Things to do in Palma Cathedral
It’s hard to miss the Palma Cathedral – or La Seu, as the locals call it – when you’re in the island’s capital city. This 44-metre-tall temple has sat in the same hilltop, sea-view spot for over 800 years – 400 of which were spent under construction. Nowadays, its huge sandstone exterior – a mishmash of Catalan Gothic and North European architecture – is the perfect selfie backdrop. When you’re done admiring its good looks, be sure to head inside the cathedral to see its huge golden altar and stained-glass windows – the place really pops with colour when the light shines through the latter.
Our recommendations in Palma Cathedral
Entrance to Palma Cathedral La Seu
Looming large over the waterfront, Palma's La Seu Cathedral is a symbol of the city. One of the largest cathedrals in the world, this Gothic masterpiece is one of Majorca's must-see sights. With this ticket, you can marvel at its stunning architecture, discover the rich history of the building, and admire the illuminated stained-glass windows.
Palma by Land and Sea with Free Time, Boat Cruise and Bus Tour
See the best of Palma in two ways – by land and sea. You'll hit the streets with free time in the bustling capital, grab iconic coastal views from the vantage point of a boat, and discover more about the city on a guided bus tour. Xisco, one of our local guides, says, 'La Seu, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Palma. This majestic Gothic cathedral sits on the site of a former mosque and is situated on the shores of the Med, overlooking the bay. It's well worth a visit during your time in the city'.We'll drop you into the heart of Palma early for around two hours of free time. Grab a coffee at one of the many dinky cafés and bars, browse the shops for souvenirs to take home, or wander through the charming streets lined with historic buildings. After, you'll hop aboard a boat for a cruise along Palma Bay. Soak in the stunning coastal views and feel the gentle sea breeze as you drift along the sparkling waters – you'll need your camera for this one.Back on dry land, your journey continues with a guided city tour from the comfort of a bus, heading towards the magnificent Bellver Castle. En route, enjoy insightful commentary about Palma's rich history and cultural heritage. Upon arrival at Bellver Castle, there'll be a quick photostop to capture the panoramic views of the city and the bay. The castle's unique circular design and elevated position offer a spectacular vantage point.
de, en
Palma Tours with Cathedral and Valldemossa Options
Take your pick from a variety of ways to visit Majorca's atmospheric capital, Palma. Explore the city at your own pace with our simple, hassle-free transport only option. Or, perhaps you would like to add a guided visit to the waterfront cathedral. To make the most of your day, you can pair your cathedral experience with a trip to the hilltop town of Valldemossa, too. Hugo, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Palma Cathedral is astonishing. The apse's rose window alone contains more than 1,100 pieces of stained-glass – and was designed to align with the façade's rose window twice a year, on 2/2 and 11/11, to create the figure of 8.'How the day unfolds depends on the option you've selected. With our Palma Free Time ticket, you'll have a few hours to use as you choose. Shop in the city's chic boutiques and high street fashion stores, check out plazas lined with terrace cafés, or enjoy the plentiful supply of art galleries and museums. If you've opted for the Palma and Cathedral ticket, you'll get a guided tour of this vast Gothic masterpiece. And with the third option, you'll get entry to the cathedral, plus a visit to Valldemossa – an achingly pretty village strewn on a hill less than 30-minutes' drive from Palma. Hugo says, ‘Valldemossa is the essence of rural Majorca. Honey-hued stone houses with green shutters cluster around the belfry. Make sure to try the local potato cake, ‘coca', dipped in hot chocolate.'
de, en, fr
Palma by Night with Optional Guided Tour or Dinner
By day Palma is a medieval wonderland, by night it's a radiant hive of activity. You'll be taken to Majorca's elegant capital for an evening away from your resort. Browse designer stores, dine in trendy Santa Catalina or stroll on the city walls under the Gothic cathedral. Xisco, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘La Llotja is a 600-year-old medieval exchange. It's free to visit and you can follow its twisting Gothic columns as they wind their way to the ceiling. You can also spot a ‘spy box', where spotters would look down on the crowd to see if anyone was stealing.'Arriving Palma in the early evening, you'll have about five hours to spend in the capital. You can choose to have the evening to yourselves with five hours of free time to wander at your own pace and perhaps find a place to enjoy a meal. Alternatively, you could opt to join a guided tour of the historic city to get some local insight as you weave through the amospheric streets for around 90 minutes. If you decide to book the dinner option, you'll dine in the Cellar sa Premsa restaurant at 8pm.Most shops are open late so you can visit the boutiques and high street stores around the tree-lined boulevard of Passeig d'es Born, or browse for souvenirs near the cathedral, which glows in after-dark floodlighting. Palma is a city which stays up late, and many cultural attractions such as La Llotja and Es Baluard Modern Art Museum stay open until 8 or 9pm, so you can sightsee even on an evening visit.
de, en, fr
Entrance to Palma Cathedral La Seu
Looming large over the waterfront, Palma's La Seu Cathedral is a symbol of the city. One of the largest cathedrals in the world, this Gothic masterpiece is one of Majorca's must-see sights. With this ticket, you can marvel at its stunning architecture, discover the rich history of the building, and admire the illuminated stained-glass windows.
