Cruises from Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca — the sun-drenched jewel of the Balearic Islands and one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Mediterranean. This is a city that captivates at first glance: the magnificent Gothic cathedral La Seu rising above the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea, the narrow lanes of the Arab old town, the grand seafront promenade Passeig Marítim, and more than 200 beaches around the island — all of this makes Mallorca a magnet for millions of travellers every year. The capital of the Balearic Islands stretches along the south-western coast of Spain's largest island, embraced by the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range and the azure waters of the Bay of Palma.
For the cruise traveller, Palma is a unique combination of a convenient transit port and an independent destination well worth several days of exploration. The port welcomes vessels from virtually every major cruise line in the world, offering itineraries across the Western Mediterranean, to the Balearic Islands and the ports of mainland Spain. In 2025, the Port of Palma received more than 1.9 million cruise passengers and over 540 ship calls — a record figure for this destination. 🚢
📋 Before setting off on a cruise from Palma or going ashore for a few hours, here is the essential information:
🇪🇸 Country: Spain
📍 Region: Balearic Islands (autonomous community)
👥 Population: approximately 431,000 residents (island of Mallorca — nearly 967,000)
📐 City area: 209 km²
🗣️ Languages: Catalan and Spanish (both official); English is widely spoken in the tourist area
💶 Currency: Euro (EUR)
🕐 Time zone: CET (UTC+1), summer CEST (UTC+2)
☀️ Climate: Mediterranean, mild winters (+10…+15 °C) and warm summers (+27…+30 °C), swimming season from April to November
✈️ Nearest airport: Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), also known as Son Sant Joan — 8 km from the cruise port
⚓ Official name of the cruise port: Port de Palma / Estació Marítima
🗺️ Port location: south-western coast of Mallorca, Bay of Palma
🏛️ The History of Palma — from Roman Colony to the Cruise Capital of the Balearics
⏳ Over 2,000 years of maritime civilisation
The history of Palma is one of millennia of cultural layers, in which every civilisation left its indelible mark. As far back as the Bronze Age, the land of present-day Palma was home to settlements of the Talayotic culture. In 123 BC, the Roman commander Quintus Caecilius Metellus Balearicus conquered the Balearic Islands and founded a colony here named Palma — a Latin word meaning "palm" or "palm of the hand"; legend has it that the Bay of Palma resembled an open palm when viewed from above. The Romans built a forum, baths, a road network — and a port, around which the city grew.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Mallorca was plundered by the Vandals, and the island then became part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 8th century, Arab conquerors transformed Palma into the flourishing Medina Mayurqa — a Muslim city of mosques, hammam baths, gardens and fortresses, traces of which survive to this day in the name Almudaina (from the Arabic for "citadel").
⚔️ Medieval maritime state and the golden age
In 1229, King James I of Aragon, known as the Conqueror, retook the island from the Moors in a naval battle and founded the Kingdom of Mallorca. It was then that construction began on the Gothic cathedral La Seu — a monumental church whose completion took over 400 years (1229–1601). Palma became a major hub of Mediterranean trade: the merchant exchange Sa Llotja, built in the 15th century, is still regarded as a masterpiece of Catalan Gothic architecture. In 1715, following the War of the Spanish Succession, the island permanently lost its autonomy and became simply "Palma".
Palma experienced its true ascent as a tourist and cruise destination in the second half of the 20th century, when mass tourism transformed Mallorca into one of the most visited destinations in the Mediterranean.
⚓ The Port of Palma — Gateway to the Balearic Islands
📊 Scale and structure of the port
The modern Estació Marítima de Palma is an extensive port complex located in the Bay of Palma, 4–6 km from the city centre. The port is divided into two main zones for cruise ships: Muelle de Poniente (the Western Quay), where terminals EM 1–4 are located — the closest to central Palma — and Dique del Oeste (Dique del Ouest, or Porto Pi) with terminals EM 5–6, situated further west along the breakwater. In addition to cruise berths, the port serves ferries and cargo vessels, and handles more than 3 million regular-line passengers annually.
Terminals EM 1–4 are connected by covered walkways and equipped with essential facilities: check-in and baggage claim areas, restrooms, cafés, ATMs, tourist information desks and taxi ranks. Shuttle transfers operated by most cruise lines, as well as city bus route No. 1 (every 15 minutes, ticket — 3 EUR), connect the terminals to the cathedral and the Old Town.
🚢 How many ships does the port accommodate
The Port of Palma handles more than 500 cruise ship calls per year. A current regulation limits arrivals to no more than three cruise ships simultaneously per day, with only one of them permitted to carry more than 5,000 passengers. The maximum daily passenger capacity during peak season (June–September) is 8,500, and from 2027 to 2029 this figure will be reduced to 7,500 under an agreement between the Balearic Islands government, Palma City Council and 20 leading cruise companies — as part of efforts to manage overtourism and protect the city's unique character. 🌿
🏢 Which cruise companies operate from Palma
The Port of Palma serves vessels from the world's leading cruise brands: MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, AIDA Cruises, TUI Cruises, Marella Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Cunard, Silversea and many others. Palma functions both as a transit port on Mediterranean itineraries and as a turnaround port for a number of cruise lines that embark here for the Balearic Islands, Spain, France and North Africa. 🌍
💡 Interesting facts about Palma and its port
Your acquaintance with the city will be richer if you know a few lesser-known details:
🏔️ Mallorca is Spain's largest island by area. Covering 3,640 km², it is home to nearly one million residents, while summer sees the population swell to 1.5 million thanks to tourists.
⛪ La Seu Cathedral is one of the largest Gothic structures in the world. Its central nave, soaring to 44 metres, surpasses that of Notre-Dame de Paris, and the famous Rose Window — a stained-glass rosette 12 metres in diameter — is among the largest in Europe. Antoni Gaudí contributed to the restoration of the cathedral's interior in the early 20th century.
🏰 Bellver Castle is one of the few circular castles in Europe. Built between 1300 and 1311 on the orders of King James II of Majorca, it served simultaneously as a royal residence and a prison. The name "Bellver" translates from Catalan as "beautiful view" — entirely justified, as its walls offer a sweeping panorama of the entire Bay of Palma.
