In short
In Palma, ships berth at Poniente or the Dique del Oeste on the western side of the bay, several kilometres from the centre. Shuttle, bus 1 or taxi take 15–25 minutes to La Seu cathedral. In a day you can see the cathedral, old town and Bellver Castle; Valldemossa and Sóller need time to spare.
The port at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where the ship berths | On the western side of the bay: at the Muelle de Poniente terminals, or on the long Dique del Oeste breakwater closer to the harbour mouth, which usually takes the largest ships. Which one depends on the size of the ship and the day. Tenders are rarely needed. |
| To the centre | Shuttle bus from the cruise line or the port, 15–25 minutes, usually to the cathedral area. Or city bus EMT line 1 along the seafront, or a taxi from the terminal. On foot it is 45 minutes or more from Poniente and over an hour from the Dique del Oeste, with little shade. |
| Typical call | Usually 8–10 hours. Palma is also a port where cruises start and end, so some ships stay longer. The exact times are in the ship's daily programme. |
| Money | Euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, even on city buses. |
| Language | Spanish and Catalan, which Mallorcans speak in their own local variety. English is widely understood in the centre. |
| Documents | Spain is in the EU and Schengen. EU citizens usually just need a passport or national ID card; other passports follow Schengen rules — check in advance (what to check). |
| Mobile data | Spain is in the EU's roam-like-at-home zone, so a Dutch or Belgian SIM usually works at home rates. |
| All aboard | Usually 30–60 minutes before departure. Go by the time in the daily programme and on your cruise card, not by clocks in town. |
What to fit in
Most of Palma's highlights cluster around the cathedral: the royal palace, the old town's narrow lanes, the Passeig del Born and the park by the sea. From the shuttle drop-off the cathedral is a few minutes' walk, and you can cover the old town in a couple of hours.
Cathedral and old town
La Seu is a Gothic giant above the sea, built between the 13th and 17th centuries. Inside are a huge rose window, Gaudí's canopy over the altar and Miquel Barceló's ceramic chapel. Next door is the Almudaina Palace; beyond it, the Arab Baths, Plaça Major and the Passeig del Born.
The city and Bellver Castle
Cathedral and old town in the morning while it is cool. After lunch, take a taxi up the hill to Bellver Castle: a round 14th-century fortress, a rarity in Europe, with a rooftop view over the whole bay — sometimes including your ship. The castle is closer to the cruise berths than to the centre, so it fits nicely on the way back.
Valldemossa or Sóller
Valldemossa is a mountain village 17–18 km from Palma, about 30–40 minutes by bus or taxi; Chopin and George Sand spent the winter of 1838–1839 in its Carthusian monastery. Or ride the vintage train to Sóller through the Tramuntana mountains — about an hour each way, so it takes up the day.
Seafront and market
A stroll along the Passeig Marítim past the yachts, the seafront park with its big lake right below the cathedral, and Santa Catalina market in the neighbourhood of the same name, on the way between the port and the centre. An ice cream in the old town, then back to the shuttle with no rush.
Palma: what to know before you go
- The port is not in the centre. The cruise berths are on the western side of the bay, several kilometres from the cathedral. Getting there and back, including waiting for the shuttle or bus, takes an hour to an hour and a half — build it into your plan from the start.
- Remember your berth. The Muelle de Poniente and the Dique del Oeste are separate places, not next to each other. If you return by taxi, tell the driver your berth and, if given, the terminal number (Estación Marítima) from the daily programme.
- The cathedral on Sundays. On Sundays it is generally open for services only; tourist visits run Monday to Saturday and there is an entry charge. Hours change with the season, so check ahead.
- No more than three ships a day. Under an agreement between the Balearic government, the city of Palma and the cruise lines, there are at most three cruise ships in port at once, and only one of them very large. The old town still gets busy in summer — visit the cathedral early.
- The view from the water. Sailing in and out, you get a fine view from the deck of the cathedral above the old walls and Bellver Castle on its hill — especially in the evening.
