Romans, Byzantines and Arabs had settled one after the other in Mallorca before the Catalans arrived. In the Arab days it was called Medina Mayurqa and they really liked to bath. They built their baths, called hammams, using materials left behind by the Romans and Byzantines. They used old bits of columns and capitals and voila! A bath!

The Arabs built well. The baths in Mallorca are over a thousand years old. One may not vouch for the plumbing, but the building materials are still good. Maybe shabby, but ok. The hot room and warm room of the Arab Baths are still extant but the cold room is no more.

The hot room is a square room. It has 12 columns and a domed ceiling. It is a gallery with a barrel vault. The room has 24 holes for ventilation. The dome has five holes to let in light and fresh air. There is a small well-tended garden attached to the baths. The garden has a jasmine archway, subtropical trees and plants. An afternoon enjoyment.

The baths are only a walk of a minute or so from the Palma Cathedral. They open at 9am to 6pm in the evening in winter and until 7:30pm from April to November.

Court Square (Placa de Cort), nestled in the historic heart of Palma de Mallorca, is a captivating meeting point that unites local life with centuries of tradition. Known in Catalan as “Plaça Cort”, the plaza takes its name from its medieval role as the gathering place for the royal and judicial court or “Cort” of the Kingdom of Mallorca. Today, it forms the vibrant center of civic life, often hosting public events such as Christmas celebrations or the Festa de l’Estendard on December 31st-one of Europe’s oldest civic festivals commemorating the Christian conquest of the city.

Anchoring the square is the striking Palma Town Hall, whose elegant façade blends Baroque and Mannerist elements. This grand building was erected between 1649 and 1680, crafted by renowned local architects Pere Bauçá, Miquel Oliver, and Bartomeu Calafat. Its decorative balcony, the distinctive Rellotge d’en Figuera (Figuera's watch), and the iconic “banc del si no fos” bench are just a few of the highlights that give the Town Hall its character and historical resonance as a symbol of civic pride.

The centerpiece of the Court Square is the ancient “Olivera de Cort,” a gnarled olive tree estimated to be over 600 years old. Transplanted in 1989 from the Pedruixella Petit estate in Pollença, this majestic tree now symbolizes peace and continuity. Visitors delight in searching its twisted trunk for hidden shapes and local legends, including the whimsical "Orella de Mallorca"-an ear-shaped knot in the bark.

Surrounding the plaza are charming cafés, ice‑cream terraces (Giovanni’s being a popular pick), and cozy eateries-the perfect backdrop for a reflective pause under the olive tree with a scoop in hand. A leisurely stop here offers not just refreshment, but immersion into Palma’s social essence, connecting you with locals and the layers of Mallorcan heritage in one picturesque square.

Main Square is one of Palma de Mallorca’s most lively and historically layered public spaces, located at the heart of the Old Town. Despite its relaxed atmosphere today, the site has a far darker past. Until 1823, it was occupied by the Convent of Saint Philip Neri, which had effectively served as the headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition in Mallorca. Few mourned its demolition, and about a decade later, work began on creating the square that now occupies the site.

The resulting plaza is a large, rectangular space, fully tiled and closed to motor traffic. Three- and four-storey porticoed buildings line its edges, creating a sense of enclosure while offering shaded walkways at street level.

Main Square sits close to several important landmarks, including the Churches of Saint Michael and Saint Eulalia, as well as the Town Hall and the Main Theatre, making it a natural crossroads within the historic centre. Streets leading out of the square are packed with shops, cafés, and galleries, keeping the area busy throughout the day.

Today, Main Square is animated by restaurants, cafés, art galleries, and frequent street performers. An artisan market is held here every week, adding to the square’s lively character. Once a place of fear and judgment, Main Square has become one of Palma’s most social spaces—a fitting transformation at the heart of the city.

