>Palma Mallorca DIY Walking Tour Route Map <
Distance: 5 km (just over 3 miles); Duration: 2-8 hours
Along the way, you will pass (and visit?) the following Palma de Mallorca attractions:
Plaça d’Espanya > Mercat de l’Olivar market > the pedestrian route to Plaça Major > Passeig del Born (on the wheelchair accessible diversion only though) > Mallorca Cathedral > Almudaina Palace > the pedestrian route around the marina > Palma Port.
As well as these popular visitor attractions in central Palma, the route of the Palma Mallorca DIY Walking Tour also passes numerous restaurants, cafes and bars.
Most notably the Cappuccino Sant Miquel cafe.
I’m not a huge fan of the term “hidden gems” – but in this case it is definitely warranted. As the Cappuccino Sant Miquel cafe is indeed a “gem” (you can sit in a lovely secluded and plant-filled garden at the rear). And it’s definitely “hidden” (unless you know that the garden is there, you’ll just walk past the door – from the street there is absolutely no hint of what lies behind).
While you are sitting in the garden, enjoying a coffee, or cooling drink, you’ll never know that you’re sitting in the middle of bustling Palma. It’s so peaceful.
A bit on the pricey side though. For the location/garden though, it’s worth every cent.
Accessibility: And the interior of the cafe, the garden at the rear, and the toilets, are all wonderfully wheelchair accessible too. I want to be there now.
Also, because this is a DIY walking tour of Palma, you can take it at your very own pace; stopping for a coffee/snack/drink where, when, and for as long as you like; lingering at the attractions of Palma which interest you (and speeding past those that don’t).
So if you were to simply rush round without stopping, you could easily complete the entire journey in around 2 hours. However, I would recommend taking a full day to complete this route from Plaça d’Espanya (the main public transport hub in Palma) to Palma Port.
Theoretically, the Palma walking route can be walked in either direction. However, there’s a continual change in elevation, going downhill from Plaça d’Espanya to Palma Port. It’s not particularly steep in any case, but it is definitely easier starting from Plaça d’Espanya, and then walking/rolling dowhill. Doing so is a must for manual wheelchair users though (unless there is a very strong pair of arms to push you). Powerchairs will have no issues in either direction – but I still recommend starting from Plaça d’Espanya though, so that you end upwith the more paceful stroll/roll around the marina.
Plaça d’Espanya is the main public transport hub in Palma and can be reached from all parts of Mallorca. And where you start from will determine exactly where in Plaça d’Espanya you will arrive.
Cruise Ship Passengers:
Take the public bus #1 directly from Palma Port to Plaça d’Espanya. This will take just 10 minutes (and cost €3 per person – you just pay on the bus, but they accept no more than €10). The buses have a ramp at the middle door if needed, and a dedicated wheelchair space.
And then you will just walk back.
People arriving from elsewhere in Mallorca:
The main bus/train station is at Plaça d’Espanya (you simply cross a pedestrian crossing, then follow this route).
And at the end of the walking route, you simply return to Plaça d’Espanya using the direct #1 bus from the port (or from anywhere along the harbourside road if you want a shorter walk).
Palma Mallorca DIY Walking Tour: Walking Directions
[These are very thorough walking directions – you shouldn’t be getting lost in Palma when following this guide.
However, I definitely recommend that you follow the Google Streetview route of the entire Palma Mallorca DIY Walking Tour first, from the comfort of your own home before you even head to Mallorca, as this will allow you to better visualise the entire route before you arrive.
START: Plaça d’Espanya [MAP]:
Getting started correctly is probably the trickiest part of the entire Palma Mallorca DIY Walking Tour.
So, starting with the main road at your back, head to the farthest left corner of the square. Once you reach the corner there, turn RIGHT, and head down the righthand pavement of Carrer des Caputxins, until you see a pedestrian crossing on your left.
