Best areas for students in Palma de Mallorca

Palma Centre

The central area of ​​Palma is one of the best student neighbourhoods in Palma de Mallorca. However, keep in mind that since it’s also a tourist city, the cost of rent in this neighbourhood is usually higher than in the surroundings.

In both the old town area and the more modern area, there’s a wide variety of restaurants and bars frequented by students. There are also some nightclubs, although the reality is that students usually go to the nearby Santa Catalina neighbourhood to go out at night.

In the centre of Palma, there’s a wide variety of cultural and historical sites to visit. Among them are:

• The imposing Cathedral-Basilica of Santa María de Mallorca, the icon of the city
• The Loja (Sa Llotja) with Gothic style and occasional art exhibitions
• The Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs)
• Art museums such as Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani de Palma and Juan March Foundation
• Part of the old Medieval Wall

To escape the city a bit and enjoy the outdoors, the centre of Palma features the Sea Park (Parc de la Mar), which is next to the Cathedral. The picturesque gardens of L'Hort del Rei are also a nice place to walk and relax.

The centre of Palma is well connected to the rest of the city via bus, train, and subway lines. It also has several public bike stations, called BiciPalma.

Santa Catalina

This is another one of the best neighbourhoods to live in Palma as a student, and this is due to several factors. One of them is because it has a modern, lively, and bohemian vibe. Besides, it’s well known for its nightlife! In fact, it's one of the neighbourhoods preferred by students to go out at night.

In Santa Catalina, there’s a wide range of eateries, with cafes and restaurants offering cuisines from different parts of the world. It also has a variety of bars and breweries with different themes, and many of the popular nightclubs. It's also just a few minutes' walk from Palma's historic centre, so you have easy access to everything it has to offer.

One of the featured sites of Santa Catalina is its market, where you can find fresh produce and some places to taste local food.

For walks or outdoor exercise you can choose between a walk along the nearby Paseo Marítimo overlooking the sea or the large park called Parc de Sa Feixina, which has some sculptures, monuments, a skate park and several trails for walking or cycling.

From this neighbourhood you can reach different parts of the city with bus lines, and it also has bike lanes (in addition to several public bicycle stations, BiciPalma).

Son Armadams and El Terreno

These two neighbourhoods are located southwest of Palma's city centre. They’re ideal, especially for students who want to live in quieter areas, with good access to the city's beaches, leisure areas, and less than an hour away from the University.

On the one hand there’s Son Armadams, which is closest to the downtown area and Santa Catalina. Of the two neighbourhoods, it’s the one with the greatest restaurant offering, with taverns, restaurants and bars located on the streets and avenues near the port. It’s also the one with the most nightclubs to go out at night.

On the other hand there’s El Terreno, a neighbourhood located on the mountainside that houses the Castle of Bellver (Castell de Bellver). Most of the restaurants that are in this neighbourhood are in the surroundings of Plaza Gomila, and the bars are also very close. In El Terreno, there are some nightclubs to go out to, and the Gardens of the Quarantine are a space to enjoy nature and have views of the marina.

Both from Son Armadams and from El Terreno you can access several outdoor areas to enjoy. The Marina Promenade is one of them, offering beautiful views and a relaxed atmosphere. On the mountain side are all the trails that run through the forests of the Castle of Bellver, which provide a perfect green space to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

These two neighbourhoods are connected to the rest of Palma with bus lines. However, keep in mind that they do not yet have stations of BiciPalma.

FAQ about neighbourhoods inPalma de Mallorca