🌍 Overview
Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca, has become a hidden gem for digital nomads. This beautiful Mediterranean city offers a unique blend of rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving expat community, making it an ideal destination for remote workers. With its subtropical climate, breathtaking beaches, and vibrant cultural scene, Palma de Mallorca has all the ingredients to become a top digital nomad destination.
As a digital nomad, you’ll find Palma de Mallorca offers a surprisingly affordable cost of living, with a 1-bedroom apartment rental costing around €650-€800 (~$736-$900 USD) per month. Average restaurant meals cost around €10-€12.8 (~$11-$14 USD), and a coffee will set you back around €1.8 (~$2 USD). The island’s laid-back atmosphere, rich cultural heritage, and stunning natural beauty make it an attractive destination for remote workers looking to escape the chaos of urban life.
Palma de Mallorca’s growing digital nomad scene is driven by its excellent infrastructure, with many coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants catering to remote workers. The city’s compact size and bike-friendly streets make it easy to get around, and its mild climate means you can enjoy the outdoors year-round. With its unique blend of Spanish, Catalan, and Mediterranean influences, Palma de Mallorca offers a fascinating cultural experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is a charming, up-and-coming neighborhood in the heart of Palma de Mallorca. This upmarket area is known for its trendy bars, restaurants, and boutiques, making it a popular spot for young professionals and expats. The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Catalina is around €800-€1,200 (~$900-$1,400 USD). One of the main pros of living in Santa Catalina is its vibrant atmosphere, with many coworking spaces and cafes to choose from. However, be aware that it can get quite noisy, especially on weekends.
El Puerto
El Puerto is a bustling waterfront neighborhood that offers stunning views of the harbor and the sea. This area is perfect for remote workers who love the sound of waves and the smell of saltwater. The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in El Puerto is around €600-€1,000 (~$670-$1,100 USD). One of the main cons of living in El Puerto is its limited availability of coworking spaces and quiet cafes. However, the neighborhood’s proximity to the old town and its lively atmosphere make it an attractive option for many digital nomads.
La Seu
La Seu is a historic neighborhood located in the heart of Palma de Mallorca’s old town. This charming area is known for its narrow streets, ancient architecture, and rich cultural heritage. The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in La Seu is around €700-€1,200 (~$780-$1,400 USD). One of the main pros of living in La Seu is its unique atmosphere, with many cultural attractions and historical landmarks to explore. However, be aware that the neighborhood can get quite crowded, especially during peak tourist season.
Es Molinar
Es Molinar is a quiet, residential neighborhood located on the outskirts of Palma de Mallorca. This area is perfect for remote workers who prefer a peaceful atmosphere and easy access to nature. The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Es Molinar is around €500-€900 (~$560-$1,000 USD). One of the main cons of living in Es Molinar is its limited availability of coworking spaces and quiet cafes. However, the neighborhood’s proximity to the airport and its affordable rent make it an attractive option for many digital nomads.
Digital Nomad Guide
Coworking Spaces
Palma de Mallorca has a growing number of coworking spaces, each offering a unique atmosphere and range of amenities. Some popular options include:
- Coffice: A stylish coworking space located in the heart of Santa Catalina, offering high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a rooftop terrace. Prices start at around €200-€300 (~$220-$330 USD) per month.
- Mallorca Coworking: A modern coworking space located in the El Puerto area, offering high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a rooftop pool. Prices start at around €250-€400 (~$280-$440 USD) per month.
- Palma Coworking: A vibrant coworking space located in the La Seu area, offering high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a rooftop bar. Prices start at around €200-€350 (~$220-$390 USD) per month.
Internet Quality
Palma de Mallorca’s internet quality is generally excellent, with average speeds of around 29 Mbps. Many coworking spaces and cafes offer high-speed internet and fiber connections, making it easy to stay connected and productive.
Nomad Community Scene
Palma de Mallorca’s nomad community is growing rapidly, with many digital nomads gathering at coworking spaces, cafes, and social events. Some popular meetups and groups include:
- Mallorca Nomad Meetup: A regular meetup for digital nomads to connect, network, and share experiences.
- Palma Digital Nomads: A Facebook group for digital nomads to ask questions, share tips, and connect with others.
- Coffice Socials: Regular social events hosted by Coffice, including networking sessions, workshops, and parties.