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
At the end of the crossing, head diagonally left again, aiming for the entrance to the Mercat de l’Olivar (market). This non-touristy market features mainly seafood, and also fruit/veg.
Accessibility. There are steps at all entrances to the Mercat de l’Olivar market. However, at this entrance, there is also a ramp (to the left of the main steps).
Mercat de l’Olivar [MAP]:
After visiting the Mercat de l’Olivar market, leave the market by this same entrance/exit, and continue straight ahead until you see the pedestrian crossing on the bend of the road.
After crossing the road here, continue STRAIGHT AHEAD (slightly right-ish), following the PEDESTRIAN route.
Carrer de Sant Miquel [MAP]:
When you reach the corner, turn LEFT into pedestrian Carrer de Sant Miquel. And continue straight ahead.
However, if you are ready for a coffee, a cooling drink/cocktail, or even some food, turn RIGHT here, and after a few metres you will see the Cappuccino Sant Miquel cafe on your left (it doesn’t look like much from the street – but there is a garden at the rear – definitely one of the delights of Palma – and it’s totally wheelchair accessible too, with a wheelchair accessible toilet).
When you leave the cafe, turn RIGHT, and continue along the narrow & shop-lined Carrer de Sant Miquel, rejoining this main Palma Mallorca DIY Walking Tour route, and continuing STRAIGHT AHEAD, passing the Basílica de Sant Miquel de Palma on your right as you go, until you pass through the arch leading into the impressive Plaça Major.
Plaça Major [MAP]:
Head directly STRAIGHT AHEAD through Plaça Major, leaving the square by the corresponding arch on the opposite side.
Continue in the same general direction as before (after leaving Plaça Major you will again meet the road at Plaça del Marquès del Palmer).
DO NOT cross the road in front of you, but similarly, avoid the temptation of taking the righthand fork (along the pedestrian street), but instead, continue STRAIGHT AHEAD along the righthand pavement of Carrer de Colom).
Carrer de Colom (MAP):
Continue along the righthand pavement of Carrer de Colom until you reach Plaça de Cort (there are benches to sit on along this part of Carrer de Colom).
Plaça de Cort [MAP]:
Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD at Plaça de Cor too, always heading in the same direction. The road is now called Carrer del Palau Reial.
Follow Carrer del Palau Reial all the way to the end (at Jardí de la Seu it doglegs to the left), until you arrive at the entrances to Barcelona Cathedral (on your left) and the Palacio Real de la Almudaina (the Royal Palace) slightly farther along on your right (STEPS – up).
The road ends with a flight of steps down (well, two flights actually). So you have a choice to make here:
Those who can, should simply walk down the steps. turn RIGHT at the bottom, walk straight ahead, where another set of steps leads down through a short tunnel. And then walk straight ahead until you arrive at the pedestrian crossing (just as you leave the “tunnel”, there is a small park on your right – this would be a very pleasant place to rest for a few moments – were it not for the fact that this is “Street Hawker Central” – good luck if you stop here).
Which is an advantage of taking the short step-free diversion. You miss the worst of this nonsense.
Step-free Diversion.
When you reach the first lot of steps down (just after Palma Cathedral), turn around, and retrace your steps. Ignore the small street which appears on your left, after about 100 metres (Costa de la Seu – more steps), but instead continue along Carrer del Palau Reial (you will pass the small park, on your left, just before the road doglegs to the right). Continue for another 100m, then take the first turning on your LEFT (down Carrer de la Victòria).
Follow Carrer de la Victòria down as it turns to the left, and becomes Carrer del Conquistador, always remaining on the lefthand pavement.
Continue down Carrer del Conquistador until you reach the level again (at Avenida d’Antoni Maura). Continue along the lefthand pavement of Avenida d’Antoni Maura until the very end, where you will see the same pedestrian crossing (on your right) that you would have ended up at, had you used the steps.
Your diversion now ends.
A slightly longer way round. But completely step-free – and with the added advantage that you miss out most of the tat-selling street hawkers.
Back to the main route:
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