Gran Hotel is one of Palma de Mallorca’s most distinctive historic buildings and a landmark of the city’s early modern era. Completed in 1903, it was Palma’s first luxury hotel and the forerunner of high-end tourism on the island. Designed by master architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, a pioneering figure of Catalan Modernisme, the building represents a style made internationally famous by Antoni Gaudí’s work in Barcelona.

Architecturally, Gran Hotel is a textbook example of Modernisme. Its façade is lavishly decorated in an Art Nouveau manner, with sculpted stone figures, ornate ceramic elements, floral motifs, and wrought-iron details. At the time of its opening, the hotel was considered the most sumptuous in Spain, symbolizing Mallorca’s ambition to present itself as a refined destination for cultured European travellers.

The building functioned as a hotel until the mid-20th century, after which it passed through several uses before being carefully restored. Today, it houses the Caixa Foundation cultural centre, part of a foundation created by CaixaBank that supports artistic and cultural activities across Spain and abroad.

Gran Hotel offers much more than architectural interest. Inside, it hosts exhibitions, concerts, and conferences, as well as a permanent pictorial collection of works by the Mallorcan painter Anglada Camarasa. A quiet café and bookstore provide a comfortable space to pause and reflect.

Born Passage is one of Palma de Mallorca’s most elegant and historically layered promenades, linking the Old Town with the former port area. Its origins stretch back to the medieval period, when this open space lay just outside the city walls and was used for tournaments, military drills, and public gatherings. The name “Born” is thought to derive from medieval jousting grounds.

In its modern form, the promenade dates largely to the 19th century, when Palma expanded beyond its fortifications. The Born was laid out over the former riverbed of the Riera torrent, which once divided the city. For more than a hundred years, this tree-lined avenue has hosted feasts, demonstrations, public events, and generations of peaceful strollers. A wide central promenade runs between two traffic lanes, originally designed for vehicles moving in each direction. Today, vehicle traffic is strictly limited, giving the entire area the feel of a pedestrian plaza.

Architecturally, the Born is framed by grand townhouses whose ground floors now house galleries, boutiques, and cafés. Landmarks along the promenade include the Solleric Mansion, a former palace turned exhibition space, and the site of the old Born Cinema, now occupied by a Zara store. During the Franco era, the dictator attempted to rename the avenue “Franco Passage,” but locals continued to call it simply the Born.

The passage is ideal for an evening walk. From here, views open toward the Royal Palace of La Almudaina and Palma Cathedral, both especially atmospheric after dark. Cafés and terraces invite lingering, and even small rituals—such as stopping for vegan ice cream at a place called Dolce—fit naturally into the rhythm of the promenade.

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina is one of Palma de Mallorca’s most important historic monuments, standing directly opposite the cathedral and overlooking the bay. Its origins lie in the Islamic period, when it functioned as the fortified palace of Mallorca. Built on earlier Roman and possibly Byzantine foundations, the complex served as the seat of Muslim governors until the Christian conquest of Mallorca in 1229.

Following the conquest by King James I of Aragon, the palace was adapted for Christian rule. Its most significant transformation came in 1309, when King James II of Mallorca ordered a major reconstruction based on the Royal Palace of Perpignan. This rebuilding established much of the structure and layout that define La Almudaina today. By the 14th century, the palace had assumed its enduring form as a Gothic royal residence, while still preserving traces of its Islamic past, particularly in its courtyards and baths.

To enter the palace premises, look for the arched gateway with a balcony above it. As soon as you clear security, you will walk straight into the King’s Courtyard, easily recognized by the white marble lion fountain at its center. One of the palace’s highlights is the Chapel of Saint Anne, located along the western wall of the courtyard. Its exterior portal immediately stands out, crafted from rose and white marble from the Pyrenees. In contrast to this Romanesque entrance—one of the few surviving examples of the style on the island—the chapel’s interior reflects classic Mallorcan Gothic. Inside, look for the 14th-century alabaster altarpiece and the central rose window, which floods the small space with colorful light.

