Palma de Mallorca (Majorca Island, Balearic Spain)

Port Palma de Mallorca is located on Majorca Island's southeastern coast (Western Mediterranean Sea). Currently, the seaport (locode ESPMI) is among the busiest homeports/departure ports for cruise ships due to its proximity to the international Palma Airport (PMI) - located approx 8 km (5 mi) east of the cruise port. Port's cruise ship schedule shows a variety of roundtrip itineraries to seaports in the Mediterranean and also to the Canary Islands (Spain).

In late-October 2019, Balearic Port Authority (Palma port's managing company)approved a law to protect the Posidonia Oceanica (seagrass species). Ships that drop anchors on the seabed will be fined EUR 30,000. Anchorage for large ships (passenger and cargo) is allowed only in 2 marine zones, located approx 300 m (1000 ft) off the coast and between Playa Can Pere Antoni (beach) and Cap Gros Lighthouse.

The anchorage sites for carriers shipping dangerous goods are further away from the coast. Permission for anchoring is required for all vessels. Anchoring in port's Zone 1, access channel, inside the harbour and anywhere on Posidonia meadows is strictly forbidden. For anchoring in the access channel and the harbour fines are up to EUR 180,000. Mooring in the prohibited marine zones is fined up to EUR 90,000. Anchoring in other areas without permission is fined up to EUR 60,000.

For season 2020, Port Palma de Mallorca had scheduled a total of 586 cruise ship calls (berth bookings), including 100 by Costa, 94 by AIDA, 80 by MSC. Most berthings were booked in October (89). Port's low seasons are March-April and November-December. In 2019, the cruise port handled 2,153295 million ship tourists, including 1,223148 million on transit calls and 930,147 on roundtrips. Homeported ship passengers spent 1-3 nights in Palma hotels pre-cruise.

Since 2023, the Port allows maximum 3x cruise ships per day, including only one large-sized liner with passenger capacity 5000+. Prior to the restrictions were allowed 4x ships per day.

Inca (Majorca) Spain

Inca is a town (not port) on Majorca Island with population around 30,000. There is a junction train station Majorca rail network with trains to Palma (island's capital), also to Manacor and Sa Pobla.

The town was named "Inkan" during the Islamic period, from which several vestiges remain, including the "sinies" and "ganats" - systems used by the Arabs to draw underground water.

The town's peak was at the beginning of the 20th century, following the railway construction and the installation of gas factory. Then was established the footwear manufacturing company "Camper". Inca town is famous for its outdoor market (every Thursday) considered to be one of the island's largest. The biggest market event is on "Good Thursday" Maundy Thursday - Thursday before Easter) coinciding with local trade shows and fairs.

Among the town's tourist attractions (also offered as cruise shore excursions from Palma) are the Santa María la Mayor church, the old convents Sant Domingo and Sant Francesc the Sant Bartomeu monastery. The town is also famous for its wine cellars. In the period 17th-19th centuries, Inca Spain was a major producer of wine - until phylloxera (pest of commercial grapevines) destroyed the industry. Today many of the old wine cellars are used as restaurants for serving traditional Mallorcan dishes - like sopes tombet, mallorquines, gato d'ametlles.

Palma de Mallorca cruise terminal

Palma de Mallorca tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Palma de Mallorca is a charming place to visit with a lot of attractions, magnificent architecture, sidewalk places for a coffee and very friendly and hospitable population. You can enjoy both shore excursions and city tours in the area.

• Pisa’s leaning tower, from Livorno
• the iconic David, artwork of Michelangelo in Florence, from Livorno
• the Cappuchini Catacombs, Palermo
• the ambient old town of Ibiza
• La Seu: the most popular attraction in Palma de Mallorca. The gorgeous cathedral was built more than 300 years, the construction began in the 13^th century. Gaudi took part in its 20^th century rebuilding.
• Almudaina Palace: or Palacio de la Almudaina was a fortress converted in the 13^th century into a palace for the monarchy of Mallorca. Currently it is a great museum where you can see paintings, Flemish tapestries, carpets from the Middle East and other artworks.
• Bellver Castle: here are the Despuig Classical Sculpture and Palma History Museums. To go there you will have to hike up the hill starting from Estacion Maritima for approximately 10 minutes.
• C’an Pere Antoni Beach: sunny beach with golden sands and warm clean water. Located South of the La Seu.
• Palma To Soller Railway: take a 27 km journey to Soller, small and lively village in the mountain, by a retro electric train. This will take about an hour and you will enjoy views from all over the island. You can take the train from the Palma station, located at the city center.