Cafes and Restaurants
Palma de Mallorca is home to many excellent cafes and restaurants, each offering a unique atmosphere and range of amenities. Some popular spots include:
- Coffice Cafe: A stylish cafe located in the heart of Santa Catalina, offering high-speed internet, comfortable seating, and delicious coffee.
- Mallorca Coworking Cafe: A modern cafe located in the El Puerto area, offering high-speed internet, comfortable seating, and healthy snacks.
- La Seu Cafe: A charming cafe located in the heart of La Seu, offering high-speed internet, comfortable seating, and delicious pastries.
Visa Options
Palma de Mallorca offers several visa options for remote workers, including:
- Schengen Visa: A short-term visa that allows remote workers to stay in Spain for up to 90 days.
- Non-Lucrative Visa: A long-term visa that allows remote workers to stay in Spain for up to 1 year, with the possibility of renewal.
- Digital Nomad Visa: A new visa option that allows remote workers to stay in Spain for up to 2 years, with the possibility of renewal.
Banking and Practical Setup
Palma de Mallorca has many banks and financial institutions that cater to digital nomads, including:
- BBVA: A popular bank with branches throughout Palma de Mallorca, offering online banking and mobile payment services.
- Santander: A well-established bank with branches throughout Palma de Mallorca, offering online banking and mobile payment services.
- Easy Banking: A digital bank that offers online banking and mobile payment services, with no minimum balance or fees.
🎨 Culture & Vibe
Palma de Mallorca has a unique cultural scene that reflects its rich history and Mediterranean influences. Some highlights include:
- Local Customs and Etiquette: Palma de Mallorca is known for its warm and welcoming locals, who value respect and politeness above all else. Be sure to learn a few basic Spanish phrases, such as “gracias” (thank you) and “por favor” (please).
- Food Scene: Palma de Mallorca is famous for its delicious seafood, traditional Mallorcan dishes, and local wines. Be sure to try some of the local specialties, such as “sopes mallorquines” (Mallorcan-style sopes) and “empanada de atún” (tuna empanada).
- Nightlife and Social Scene: Palma de Mallorca has a lively nightlife scene, with many bars, clubs, and restaurants catering to digital nomads. Some popular spots include the Santa Catalina neighborhood, the El Puerto area, and the La Seu area.
- Arts and Cultural Attractions: Palma de Mallorca has a rich cultural scene, with many museums, galleries, and historical landmarks to explore. Some highlights include the Palma Cathedral, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, and the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró.
⭐ Highlights
Some must-see attractions and experiences in Palma de Mallorca include:
- Palma Cathedral: A stunning Gothic cathedral located in the heart of the old town.
- La Seu: A charming neighborhood located in the heart of the old town, known for its narrow streets, ancient architecture, and rich cultural heritage.
- Es Trenc Beach: A beautiful, pristine beach located on the west coast of Mallorca, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxation.
- Valldemossa: A charming town located in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, known for its historic center, charming cafes, and stunning scenery.
- Cala Mondrago: A stunning beach located on the south coast of Mallorca, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation.
- Museo de Arte Contemporáneo: A modern art museum located in the heart of Palma de Mallorca, featuring a stunning collection of contemporary art.
- Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró: A museum located in the heart of Palma de Mallorca, featuring a stunning collection of modern art and ceramics.
💡 Practical Tips
Some essential, actionable information for digital nomads in Palma de Mallorca includes:
- Visa Requirements: Palma de Mallorca offers several visa options for remote workers, including the Schengen Visa, the Non-Lucrative Visa, and the Digital Nomad Visa.
- Getting Around: Palma de Mallorca has many public transportation options, including buses, taxis, and bike-sharing services. Some popular apps include Moovit, Citymapper, and Turo.
- Safety Considerations: Palma de Mallorca is generally a safe city, but be aware of pickpocketing and petty theft in crowded areas.
- Best Time to Visit: Palma de Mallorca has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is from September to November and from March to May.
- Local Tips and Warnings: Be sure to learn a few basic Spanish phrases, such as “gracias” (thank you) and “por favor” (please). Also, be aware of local customs and etiquette, such as not eating on the go or not drinking tap water.
- Money Matters: Palma de Mallorca has many ATMs and currency exchange services, including BBVA, Santander, and Easy Banking.
- Healthcare and Insurance: Palma de Mallorca has many excellent hospitals and medical facilities, including the Hospital Universitari Son Espases and the Hospital de Son Dureta. Consider purchasing health insurance to cover any medical expenses.
