Palma de Mallorca
Originally an Islamic fort, this mighty construction opposite the cathedral was converted into a residence for the Mallorcan monarchs at the end of the…
Must-see attractions in Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca
Palma’s vast cathedral ('La Seu' in Catalan) is the city's major architectural landmark. Aside from its sheer scale, treasures and undoubted beauty, its…
Palma de Mallorca
This house, palatial by any definition, was one of several residences of the phenomenally wealthy March family. Sculptures by 20th-century greats,…
Palma de Mallorca
Built with flair and innovation into the shell of the Renaissance-era seaward walls, this contemporary art gallery is one of the finest on the island. Its…
Palma de Mallorca
The 17th-century Can Gallard del Canya, a 17th-century mansion overlaid with minor Modernist touches, now houses a small but significant collection of…
Palma de Mallorca
Straddling a wooded hillside, the Castell de Bellver is a 14th-century circular castle (with a unique round tower), the only one of its kind in Spain…
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Palma de Mallorca
Located in the Palau Episcopal (Bishop’s Residence; a mainly Gothic ensemble dating to the 13th century), the Museu Diocesà, behind the cathedral to the…
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Palma de Mallorca
One of Palma’s oldest churches, the Franciscan Basílica de Sant Francesc was begun in 1281 in Gothic style, while the baroque facade, with its carved…
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Palma de Mallorca
One of Palma's most appealing boulevards, Passeig d’es Born is capped by Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I (named after the present king and formerly after Pope…
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Palma de Mallorca
These baths, dating from the 10th to 12th centuries, are the single most important remaining monument to the Muslim domination of the island, although all…
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Palma de Mallorca
One of Palma's most emblematic buildings, the permanent exhibition, entitled La Casa Posible, re-creates rooms of this former noble house from 1600–1951…
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Palma de Mallorca
The main claim to fame of the baroque Església de Santa Magdalena is as the resting place of Santa Catalina Thomàs of Valldemossa. Her clothed remains are…
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Palma de Mallorca
The 'Poor Clares' were one of the first orders to establish a presence in Palma, following the Reconquesta of 1229. The land on which the convent stands…
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Palma de Mallorca
The big Balearic building society, Sa Nostra, runs this cultural foundation in Can Castelló, where it stages exhibitions, performances and talks. Keep an…
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Palma de Mallorca
Plaça Major is a typically Spanish grandiose central square, lined with arcades, shops, cafes and restaurants (the burger chain jars somewhat). Lively by…
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Palma de Mallorca
Dominating the square that has long been the heart of municipal power in Palma is the ajuntament. The baroque facade hides a longer history: the town hall…
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Palma de Mallorca
The gorgeous 15th-century sandstone Sa Llotja, opposite the waterfront, was built as a merchants’ stock exchange. Designed by the Mallorcan sculptor…
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Palma de Mallorca
The gaudy baroque facade of the Església del Monti-Sion was converted from a Gothic synagogue. It got a serious baroque makeover, inside and out, in the…
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Palma de Mallorca
Housed in the wonderful Modernisme building (the island's first) that was once the Grand Hotel, this cultural centre and gallery is run by one of Spain's…
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Palma de Mallorca
A striking mix of styles, St Michael's is one of Palma's first four churches, built on the site of a mosque where the island's first Mass was celebrated…
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Església de Sant Crist de la Sang
Palma de Mallorca
Within the Hospital General (founded in the 16th century), you can behold the Gothic facade of this church. It is an object of pilgrimage and devotion,…
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Palma de Mallorca
The oldest parish church in Palma, raised after the 1229 conquest, the Església de Santa Eulàlia is a soaring Gothic structure with a neo-Gothic facade…
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Palma de Mallorca
Most of Palma's defensive walls were destroyed in the late 19th century to allow the overcrowded city to expand. Only a section of the Renaissance sea…
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Palma de Mallorca
This grand 18th-century baroque mansion with the typical Palma courtyard of graceful broad arches and uneven stone paving is at once a cultural centre…
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Palma de Mallorca
Gaspar Bennázar (1869–1933) – one of the most influential architects in modern Palma, his native city – played with various styles during his long career,…
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Palma de Mallorca
The 'Consulate of the Sea' was founded in 1326 as a maritime tribunal, adjudicating disputes among merchants, sailors and captains. The present building –…
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Palma de Mallorca
Work on the original Gothic Church of the Holy Cross, one of Palma's original parish churches, began in 1335. The main entrance (Carrer de Santa Creu 7)…
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Palma de Mallorca
More of a fort than a castle, the Castell de Sant Carles is home to the Museu Històric Militar. Built between 1610 and 1612 on the site of an old…
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Palma de Mallorca
The Claustre de Sant Antoniet is a baroque gem that belongs to the BBVA bank. The two-tiered, oval-shaped enclosure was built in 1768 and is now used for…
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Palma de Mallorca
The 'Circle of Fine Arts', an organisation with roots in the Civil War era, is devoted to nurturing literature and the fine arts in Palma. Casal Balaguer …
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Palma de Mallorca
Despite its baroque facade, this is one of Palma's older surviving Gothic churches. This grey soaring eminence is one of the first four parish churches to…
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Palma de Mallorca
This excellent city museum is housed in a rambling ensemble of 17th-century mansions on Carrer de la Portella. It showcases a collection of archaeological…
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Palma de Mallorca
A grand arch dominated by the Palau de l'Almudaina, the Arc de sa Drassana is one of the city's few extant reminders of its Arab past. When the Riera, the…
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Palma de Mallorca
Palma's long Jewish history is given some recognition in this small interpretation centre, attached to the Can Bordils. As well as illustrated panels…
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Palma de Mallorca
With its broad, cobbled courtyard, graced by tumescent cylindrical columns and a grand staircase, the Can Marquès is one of Old Palma's most beautiful…
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Palma de Mallorca
Adjoining the Palau Episcopal is the Jardí del Bisbe, a small, tranquil botanic garden that offers cool respite from a day's hot sightseeing. Stroll among…
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Palma de Mallorca
The arch over Carrer de l'Almudaina east of Can Bordils is intriguing for history buffs, part of a rare stretch of defensive wall and tower. It is said to…
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Centre Cultural Contemporani Pelaires
Palma de Mallorca
This private cultural centre – Palma's first dedicated contemporary-art space – is as interesting for its architecture as for its ever-changing…
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Palma de Mallorca
On the eastern rim of the Old Town you strike a portion of the 12th-century Arab city wall (with some heavy blocks from the Roman wall at the base),…
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Palma de Mallorca
This 16th-century mansion with a 17th-century courtyard is home to the Arxiu Municipal, which sometimes holds temporary exhibitions. Unlike many of Palma…
