7 places in Mallorca
Bellver Castle is a rare circular 14th-century fortress set in pine woods on a hill above Palma, with the best panoramic views of the city, bay and mountains. Its unusual round courtyard and rooftop walk are the highlights, and it houses the city's history museum. Entry is free on Sundays and public holidays, though it closes earlier those days at 3pm, so plan accordingly. Head up around 5pm on a normal day for golden-hour light from the roof. Reachable by a pleasant forest walk or a short taxi ride from the centre.
Cathedral La Seu is Palma's Gothic landmark, rising over the seafront beside the old royal palace. Inside, Gaudí's early-20th-century restoration and Miquel Barceló's ceramic chapel sit beneath one of the world's largest rose windows and 61 stained-glass windows that throw colour across the nave. Arrive when it opens, around 9am, to beat the crowds, and buy a timed ticket online to skip the queue. Twice a year the morning light aligns the rose window's reflection below itself, a famous spectacle. Allow an hour, and pause in the quiet park below afterwards.
Cuevas del Drach are the island's most famous caves, near Porto Cristo on the east coast. A guided walk winds past dramatic rock formations to Lake Martel, one of the world's largest underground lakes, where a live classical-music concert is performed from boats on the water before you take a short crossing yourself. The whole visit lasts about an hour and is a fine way to escape the midday heat. Book online and arrive ahead of your slot in summer, when it is very busy. A reliable crowd-pleaser for families and first-time visitors.
Es Baluard is Palma's contemporary art museum, built into the Renaissance-era sea walls above the old port. Alongside a strong permanent collection with island connections, it stages rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, and its rooftop terrace offers wide views over the port and the Cathedral. The walk around the ramparts is worth it on its own. Allow an hour or two, and check for reduced or free-entry times before you go. A rewarding stop for art lovers and anyone wanting a cultural break with a view in the centre of Palma.
Fundació Miró Mallorca preserves Joan Miró's former home and studios on the western edge of Palma at Cala Major. You can see the light-filled workshop, left much as the artist worked in it, alongside exhibitions of his paintings, sculptures and prints in a striking building by Rafael Moneo. The gardens and coastal setting add to the visit. Allow a couple of hours, and check opening days as it closes on Mondays. Essential for admirers of Miró and modern art, and a calmer cultural counterpoint to the busy old town.
Gordiola Glassworks is a family-run glassblowing factory on the Palma–Manacor road at Algaida, in business since 1719. You can watch artisans shape hand-blown glass at the furnace, tour the upstairs museum of glass gathered from around the world, and browse the shop for distinctive Mallorcan glassware to take home. It makes an easy, free-to-enter stop when driving across the island's centre, and appeals to families and craft lovers alike. Weekday mornings are the best time to catch the blowers at work. A genuine slice of island craft heritage.
Sa Llonja is a 15th-century Gothic building on Palma's waterfront, built as the merchants' trade exchange and considered a masterpiece of civil Gothic architecture. Its soaring, palm-like columns and vaulted hall now host temporary art exhibitions, which are usually free to enter. Even between shows, the interior and the surrounding La Llotja quarter are worth a look. Check what is on before visiting, as opening depends on the exhibition programme. A quick but rewarding cultural stop for architecture fans, easily combined with the nearby port and old-town streets.
