Passeig del Born, Palma de Mallorca

Street in Palma de Mallorca

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Nikolai Bakhmarov

Passeig del Born is Palma de Mallorca's classic promenade: a short, elegant, tree-shaded avenue right in the centre of the city where locals come to shop, stroll and sit on benches under the leaves. Around 200 metres long, with a pedestrianised central section and plenty of places to pause, it is one of the things to do in Palma de Mallorca if you enjoy people-watching as much as sightseeing. The feel is more “urban living room” than monument, but that is exactly what makes it so appealing.

On either side of the central walkway, the street is lined with shops, bars and restaurants that spill their outdoor seating under the canopy of trees. Global brands such as H&M, Zara and MaxMara sit alongside other retail outlets and cafés, making Passeig del Born the city's primary shopping thoroughfare as well as a social hub. With its mix of shade, style and steady buzz, it is often visited on walking tours of Palma de Mallorca as the natural link between the old town, Plaça de la Reina and the surrounding streets.

History and Significance of the Passeig del Born
Things to See and Do in the Passeig del Born
How to Get to the Passeig del Born
Practical Tips on Visiting the Passeig del Born
Where to Stay close to the Passeig del Born
Is the Passeig del Born Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Passeig del Born
Nearby Attractions to the Passeig del Born

History and Significance of the Passeig del Born

Passeig del Born has long been one of Palma's most emblematic central streets, evolving from a formal promenade into a modern shopping and café strip. Its broad, tree-lined layout and central pedestrian band reflect a traditional Mediterranean idea of the paseo, a place where people come not just to move from A to B but to see and be seen, especially in the cooler evening hours. Over time, it has become a natural stage for city life, from casual strolls to festive parades.

The decision to plant trees and reserve the central lane for pedestrians helped define the character of the street. Benches invite lingering, and the shade makes it comfortable even on hot days, encouraging residents and visitors to slow down rather than rush through. In a city with narrow medieval lanes and busy traffic arteries, Passeig del Born stands out as a space designed with comfort and sociability in mind.

Commercially, the avenue has grown into Palma’s primary shopping axis. International labels chose to locate here because of the steady flow of people and the prestige of the address, while cafés and restaurants capitalised on the natural footfall and pleasant setting. The result is a street that embodies Palma’s modern, cosmopolitan side without losing its role as a simple, everyday meeting place for locals.

Things to See and Do in the Passeig del Born

The main pleasure of Passeig del Born is simply to walk it. Start at one end of the central pedestrian lane and wander under the trees, sitting from time to time on the benches that line the path. This is where you really see Palma at eye level: families out for a stroll, friends meeting after work, shoppers loaded with bags and visitors pausing to check maps and take photos.

Shopping is part of the experience, whether you are browsing or buying. Big-name brands such as H&M, Zara and MaxMara line the sides of the avenue, along with other boutiques and retail outlets. You can easily combine a relaxed wander with a bit of window-shopping or a focused hunt for something specific. Because the street is compact, it is easy to loop back and forth between stores without feeling rushed.

Cafés, bars and restaurants with outdoor seating bring the whole promenade to life. Grabbing a coffee, a glass of wine or a light lunch at a terrace table is one of the simplest ways to enjoy Passeig del Born: you sit under the leafy canopy, watch the flow of people and soak up the atmosphere. In the evening, the street softens as the lights come on and locals drift in for drinks or dinner, making it a pleasant spot to start or end a night in the city.

How to Get to the Passeig del Born

Most visitors arrive on the island via Palma de Mallorca Airport, which has frequent flights from across Spain and Europe and sits a short drive from the city centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Palma de Mallorca on Booking.com. From the airport, buses and taxis run regularly into Palma, and from central stops it is just a brief walk into the old town where Passeig del Born runs between key squares.

If you are already elsewhere on Mallorca, regional trains will bring you into Palma's Estació Intermodal near Plaça d'Espanya, a major hub close to the historic centre.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station you can walk through the old town streets in 10-15 minutes or hop on a local bus that drops you within a short stroll of the avenue.

