Hello!
We will be in Mallorca for one day on our cruise, and I'm seeking recommendations for easy to moderate energy level tours or activities, please. I've booked directly from the cruise, and also with other vendors - but never been to Mallorca before. Whatever we choose, we really need to be comfortable that we'll get back to the ship well before departure. I know some vendors like Shore Excursions guarantee that - but others do not.
Thanks for any ideas you can share.
Laurie
Back in 2016, I had a cruise stop at Palma de Mallorca. We were able to walk into the historic area and explore on our own; no tour was needed. We visited La Seu Cathedral, the Arab Baths, and Conventro de Santa Clara. Is there something you want to see in particular?
I'm looking at Palma, Majorca as well at the moment. I've never been there, but am toying with a last minute transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to NY which starts with Marseille, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Majorca and Lisbon. A dream itinerary.
The cruise fare is just crazy cheap at around £40 a night solo, but it is NCL, and a ship 3x the size of any cruise ship I have ever been on. I also have something else on before that cruise, and am struggling to get to Barcelona in time- I am literally short of 12 hours.
So pondering.
Personally I would just do my own thing in Palma- maybe use the HoHo bus, walk the 45 minutes each way into town from the cruise terminal, or use Citybus #1 into the centre. Maybe do much of the above, and I want to do the Soller Tram (one way) returning to Palma on the good bus service, and maybe the main line railways toward the north end of the island.
It certainly isn't the sort of place where I would see the need to do an excursion, ship's or otherwise.
Be aware the Cathedral is closed on a Sunday, New Years Day, the Epiphany, 20 Jan, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, 10 May, the Assumption, All Saints Day, Constitution Day (6 Dec), the Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day and St Stephens Day.
We were there in May. For 1 day, just figure on hanging out in Palma. You would need a car to get anywhere else. Palma is a nice town and you will find plenty of things to do there. I don’t know about tours, but you could probably devise your own if need be. It’s very walkable. Frankly, there isn’t a lot to do or see on the island in only 1 day. Palma would be it.
Mallorca is one of my favorite islands. Many famous people and celebrities have lived there. The King and Queen have a residence to use. Lots and lots of tourists also visit, so there are oodles of activities available. Please be aware there have been protests due to the heavy influx of visitors. I have stayed on the island for a bit, so I was able to get all around. I also like Menorca, the smaller neighbor.
Palma is very lovely and historic.
Hopefully your cruise ship will run shuttles from the port to the center of the town.
Once you are in the center area, you can visit the Cathedral, walk around, shop, and enjoy the water views.
Or you can head out to a beach, or take a small boat ride.
On my last visit on a cruise ship, we took a ship tour that also took us up to Castell de Bellver, but you had to pay extra to go inside.
Many people like to head to Valldemossa and Sóller for the day, very lovely smaller villages. Frédéric Chopin and George Sand spent time here. Or you could do an excursion to Drach caves, quite mysterious.
I think there is a little train you could take on your own, but there have been multiple complaints about timeliness.
Mallorca is the home of Majorica pearls, lustrous imitation pearls that have been popular since 1890!
You can check out Viator to see all the various tours and operators, and compare the price to your cruise excursions.
I would love to return for a week or so once I retire from working, but I will try to avoid high season.
Have a great time! ¡Buen viaje!
I agree with others who have suggested staying in Palma. There is plenty to do and the cathedral is beautiful. There are also nice pedestrianised areas for strolling/shopping and a plaza mayor.
For eating, we loved this place so much that we went twice: https://www.larosavermuteria.com/en/restaurant/la-rosa-vermuteria
Wow, thank you so much for this helpful information! I really appreciate the details. It sounds like we would be just fine on our own walking around Palma and seeing the sights there for starters…and maybe that will be enough. I am a little intrigued about visiting the more traditional villages of Soller and Valdemossa, I’ll check out options with Shore Excursions and Viator.
Thanks again!
Laurie
Just a note about Sóller and Valldemossa- we visited both and really enjoyed them, but they are some of the most crowded places I’ve ever been in Europe. Crowds don’t normally bother me but this was extreme. We were there in mid September which normally is a little quieter compared to July and August but you could barely move and you had to fight for a place on the tram to and from the port in Sóller. The wooden train to and from Palma was completely full and I don’t think we were even able to sit together. Not trying to dissuade you since these are still great places to visit but just to be aware/prepared!
There isn't the slightest need to pay for a massively overpriced shore excursion (through the ship or independently).
Apart from the train to Soller, then the old tram to the port they are linked to Palma by bus line 203 (hourly to Soller with extra short workings Palma To Valdemossa. There is also a direct bus Palma to Soller- the 204 every half hour
Palma to Soller is 4.50€ each way paid on board in cash or 2.70€ with a contactless card-
https://www.tib.org/en/inici
Train/tram to Soller (return) is 32€ purchased on line or 40€ on the day.- https://trendesoller.com/eng/index.php?register_vars[ckAnalitica]=0