🎾 Mallorca is the birthplace of Rafael Nadal. The legendary tennis player was born in Manacor, 60 km from Palma, and is the island's most celebrated native son. The Rafa Nadal Academy is located near the capital.
🌊 The Balearic Islands welcomed more than 19 million tourists in 2025. With a resident population of just 1.2 million, this ratio is one of the highest in Europe — and a key driver of the island's active fight against overtourism.
🛡️ Serra de Tramuntana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountain range on the western side of the island was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011 as a "cultural landscape" for its unique blend of natural scenery and traditional agriculture.
🏖️ More than 40 of Mallorca's beaches hold Blue Flag status. The island is surrounded by over 200 beaches — from broad sandy bays to tiny, sheltered calas tucked between the rocks.
⚓ The Port of Palma predates the city itself. Maritime trade in the Bay of Palma was established before the Roman colonisation — Iberian tribes used the natural harbour for commerce with Greek and Phoenician seafarers long before 123 BC.
📍 Top sights of Palma — must-see for the cruise traveller
A cruise ship's call in Palma typically lasts between 8 and 12 hours, so it is important to set your priorities in advance. A detailed list with photos, addresses and opening hours can be found in the "Sights & Attractions" section; below is a concise overview of the landmark locations that define the face of the city.
⛪ La Seu Cathedral (La Seu) — the defining symbol of Palma and a masterpiece of Mediterranean Gothic architecture, built between 1229 and 1601. Its exterior impresses with a monumental Gothic façade facing the sea; its interior astonishes with the soaring nave, vast stained-glass windows and the details of Antoni Gaudí's restoration in the early 20th century.
🏰 Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver) — a unique 14th-century circular fortress on a hilltop 3.5 km from the port. Its ramparts offer the finest panorama of the Bay of Palma and the mountains beyond. The castle houses the city's Museum of History of Palma.
🏯 Almudaina Palace (Palau de l'Almudaina) — an ancient Arab alcazar rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 14th century and still serving as the official summer residence of the Spanish royal family. Inside: collections of tapestries, paintings and medieval artefacts; from the terraces: a breathtaking view over the port.
🌊 Parc de la Mar and Passeig Marítim — a seafront promenade stretching over 5 km from the port along the bay, lined with yacht marinas, restaurants and clubs. Parc de la Mar is an urban park at the foot of the cathedral, with an artificial lake that perfectly mirrors the grandeur of La Seu.
🏛️ Sa Llotja (Sa Llotja) — a 15th-century Gothic merchant exchange designed by architect Guillem Sagrera. Regarded as one of the finest examples of civil Gothic architecture in the Mediterranean, it is today used as an exhibition venue.
🛁 Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs) — the only well-preserved remains of Moorish architecture in Palma, dating from the 10th–11th centuries. A small but extraordinarily atmospheric monument from the era of Medina Mayurqa, located in the heart of the Old Town.
🎨 Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art — an art gallery housed within a 16th-century city bastion. The collection features works by Picasso, Miró, Magritte and local Balearic artists.
🚂 The vintage train to Sóller — a legendary narrow-gauge railway dating from 1912, connecting Palma to the mountain town of Sóller through tunnels and terraces lined with almond groves. An ideal option for passengers with a long port call who wish to explore the Serra de Tramuntana.
🏘️ Valldemossa and the mountain villages — a picturesque hilltop town in the Serra de Tramuntana, 18 km from Palma, where Frédéric Chopin spent the winter at the Royal Carthusian Monastery (Real Cartuja). A popular excursion for cruise passengers with an extended port stay.
✨ Why choose a cruise from Palma de Mallorca
Palma is one of those rare destinations where everything falls perfectly into place for the cruise traveller.
First, the logistics are seamless: Palma Airport PMI — the third busiest in Spain with over 33 million passengers in 2024 — receives direct flights from dozens of European cities and is just 8 km from the port. ✈️
Second, the choice of itineraries is exceptional: cruises departing from or calling at Palma cover Spain, France, Italy, North Africa, the Canary Islands and the other Balearic Islands — Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera. 🌊
Third, the port and city themselves are an experience: even if you have arrived only to embark, it is well worth setting aside a day or two to see La Seu, stroll along the Passeig Marítim and savour a local ensaïmada — the island's beloved flaky pastry — at one of the café terraces in the Old Town. 🥐
The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group will help you select the ideal ship, itinerary and cabin, assist with airport transfer arrangements and Schengen visa formalities, and offer exclusive fares from MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean and other leading brands, with whom we work as a priority partner. 🤝
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for reference purposes and is accurate as of the date of publication. Prices, schedules, itineraries and visiting conditions are subject to change without notice. Please verify current details with a cruise specialist at Four Gates Group or on the official websites of the relevant venues.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals
How to Get to the Cruise Terminal in Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca — one of the largest and most convenient cruise port cities in the Mediterranean, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors every year. However, getting from the airport or city centre to your specific cruise terminal has its own nuances: the port stretches along the shoreline of Palma Bay and is divided into several zones located 4–8 km from the Old Town — without knowing the right route, it is easy to lose precious time. Below is a tried-and-tested step-by-step guide covering all transfer options, current prices and tips from the cruise specialists at Four Gates Group. 🎯
📍 Where Exactly Is the Palma de Mallorca Cruise Port
The Port of Palma (Port de Palma) is one of the busiest passenger ports in the Balearic Islands. Cruise terminals are concentrated in two main areas:
⚓ Muelle de Poniente (Poniente Quay) — the main cruise zone, where the majority of ships berth:
• Estación Marítima 1 — the flagship terminal, serving MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean and others
• Estación Marítima 2 — an adjacent terminal with an ATM, restrooms and a taxi rank right outside the exit
• Estación Marítima 3 and 4 (Paraires Quay) — for medium and smaller vessels, located closer to the Old Town
📌 GPS Address: Avinguda de Gabriel Roca, s/n, 07015 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
🚶 Distance to city centre: approximately 4–6 km to the La Seu Cathedral
⚓ Dique del Oeste (West Breakwater) — for large ships and peak days:
• Estación Marítima 5 and 6 — used for large cruise ships (Oasis class and similar) and whenever Poniente is fully occupied
• Located closer to the Porto Pi shopping centre and San Carlos Castle
📌 GPS Address: Carretera Dic de l'Oest, s/n, 07015 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
🚶 Distance to city centre: approximately 6–8 km to the Cathedral
❗ Important: the exact terminal for your ship is always stated in your cruise voucher. You can also check your vessel's berthing assignment on the official website portsdebalears.com approximately one week before arrival — terminals are occasionally changed due to port schedule adjustments.