On your own or on a ship's excursion
Palma is easy to see on your own: shuttle or bus to the centre, everything else on foot, and a taxi to Bellver Castle. If your plan is the cathedral, the old town and the seafront, you do not need an excursion.
A ship's excursion makes more sense if you want to go further: the Sóller train with a coach back, the mountain loop through Valldemossa, Deià and Sóller, the Caves of Drach on the east coast (about an hour each way) or Cape Formentor. The mountain roads are narrow and winding and can be congested in summer. The ship will usually wait for its own excursions if they run late — it will not wait for independent passengers.
How to be back on board in time
- The last shuttle. Find out on board until what time the shuttle runs and where it leaves from for the return. Queues build in the afternoon — be at the stop at least an hour before all-aboard time.
- Traffic on the seafront. The Passeig Marítim is the main road between the centre and the port and can be slow during the day. Allow twice as long for a taxi or bus as in the morning.
- Not the last train from Sóller. There are only a few trains a day and they fill up. If you go on your own, buy tickets in advance and keep at least an hour and a half in hand.
- Ship's time. Spain is on the same time as the Netherlands, but still check against the ship's clocks and daily programme.
- Take with you. Your cruise card, the document your cruise line asked for, a bank card or some cash, and a phone with the ship's emergency number.
Where cruises calling here start
Palma is a regular call on Western Mediterranean itineraries between Spain, France and Italy. If you would like a cruise that calls here, look at these departure ports:
- Cruises from Barcelona — Palma is often the first or last stop of a week-long route.
- Cruises from Civitavecchia (Rome) — western routes via Spain and France.
- Cruises from Marseille — another handy starting point in this part of the sea.
- Mediterranean cruises — seasons and routes in full.
Common questions
Where does my ship dock in Palma, and are there tenders?
Ships berth on the western side of the bay: either at the Muelle de Poniente terminals or along the long Dique del Oeste breakwater, which is usually given to the largest ships. Which one you get depends on the size of the ship and the day. Tenders are rarely needed in Palma, as ships tie up alongside.
How do I get from the port to the cathedral?
The easiest way is the cruise line’s or port’s shuttle bus, 15 to 25 minutes, which usually drops you near the cathedral. You can also take city bus EMT line 1, which runs from the ferry and cruise terminals along the seafront to the centre, or a taxi from the rank by the terminal. Some cruise lines include the shuttle and others charge for it, so check on board.
Can I walk from the ship to the centre?
You can, but it takes a while: along the seafront from the Poniente berths to the cathedral is about 45 to 60 minutes, and over an hour from the Dique del Oeste. There is hardly any shade, so in summer it makes more sense to ride in and, if you have time to spare, walk back in the cooler evening.
Is there time to take the vintage train to Sóller?
On a long call of nine or ten hours, yes, but it is tight. The train leaves from Plaça d’Espanya in central Palma and takes about an hour each way; there are only a handful of departures a day and they can be full in summer. Allow five to six hours including the trip from the port and do not plan on the last train back. On a shorter call, a ship’s excursion is the safer choice.
Is Palma Cathedral open on Sundays?
Tourist visits usually run Monday to Saturday; on Sundays the cathedral is generally open for services only. There is an entry charge, and opening hours vary by season. If your call falls on a Sunday, admire it from outside and from the seafront park, and spend your time in the old town or at Bellver Castle.
Do I need any special documents to go ashore in Palma?
Spain is in the EU and Schengen. EU citizens can usually go ashore with a passport or national ID card; other passports follow Schengen rules. Take whichever document your cruise line asks for, plus your cruise card — you will not get back on board without it.
How the club fits in
Cruises calling at Palma that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which itineraries calling at Palma are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Practical port information is summarised from public sources as of October 2026: berths, call times, entry rules and visiting arrangements may change. Before you travel, check the ship's daily programme and the requirements for your passport. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.