The cruise terminal of Palma de Mallorca is located in the south-west of the city, around 5 kilometres from the most important sights around the historic old town. It is nevertheless possible to enjoy a pleasant run or walk directly from the cruise terminal. This 10 km loop runs along the many harbours of Palma to the Parc de la Mar, which offers a fantastic view of La Seu Cathedral – the landmark of Palma de Mallorca.
The route begins at the exit of the Palma de Mallorca cruise terminal. From there the path leads directly to the main coastal road, the Avinguda de Gabriel Roca.
The route follows this coastal road towards the city centre. What initially appears to be a simple main road gradually develops into a pleasant promenade with a wide footpath and a separate cycle lane – the separation from road traffic provides good running conditions throughout. The route passes the various yacht and ferry harbours of Palma along the way.
After just under 5 kilometres the old town of Palma begins on the other side of the road. The route crosses to that side and leads to the Parc de la Mar, which offers a fantastic view of the Gothic La Seu Cathedral – one of the most impressive buildings in the Balearic Islands. From there the route returns along the same path back towards the cruise terminal.
At the end of the route an optional detour to the Castillo de San Carlos is possible, offering a lovely view over the harbour of Palma. The castle can also be visited for a small fee.
This route is very well suited for running and jogging – the wide promenade with its separate cycle lane also allows for tempo training directly from the cruise terminal. For walkers the old town loop is the better recommendation, as the first few kilometres of this route are relatively unremarkable and the real highlight only comes at the Parc de la Mar with its view of La Seu Cathedral. A shorter walk to the Castillo de San Carlos is also a good alternative.
Palma is best discovered with a combination of activity and sightseeing. Those who want to explore the city actively can follow up the run with a guided cycling tour through the highlights of Palma. A short transfer to the starting point is required – after that the most important sights of the city can be explored comfortably by bike, including tapas and a drink.
Those looking for a special finale after the run or cycling tour can take a short helicopter flight over Palma. From above a spectacular view opens up over La Seu Cathedral, the harbour and the Bay of Palma – an unforgettable experience after an active day on Mallorca.
The route starts directly at the exit of the Palma de Mallorca cruise terminal. No transfer is required. The ship's berth may however be several hundred metres away, which can add to the total distance.
The route can be followed either directly via the map on this page or by importing the GPX file into a navigation app like Komoot. Navigation via the GPX file is recommended, as it is considerably more precise and provides clear GPS guidance while running. Once the GPX file has been saved in the app, the map can usually also be used offline. It is recommended to test the navigation in flight mode without active Wi-Fi in advance.
Tip: If your mobile provider does not offer roaming in Spain or only at high cost, a global data plan is a good option for cruises, for example from eSIM.sm (advertisement).
The route runs mostly along a wide footpath and cycle lane alongside the coastal road and is therefore considered safe.
As the route is set up as an out-and-back, the distance can be shortened at any point by turning around. Allow plenty of buffer time, especially for runs in the afternoon. It is also worth saving the ship's phone number in advance for emergencies. Taxi apps should be installed on your phone and you should be familiar with using them. Uber works well in Palma.
Public toilets are available at the Parc de la Mar. No specific drinking options along the route are known. Around the Parc de la Mar and the old town there are however plenty of options to buy drinks.
The route runs mostly along asphalt footpaths and cycle lanes. Normal running shoes are sufficient. Sun protection, enough water and a navigation device are also recommended. A payment option is also useful, as in Palma you can usually pay by card or smartphone as well.