✈️ From Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) to the Cruise Terminal
Palma de Mallorca Son Sant Joan International Airport (PMI) is located 8–10 km east of the cruise port. It is the only airport on the island, receiving all international flights, including connections from Ukraine (via Warsaw, Istanbul, Vienna, Frankfurt and other hubs). The journey takes from 15 minutes (taxi) to 45 minutes (public transport).
🚕 Taxi — the fastest and most convenient option
Official Mallorca taxis — white cars with a green roof light — are always queued at the taxi rank outside the airport exit.
• Journey time: 15–20 minutes (depending on traffic)
• Approximate fare to the port (as of 2025–2026): around EUR 25–35 (meter + surcharge for luggage and night/holiday rates)
• Payment: cash or card (most taxis accept card payments)
• Important: Uber does not operate officially in Mallorca — use only licensed taxis
💡 Tip from Four Gates: tell the driver your terminal number (Estación Marítima 1, 2, 3 or 5) as soon as you get in the car — this will save considerable time on arrival.
🚐 Private Transfer — the most comfortable option
If you are travelling with family, as a group, or with a lot of luggage — this is the optimal choice. The driver will meet you in the arrivals hall with a name board, assist with your bags and take you directly to your terminal at a fixed price.
• Price: from EUR 45 for a saloon car (1–3 passengers), from EUR 70 for a minivan (4–8 passengers)
• Journey time: 15–20 minutes
• Advantages: fixed price, English-speaking driver, flight monitoring, no taxi queues
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private transfers for its clients — simply provide your flight number when booking your cruise.
🚌 Bus A1 (EMT) + connection — the budget option
There is no direct bus from the airport to the cruise port, so a transfer is required.
Route to Muelle de Poniente (Terminals 1–4):
1️⃣ From the airport, board bus A1 (EMT) (stop at the arrivals exit)
2️⃣ Get off at Alemanya (Àrea d'intercanvi) — ~25 minutes
3️⃣ Transfer to bus No. 4 or No. 20 and alight at Joan Miró – Corb Marí
4️⃣ From there it is approximately 5 minutes on foot to the cruise terminals
Route to Dique del Oeste (Terminals 5–6):
1️⃣ From the airport, take bus A1 to the stop Passeig Mallorca – Jaume III
2️⃣ Transfer to bus No. 1 and ride to the final stop Escuela Náutica
Fares:
• Bus A1 (airport → city): EUR 5 one way, EUR 8 return
• EMT city bus (connection): EUR 2 per ticket or EUR 5 for a day pass
• Total: approximately EUR 7 per person
Journey time: 40–50 minutes
⚠️ Important: bus A1 runs daily from 06:00 to 01:10, every 15 minutes. An A1 ticket purchased at the airport is valid for 90 minutes and includes one free transfer to the city bus.
🏙️ From Palma City Centre to the Cruise Terminal
If you have spent a night or a few days in a city centre hotel, there are several convenient ways to reach your ship:
🚕 Taxi from your hotel — EUR 15–20 depending on the hotel's location. Fast (10–15 min), convenient with luggage. Official taxis use a meter — if the driver refuses to start it, choose a different cab.
🚌 EMT City Bus No. 1 — the most popular budget option:
• Stop: the EMT stop is directly opposite the exit of Estación Marítima 2 (Muelle de Poniente); for Dique del Oeste — the stop is on Avinguda de Gabriel Roca
• Fare: EUR 2 one way, EUR 5 day pass
• Frequency: every 12–15 minutes on weekdays, every 25 minutes at weekends
• Journey time: 15–25 minutes depending on the terminal
• Payment: cash to the driver or contactless card
🚌 Cruise Line Shuttle Bus:
• Most cruise lines offer their own shuttle from the square near the Cathedral to the terminal
• Price: approximately EUR 12–15 per person return
• Route: the pick-up point is usually near Parc de la Mar or Avinguda d'Antoni Maura (5 minutes' walk from the Cathedral)
• Frequency: every 10–20 minutes during operating hours
• Operating hours: approximately 08:30–17:30 on days when ships are in port
💡 Tip: the cruise line shuttle is convenient but significantly more expensive than the city bus — for a couple or a family, a taxi is often the better value.
🚌 Hop-on Hop-off Bus (City Sightseeing):
• Stop 14 – Estación Marítima is located directly in front of Terminal 2
• Passengers berthing at Dique del Oeste should head to the Porto Pi stop (~10 minutes' walk from the terminal)
• Price: EUR 20–25 for a full day
• Operating hours: 10:30–17:00, every 20–30 minutes
• Advantage: ideal for combining the transfer to port with a city sightseeing tour
🚶 Walking along the promenade — a scenic but demanding option with luggage:
• Distance: approximately 4–5 km from the Cathedral to the Poniente terminals
• Time: 30–45 minutes along the Passeig Marítim waterfront promenade
• Route: from Parc de la Mar, head west along the seafront past the marina and its yachts
• Not recommended with heavy luggage or on hot summer days (June–August) due to limited shade along part of the route
🚗 By Car — Parking Near the Port
If you are arriving by private or hired car, please note the following parking options:
🅿️ Short-stay parking at Terminal 2 (Muelle de Poniente):
• Location: directly in front of the Estación Marítima 2 building
• Maximum stay: 2 hours
• Ideal for a quick passenger drop-off before embarkation
🅿️ Parking at Dique del Oeste:
• A small free-of-charge area at the gate zone (short-stay only)
• Please note: private vehicles may not pass the barrier; passengers are dropped off in front of the entrance gate
🅿️ Porto Pi Shopping Centre — a convenient alternative:
• Address: Avinguda de Gabriel Roca, 54, Palma
• First 2 hours free (a Porto Pi shopping receipt is required)
• Located 5–10 minutes' walk from the Dique del Oeste terminals
⚠️ Important: there is no long-stay parking immediately adjacent to the cruise terminals in Palma. If your cruise lasts a week or longer, leave your car at the hotel or use a private car park in the city and take a taxi to the port.
