Palma has been a city for over 2,000 years — founded by the Romans in 123 BC, shaped by Arab rule, reconquered by a medieval Spanish king, and still standing with most of that history visible on foot. The cathedral took 372 years to build. The castle has been on its hill since 1311. The streets of the old town have outlasted every plan anyone has ever made to visit them quickly.
Bellver Castle
Built between 1300 and 1311 by King James II of Mallorca, Bellver is one of the only circular Gothic castles in Europe. It sits on a wooded hill above the city — reachable on foot through the park (steep, bring water, comfortable shoes) or as a stop on the hop-on hop-off bus. The views from the ramparts take in the cathedral, the harbour, and the full curve of the bay. Entry costs a few euros; budget at least two hours.
La Seu Cathedral
Construction began in 1229 after the Christian reconquest of Mallorca. It was completed in 1601 — 372 years of work, and you feel it when you're standing in front of it. The facade is enormous enough that getting it in a single photo requires pressing yourself against the building opposite and shooting almost straight up. Worth seeing from every angle: from the park below, from the open-top bus, and from the lake to the south.
The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Route & Stops
One Red Route, 19 stops, open-top double-decker. The bus runs 10:00–17:30 and covers the whole city in a single loop.
1 Antoni Maura
2 Plaça del Mercat
3 La Rambla / Carrer dels Horts
4 Plaça d'Espanya
5 Av. Alexandre Roselló
6 Av. Gabriel Alomar i Villalonga
7 Passeig Marítim (Els Molins)
8 Plaça des Pont
9 Poble Espanyol
10 Castell de Bellver
11 Plaça Gomila
12 Av. Joan Miró
13 / 13B Castillo San Carlos
14 Estació Marítima
15 Mercat 1930
16 Av. Gabriel Roca (Auditorium)
17 Av. Jaume III
18 Moll Comercial
The last bus leaves Stop 1 at 17:15. It reaches Poble Espanyol (Stop 9) at approximately 17:35 and Bellver Castle (Stop 10) at approximately 17:45 — but if the castle barrier is closed, the last bus that stops at Bellver is the 16:30 departure. Ticket is valid for 24 hours, includes a city map, headphones and audio commentary in 8 languages. Buses are wheelchair accessible; dogs in carriers are allowed.
Getting to Palma from Magaluf
Public bus from Magaluf to Palma — pay by card at the door. One important detail: tap your card when you board at the front, and tap again at the middle door when you exit. Skip that second tap and the system charges you to the last stop. Official taxis (taxi sign on roof) are regulated and reliable — often better than ride apps for shorter trips.
Tips & Lifehacks
Bus card — tap twice. Tap when you board at the front, and tap again at the middle door when you exit. Skip the second tap and the system charges you all the way to the last stop. Small fine, completely avoidable.
Skip the taxi apps. Official cabs with the taxi sign on the roof are regulated, reliable, and often cheaper than the big ride services.
Bellver Castle — budget 2 hours and bring water. Entry is around €9 per person — and you cannot buy tickets at the castle entrance itself. The ticket office is located at the car park, about 200 metres away. Buy there first, then head up. The walk through the park is steep in the heat — comfortable shoes are not optional.
Hop-on hop-off: last bus at 17:15, not 17:30. Even the shortened last run covers the harbour, the forest road to the castle, and the cathedral stop — so it's worth catching even at the end of the day.
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