Palma de Mallorca Shore Excursions
Excursions in Palma de Mallorca
Palma is not a port you walk out of: the ships berth about 3.7 and 6 km from the Cathedral, and the cruise shuttle sets you down at its foot. The old town is compact enough to do on foot in a morning, so book an excursion for what the town cannot give you. Three of the four options here are sailing trips from Palma's marinas, and only one of them leaves within a few minutes' walk of the shuttle stop; the fourth, a day trip to Formentor and the Bay of Pollença, takes 8 hours and ran on Sundays and Wednesdays in the October dates we saw.
Small-Group Catamaran Cruise from Palma with Tapas and a Swim Stop
Four hours on a small shared catamaran that sails from Palma's old-town marina along the Mallorca coast. The boat anchors in a bay for swimming, and the listing says snorkels, floats and stand-up paddleboards are on board for guests to use. A welcome drink, water and freshly made tapas to share are included, and you can buy wine, beer, cava and cocktails on board. The operator, Sailpalma.com, runs the trip with a skipper and a host, and the listing gives the group size as both 'limited to 10' and '10-12 people'.
💡 Insider tip
Meet the skipper and host at the gate of La Lonja Marina Charter on Moll de la Llotja (Muelle de la Lonja) 15 minutes before departure. By the listing's map pin that is 310-330 m, 3-5 minutes on foot, from the cruise-shuttle stop below the Cathedral, and 3.2 km (about 43 minutes) from the Estació Marítima 2 terminal. For Wednesday 14 October 2026 the start times were 9:00, 9:15 and 10:00 AM and 1:45, 2:00 and 3:00 PM. The listing headlines a price "from €99", but every date and start time we checked (3, 14 and 21 October 2026) was €129 per person, which is the price shown here. The booking calendar had no dates after 24 October 2026, so expect the season to end in late October. Tips and drinks beyond the welcome drink and water are not included. The operator asks for passport details after booking. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a jacket, because it can be windy on deck. The listing gives the group size as both "limited to 10" and "10-12 people". This is not a cruise-line excursion, so the ship will not wait for you.
Formentor Beach, Pollença Bay Boat Ride and Market Day from Palma
A full-day coach tour of northern Mallorca run by Nofrills Excursions, with a guide speaking English, French, German and Spanish. On Sundays it starts at the Alcúdia weekly market and on Wednesdays at the Sineu market, with about 1 hour 15 minutes among the stalls. It then drives past Alcúdia's old town and along the Bay of Pollença to Port de Pollença, where a 25-minute boat ride takes you across to Formentor Beach for about two hours of free time. On the way back the coach stops for about 30 minutes at the Mirador Es Colomer cliff viewpoint.
💡 Insider tip
The Palma departure meets on Moll Vell, the old quay a short walk from the cruise-shuttle stop on Camí de s'Escullera below the Cathedral (the stop is on the road, not on the quay). The listing gives the address only as "Mlle. Viejo" and does not say where on Moll Vell to stand, and its map shows no exact pin, so ask the operator for the exact spot before the day. For Wednesday 14 October 2026, the date we checked, the Palma departure started at 9:25 AM at €59 per person, and a single traveller could book. The tour takes 8 hours, so you are back around 17:25 at the earliest; book it only if your all-aboard time is in the evening. The October calendar had 8 dates, and the ones we saw were Sundays and Wednesdays. Lunch is not included, and the listing says food, drinks and sunbeds are extra. Free cancellation ends 2 days before, not 24 hours. The listing names the Sineu market day as Tuesday in its description and Wednesday in its inclusions. This is not a cruise-line excursion, so the ship will not wait for you.
Shared Sailing-Yacht Trip from Club de Mar with Drinks, Tapas and a Swim
Four hours on a sailing yacht that leaves from the Club de Mar marina, which the listing places next to the cruise terminal; that means the Estació Marítima 2 terminals at Moll de Ponent, not the Dic de l'Oest berth. The operator, Isla Sailing, says it hoists the sails whenever the wind allows. The boat sails out across the Bay of Palma to an anchorage where you can swim, snorkel or take out a paddleboard, then sails back to the marina. Cava, beer, white wine, soft drinks and tapas are included, as are the snorkelling gear, the paddleboard and fuel. The skipper speaks English and Dutch. This is the shared option on the listing, so you sail with other guests.
💡 Insider tip
The skipper meets you at the back entrance of the Club de Mar marina, beside the Tablisa security office, which the listing places next to the cruise terminal. The listing's map pin is about 125 m, 2 minutes on foot, from EMT bus stop 26 ('Port - Estació Marítima') outside the Estació Marítima 2 terminal, but 3.5 km (about 47 minutes) from the cruise-shuttle stop below the Cathedral. If your ship docks at the Moll de Ponent terminals, it is the closest of these departures. The operator sends exact meeting details by WhatsApp the day before and asks you to arrive 15 minutes early. For Wednesday 21 October 2026, the date we checked, the shared trip left at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM at €124 per person. The listing headlines "from €85", but no checked date or group size showed that price. The shared trip needs at least 4 participants, so a couple booking alone could not book it; the private options cost €990 and up. Hotel pickup and parking are not included. The listing says the trip can be rescheduled or cancelled in bad weather and calls it unsuitable for wheelchair users and people prone to seasickness. This is not a cruise-line excursion, so the ship will not wait for you.
Six-Hour Small-Group Sailing Trip in the Bay of Palma with Tapas and Swim Stops
A six-hour trip on a sailboat with a professional skipper, for a group of at most 10. The listing names the Real Club Náutico de Palma marina on the city seafront as the departure marina. The boat anchors in coves around the Bay of Palma for swimming, and snorkelling gear and a paddleboard are on board. A catering of Mallorcan tapas is served with white wine, beer or soft drinks, all included in the price. The operator is Illes Balears Yachting, and the skipper speaks English and Spanish.
💡 Insider tip
The listing gives the meeting point only as the Plus Code HJ8M+95, Palma, and its exclusions name the Real Club Náutico de Palma as the marina. That code is about 1.4 km, 19 minutes on foot, from the cruise-shuttle stop below the Cathedral, along the seafront. Ask the operator for the exact pontoon. For Wednesday 14 October 2026, the date we checked, there was one start at 9:00 AM at €140 per person, and a single traveller could book. Six hours on the water brings you back around 15:00. The calendar showed dates up to 30 October 2026. Transport to the marina is not included. The listing calls the trip unsuitable for non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness. The listing contradicts itself on cancellation: the booking page offers free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, but the operator's text says 48 hours and no refund inside that. Plan on 48. If the skipper judges the weather unsafe, the operator offers a new date or a full refund. This is not a cruise-line excursion, so the ship will not wait for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best shore excursions in Palma de Mallorca?
We have hand-picked 4 top-rated excursions in Palma de Mallorca, covering everything from nature tours and cultural walks to adventure activities. Each one has been selected for quality and suitability for cruise passengers with limited time in port.
How do I book excursions in Palma de Mallorca?
You can book any excursion in Palma de Mallorca directly through the links on this page. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak cruise season (June–August), as popular tours fill up quickly. Free cancellation is available on most activities.
Can I explore Palma de Mallorca on my own from the cruise ship?
Yes, Palma de Mallorca is easy to explore independently from the cruise port. However, some excursions — particularly those involving transport to remote viewpoints or guided nature experiences — are best enjoyed with a local operator who knows the terrain and timing.