Travelling by car, follow the main roads into Palma and look for parking in one of the underground or multi-storey car parks around the edge of the old town, then continue on foot to Passeig del Born, which sits between central squares and is easy to find on any city map.If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Passeig del Born

Suggested tips: Treat Passeig del Born as both a route and a destination; walk it slowly, sit on a bench, then choose a terrace for a drink and some people-watching.
Best time to visit: Late morning for relaxed shopping and coffee, or early evening when locals come out for a paseo and the street feels at its most atmospheric.
Entrance fee: Free – it is a public street open to everyone.
Opening hours: Accessible at all times, though shops and restaurants follow their own daily and seasonal schedules.
How long to spend: Plan 30-90 minutes to stroll, browse shops and enjoy a drink or snack; longer if you want a full meal or extended shopping.
Accessibility: The avenue is flat and paved, with a wide pedestrian area and benches, making it easy to navigate for visitors with reduced mobility or families with pushchairs.
Facilities: Numerous cafés, bars, restaurants and shops line the street; public toilets are available in nearby cafés or larger stores.
Photography tip: Shoot along the length of the avenue to capture the perspective of trees and façades, and take candid street shots from a bench or café table for a sense of daily life.
Guided tours: Many walking tours of central Palma pass along Passeig del Born; joining one can be a good way to hear about the street's role in the city's social and commercial life.
Nearby food options: You will find plenty of choice directly on the avenue and in the lanes just off it, from casual cafés to smarter restaurants and wine bars.

Where to Stay close to the Passeig del Born

Staying near Passeig del Born places you right at the heart of Palma's shopping and café culture, with the old town, seafront and major sights within an easy walk. A reliable and central option is Hotel Almudaina, just a short stroll from the avenue and perfectly placed for both retail therapy and sightseeing. For a more intimate, historic atmosphere in the old town streets behind the promenade, Boutique Hotel Posada Terra Santa offers boutique charm while keeping Passeig del Born close at hand. If you prefer to balance city energy with a touch of tranquillity near the waterfront, Hotel Basilica gives you a stylish base within walking distance of the promenade, cathedral and harbour.

Is the Passeig del Born Worth Visiting?

Passeig del Born is definitely worth visiting, even if you are not a big shopper. It is one of those streets that helps you understand how Palma works as a living city, not just a collection of monuments: a place where friends meet, locals sit on benches in the shade and visitors slip easily into the daily rhythm. Whether you come for fashion, food, a quick coffee or an evening drink, the combination of tree cover, central location and steady buzz makes it a spot you are likely to return to more than once during your stay.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (422)

Passeig del Born in Palma's historic centre is a lively, pedestrian-only boulevard lined with modernist and historic buildings, majestic leafy trees, outdoor cafés and upscale boutiques where visitors enjoy leisurely strolls, people-watching and a vibrant atmosphere that brightens during events like Christmas.

N Mohammed

2 months ago

"The street is full of life, lined with elegant boutiques, luxury brands, and beautiful shops. Every corner feels vibrant and alive, the kind of placethat makes you want to stroll for hours just soaking in the atmosphere. ✨🛍️..."

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Balkrishna Shroff

2 weeks ago

"Passeig des Born is to Palma what La Rambla is to Barcelona. This beautiful pedestrian only street is heart of Palma, an ideal place for leisurestroll. There are leafy trees on both sides which gives very cooling effect during summer. There are top end shops over here like Zara, Boss and Louis Vuitton etc. It is worth sitting here in an outdoor café over coffee or drink and watch the world go by. Not to be missed when in Palma......"

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Amar Jukic

3 months ago

"Absolutely lovely place! Very nice walkway with tons of great places to see and explore. We weren’t able to stay very long but really enjoyed thevisit. The whole experience was heightened by a lovely person in a big panda suit who took a photo with me and my two year old son who picked him up to take a photo with him. After that every time we mentioned the panda my son had a huge smile on his face so whoever the person in the panda suit was, thank you for making my son’s day and taking a photo with him...."

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FAQs for Visiting Passeig del Born

Locals use it heavily for shopping, meeting friends and passing through the centre, so you will see a real mix of residents and visitors at most times of day.

Yes, several bus lines stop nearby, and it is also an easy walk from central hubs like Plaça d’Espanya and Plaça de la Reina.

Generally yes, it is a central, well-lit area with plenty of people around in the evening, though normal city common sense is always advisable.

Nearby Attractions to the Passeig del Born

Palma Cathedral La Seu: The city's iconic Gothic cathedral is just a short walk away, rising above the seafront with its vast nave and famous rose window.
Royal Palace of La Almudaina: A historic fortified palace beside the cathedral, offering a mix of medieval halls, royal rooms and harbour views.
Plaça de la Reina: A lively square at one end of Passeig del Born, often used as a meeting point and surrounded by cafés and trees.
Plaça Major: Palma's main arcaded square, lined with shops and cafés, reachable in a few minutes on foot through the old town streets.
Palau March Museum: A nearby palace-museum with an impressive art collection and harbour views, ideal to combine with a stroll along Passeig del Born.

The Passeig del Born appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Palma de Mallorca!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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