Palma Old Town Food Tour: Market, Convent Sweets & Tapas Walk

Summary

Palma walking food tour with convent sweets and local wine

You’ll join a small group in Palma’s Old Town for a walking food tour led by a local guide—think convent sweets passed through secret windows, bustling markets full of color and noise, generous tastings of tapas with Mallorcan wine, and warm ensaimada paired with almond ice cream. You’ll leave feeling you’ve tasted something real—and probably craving another cookie.

What’s the experience like?

I met our guide right by Parc del Mar—she was already waving before I even spotted her. First thing, she handed me a cold bottle of water (needed it, trust me) and a map that looked like it had seen a few adventures. The sea breeze was salty and kind of sticky on my skin, but the view of Palma Cathedral across the water made me forget about the heat for a second. There were only eight of us in the group—felt more like tagging along with new friends than anything official.

We wandered into the Old Town’s narrow streets. Our guide—Marta—told stories about the cathedral and pointed out this tiny window in an old stone wall. “Watch this,” she grinned. A nun’s hand appeared behind the wood, passing out a paper bag filled with cookies. The smell was sweet and floury, almost like Christmas at my grandmother’s house. I tried to say “gràcies” properly; Marta laughed and said my accent was more Barcelona than Mallorca (not sure if that’s good or bad). I still think about those cookies sometimes.

After that, we ducked into Mercat de l’Olivar—the market was loud in the best way: vendors calling out prices, kids running between stalls, all these colors from peppers and oranges stacked high. We sat near the seafood counter for tapas—three different bites I’d never tried before—and local wine that tasted almost grassy but in a good way? Someone asked where to buy sobrasada to take home; Marta scribbled down her favorite shop on someone’s napkin.

The last stop was this ice cream place near Plaça de Sant Francesc. Warm ensaimada with almond ice cream—I didn’t expect to like it so much together. We toasted with tiny glasses of herbal liqueur (not for kids), took a slightly awkward group photo at Plaça del Cort, and just… hung around chatting until people started drifting off. It felt less like a tour and more like being let in on Palma’s daily life for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Palma food tasting and cultural walk

• Meet guide at Parc del Mar
• Walk through Palma Old Town
• Visit Joan Miró Foundation
• Enter historic convent for sweets
• Taste panadas and sobrasada
• Explore Mercat de l’Olivar market
• Enjoy tapas and local wine
• Have ensaimada with almond ice cream
• Toast with Mallorcan liqueur
• Conclude at Plaça del Cort

Top questions

How long does the Palma Old Town food tour last?

The tour typically lasts around 3-4 hours as you walk between tasting stops in central Palma.

Is there vegetarian or gluten-free food available?

Yes—just let them know your dietary needs when booking or contact them after booking to arrange alternatives.

Are drinks included on this Palma food tour?

Yes—a bottle of water at the start plus one glass of local wine during the market tapas tasting are included.

Does the tour include entry to any attractions?

No formal entry tickets are needed; you’ll visit public spaces like markets, squares, and an old convent for tastings.

Is this walking food tour suitable for children or strollers?

Yes—the route is stroller-friendly and infants can ride along; just note some tastings may be more adult-oriented (like liqueur).

Where does the Palma food tour start and end?

The meeting point is Parc del Mar by the cathedral; it ends at Plaça del Cort after dessert.

How big are groups on this Palma walking food tour?

The group size is small—maximum 15 guests per group for a personal feel.

What should I bring for this day trip in Palma?

Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be walking cobbled streets—and bring your appetite!

What’s included

Your day includes all food tastings from convent cookies to panadas, sobrasada bread, seasonal tapas at Mercat de l’Olivar paired with Mallorcan wine, bottled water at the start, city map from your guide, plus dessert with ice cream and ensaimada near Plaça de Sant Francesc before ending at Plaça del Cort—all led by a passionate local guide who shares stories along every step.