Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Palma de Mallorca is the largest Spanish Balearic Island in the Western Mediterranean and a popular cruise destination located off the east coast of Spain. The island has a rich historic and cultural heritage, many natural treasures, and a good connection with the mainland and other three popular Balearic Islands: Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. The capital of Palma de Mallorca is Palma, an incredibly beautiful and lively city nestled in the Bay of Palma, 4 and 6km far away from the cruise ship terminals.

Cruise ships dock at Estacion Maritima cruise terminal, which is divided into two main areas: Muelle de Poniente, where Estacion Maritima buildings 1,2,3 and 4 are located, and Dique del Oeste, where buildings 5,6,7, and 8 are. Cruise passenger ships normally dock at Muelle de Poniente, a modern port which is 4km far from the historic heart of Palma, but when this cruise terminal is too busy, the cruise ships dock at Dique del Oeste, located by the commercial and industrial zone two kilometers further. Terminal buildings are relatively small but equipped with necessary amenities: restrooms, cafeteria, ATM, phone kiosks, and there are shuttle buses provided by a cruise company taking you into the city center.
 In front of the terminal buildings, you can always find taxis and if you walk to the nearby bus station, it’s easy to catch a public bus serving numerous stations to the Palma Cathedral, the main historic landmark of Palma. For the enthusiasts, a walk might be a good idea, but bear in mind you need at least a 45-minute up to a 1-hour and a half walking to reach the Old Town.

The city of Palma has a wide variety of attractions featuring a blend of old and modern. The main religious and historic structure of the city is an impressive 13th-century Gothic gem – the Cathedral, locally known as La Seu, known for its beautiful stained glass windows and the world’s largest rose window. Right opposite the Cathedral is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, originally built as a Moorish castle and later transformed into a palace for Spanish monarchs. The palace is still used by the Spanish Royalty, and one wing containing artistic and historic exhibits is open to the public.

The Old Town area is amazing to explore on foot, as you can enjoy a great variety of tapas bars, shops, boutiques, markets, simultaneously admiring the old quarter’s diverse styles in architecture. If you wish to explore a bit further, Bellver Castle is a must-see attraction well worth visiting. It is one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture, located on the hill around 3km away from the Cathedral (city center) and 2.5km away from the cruise terminal. However, if you get tired of walking and exploring the city’s historical and cultural legacy, you can unwind at one of Palma’s beaches, among which the city’s public beach, Cala Major and Portixol are the closest ones.

This article is written by Adventour Begins for Cruise Dig. For more guides on other cruise ports please visit adventourbegins.com