Palma de MallorcaOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Roman Camp to Moorish Medina

Palma de Mallorca's story begins before its current Gothic skyline. The Romans founded Palma around 123 BC, establishing a camp on the remains of a Talaiotic settlement. They developed the island, focusing on salt mining and olive cultivation, and Palma became a trade center, connecting to Carthage and other Roman cities.

As the Roman Empire declined, Palma, then known as Medina Mayurqa, came under Byzantine rule in 534 AD. Almost two centuries later, in 902 AD, the Moors from North Africa conquered the island, incorporating it into the Caliphate of Córdoba. Under Moorish rule, Palma developed into an urban center in the western Mediterranean. The city's defensive walls and its streets, designed to catch breezes and provide shade, were laid out during this period. The Moorish influence is visible in the narrow streets of the Old Town and the Banys Àrabs.

The Christian Reconquest and a Golden Age

In 1229, King James I of Aragon reconquered Mallorca. This led to the island's incorporation into the Crown of Aragon and the beginning of a new Christian era, with the construction of religious buildings. The Cathedral of Santa Maria, known as La Seu, began construction shortly after the conquest in 1229, built directly on the site of the city's central mosque. The Palau de l'Almudaina, originally a Muslim alcázar, was transformed into a royal palace by King James II in the 14th century, blending its Moorish past with Gothic architecture. Palma's location fostered trade with Catalonia, Valencia, Provence, the Maghreb, and Italian republics, ushering in a golden age that lasted until the Aragonese conquest in 1344.

• —La Seu Cathedral — This Gothic cathedral, built between 1229 and 1601, stands by the waterfront. It has a large rose window, which casts light across the interior.
• —Palau de l'Almudaina — Originally a Muslim fortress from the 10th century, this royal palace was transformed in the 14th century by King James II. Visitors can explore the King's and Queen's rooms, the Royal Chapel, and the Gothic hall, observing a mix of Moorish and Gothic architectural styles.
• —Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths) — These 10th-century baths are among the few remaining examples of Moorish architecture in Palma. The central room features horseshoe arches and a dome with small skylights.
• —Església de Santa Eulàlia — One of Palma's older churches, built in 1236 on the site of a former Moorish mosque. This Gothic church has a nave, high vaults, and a bell tower. A spiral staircase leads to the rooftop terrace.
• —S'Hort del Rei Gardens — These medieval gardens, of Andalusian origin, date back to the Moorish period and are near the Palau de l'Almudaina. They offer a green space with fountains, pergolas, and sculptures.
• —Carrer de l'Almudaina — This street runs near the cathedral and Almudaina Palace, and is part of the Dalt Murada, a section of the medieval stone wall that once surrounded Palma.
• —Carrer dels Argenters — This street is in the former Jewish Quarter, known as the Call, and shows the historical layout of this community within Palma.

The best time to visit Palma de Mallorca is during spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October). Temperatures are mild, ranging from 19 to 24°C, suitable for sightseeing. Crowds are lighter than in summer. The sea is warm enough for swimming into September.

Summer (July and August) is peak season, with temperatures around 29-30°C and crowded beaches. Prices for accommodation are at their highest. Winter (November to March) is milder, but cooler and wetter, especially in the Tramuntana Mountains. Many hotels outside Palma close for the season.

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is the main gateway. From there, the city center is reachable by bus or taxi. Palma is a compact city, and its old town is walkable; most major sights are within a 20-minute walk.

For longer distances, Palma has a public bus network (EMT). For other areas of Mallorca, Transports de les Illes Balears (TIB) buses depart from the Intermodal Station at Plaça d'Espanya.

Finding free parking in the city center is difficult. Public underground car parks are available at Parc de la Mar, Via Roma, or Plaça d'Espanya. Street parking in blue zones (Zona Azul) is paid during specific hours (typically Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00, and sometimes Saturday mornings), and usually free outside these hours, on Sundays, and public holidays. Check local signs for exact times.