars, restaurants, and winding streets.
La Llotja de Palma: A neighborhood by the port that’s famous for its restaurants and nightlife.
La Calatrava: A quieter area rich in history and with great shops and streets to explore.
City Centre: Great location for visiting all that Palma de Mallorca has to offer.
Cala Major: Amazing area close to the beach that’s great for families.
1. Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca for Central Location & Food Lovers: Santa Catalina (My Pick!)
Best for: Markets, ambiance, restaurants, and central location.
Santa Catalina is one of my favorite places to stay in Palma de Mallorca. This vibrant, bohemian-inspired neighborhood is full of unusual bars, boutique shops, and independent cafés.
It’s located just to the east of Avinguda de l’Argentina and Parc de Sa Feixina and is very close to Palma de Mallorca’s incredible port. It’s also within walking distance of the city center and is a half-hour walk away from Platja de Can Pere Antoni, one of Palma’s closest beaches.
Santa Catalina is really any foodie’s dream place to stay. The whole neighborhood revolves around the centuries-old food market which, in typical Spanish style, is laden with fresh and local produce.
Parc de Sa Feixina also holds food markets and festivals throughout the year and on certain days, the narrow streets of Santa Catalina turn into farmer’s markets – perfect for if you’re cooking something at home that evening!
Things To Do in Santa Catalina
Mercado de Santa Catalina: You can’t stay in Santa Catalina, or actually Palma, without visiting the market. This vibrant, colorful, and bustling market is full of stands selling fresh vegetables, fish, and meat. You can even buy some fresh meat or fish and take it to Bar es Mercat and they’ll cook it for you for a small fee!
Wander Through the Streets: Santa Catalina is a perfect place to wander around and admire all the colorfully painted buildings and beautiful plants that adorn them. It’s only in the last decade or so that this old fishing village has become a hotspot for travelers and it still holds a lot of its authentic charm.
Visit the Windmills: If you’re looking for a great view in Santa Catalina, I can definitely recommend walking up to the Windmills. Some even say they’re the landmark of Santa Catalina. From here, you get a beautiful view over the port – you can even try and spot the king of Spain’s yacht which he often moors in the port of Palma de Mallorca!
Enjoy Santa Catalina’s Nightlife: Whereas lots of the places to stay in Mallorca are very seasonal, Santa Catalina is vibrant all year round. This means you can enjoy its amazing nightlife whenever you decide to visit. Whether you prefer an evening cocktail or dancing until sunrise, Santa Catalina has a diverse and very fun nightlife.
Best Hotels to Stay in Santa Catalina
($$$) Bordoy Continental Palma
This five star hotel is set in a stunning building, located in the center of Santa Catalina and just a short walk away from the market. All rooms are elegantly designed, and there’s a gym, sauna, and hot tub for you to enjoy.
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($$) Spot Apartment
A wonderful, clean, and bright apartment in the heart of Santa Catalina. It’s close to the port and has recently been remodeled to highlight Mallorcan architecture with modern finishes.
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($) Casa Catalina
Casa Catalina is a well-located guest house a short distance away from the port and the center of Palma de Mallorca. The rooms are well-furnished and offer space for groups and families.
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Pros of Staying in Santa Catalina
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Great vibe and atmosphere
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Lively nightlife
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Many great places to eat
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Beautiful, old fishing village architecture
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Centrally located and close to other neighborhoods
Cons of Staying in Santa Catalina
2. Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca for Great Nightlife and Views: La Llotja de Palma (Old Town)
Best for: Parties, restaurants, and port access.
La Llotja neighbors Santa Catalina and is another popular place for tourists to stay. With its very central location, you can be in the city center and the port in no time at all. It’s also slightly closer to the main beach in Palma de Mallorca and accommodation here is a little more varied than in Santa Catalina.
La Llotja is a web of winding streets and secretive corners, perfect for exploring during the day. At night, this whole area turns into a busy nightlife hub. It’s full of some of the best restaurants in the city as well as lively bars and clubs along the harbor.
On an evening, it’s worth walking out along the dock of Puerto de Palma to look out at all the incredible yachts coming and going. There’s even a couple of bars and restaurants. Check out Dock Bar for a sunset drink or Varadero Palma for a paella.
Things to Do in La Llotja
Visit La Lonja Maritime Trade Exchange: La Lonja is a stunning Gothic building in the heart of the neighborhood. It was once used as a fish market as well as a meeting point for traders. It’s a beautiful building and one you can’t miss in this neighborhood!
