My wife and I are taking a cruise that stops in Palma for an afternoon this June. We disembark at 1pm and have to return by 8pm. We are open to trying many things. If you have been there recently, what do you recommend seeing and doing?
There’s the cathedral of course and some interesting architecture round and about. Bellver Castle is a short ride from the centre.
It’s a small island, so with six hours you could get just about anywhere by taxi and have time to look around.
Thank you, Springtime, you saved me typing 
I had a similar layover years ago and basically lolled about: walked down to the passeig along the beach, took in the views.
Thank you both. The cathedral, Bellver Castle, and just walking the streets and taking in the sights are certainly recommended activities. Doesn’t look like you can go wrong with those.
Having done more reading, I am considering renting a motorcycle. The helmets come with the rental. My wife and I could ride 2-up and go exploring. The Serra de Tramuntana mountains on the NW side of Mallorca look beautiful, and the rides to Sa Calobra on the Carretera de Sa Calobra and to Puerto de Valldemossa on Ma-1110 road look fantastic. Especially if it’s a sunny day. There might be traffic as you near the coast, and certainly the Carretera de Sa Calobra has some narrow spots, but that’s where a motorcycle can have the advantage.
Have you or anyone been?
My brother-in-law lives in Soller - gateway to the Tramuntana…
Given you only have 7hrs - I would advise to stick to one option:
- enjoy Palma, visit the cathedral and the palace, wander the warren of the old town, have a nice lunch, walk down to the beach or yacht-harbour, do some shopping
- rent a car and drive to Soller via Valldemossa and Deia. The drive from Soller to Sa Colabra is about an hour but it’s a heck of a drive down so not for everybody and I feel you might run out of time.
- take the 1950 wooden train from Palma to Soller. The views coming into the valley of Soller and stunning. Once in Soller you can take the wooden tram to the beach (Port de Soller) where you can go for a lovely stroll along the promenade)
If it was me - I would opt for the trip to Soller via Valldemossa and Deia. Once in Soller, you can park the car and take the tram to the Port
That drive from Sóller to Sa Calobra looks crazy-wild-fun (map)! Lots of twisties. You specify renting a car, Future Londonite, but on a Saturday in June there might be traffic on those roads. Wouldn’t there be? And the Carrotera de Sa Calobra has some narrow spots. I think the bike would be an advantage in such conditions. Parking is a lot easier too.
All depends on how confident you will be on a scooter…the main road (MA10) will be fine as at most spots it is wide enough however on the road down to Sa Colabra the road gets very very windy and narrow at times…I have done it plenty of times in a car, and grew up in bike-central (the Netherlands) yet I would think twice about that ascent on a scooter. Not as much given my driving but more the other cars and busses on the road…
when on a scooter I would skip Sa Colabra all together and do the Valldemossa-Deia-Soller daytrip - much more to see and do
Great suggestions so far. If you stay in the city I’d add the Arab Baths, or Banys Àrabs. The only building dating back to Palma’s Arab settlement. The city center is fantastic for just walking around and discovering little shops and restaurants.
Other excursion type options might include wine tasting in Binissalem or shoe shopping at the Camper outlet in Inca. There are number of caves you can tour as well.
We enjoyed trying the regional wines, gin, herbal liquors, and traditional pastries called Ensaimada.
I did a similar stop a while ago. The above is what I and the kids did and it was very enjoyable. Interesting place to wander around in.
Not a scooter, a motorcycle. Spanish law specifically bans two people on a scooter (yes, people do it; that doesn’t make it legal).
Definitely a motorcycle. I’d need the power, riding 2-up in the mountains.
Thanks for all the great suggestions so far!