The old town of Palma de Mallorca is especially known for its narrow, winding streets, whose charming flair captivates every visitor. In addition, there is an impressive highlight to discover around almost every corner.
Anyone familiar with the small towns on Mallorca will not be surprised by the appearance of Mallorca's capital. In Palma, you'll find the same narrow streets, the same charming stone houses, the same splashes of color from gorgeous bougainvilleas, and thus the same Mediterranean flair - just a bit more spacious, pompous, and busy.
The picturesque old town of Palma de Mallorca is a captivating mixture of Spanish-Catalan and Arabic architecture. The many narrow streets are partly connected only by stairs, which is why the old town of Palma is also ideally explored on foot and is mostly completely car-free.
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Catedral La Seu
The greatest highlight of Palma de Mallorca is, of course, its cathedral, the Catedral La Seu. If it is enthroned in an omnipotent presence above the waterfront of Palma, its towers can only be made out here and there between the roofs in the winding streets. Those who stand before its mighty walls can hardly escape their amazement.
Palau de l'Almudaina
Right next to Palma Cathedral is the massive palace where the King of Spain resided when in Mallorca. Originally it was already built by the Moors as a fortress and residence, but not much remained of their construction after the expansion by King Jaume II to the Majesty Palace. Meanwhile, it serves as the seat of the military command of Mallorca.
The chambers of the Spanish sovereigns have been turned into a museum with Flemish tapestries and precious furnishings from various eras. In the courtyard you can visit the Gothic chapel of Santa Ana.
Parc de la Mar
The idyllic "sea park" is located directly between the waterfront and Palma Cathedral. The artificial lake in the Parc de la Mer is actually a sea channel, which spreads a pleasant coolness including fountains. On its shore, some benches shaded by countless palm trees invite you to stroll and linger.
From the opposite side there is an impressive panoramic view of the cathedral and the Palau de l'Almudaina. On this side is also the colorful mural of the Spanish painter Joan Miró, who spent the last years of his life in Palma de Mallorca.
La Llotja
Llotja translates as "stock exchange," and that's exactly what this masterpiece of civic Gothic architecture once was. The secular building from the middle of the 15th century is located a little away from the cathedral, along the harbor promenade. The Felanitx-born architect Guillem Sagrera also contributed to the construction of the Catedral la Seu.
Apparently, he liked the cathedral so much that he incorporated several stylistic elements of the church also in the sea trade exchange. Anyone standing in front of the impressive building is no longer surprised that Emperor Charles V considered the Llotja a church in the 16th century.
Palma de Mallorca Museums
The old town of Palma can almost be called an open-air museum itself. Almost around every corner there is something interesting to discover. Whether it is one of the total of 31 churches, neat archways, or the approximately 150 picturesque courtyards that are hidden behind the wrought iron grilles of the numerous noble palaces.
Museu Palau March
If you walk up the stairs from La Llotja in the direction of the cathedral, you will pass the Museu Palau March. The architecture of this magnificent palace is reminiscent of the 16th century, but in fact it was only commissioned in 1939 by the builder, bank founder and multimillionaire Juan March, including magnificent furnishings.
The murals in the staircase and music hall are by Catalan master Josep Maria Sert. The exhibits in the museum are also worth seeing, including a fantastic collection of modern sculptures and an 18th-century Neapolitan Christmas crib.
Museu Diocésa
On the other side of the cathedral is the Museu Diocésa, built in the 13th century as a bishop's palace. The highlights of the exhibition in the Diocesan Museum are an imposing painting of St. George as the dragon slayer against the backdrop of Palma, Spanish ceramics and several works created by Gaudí for the Catedral la Seu.
Museu de Mallorca
Unassuming from the outside, the Museu de Mallorca on Carrer Portella, two alleys east of the Museu Diocésa, is one of the city's finest museums. The exhibits in the Renaissance palace of Can Aiamans range from the historic Talayotic culture to the Moorish period and 20th-century art.
Banys Àrabs
The Arab Baths are located very close to the Museu de Mallorca. They represent the only preserved building from the Moorish period of Mallorca. They probably date back to the 10th century. However, one should not expect too much from the interior. However, the capitals of the columns in the dome-crowned caldarium are remarkable. They are all of different origin and thus probably even older than the building itself.
Basilica Sant Francesc
Next to the cathedral, the impressive Basilica Sant Francesc is the most important church in Mallorca. It was founded in 1281 by King Jaume II and extensively renovated in the 17th century. The magnificent portal by the famous sculptor Francisco Herrera with the no less impressive rose window above it dates from this period.
The point continues inside. The exuberant Baroque altar and the beautiful late Gothic cloister are worth seeing, as well as the alabaster sarcophagus of the Mallorcan philosopher and theologian Ramón Llul.
Right next to the portal guards a statue of Junipéro Serra, that Mallorcan missionary from the small town of Petra who went to America and founded San Francisco.
Església Santa Eulàlia
Just a cross street away, the Església Santa Eulàlia stretches its neo-Gothic bell tower into the sky. The graceful church is one of Palma's oldest and was built shortly after the Christian reconquest of Mallorca as the only church with three naves. Today's facade dates from the early 20th century and hides several Gothic paintings.
Plaça Major
Shortly before Plaça Major, just north of Església Santa Eulàlia, it's worth making a short stop at Plaça Marquès del Palmer. Here, the splendidly decorated facades of the two Modernist beauties L'Aguila and Can Rei from 1909 are inspiring. The latter is considered the highlight of Modernist buildings on Mallorca influenced by Antoni Gaudí.
The Plaça Major itself forms the center of the old town of Palma. Harmoniously bordered by several cafes and restaurants, tourist life takes place here. Street vendors offer their wares and eager local staff want to make their current menu palatable to passers-by.
Lower town of Palma de Mallorca
From the Plaça Major, a staircase leads to the lower town to the theater of Palma de Mallorca. The steps open onto a larger street lined with several buildings worth seeing. On the left, the unusually shaped Modernist facades of the Edifici Casasayas catch the eye. Clearly influenced by Antoni Gaudí, the forms were designed in the early 20th century by architect Francesc Roca.
On the left side rises the magnificent Gran Hotel on Plaça Weyler. It also dates from the early 20th century and was built by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, a famous exponent of Catalan Art Nouveau. Within its elaborately decorated exterior walls, you'll find a chic café, an art bookstore, and changing exhibitions.
Just across the street is the next eye-catcher. The Forn d'es Teatre is probably the most photographed bakery on Mallorca due to its elaborate Art Nouveau decoration.
PICTURES: Old Town of Palma de Mallorca
Photo gallery: Old Town of Palma de Mallorca
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