Walk Along the Paseo Marítimo: The Paseo Marítimo is a lovely walk right along the port of Palma de Mallorca. It’s lined with restaurants and bars and covered with palm trees which makes it a beautiful spot for dinner or a coffee.
Eat in One of the Best Restaurants: La Llotjais an area full of amazing restaurants. A great choice is Bonda Cocina, an Argentinian and Mediterranean fusion restaurant. It’s a good idea to get off the beaten track in La Llotja too as lots of wonderful restaurants are hidden down the back streets.
Best Hotels to Stay in La Llotja
($$$) Palacio Can Marqués
This boutique hotel is located in an 18th-century building with a spectacular garden, rooftop terrace, and spacious rooms. It has a restaurant, bar, and spa and wellness area.
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($$) Ocho Suites & Kitchen
This apartment complex is in the heart of La Llotja and each one is light, airy, and well designed. You’ll have views over the city from your private balcony and it’s close to Palma’s main attractions. You can also get a paid shuttle service to Palma de Mallorca airport.
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($) Lonja Suites Apartments
This lovely hotel has views across the city rooftops. It’s designed with modern touches and is a great base for exploring all the main tourist attractions and restaurants.
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Pros of Staying in La Llotja
Cons of Staying in La Llotja
3. Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca for History and Secret Streets: La Calatrava
Best for: Hidden Patios, Squares, and Boutique Hotels.
La Calatrava is another great location when considering where to stay in Palma de Mallorca. It’s very close to central Palma de Mallorca and is home to Palma Cathedral and the Parc de la Mar. Because this neighborhood is located near the bay but a little further to the east of La Llotja, you’ll find some of the best luxury hotels with incredible views out over the Mediterranean and there’s a good variety for you to stay in.
La Calatrava is one of my favorite areas to walk around in the city. Although centrally located and just a stone’s throw away from some of the biggest shopping streets, it’s quieter and has a much more relaxed atmosphere.
The streets are narrow and, as you walk down them, you can really get a feel for all the historical influences the neighborhood has had – it was once a vibrant Arab trading center as well as the Jewish quarter. It’s a wonderful place to buy traditional, handmade items such as straw baskets and products made from cork.
Things to Do in Calatrava
Visit the Cathedral and Royal Palace: Visiting the cathedral is a must in Palma, even if you’re not staying in Calatrava. It’s such an impressive historic building and so iconic of the city.
Walk Along the Old City Walls: The old city walls run along to Calatrava and it’s such a nice way to get a view of the ocean and imagine what the city used to be like. Try to view the sunset if you can, it’s particularly beautiful!
Walk Around Parc de la Mar: This is a wonderful park that has the beautiful Palma Cathedral on one side and the equally beautiful Mediterranean on the other. The palm trees and vegetation offer some very welcome shade on a hot day.
Visit the Arab Baths: The arab baths are an impressive building and one of the best ways to see the influence Arab culture has had on the city. It’s thought that most of the columns are Roman and there’s a nice garden to walk around too.
Best Hotels to Stay in Calatrava
($$$) Es Princep
A wonderful, luxury hotel in Calatrava boasting a spa and wellness center as well as an outdoor rooftop pool with views over the bay of Palma de Mallorca.
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($$) Hotel Calatrava
Located next to Parc de la Mar and the old city walls, Hotel Calatrava has well-designed, chic rooms, many with views over the bay. There’s also a wonderful communal terrace and a spa.
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($) Vintage Palma Palace Apartments
Apartments on the ground floor are well-priced and have 2 beds and a living room. It’s well located to the north of Calatrava, meaning the center of Palma is close by.
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Pros of Staying in Calatrava
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Calmer atmosphere
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Beautiful streets and shops to explore
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Close to Parc de la Mar and the Cathedral
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Great accommodation options
Cons of Staying in Calatrava
4. Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca for First Timers: City Center
Best for: Restaurants, shopping, and a lively vibe.
Of course, a great place to stay to be in the middle of all the action in Palma is the city center. You’ll be a little further back from the beaches and port but you’ll be surrounded by larger and more modern streets, shops, and plenty of tourist attractions.
As you might imagine from the city center, there are lots of amazing bars and restaurants. My favorite restaurant in Palma is La Rosa Vermutería. We stumbled across it a couple of years ago when we had a 6-hour layover in the city on our way to Valencia and have been back every time since!
The city center is a great place to stay to access the other areas.
Things to Do in the City Center
Visit Plaça Major: In the heart of the city center is Placa Major, a large square that comes to life with street artists and stalls. It’s a lovely place to have a coffee and watch the world go by.