🛣️ GPS Route: from any direction, the easiest approach is to join the Ma-1/Ma-19 (Passeig Marítim) motorway and follow the coastline of Palma Bay. At the Porto Pi roundabout: first exit for Dique del Oeste; second exit for Poniente/Paraires.
♿ Accessibility for Passengers with Reduced Mobility
The Port of Palma is fully equipped for passengers with reduced mobility:
✅ All terminals have lifts, ramps and wide passageways
✅ EMT Bus No. 1 has a low floor and designated spaces for wheelchairs
✅ Cruise line shuttle buses are mostly equipped with ramps — please confirm when booking
✅ Each terminal has staff available to assist with boarding — inform your cruise line of your requirements in advance
✅ The City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off bus is wheelchair accessible
⏰ When to Arrive at the Cruise Terminal
Most cruise lines open check-in desks 3–4 hours before the ship's departure. Recommended arrival times:
🕐 MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, AIDA: 3–3.5 hours before departure
🕐 Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, TUI, P&O: at your assigned check-in time (usually 30-minute windows)
🕐 Silversea, Seabourn, Azamara (luxury segment): any time after the terminal opens
❗ Boarding deadline: typically 60–90 minutes before departure — arriving late means watching the ship sail from the shore. All Four Gates Group vouchers include the exact boarding time for your specific cruise.
💡 Expert Tips from Four Gates Group
After years of working with Mallorca, our cruise specialists have compiled a set of tips to save you time, money and hassle:
🌅 Arrive the day before your cruise. Even a 2–3 hour flight delay can cost you the entire cruise — the ship does not wait. Palma is well worth at least one night before departure: the Cathedral, the Old Town and the waterfront will stay with you long after the voyage ends.
📋 Find out your terminal number in advance. The difference between Muelle de Poniente and Dique del Oeste is an extra 2 km and 20 minutes if you go to the wrong one. Check the terminal on portsdebalears.com a week before sailing.
💼 Book your transfer ahead of time. On busy Saturday mornings, taxi queues at the airport can stretch to 30–40 minutes. A pre-booked transfer guarantees a fixed price and zero waiting.
💶 Carry cash for the buses. Although EMT accepts card payments, it is always handy to have EUR 5–10 in small notes for any unexpected expenses at the port.
🎒 Leave your luggage at the hotel until boarding. If you arrived in the morning and your ship does not board until the afternoon, most Palma hotels will store your bags free of charge even after check-out.
🚫 Do not confuse the ferry and cruise entrances. Muelle de Poniente also houses ferry terminals serving Barcelona and other Balearic Islands. Make sure you head to your cruise terminal, not the ferry ticket desk.
📱 Download apps before you travel: EMT Palma (bus schedules), Google Maps with an offline Mallorca map, Google Translate with Spanish and Catalan language packs — not all signage at the port is in English.
☕ Do not rush to the terminal 5 hours before boarding. Even if the cruise line has opened check-in, waiting areas in Palma's terminals offer limited comfort. Make better use of your time in the Old Town or on the waterfront — Parc de la Mar, just 10 minutes from the port, offers stunning views of the Cathedral and the bay.
🏨 Choose a hotel in the Passeig del Born or Almudaina Palace area. From there, the port is just 10–15 minutes by taxi or a 30–35-minute walk along the promenade — perfect both before and after your cruise.
📞 Palma de Mallorca Cruise Terminal Contacts
Ports de Balears (general information): +34 971 228 100
Estación Marítima / Port de Palma: +34 971 228 100
Palma Radio Taxi: +34 971 401 414
Taxis Palma: +34 971 755 440
Spain Emergency Services: 112
Four Gates Group Cruise Specialists (24/7 for clients): +38 097 653 05 53
The logistics of cruising from Palma de Mallorca may seem complex at first glance. In reality, the city has a convenient and well-developed transport network — you simply need to know the right option for your situation. The cruise experts at Four Gates Group support their clients at every step: from selecting the best flight to Palma to arranging a private transfer with a name board in the arrivals hall. Contact our manager and your Mallorca cruise will begin without a moment's stress. 🛳️✨
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for reference purposes and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, timetables, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please verify current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant services.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals
Attractions and Places of Palma de Mallorca: A Complete Guide for Cruise Tourists
Palma de Mallorca — the capital of the Balearic Islands and one of the most captivating cities on the Mediterranean. Here you will find 2,000 years of uninterrupted history, a Gothic cathedral with few rivals for grandeur in all of Europe, the world's only round medieval castle, and Old Town alleyways where every courtyard is a world unto itself. For a cruise passenger with 8–12 hours in port, choosing the right route is everything. Below is a tried-and-tested guide to the key attractions, with up-to-date 2026 prices, opening hours, and precise instructions on how to reach each site from the cruise port Estació Marítima. 🎯
⛪ 1. La Seu Cathedral (Catedral de Mallorca / La Seu)
💡 Interesting Facts and Information:
La Seu is not simply Mallorca's main cathedral — it is one of the most magnificent Gothic churches in the entire Mediterranean. Its central nave rises 44 metres high — taller than the naves of Notre-Dame and Reims Cathedral combined. ✨
🔹 The central rose window is one of the largest stained-glass windows in the world: 12.55 metres in diameter, composed of more than 1,200 pieces of coloured glass. Locals call it the «Eye of the Gothic».
🔹 In the early 20th century, Antoni Gaudí partially redesigned the interior — he relocated the choir from the centre of the nave to the apse and installed a lavish baldachin above the high altar. Gaudí never completed the project — in 1914 he fell out with the clients and abandoned the commission. 🌳
🔹 Between 2001 and 2007 contemporary artist Miquel Barceló decorated the Chapel del Santíssim: an extraordinary ceramic relief depicting the miracles of Jesus covers all three walls and is considered one of the boldest works of contemporary art in any church in Spain.
🔹 Twice a year — in February and November — at a particular angle of sunlight, a rare phenomenon occurs: the image of the rose window is projected through the rear wall onto the nave floor and, together with its reflection, forms a perfect figure of «8». Tickets for these days sell out instantly.
🔹 The cathedral is built from honey-yellow sandstone — a material that literally glows gold on a bright sunny day, most spectacularly when viewed from the Parc de la Mar.
