Cruise News and Reviews

Cruise Port Of Palma

Introducing Palma De Mallorca

In the Mediterranean Sea, 100 miles off the Catalonia coastline of Spain, sits the island of Mallorca. The city of Palma is positioned in Palma Bay on the south western shore of the island.

The famed Golden Age of Mallorca started in 1229, when Catalan king James I or Aragon captured the islands from the Moors. The age saw a flowering of the island’s trade, industry and agriculture. The imposing Bellver Castle and magnificent le Seu cathedral were built, and the Almudaina was rebuilt to form a marvelous Gothic palace.

In 1516 the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon were united when Charles I, son of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, was crowned becoming the first King of all Spain. For the following three centuries Palma entered a prolonged period of stagnation, as the united kingdom of Spain turned to seemingly more important matters than Mallorca.

At the end of the 19th century, tourists started to discover the beautiful shoreline and the balmy climate of Mallorca, leading to a rebirth of the island’s popularity.

Today Palma is a vibrant and charming city, combining the liveliness of a capital with the slower pace of an island port. It has an array of cultural attractions, notable architecture, welcoming sidewalk restaurants and a cosmopolitan population.

Mallorca is positioned at the center of the West Mediterranean making Palma a favorite port-of-call for cruises. Lately, mainly thanks to the large close by Palma de Mallorca airport, it has also become a busy homeport for cruise ships.

Palma Cruise Terminals

Cruise terminal 1, sandwiched between 2 cruise ships

Cruise Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4
Palma’s port’s major cruise terminals are the Estacion Maritima cruise terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 which serve ships docked at the Poniente quays. The cruise terminals are linked together with a series of foot bridges. Facilities include post office, telephone kiosks, office, cafeteria, police station, restrooms and customs. These cruise terminals are about a mile and a half to the southwest of Palma’s center.

West Sea Wall Terminal

Cruise Terminal 5
Occasionally cruise ships dock at the south western outer breakwater of the port, Dique Del Oeste at docks 28, 30 and 32. These docks are served by the Estacion Martima number 5 passenger terminal.

For the port website see Port Authority of the Balearic Islands.

Ibiza, a popular destination for cruises from Palma de Mallorca

Itineraries Available

Palma is an excellent base for a week long cruise calling at interesting ports in the Western Mediterranean.

Favorite shore excursions available at ports-of-call would include the leaning tower of Pisa (from Livorno), the frightening Cappuchini Catacombs in Palermo, the opulent Monte Carlo casino in Monaco, the panoramic views from the rock of Gibraltar and the magnificent La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

In fall repositioning cruises may be on offer to the Caribbean and the Canaries.

For a Palma cruise calendar, see cruises from Palma.

La Seu Cathedral

Things To Do Near The Cruise Port

La Seu
Palma’s spectacular cathedral la Seu is the city’s number one attraction. Construction started in the first part of the 13th century, and continued for over 300 years. A major rebuilding project commenced in the the 20th century, with the famed architect Gaudi designing several contentious additions.

Almudaina Palace
The ancient Moorish style of the Almudaina Palace tells of its beginnings as a Moorish castle. On the occupation of Mallorca by James I in the 13th century the building was rebuilt to become a palace for the Mallorcan Kings. Today it is a museum containing art like exquisite oriental carpets, a superb collection of paintings and Flemish tapestries.

Bellver Castle
The 600 year old Bellver Castle is home to the Palma History Museum and the Despuig Classical Sculpture Museum. There are wonderful views from the castle’s walls over the beautiful Palma Bay. Bellver Castle is a short hike upwards from the cruise terminal.

Palma To Soller Railway
This quaint electric train links Palma with the small town of Soller, a trip 27km long. The railway traverses a wide plain, then heads upwards through 13 tunnels to arrive at Soller. The excursion, which takes little more than an hour, is an excellent way of getting to know the undeveloped interior of the island. The Palma terminus is sited in the center of the city, just next to the main train station.

Transfering To The Cruise Port From The Airport

The simplest way of traveling from the airport to the cruise port is by taxi or shuttle coach. An alternative is to board the no 1 bus which travels from the airport through the city to reach the Estacion Maritima. After alighting from the bus walk into the Estascion Number 2 terminal across the street then follow the cruise line directions to the applicable terminal.