Mercat de l’Olivar: This is another fantastic market in Palma de Mallorca and a great place to grab a snack and marvel at all the amazing fresh produce.
Walk Down La Rambla: This is a very pretty street lined with flower stalls and fountains. The architecture is beautiful too!
Best Hotels to Stay in Palma City Center
($$$) Convent de la Missio
This 17th-century building is a renovated beautiful hotel that used to be a monastery! It’s a stunning hotel that has a rooftop pool, stylish rooms, and a spa.
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($$) Mallorca Suites
These suits are clean, modern, and in a fantastic location. Each unit has a kitchen and some also have a living area and private terrace.
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($) Regina Smart Rooms
This is a great, clean, well-equipped guesthouse north of the city center. Main tourist attractions are within walking distance and there are family rooms available.
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Pros of Staying in Palma City Center
Cons of Staying in Palma City Center
5. Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca for Families: Cala Major
Great for: Beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, and some of the best Palma de Mallorca hotels.
As well as enjoying all the cultural and fun things you can do in Palma de Mallorca, you might also want to go to the beach. After all, the Balearic Islands have some of the best beaches in Europe. Cala Major is a great area a little further out from the city center to the west – around a 15-minute drive by car or 25 minutes with public transport.
The area is more like a resort, with plenty of restaurants and hotels and, of course, a stunning beach with crystal-clear water. It gets pretty crowded in summer, as almost every beach in Mallorca does, but it’s surprisingly not so bad for being so close to Palma.
Cala Major is a great place to stay if you want easy access to the city but plan on spending your afternoons, soaking up the sun.
Things to Do in Cala Major
Enjoy Cala Major Beach: The focus of this area is definitely the beach. It’s a large sandy one, perfect for families, and there are plenty of palm trees for shade. The nearby rocks are great for snorkeling and you can do water sports such as paddleboarding too.
Go to a Typical Chiringuito: Chiringuitos are Spanish beach bars and they’re a must when you’re at the beach in Spain. Cala Major has a couple of them dotted along the beach in summer, offering tapas, refreshing drinks, and typical music.
Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation: This museum is dedicated to the work of the artist Joan Miró. It has more than 6000 pieces of his work and the building itself is very impressive.
Visit One of the Smaller Beaches Nearby: If you fancy a bit of adventure, you could go to one of the smaller calas near Cala Major. Cala Nova and Cala Guix are worth a visit, although they’re not as family-friendly and are a little more wild.
Best Places to Stay in Cala Major
($$$) Nixe Palace Hotel
Nixe Palace is perfectly located right next to the beach and offers an outdoor swimming pool, a wellness and spa area with an indoor pool, and luxury rooms with stunning views across Palma Bay and the Mediterranean.
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($$) Eurostars Marivent
This hotel is in a fantastic location with a large swimming pool, beautiful sun terrace, and clean and equipped rooms. A buffet breakfast is included and there’s a fitness center. The hotel is also divided into child-friendly and adult-only areas.
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($) Hotel Amic Horizonte
This hotel is located a little further back from the beach, towards Portopí. The rooms are clean and well–equipped with great views over the port. It’s a good location if you’re traveling via boat to Valencia or another of the Balearic Islands.
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Pros of Staying at Cala Major
Cons of Staying in Cala Major
Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca: Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible to Walk Around Palma de Mallorca?
Yes, Palma is a very walkable city, especially between the City Center, La Llotja, and Calatrava. There are also lots of bus routes and a metro if you get tired.
Where’s The Best Place to Stay in Palma for Families?
If you don’t want to stay in the city itself, Cala Major is a great place for kids. They can play on the beach and it’s a quick bus ride to the city for a bit of sightseeing.
Where’s The Best Neighborhood to Party in Palma de Mallorca?
La Llotja and Calatrava have lots of bars and clubs for partiers to enjoy. The further out of the city you go, the fewer you’ll find. Another popular party spot 30 minutes from Palma city center is Magaluf.
Is Palma Well Connected to The Rest of the Island?
Yes! I’d personally recommend renting a car as this gives you the flexibility to go to some of the best beaches and towns. There are buses but these tend to go to the larger resorts and can take longer.
Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca – Final Words
Palma de Mallorca is an amazing city with a great mix of things to do. Of course, there are a good amount of bars and clubs, but there are also some incredible restaurants, historic neighborhoods, and monuments that you should see.
It’s a beautiful city to visit for a long weekend or as the first stop on a trip around the island. It’s not often you can walk around a stunning Gothic cathedral in the morning and swim in turquoise waters in the afternoon!
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