With its beautiful beaches and vibrant Spanish culture, Mallorca (also known as Majorca) is a hugely popular destination on cruise itineraries. As a gateway to this stunning Balearic island, the port of Palma de Mallorca is an important and busy hub, handling over 820,000 cruise passengers in the first eight months of last year.
If you’ve booked a Mediterranean cruise that stops here, read our guide below to discover all you need to know about Palma de Mallorca cruise port.
We’ll cover where cruise ships dock in Mallorca, how to get to Mallorca from the cruise port and what the best activities near Mallorca cruise port are- so you can make the most of your port day here.
Where do cruise ships dock in Mallorca, Spain?
When visiting Mallorca, cruise ships dock in Palma, with Palma de Mallorca cruise port having two cruise terminals: Muelle de Poniente and Dique del Oeste.
Your cruise ship will most likely dock at Muelle de Poniente, where you’ll find Estacion Maritima terminal buildings 1,2,3 and 4. Here, you can also access ferry services to the Spanish mainland and the other Balearic Islands.
Muelle de Poniente is approximately 6km from the city centre and is a modern cruise terminal, with facilities including a bank, ATM, Wi-Fi, luggage check-in and toilets, as well as taxi and bus services.
Mallorca’s cruise terminal of Dique del Oeste is situated further from the city centre, near the industrial area. It is used if Mallorca cruise port is very busy or if the cruise ship docking is larger. It has ATMs, toilets, taxi and bus services, and a café.
How far is Mallorca from the cruise port?
When docking at Muelle de Poniente, the distance from Mallorca cruise port to the city centre in Palma is around 6km. Following the bustling seafront around the bay, you could walk to the Old Town in Palma in less than an hour. It is a pleasant route looking out over the yachts and fishing boats.
If your cruise line doesn’t offer a shuttle bus and you are looking for other options for how to get to Mallorca from the cruise port, public buses are available. These stop right by Mallorca cruise terminal at Muelle de Poniente, take around 10 minutes and cost approximately €1.50
Alternatively, you could get on a hop-on, hop-off bus, which will take you around the main sights of Palma. Taxis are also available from Mallorca cruise port to the city centre. Expect to pay about €15.00 one way.
Mallorca cruise terminal at Dique del Oeste is about 5 miles from the city centre, so walking from there would take over an hour. However, the Porto Pi shopping mall is somewhat closer to Dique del Oeste, taking around 20 minutes on foot. You’ll also find shuttle buses and taxis available by Dique del Oeste to take you from the cruise port to the city centre.
Is there anything near Mallorca cruise port?
With the charming capital of Palma being so accessible from where your cruise ship docks, you’ll have plenty of options when looking for what to do in Mallorca cruise port.
Palma Cathedral is a top highlight for visitors to Mallorca. This 14th-century historic building is a majestic icon of the island and one of Europe’s tallest Gothic structures. Next door is The Royal Palace of La Almudaina, also built in the 14th century and now the official residence of the King and Queen when they stay in Mallorca.
If you have time, linger in this area of Palma a little longer. Known as the Old Town, its narrow medieval streets and enchanting squares offer a lovely, relaxed way to get to know the city and its intriguing blend of Roman, Moors and Christian history.
Stop in one of the many cafes to sample a traditional ‘ensaimada’ pastry and a few local tapas dishes, or discover the galleries and museums that are home to the works of famous artists, including Picasso, Miró and Dalί.
For those who love shopping, a walk down the elegant avenue of Paseo del Borne, popularly known as the ‘Golden mile’, is a great option when deciding what to do in Mallorca on port days. Here, you’ll find luxury shops from designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss and Carolina Herrera. Nearby, there’s also the street of Via Verí, where you’ll come across further stylish retailers and independent shops.
Best activities by Mallorca cruise port
Located just over 2km from Mallorca cruise port is Castell de Bellver. With its hilltop position, the castle offers spectacular panoramic views of the island, while inside, its museum holds artefacts from the Roman, Arab and Spanish periods in Palma’s history. You can walk to the top of the hill where the castle is standing or alternatively, a taxi will take you there.
If you’re looking for some time on the beach, Cala Major beach is the nearest to Mallorca’s cruise port. At just over 2.5km away, it has 250m of fine white sand, a small pier and areas for sunbathing with loungers and parasols; providing a relaxing way to spend a few hours when looking for what to do during Mallorca port days.
If you have any questions about Palma de Mallorca and its cruise port or would like to book a Mediterranean cruise that visits here, please get in touch with our cruise specialists.