📜 History:
In 1229, following the conquest of Mallorca, King James I of Aragon vowed to build a Catholic cathedral on the site of the main mosque of the city of Medina Mayurqa — in fulfilment of a pledge made during a storm at sea. Construction lasted nearly 400 years — from 1229 to 1601.
Over that time, several architectural styles came and went: the lower sections — late Romanesque; the main body — mature Spanish Gothic; certain decorative elements — Renaissance. A powerful earthquake in 1851 destroyed part of the façade, which was restored in the Neo-Gothic style. Then came Gaudí's restoration (1901–1914), followed by the controversial yet brilliant Barceló Chapel. In this way the cathedral became a living cross-section of every era.
Today La Seu is an active diocesan church, a place of daily worship, and simultaneously Mallorca's most visited landmark.
🚢 Getting There from Cruise Port Estació Marítima:
• Fastest (taxi): 10–15 minutes, EUR 15–20. Address: Plaça de la Seu, s/n, 07001 Palma
• Bus (EMT Line 1): stop directly in front of Terminal Building No. 2 → Sa Feixina or Plaça de la Reina stop, then 5 minutes on foot. Fare EUR 2, every 15 minutes
• Cruise line shuttle: drops off directly at the cathedral, EUR 5–7 return, 10–15 minutes
• On foot: along the Passeig Marítim promenade — 50–60 minutes, but a very scenic walk
• Hop-on Hop-off: Catedral/Almudaina stop right next to the cathedral
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Standard ticket (cathedral + museum): EUR 10 (adults), EUR 8 (students/65+), free for children under 9
• Ticket with roof terrace access: EUR 25 (adults), EUR 8 (Balearic Islands residents)
• Guided sunset terrace tour: EUR 30
• Opening hours (2026): November–April: Mon–Fri 10:00–15:15, Sat 10:00–14:15; May–October: Mon–Fri 10:00–17:15, Sat 10:00–14:15. Sunday — closed to tourist visits
⚠️ IMPORTANT: on Sundays, entry is free during religious services, but only for those who have come to worship. Tourist admission on Sundays is closed — do not plan a visit on this day.
👕 Dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered; swimwear and shorts above the knee are not permitted.
🏰 2. Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver)
💡 Interesting Facts and Information:
Bellver Castle is the only round medieval castle in Europe. It stands on a hill 112 metres above sea level, 3 kilometres from the centre of Palma, and is visible from the deck of any cruise ship still approaching the port. 🏰
🔹 The castle's name translates from Catalan as «castle with a beautiful view». And that is no exaggeration: from the upper terrace there is a full 360° panorama of Palma, the bay, the Tramuntana mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea.
🔹 The castle has two concentric circular walls, and an independent tower («Torre de l'Homenatge»), connected to the main body only by an arch at second-floor level, is a unique architectural feature of the 14th century.
🔹 The two storeys of the inner courtyard are built in different styles: the lower floor is Romanesque, the upper is Gothic — a rare combination of two artistic periods in a single building.
🔹 The castle was built in just 9 years (1300–1309) — an incredible pace for the Middle Ages. By comparison, the neighbouring cathedral took 400 years.
🔹 In the 18th and 19th centuries the castle served as a prison. Among its inmates was the Spanish minister Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos — one of Spain's foremost Enlightenment figures, who during his imprisonment wrote his famous «Memoir on the Ancient Castle of Bellver». 📚
🔹 Today the castle houses the Municipal Museum of the History of Palma, with a collection of ceramics from the Talayotic, Roman, Arab, and Spanish periods.
📜 History:
The castle was built by King James II of Mallorca between 1300 and 1309 as a summer residence. The architect was most likely Ponç Descoll — the same master who worked on La Seu Cathedral. Remarkably, just two years after its completion the castle was already serving as a prison, housing members of the rival branch of the Aragonese dynasty.
In 1715, following the conquest of Mallorca by the forces of Philip V during the War of the Spanish Succession, the castle passed to the Spanish Crown and became a permanent prison. For nearly two centuries it held some of Spain's most prominent state prisoners.
In 1931 the castle was handed over to the city of Palma, and in 1976 a museum opened within its walls. Today it is one of the island's most popular tourist attractions and a mandatory stop on all Hop-on Hop-off routes.
🚢 Getting There from Cruise Port Estació Marítima:
• Taxi: 15 minutes, EUR 15–18 to the foot of the castle. Address: Carrer de Camilo José Cela, s/n, 07014 Palma
• Bus (Line 50): «Castell de Bellver» stop right at the castle. Transfer: first take Line 1 bus to the centre, then Line 50. Total ~35 min, EUR 4
• Bus (Lines 3, 20 or 46): to Plaça Gomila stop → 15 minutes uphill through a pine forest
• Hop-on Hop-off: direct stop at the castle — the most convenient option
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Adults: EUR 4
• Seniors and ages 14–18: EUR 2
• Children under 14: free
• Sundays: free for everyone (10:00–15:00)
• Opening hours (2026): April–September: Mon 08:30–13:00, Tue–Sat 08:30–20:00, Sun 10:00–20:00; October–March: Mon closed, Tue–Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 10:00–15:00
⚠️ Tip: tickets are not sold at the castle entrance but at the ticket office near the car park, approximately 100 metres before the gates. The walk up from the Plaça Gomila stop involves around 600 metres of steep steps — not the best option in the heat.
👑 3. Almudaina Palace (Palau de l'Almudaina)
💡 Interesting Facts and Information:
The Almudaina stands right next to La Seu Cathedral and serves as the official summer residence of the Spanish Royal Family. In theory, King Felipe VI could move in at any time — and when he does, part of the palace closes to visitors. 👑
🔹 The name «Almudaina» comes from the Arabic al-mudayna — «citadel». The 10th-century Arab fortress still forms the core of the building.
🔹 The unique Chapel of Saint Anne (Capella de Santa Anna) is a miniature masterpiece of Catalan Gothic from the 13th–14th centuries, with a carved portal and pointed arcades around the inner courtyard.
🔹 The halls display medieval Flemish and Spanish tapestries from the 16th–17th centuries, period furniture, portraits of members of the Aragonese dynasty, and early medieval artefacts.
🔹 From the palace terrace, arguably the finest view in Palma unfolds: La Seu Cathedral to the left, the blue bay below, and yachts in the marina right before your eyes. 📸
🔹 The Court of Honour (Patio de Honor) is a classic Moorish courtyard with a colonnade, still used today for state ceremonies.
