Palma Old Town: The Ultimate Day Trip from Majorca Resorts

Walk straight down the central nave at mid-morning when the eastern sun strikes the 12-metre-wide rose window (the "Gothic Eye"), projecting vibrant jewel tones across the sandstone pillars. Don't miss Antoni Gaudí’s wrought-iron crown canopy suspended over the altar, nor Miquel Barceló’s textured, contemporary ceramic mural depicting the miracle of the loaves and fishes in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

Located directly across Plaça de la Seu, this fortress preserves its Muslim Alcázar layout overlaid with 14th-century Gothic halls built for the Kings of Majorca. Step out onto the Brollador Courtyard and the sea-facing terrace arcades for panoramic perspectives over the harbour and the gardens of S'Hort del Rei below.

Wind through the quiet alleys of the Calatrava quarter to Carrer de Can Serra 7. This 10th-century domed caldarium is one of the only intact vestiges of Moorish Medina Mayurqa, featuring 12 horseshoe arches resting on salvaged Roman and Byzantine capitals. Spend a few peaceful moments in the enclosed walled garden, lush with orange trees, bougainvillea, and palms.

Operating since 1700, this is Palma’s oldest café-chocolaterie, complete with hand-painted Majorcan floor tiles and vintage glass chandeliers. Order a savoury *pa amb oli* (crusty Mallorcan country bread with ramallet tomatoes, native olive oil, and cured Serrano ham or Mahón cheese), followed by their legendary spiral *ensaimada llibret* or an airy *cuarto* sponge cake paired with traditional homemade almond ice cream (*gelat d'ametlla*).

Stroll beneath the canopy of plane trees on Palma’s premier salon, flanked by sphinx statues and stately aristocratic townhouses. Peek inside the baroque courtyard of Casal Solleric (free entry), explore curated Balearic concept stores and independent jewellers along adjacent Carrer de la Unió and Carrer de Sant Feliu, and admire the Catalan *modernisme* façades dotting the neighbouring squares.

Catch a quick 10-minute taxi from Passeig des Born up to this pine-covered hilltop fortress, commissioned by King James II in 1300. As one of Europe's extraordinarily rare circular Gothic castles, its central round courtyard and twin-tiered arcades are mesmerizing. Climb to the upper roof battlements before the 17:15 ticket cutoff to witness a 360-degree golden hour over the Bay of Palma, the mega-yacht marina, and the distant Serra de Tramuntana mountains.