Practical Tips Palma
Getting Around Palma
On foot: The best way to explore Palma. The old town, Santa Catalina, La Lonja, and Paseo Marítimo are easily walkable. From Plaça d'Espanya to the cathedral: 15 minutes.
Bus (EMT Palma): The bus network is well-developed and affordable. Single ride 2 €, day pass (Tarjeta Ciudadana) is worth it from 3 rides. Important lines:
- Line 3: Center → Cala Major → Illetes (beach + Miró Foundation)
- Line 25: Center → Platja de Palma
- Line 1: Airport → Center (Plaça d'Espanya)
- Line 46: Loop through the western suburbs
Bicycle / E-Scooter: Palma is flat and has a growing network of bike paths, especially along Paseo Marítimo. Rental bikes: Bicipalma (city bike rental system, app required, first 30 min. free), Donkey Republic (app-based, from 3 €/h). E-Scooter: Tier, Lime.
Parking in Palma
One word: difficult. In the old town and Santa Catalina, there are practically no parking spaces. Tips:
- Parking garage Parc de la Mar: Directly under the park by the cathedral. Central, but expensive (2.50 €/h, max. 25 €/day).
- Parking garage Plaça Major: Under the square, convenient for the old town. Similar prices.
- Parking garage s'Escorxador: Slightly cheaper (1.80 €/h), 10 minutes walk to the old town.
- Blue zones (ORA): Street parking with a ticket. Max. 2 hours, approx. 1 €/h.
Palma as a Day Trip Base
Palma is an excellent starting point for day trips in all directions:
- Valldemossa: 30 min. (Bus 210 from the bus station)
- Sóller: 1h by historic train (experience!), 30 min. by car
- Es Trenc (beach): 50 min. by car
- Cala Mondragó: 1h by car
- Alcúdia/Pollença: 1h by car or bus (Bus 351)
- Caves of Drach: 1h 10 min. by car
The bus station (Estació Intermodal) at Plaça d'Espanya is the hub for all TIB intercity buses. The train to Sóller and Inca also departs from here. Timetables: tib.caib.es
Airport Transfer
The Aeropuerto de Palma de Mallorca (PMI) is only 8 km east of the center.
- Bus 1: Airport → Plaça d'Espanya (center). Every 15 min., 5 €, 20–25 min.
- Taxi: 20–25 € to the center, fixed price (tariff zone).
- Car rental: All major providers at the airport. TIP: Only book if you want to explore the island. For Palma alone, you don't need a car.
Achtung
Palma has strict tourist rental regulations: vacation rentals in multi-family houses have been banned since 2018. Only book through official platforms and check if the accommodation has a license number (ETV). Illegal rentals can result in high fines — even for guests.