📜 History:
The first fortification on this site dates to Roman times (1st century AD). In the 10th century, Muslims rebuilt it as an alcazaba — a fortified governor's palace. The name «Almudaina» was given to the building at that time.
In 1229, following the conquest of Mallorca, James I ordered the fortress rebuilt as a Gothic royal palace. Works continued until the end of the 14th century, with walls, defensive towers, a chapel, state halls, and garden terraces all constructed simultaneously. For several centuries the Almudaina served as the administrative and ceremonial centre of the Kingdom of Mallorca.
After the unification of Spain, the residence lost its former importance and gradually fell into decline. Modern restoration began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and from 1941 the building officially passed to the Patrimonio Nacional foundation and opened to visitors.
🚢 Getting There from Cruise Port Estació Marítima:
• Taxi: 10–15 minutes, EUR 15–20. Address: Carrer del Palau Reial, s/n, 07001 Palma
• Bus (EMT Line 1): to Sa Feixina stop → 7 minutes on foot. Total ~25 min, EUR 2
• Cruise line shuttle: drops off nearby — the cathedral and palace stand side by side
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Adults: EUR 7
• Concession (students, seniors): EUR 4
• Free admission: Wednesdays and Sundays from 15:00 to 19:00 (free ticket required); 1 March — Balearic Islands Day
• Opening hours (2026): Tue–Sun 10:00–19:00 (ticket office closes at 18:00); Monday — closed
⚠️ NOTICE: at the time of writing (2026), the official Patrimonio Nacional website states that the palace is temporarily closed for renovation. Always verify the current status at patrimonionacional.es or with your cruise specialist before visiting. ❗
🏛️ 4. Palma Old Town: Sa Llotja, Arab Baths, Passeig des Born
💡 Interesting Facts and Information:
Palma's Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval urban cores in Spain. This is 2,000 years of continuous urban fabric: from a Roman port to a Moorish medina, from a medieval Catalan city to a modern European capital. 🏛️
🔹 Sa Llotja (La Lonja) — a medieval commodity exchange built between 1426 and 1456 by architect Guillem Sagrera. It is considered the finest Gothic civic building in Spain. Four elegant spiral columns inside resemble twisted palm trunks and support star vaults without a single crossbeam.
🔹 The Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs) — virtually the only surviving example of 10th–11th-century Moorish architecture on Mallorca. A hall with 12 columns supporting a dome with star-shaped openings, where steam once billowed — small in size, but absolutely magical. 🌿
🔹 Passeig des Born — Palma's most aristocratic boulevard, where knights' tournaments and ceremonial processions were once held. Today it is home to luxury boutiques, wicker-chaired cafés, and the finest shopping in the city.
🔹 Basilica de Sant Francesc — a Gothic masterpiece of the 13th–14th centuries with an interior cloister of refined double arcades; it contains the tomb of Blessed Ramon Llull, the medieval philosopher, poet, and missionary regarded as the father of the Catalan literary language.
🔹 Plaça Major — Palma's main square, ringed by 19th-century arcades with cafés and craft shops, where street musicians often perform. 🎵
📜 History:
In 123 BC the Romans founded the port of Palma (from Latin «Palma» — palm tree) on the site of the modern Old Town. In the 8th century the Moors seized Mallorca and transformed the city into the thriving trading hub of Medina Mayurqa. After the conquest of 1229, the Catalans redesigned the layout: new streets were laid, a trading quarter, churches, and administrative buildings were constructed, many of which still stand today.
In the 16th–17th centuries the city flourished as a Mediterranean trading power. At that time most of the Catalan nobility's palace-houses were built, with their characteristic open courtyards — patis — which today are open to visitors on the «Courtyard Route».
🚢 Getting There from Cruise Port Estació Marítima:
• Taxi: 10–12 minutes, EUR 12–15 to the Old Town centre
• Cruise line shuttle / Bus Line 1: ~20 minutes
• On foot: 50–60 minutes along the Passeig Marítim promenade — a very pleasant route
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Walking through the Old Town: free (these are simply city streets)
• Sa Llotja: entry during exhibitions EUR 3–5; from the street — free. Mon–Fri 11:00–14:00 and 17:00–21:00, weekends 11:00–14:00
• Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs): EUR 4 (adults), EUR 2 (children 7–16, seniors). Daily 09:30–19:30 (April–October), 09:30–18:00 (November–March). Address: Carrer de Can Serra, 7
• Basilica de Sant Francesc: EUR 4. Mon–Sat 10:00–18:30, Sun 10:30–14:30
• Plaça Major: free, open 24 hours
🏔️ 5. Valldemossa and the Carthusian Monastery (Valldemossa / La Real Cartuja)
💡 Interesting Facts and Information:
Valldemossa is a mountain village 24 km from Palma that most tourists consider the most romantic spot on Mallorca. Narrow stone alleyways, flower boxes on doorsteps, views of the Tramuntana mountains — the very name «Valldemossa» means «Valley of Moses» and dates to Moorish times. 🏔️
🔹 This is where Frédéric Chopin and the writer George Sand spent the winter of 1838–1839. Chopin lived in monastery cell No. 4, where he composed some of his most celebrated preludes. The cell can still be visited today.
🔹 George Sand wrote her book «A Winter in Majorca» here — a sharp critique of the local inhabitants, whom she considered intolerant and superstitious. The book outraged Mallorcans for decades, but drew a stream of romantically inclined tourists to the village. 📖
🔹 The monastery preserves the original Pleyel piano on which Chopin played. It is considered one of the most precious musical artefacts in Spain.
🔹 Valldemossa regularly features in lists of «the most beautiful villages in Spain». Its photographs are an essential element of every guide to the Balearic Islands.
🔹 The local delicacy is coques de patata — light, fluffy doughnuts made from sweet potato, fried right before your eyes in the small cafés on the main street. 🍩
📜 History:
The Monastery of Santa Maria de Valldemossa was founded in 1399 by the Aragonese king Martin I on the site of his former hunting lodge. Carthusian hermit monks lived here for more than four centuries until the Spanish government dissolved most monasteries in 1835. Afterwards the empty cells began to be rented to private individuals — which is how Chopin and Sand came to stay.
