Car-free Saturday in Palma's Old Town: plan, park, enjoy

Saturday in Palma: Old Town partly car-free – what visitors should know

If you plan to stroll through Palma's Old Town on Saturday morning, allow an extra half hour — and maybe room for one more espresso. The city is celebrating Mobility Day and has therefore closed several streets in the historic center to regular car traffic between 08:00 and 16:00. For visitors with rental cars as well as locals this means short detours, but it also creates more space for strolling, chatting and window-shopping.

Which areas are closed?

Mainly the classic promenades and shopping arteries are affected: parts of Plaça Joan Carles I (between Bar Bosch and the department store C&A), the Passeig del Born, the shopping axis Jaume III and Carrer Unió will be accessible only to pedestrians, cyclists and event traffic during the day. Access to the car park beneath Plaça Mayor remains open — a good tip for anyone who wants to leave their car on the edge of the center.

Public transport: buses run differently

The closures don't affect only private cars. Several EMT lines and interurban connections will be rerouted or use temporary stops. Particularly popular with tourists are lines 3, 4, 7, 20, 25 and 35 — expect delays or changed stops on these routes. Notices are posted at stops and the transport authority has said it will maintain connections via detours. In practice this means: buses may arrive later or take an alternative route. If you need to catch a ferry, the airport bus or a booked tour, plan at least a 20–30 minute buffer.

Practical tips for guests and residents

After years of moving between Plaça Mayor and Paseo Marítimo my advice is: explore the Old Town on foot. The narrow lanes are a gain on a day like this — less traffic noise, more space for market stalls, children, street cafés and the clinking of espresso cups. Park at one of the outer car parks (Plaça Mayor is the first choice) and walk in. Taxis and delivery vehicles also take detours; expect minor delays and relocated pickup points if you stay in an apartment in the historic core.

Before you set off check the EMT app briefly or visit the municipal transport website. Many hotels and vacation rentals post notices; if in doubt ask in a café on Passeig del Born or at Bar Bosch — the baristas often know to the minute which streets are currently closed. Alternatives: bike or e-scooter for the last mile — at 23°C with a light sea breeze from the Paseo Marítimo a pleasant solution.

Why is the city doing this?

Mobility Day is intended to show what Palma could look like with fewer cars: more space for pedestrians, less noise, room for information booths and street events. For visitors this is usually appealing — buildings feel different and church bells come through more clearly because there is less engine noise. For organizers it means logistical effort and for traffic a bit of disruption, but for a day the Old Town gains in quality of life.

So: take a deep breath, treat yourself to a longer café stop and enjoy the quiet lanes. A detour can be the opportunity to see the city with different eyes — and who knows, you might discover a new favorite street or a small shop window you would otherwise have missed.

In short: closure times 08:00–16:00; affected streets Passeig del Born, Jaume III, Plaça Joan Carles I, Carrer Unió; Plaça Mayor car park open; EMT lines (including 3, 4, 7, 20, 25, 35) partially rerouted. Check traffic information before you travel and plan extra time.