Palma by Land and Sea with Free Time, Boat Cruise and Bus Tour
See the best of Palma in two ways – by land and sea. You'll hit the streets with free time in the bustling capital, grab iconic coastal views from the vantage point of a boat, and discover more about the city on a guided bus tour. Xisco, one of our local guides, says, 'La Seu, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Palma. This majestic Gothic cathedral sits on the site of a former mosque and is situated on the shores of the Med, overlooking the bay. It's well worth a visit during your time in the city'.We'll drop you into the heart of Palma early for around two hours of free time. Grab a coffee at one of the many dinky cafés and bars, browse the shops for souvenirs to take home, or wander through the charming streets lined with historic buildings. After, you'll hop aboard a boat for a cruise along Palma Bay. Soak in the stunning coastal views and feel the gentle sea breeze as you drift along the sparkling waters – you'll need your camera for this one.Back on dry land, your journey continues with a guided city tour from the comfort of a bus, heading towards the magnificent Bellver Castle. En route, enjoy insightful commentary about Palma's rich history and cultural heritage. Upon arrival at Bellver Castle, there'll be a quick photostop to capture the panoramic views of the city and the bay. The castle's unique circular design and elevated position offer a spectacular vantage point.
de, en
Palma Tours with Cathedral and Valldemossa Options
Take your pick from a variety of ways to visit Majorca's atmospheric capital, Palma. Explore the city at your own pace with our simple, hassle-free transport only option. Or, perhaps you would like to add a guided visit to the waterfront cathedral. To make the most of your day, you can pair your cathedral experience with a trip to the hilltop town of Valldemossa, too. Hugo, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Palma Cathedral is astonishing. The apse's rose window alone contains more than 1,100 pieces of stained-glass – and was designed to align with the façade's rose window twice a year, on 2/2 and 11/11, to create the figure of 8.'How the day unfolds depends on the option you've selected. With our Palma Free Time ticket, you'll have a few hours to use as you choose. Shop in the city's chic boutiques and high street fashion stores, check out plazas lined with terrace cafés, or enjoy the plentiful supply of art galleries and museums. If you've opted for the Palma and Cathedral ticket, you'll get a guided tour of this vast Gothic masterpiece. And with the third option, you'll get entry to the cathedral, plus a visit to Valldemossa – an achingly pretty village strewn on a hill less than 30-minutes' drive from Palma. Hugo says, ‘Valldemossa is the essence of rural Majorca. Honey-hued stone houses with green shutters cluster around the belfry. Make sure to try the local potato cake, ‘coca', dipped in hot chocolate.'
de, en, fr
Palma by Night with Optional Guided Tour or Dinner
By day Palma is a medieval wonderland, by night it's a radiant hive of activity. You'll be taken to Majorca's elegant capital for an evening away from your resort. Browse designer stores, dine in trendy Santa Catalina or stroll on the city walls under the Gothic cathedral. Xisco, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘La Llotja is a 600-year-old medieval exchange. It's free to visit and you can follow its twisting Gothic columns as they wind their way to the ceiling. You can also spot a ‘spy box', where spotters would look down on the crowd to see if anyone was stealing.'Arriving Palma in the early evening, you'll have about five hours to spend in the capital. You can choose to have the evening to yourselves with five hours of free time to wander at your own pace and perhaps find a place to enjoy a meal. Alternatively, you could opt to join a guided tour of the historic city to get some local insight as you weave through the amospheric streets for around 90 minutes. If you decide to book the dinner option, you'll dine in the Cellar sa Premsa restaurant at 8pm.Most shops are open late so you can visit the boutiques and high street stores around the tree-lined boulevard of Passeig d'es Born, or browse for souvenirs near the cathedral, which glows in after-dark floodlighting. Palma is a city which stays up late, and many cultural attractions such as La Llotja and Es Baluard Modern Art Museum stay open until 8 or 9pm, so you can sightsee even on an evening visit.
de, en, fr
City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour of Palma de Mallorca
Create your own itinerary across 16 bus stops around Palma de Mallorca and enjoy 360° panoramic views with a hop-on hop-off bus tour and much more!
en, it, fr, es, de, +1 ru
How to get there
Palma Cathedral
Majorca
Spain
Reviews Palma Cathedral
“Collection and coach were fine Tour was an abbreviated Red Bus trip but essentially to kill time before boat trip which could have been a little longer”
“We didn't see the email telling us the time had changed to pick us up in the morning as we were only using the app. So hung around for 40 mins waiting for the coach to arrive. The tour guide then kept us waiting for another hour or so for different translator that he had to meet up with. This was eating into our time in Palma and although the tour guide was very informative and knew his stuff. We found it a bit too long and could not hear anything he said in the cathedral. We ditched the tour.”
“Tour guides were fabulous and we loved Palma. We were intending to do the trip via local buses but as we would need to take 2 we felt it would be more convenient to go with Tui so we could go straight there and back. Very disappointed to get on the bus to find we then had to change buses anyway. We were at the correct place for pickup but had to wait so was bit worrying. Don't think we would book again, having to change buses spoiled the experience”
“Disorganized guide didn't know what was going on English guide was supposed to meet us at coach then at stairs to cathedral then inside when we actually got in guide was with another group so told to walk round and look till he was ready by the time he was we had seen the cathedral by ourselves. Very disorganized. Not what expected from a tui excursion. Even the where to catch a coach was not the best and coach was over half an hour late”
