Discover Mallorca by cruise

A particularly attractive way to explore the Germans' favorite island is by cruise. More and more cruise companies have recognized this trend and offer Mediterranean cruises that include a longer stay on land in Mallorca.

Already in early spring, the island is resplendent in a magnificent sea of blossoms, and pleasantly mild temperatures prevail in Mallorca well into the fall. Visitors can explore the picturesque island capital Palma on shore excursions or take part in interesting excursions that offer interesting insights into the culture and nature of the largest Balearic island.

Those who want to explore Mallorca by cruise ship have the choice between different shipping companies. These include MSC Cruises, Mein Schiff Cruises, Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises.

Mallorca shore excursion

The cruise port of Palma, the island's capital, has become one of the most important in Europe. So it is not surprising that the favorite island of the Germans is particularly in demand as a starting point and destination of a Western Mediterranean cruise.

One of the advantages is Mallorca's large airport and its easy accessibility. With an extension of almost 100 kilometers from west to east and almost 80 kilometers from north to south, Mallorca is a relatively large island. Palma is located on the south coast of Mallorca and is a real big city with about 400,000 inhabitants.

It has a beautiful and picturesque old town, where numerous monuments, boutiques and restaurants await the visitor. In the north, east and south there are beautiful beaches and secluded bays everywhere. The west coast, on the other hand, is dominated by the Serra de Tramuntana, an imposing mountain formation with more than 50 peaks over 1,000 meters high.

Mobile on the island

Those who prefer to discover Mallorca on their own rather than on a guided shore excursion have several options. The main question is always how to get from the port to the desired excursion destination in the fastest and easiest way. This is the best way:

On foot

At around five kilometers, the center of Palma is not exactly around the corner from the port. From the Mole Dique del Oeste to the Catedral de la Seu, you should plan on an hour to an hour and a half walk.

However, if you are good on your feet and enjoy walking, a beautiful path along the Bay of Palma awaits you. If you don't feel like sightseeing and would rather go shopping, the Porto Pi Centro Comercial shopping center is the place for you. It is easily accessible from both piers.

By shuttle bus

Most ferry companies offer their customers shuttle buses for excursions to Palma. They take excursionists close to the cathedral and cost between six and ten euros, depending on the cruise. Unfortunately, passengers usually only find out about this service on board.

By public bus

A good and inexpensive alternative to the shuttle service are the public buses of the Mallorcan transport company eMT. The bus stops are located at both quays of the cruise port. The fare is three euros and can be paid directly to the driver.

Since the end of 2019, there have been some changes in bus services in the island's capital. The continuous bus line 1, which for a long time connected the cruise port, the city and the airport, no longer operates on this route. The new line A1 connects the city center with the airport, while the A2 transports passengers between Playa de Palma and the airport.

Thus, visitors to Mallorca who want to get from the port to the airport or vice versa now only have to make one change. Bus line 1 now runs from the Portoi port district to the old town, where it ends at Placa de Sant Antoni. However, you should check the exact schedule in advance, as not all buses on this line go all the way to Dique del Oeste.

With the city tour

As in many other tourist places, Palma has the highly visible red tourist buses. The visitor can choose between the red line with 18 stops and the purple line with three stops. As usual with these city tours, you can get on or off at any stop.

Audio commentaries are available in several languages, including German. The Dique del Oeste is not an official stop on the city tour. Therefore, it is recommended to take a cab or shuttle bus to the nearest stop and start the city tour there. As an additional "extra", you can also book a boat tour during the high season.

By bike

A good way to explore a piece of Mallorca is by bicycle. In the island's capital there are several bike rentals that also offer child seats and trailers. You can choose between conventional bikes for 14 euros and e-bikes for 26 euros per day.

In the center of Palma there are almost 300 public bikes and numerous rental stations of the company BiciPalma, a service that will be expanded in the future. If you want to take advantage of this offer, you must register in advance on the website of the city council. However, it is only available in Spanish and Mallorcan.

By cab

A good way to get around outside the radius of Palma and see a bit more of the beautiful island is to take a cab. There are several cab stands at the cruise port, where there are usually many vehicles available.

These can be recognized by their white color with stripes in the colors of the Balearic Islands on the hood and doors. In the city center of Palma, on the other hand, it can sometimes get crowded in this respect, especially in high season. For a cab ride, you should expect to pay about 40 euros per hour.

By rental car

If you want to rent a car, head to Avenida Gabriel Roca, where most of the usual car rental companies have their offices. It is not far from the port and can be reached in a relatively short time on foot or by bus line 1. Depending on the length of your stay, a rental car will give you the freedom to see as many highlights of the beautiful island as possible.

Mallorca as a cruise destination

Of course, with all the activities, keep in mind that you only have a limited amount of time to explore the island of Mallorca. Therefore, even before you arrive in port, plan which sights you want to visit and the best way to get there.

If your travel plans allow, you can stay a little longer in Mallorca and return with another cruise. Or you can start your journey home directly from Mallorca after your vacation. This can lead to a unique road trip that will take you to the scenic attractions.

So what are you waiting for? Book your next Mediterranean cruise today and experience many more travel options along the Mediterranean coast besides Mallorca.