The most impressive and largest room in the palace is the Great Hall. It is the first major hall you enter after climbing the staircase flanked by two lion statues in the courtyard. Once inside, look up at the massive pointed Gothic arches and the high vaulted ceilings. Along the walls hang Flemish tapestries from the 16th and 17th centuries, depicting intricate mythological and historical scenes. The hall remains the setting for official state receptions when the Spanish royal family is in residence.

Overall, the palace’s interior spaces are clearly differentiated by level. The ground floor maintains a distinctly medieval atmosphere, with art, furnishings, and tapestries dating largely from the 15th century. The upper floor, reserved for official royal acts, is more formal in tone and decorated with artworks and objects from the 17th, 18th, and 20th centuries.

The palace can get quite crowded in the mid-morning when cruise ship tours arrive. For the best experience and to see the Great Hall without the crowds, try to visit during the first hour of opening or in the late afternoon.

La Llotja, the old Maritime Trade Exchange, is a masterpiece of bourgeois Gothic architecture. It may be found next to La Seu, or Palma Cathedral, on the Avenue Gabriel Roca. The Trade Exchange was founded in Barcelona by a privilege granted by King Marti I in 1403. The exchange moved to Mallorca in 1452 to be housed in La Llotja.

The Exchange regulated trade and maintained the port of Palma. Business transactions could be conducted in the la Llotja building. As maritime trade fell off, la Llotja became merely a goods depot. It was an arms factory and arsenal in the Napoleonic wars and after the factory, it was a courthouse. From 1886 to 1962 it was a museum.

Architect Guillem Sanear began construction in 1426. It was completed in 1447 by Guillermo Vilasolar. In 1452 the Maritime Trade Exchange moved in. During this time the building formed a part of the city's defense walls. Four towers were set up on the four corners of the cube-shaped building. The building was almost touched by the sea.

Inside is a single space. Two rows of twisted columns support a vaulted ceiling. Above the main entrance is a sculpture of The Angel of Merchants in the tympanum.

In the last thirty years the Llotja has been a center for art shows, events and political meetings. It has been recently restored and the roof is now a terraced flat roof. Groups may ascend to the roof with permission. It is open daily except Monday.

Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver), perched atop the lush Puig de Sa Mesquida just 3 kilometers west of Palma’s historic core, offers visitors both architectural intrigue and breathtaking vistas. Built between 1300 and 1310 by order of King Jaume II of Mallorca and designed by Pere Salvà (who also worked on the Royal Palace of La Almudaina), this castle is one of the few truly circular fortresses in Europe-its round outer curtain wall, central courtyard, and three surrounding towers seamlessly define its rare form.

Originally conceived as a royal residence, Bellver Castle served the kings of Mallorca only briefly-Jaume II, Sanç I, and Jaume III all stayed for short periods. As political tides shifted, the fortress was repurposed: by the 18th century, it had become a military prison, holding notable figures such as Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, and continued in this function through Spain’s wars and civil conflicts until the early 20th century.

Today, the castle is a welcoming cultural icon under the care of Palma’s city government. Inside lies the City History Museum (Museu d’Història de la Ciutat), tracing Palma’s evolution from Roman and Moorish times through to the modern era, with displays of ceramics, maps, sculpture, and city artefacts. Visitors can stroll among the Gothic arches of the two‑level courtyard, climb to the rooftop terrace, and explore the structure’s hidden recesses-from former dungeons to a cistern within the courtyard well.

For tourists, Bellver Castle rewards both curiosity and wonder: artfully blending medieval Gothic elegance with formidable military design, it also offers panoramic views across the Bay of Palma, the Sierra de Tramuntana, and the city rooftops. Surrounded by pine‑clad forest and linked to the city via a scenic uphill walk or local bus route, it’s a must-see landmark whose name, meaning “beautiful view,” lives up to every bit of expectation.