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Palma de Mallorca: when your ship stops here

The cathedral by the sea, the round castle on the hill, the wooden train to Sóller; the caves are across the island.

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Palma is the capital of Mallorca, the largest of Spain's Balearic Islands. The port is on the southern edge of the city and is the island's main one for cruise, leisure and cargo ships. Since 2022 the Balearic government and the cruise lines have agreed that no more than three cruise ships a day call at Palma, only one of them carrying more than 5,000 passengers.

Sources: Wikipedia: Port of Palma; Majorca Daily Bulletin, 5 May 2022: Historic agreement to limit cruise ships in Palma

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The cathedral, La Seu

    Begun in 1229 and finished in 1601, the Gothic cathedral stands right on the seashore. Its rose window, nearly 14 m across, is the second largest Gothic rose window still standing; Antoni Gaudí worked on the interior from 1903 to 1914, and the painter Miquel Barceló remade the chapel of Sant Pere between 2001 and 2006. Next door is the royal palace of the Almudaina, and a few streets away the Arab Baths from the 11th century, with twelve columns reused from Roman buildings.

    Tip: The cathedral and the old town are one walk: do them together and keep the ride for the castle.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Palma Cathedral; Wikipedia: Palma de Mallorca

  2. 2. Bellver Castle

    Built from 1300 to 1311 for King James II on a wooded hill 3 km (2 miles) west of the centre, it is one of the few round castles in Europe. It was a prison from the 14th century into the 20th, and since 1932 has held the city's History Museum. You can see it from the sea and from almost anywhere in Palma, and the view back is the point of the climb.

    Tip: It sits on a hill above the city, so allow time for the climb or take a taxi up.

    Source: Wikipedia: Bellver Castle

  3. 3. The wooden train to Sóller

    A narrow gauge railway opened in 1912, still running its century old wooden carriages from a station just off the Plaça d'Espanya through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and 13 tunnels to the town of Sóller, where a tram runs on to the harbour at Port de Sóller.

    Tip: It is an out and back trip into the mountains, so check the timetable against your all aboard time before you buy.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Ferrocarril de Sóller; Ferrocarril de Sóller (the railway's own site)

What to skip

  • The Caves of Drach on a short day

    The caves at Porto Cristo, on the east coast of the island, run about 2.4 km and 25 m deep and end at Lake Martel, an underground lake 115 m long where a small orchestra plays from rowing boats. Wonderful, but it is a drive right across Mallorca each way, so leave it for a long call or a return visit.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Coves del Drach; Wikipedia: Porto Cristo

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Palma de Mallorca

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Palma de Mallorca, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 1, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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