Today the monastery is a working museum complex, preserving authentic furniture, a spectacular 17th-century Baroque church with masterpieces by Goya and Tiepolo, a collection of engravings, the monks' pharmacy, and several reconstructed living cells.
🚢 Getting There from Cruise Port Estació Marítima:
• Taxi from port: ~30 minutes, EUR 40–55 one way
• Bus: Line 1 bus to Estació Intermodal (Plaça d'Espanya) → TIB bus Line 210 to Valldemossa, ~30 minutes. Total from port ~60–70 minutes, ticket EUR 2–3
• Hop-on Hop-off (Tramuntana Route): a dedicated tour from Palma including Valldemossa
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Carthusian Monastery (La Real Cartuja): EUR 11 (adults), EUR 6 (children 10–16). Mon–Sat 09:30–18:30 (April–October), Mon–Sat 09:30–17:30 (November–March), Sun 10:00–13:00 year-round
• Walking around Valldemossa: free
⚠️ Note: it is best to visit Valldemossa in the morning — after 12:00 large columns of buses from organised tour groups arrive. Remember that the drive from the port takes approximately 30 minutes each way.
🐉 6. Dragon Caves (Coves del Drac)
💡 Interesting Facts and Information:
The Dragon Caves are located on the east of the island, 60 kilometres from Palma, and are one of the highest-grossing tourist attractions in Spain. This is a system of underground grottos stretching 1,200 metres, with spectacular columns of stalactites and stalagmites, a hidden underground lake, and a live classical music concert. 🐉
🔹 Inside the caves lies Lake Martel — one of the largest underground lakes in the world: 177 metres long, 40 metres wide, and up to 9 metres deep.
🔹 Every tour group ends the underground walk with a live classical music concert: musicians perform from illuminated floating boats on the surface of the lake. It is an unforgettable spectacle — especially in the darkness, when only the music and its reflections shimmer in the water. 🎶
🔹 The grottos have been known since the 16th–17th centuries, but were scientifically explored in the late 19th century by the French speleologist Édouard Martel (after whom the lake is named).
🔹 The temperature inside is a constant +18–20 °C all year round. In summer heat — refreshingly cool; in winter — warm. Bring a light jacket if you are visiting in summer clothing.
🔹 Photography inside the caves is strictly forbidden — especially during the concert. Flash photography can damage the delicate salt formations.
📜 History:
The first written mention of the Dragon Caves dates to 1338. The systematic scientific exploration was carried out by Édouard Alfred Martel in 1896 — in 14 days he explored all four caves and discovered the underground lake. The name «Dragon» was given to the area in the Middle Ages because of the shape of a giant rock at the entrance resembling a reclining dragon.
The caves opened to tourists in 1935. Concerts on the underground lake have also been a tradition since the 1930s. Today the caves receive around 700,000 visitors per year — more than any other paid attraction on the island.
🚢 Getting There from Cruise Port Estació Marítima:
• Organised tour (recommended): EUR 45–60 including transport and ticket, 4–5 hours. Departure from the terminal or central Palma
• Taxi (one way): ~60 minutes, EUR 80–100; with hourly waiting — from EUR 180
• Bus: from Estació Intermodal, TIB bus to Porto Cristo (~90 minutes) → a further 2 km to the cave entrance by taxi or on foot. Ticket EUR 5–7
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Adults: EUR 18
• Children 2–12 years: EUR 11
• Children under 2: free
• Opening hours (2026): daily 10:00–17:00 (first tour at 10:00, last ~16:00); May–October — tours every 60 minutes
⚠️ IMPORTANT: tickets are only available for a fixed tour time. Online booking at cuevasdeldrach.com gives a discount and guarantees a place. The caves are completely inaccessible for pushchairs and people with limited mobility.
💡 For cruise tourists: bear in mind that the journey from the port to the caves takes approximately 1.5 hours each way. A minimum of 10 hours in port is recommended for a comfortable visit.
🎨 7. Other Attractions Worth Visiting
• 🚂 Vintage Train to Sóller (Tren de Sóller) — a legendary wooden electric train from 1912 runs between Palma and the mountain town of Sóller through the tunnels and curves of the Tramuntana. EUR 18 one way, EUR 30 return. Departures from Plaça d'Espanya. One of the most beautiful railway journeys in Spain. 🚃
• 🐟 Palma Aquarium — the largest aquarium in the Balearic Islands, with 8,000 inhabitants and 700 species. The headline attraction is an 8-metre acrylic shark tunnel. EUR 25 (adults), EUR 16 (children 5–14). Daily 10:00–18:30.
• 🎭 Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró — the home and studio of artist Joan Miró from 1956 to 1983, now a museum with a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. EUR 10. Mon, Wed–Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 10:00–15:00; Tuesday — closed.
• ⛵ Cala Major Beach — the beach closest to the cruise port (Bus Line 4, 15 minutes). A sheltered cove with comfortable sand and well-developed facilities. Free.
• 🏺 Museu de Mallorca — a collection spanning from prehistoric Talayotic society to the Baroque period, housed in a palace building in the Old Town. EUR 4, Tuesday afternoons after 14:00 — free. Tue–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat–Sun 11:00–14:00.
🗺️ Three Self-Guided Routes Around Palma in 9 Hours
A cruise stopover in Palma typically lasts 8–12 hours. With the right planning, it is realistically possible to visit 3–4 top-rated attractions. Below are three options to suit different budgets and preferences.
🥉 Route No. 1. Budget — up to EUR 20 per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: EUR 15–20 + food
🕘 09:00 — Leave the cruise terminal Estació Marítima
Take EMT Bus Line 1 (EUR 2) → ride to the Sa Feixina stop.
🕘 09:20–10:00 — Passeig Marítim promenade and Parc de la Mar
A free stroll along the city walls with views of the cathedral and the bay. The best morning photographs of La Seu are taken from here.
🕙 10:00–11:30 — La Seu Cathedral (exterior)
Free to view from outside. If the budget allows — entry ticket EUR 10.
🕦 11:30–13:30 — Old Town
Free walking tour. Arab Baths (EUR 4) → Sa Llotja (exterior, free) → Passeig des Born → Plaça Major → Basilica de Sant Francesc (exterior).
🕐 13:30–14:30 — Lunch in the Old Town
Set lunch menu (3 courses + drink) in local restaurants — EUR 12–16. The nearby Mercat de Sant Pere market has excellent tapas from EUR 2–4.
🕝 14:30–16:00 — Bellver Castle (by bus)
Bus Lines 3 or 20 to Plaça Gomila → 15 minutes uphill on foot. Ticket EUR 4 (or free on Sundays). The 360° panorama is the reward for the climb. 🏆
🕓 16:00–17:00 — Return to port
Bus Line 20 from Plaça Gomila → transfer to Line 1 → terminal. Or walk downhill through the pine forest (35 min) to the promenade → 40 min walk to port.
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Bus (2–3 journeys): EUR 4–6
• Arab Baths: EUR 4
• Bellver Castle: EUR 4
• Lunch: EUR 12–16
• Reserve: EUR 5–10
💸 TOTAL: EUR 29–40 per person
🥈 Route No. 2. Optimal — EUR 60–80 per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: EUR 70 + food
🕘 08:30 — Leave port, taxi to the cathedral
EUR 15–20 — straight to La Seu. Maximum efficiency: you arrive for the 10:00 opening.
🕙 10:00–11:15 — La Seu Cathedral
Ticket EUR 10 with museum access. Time for the visit — 60–75 minutes.
🕚 11:15–12:00 — Almudaina Palace or Arab Baths
(Check the Almudaina's current status before your trip!) Or Arab Baths — EUR 4, 5 minutes' walk from the cathedral.
🕛 12:00–13:30 — Walking tour of the Old Town
Sa Llotja, Passeig des Born, Plaça Major, Basilica de Sant Francesc.
🕐 13:30–14:30 — Lunch in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood
10 minutes on foot from the Old Town. Palma's most authentic gastronomic quarter. EUR 18–25 for lunch.
🕝 14:30–16:00 — Bellver Castle (Hop-on Hop-off or taxi)
Ticket EUR 4. Time for the castle and panoramic view — 60–75 minutes.
🕓 16:00–17:00 — Promenade, shopping or Cala Major beach
Beach — Bus Line 4 from the centre, 15 minutes, EUR 2.
🕔 17:30 — Return to port (taxi EUR 12–15)
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Taxi there: EUR 18
• La Seu Cathedral: EUR 10
• Arab Baths / Almudaina: EUR 4–7
• Bellver Castle: EUR 4
• Hop-on Hop-off (day pass): EUR 20–25
• Lunch: EUR 20–25
• Taxi back: EUR 15
💸 TOTAL: EUR 91–104 per person
💡 Replacing the Hop-on Hop-off with the EMT bus will save EUR 15–18.
🥇 Route No. 3. Premium — private tour from EUR 300 per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: EUR 300–500 + tickets
🏆 What is included:
• ✅ Private driver meeting you with a name board right at the ship's gangway
• ✅ Comfortable car/minivan for the full day
• ✅ Professional licensed English-speaking (or Russian-speaking) guide
• ✅ Skip-the-line tickets to all attractions (no queuing)
• ✅ Restaurant reservation
• ✅ Flexible itinerary — adjustable on the go
You can book through your cruise manager or contact us via any convenient method:
Phone numbers:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell): +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar): +380 97 653 05 53
Write to us by e-mail
🕘 08:30 — Meet the driver and guide at the terminal
🕘 09:00–10:30 — La Seu Cathedral with a guide (skip-the-line)
Private tour — explaining every Gothic symbol, the Barceló Chapel, the interior museum.
🕚 10:30–11:30 — Almudaina Palace or Old Town
Private walking tour: Sa Llotja, Arab Baths, the hidden «Courtyard Route».
🕛 11:45–13:15 — Bellver Castle (15-min drive)
Private tour with a guide, panoramic photo session, city history museum.
🕐 13:30–15:00 — Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the bay or in the Santa Catalina quarter
For example, Marc Fosh (Michelin-starred restaurant) or Adrián Quetglas — from EUR 60–80 per person. Reservations are the guide's responsibility.
🕝 15:15–16:30 — Valldemossa or Dragon Caves
(Choice depending on available time and preferences)
Valldemossa: 30-min drive, Carthusian Monastery with a guide — EUR 11 ticket.
Dragon Caves: 60-min drive, ticket EUR 18, concert on the lake.
🕟 17:30–18:00 — Return to port in a comfortable vehicle
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Private guide (9 hrs): from EUR 250
• Driver with vehicle (9 hrs): from EUR 200
• Skip-the-line tickets (cathedral + Almudaina + Bellver): EUR 25
• Restaurant lunch: from EUR 60
💸 TOTAL: from EUR 535 per person (for groups of 2+, the cost is calculated per group, not per person)
🤝 Four Gates Group organises private tours of Palma and Mallorca with licensed guides, transfer from the ship's gangway, and guaranteed return on board. Contact your cruise specialist — and your day in Mallorca will be perfectly tailored to your tastes. 🛳️✨
⚠️ Important Information Before Going Ashore
🕐 «All aboard» rule: you must return to the ship 60 minutes before departure. If you are late — the ship will not wait, and catching up with it at the next port will be at your own expense.
🚌 Transport: Palma's cruise port is not within walking distance of the city centre — it is 4–6 km away. Bus Line 1 (EUR 2) runs every 15 minutes. Taxi from the terminal — EUR 15–20 to the centre.
🪪 Documents: carry a photocopy of your passport and your Ship Card.
💶 Cash: keep EUR 30–60 in cash (buses, markets, small cafés).
👟 Footwear: the Old Town is entirely cobblestoned. Comfortable flat-soled shoes are essential. Bellver Castle involves 300–500 steps uphill.
☀️ Sun protection: in summer temperatures can reach +33 °C. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential. Avoid prolonged sun exposure between 12:00 and 15:00.
📱 Internet: download an offline Google Maps map in advance — mobile roaming in Spain is expensive without a data package.
⛪ Sundays: La Seu Cathedral is closed to tourists on Sundays; Bellver Castle is free; most shops in the Old Town are closed.
🔐 Safety: Palma is a safe city, but be vigilant in markets and crowds. Keep valuables in an anti-theft bag.
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for guidance purposes only and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, timetables, routes, and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please verify current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant attractions.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals