What to see in Mallorca with Mallorca Free Tour

What to see in Palma? – Parc de la Mar, the meeting point.

We meet in front of the Tourism Information Office in Parc de la Mar, close to the Cathedral, at 11 a.m. Are you ready to start and discover Palma de Mallorca?.

After the construction of the Avenue and the Paseo Marítimo (seaside promenade), there was a big empty area in front of the Renaissance wall. For preserving the beautiful memory of the Mediterranean sea lapping the walls and the reflection of the Cathedral above the sea, the Parc de la Mar was built.

About the Parc de la Mar

The iconic Parc de la Mar is, nowadays, the place where almost all the events take place, opened in 1984 after many demonstrations and the people’s pressure shouting: Parc si, Parking no! For its construction, some personalities, such as Joan Miró, took part.

The Parc de la Mar follows the wall, and it has a surface of almost 9 hectares, the same than nine football stadium.

To enjoy the Parc and see Palma, we are waiting for you at 11 a.m in Mallorca Free Tour.

What to see in Mallorca? Almudaina Palace

After the Parc de la Mar, in the palatial gardens of S’Hort des Rei, in front of the sculpture Es Foner (slinger), we will do a historical introduction about the evolutions of the city of Palma and then we will stop in front of the Almudaina Palace.

Almudaina is the royal palace or the Muslim citadel of Palma and nowadays it is National Heritage. In Arabic Almudaina means “citadel” or “fortress”.

That area was used by Romans and Muslims and even since the prehistory times! The current palace dates from 1281 and it is a modification of the Muslim citadel.

History and anecdotes of Almudaina Palace

After the Christian conquest of Mallorca by Jaume I, it became the Headquarter of the Government, almost all the Moorish part was destroyed and it became a gothic palace.

The tower of the Angel is the highest and an angel is working as a weather-vane. It is still working and for that reason in Palma came up a saying:  Te pareixes a s’angel del Palau, that means “you seem like the angel of the Palace” and refers to bipolar people.

Another anecdote is, such as the Orient Palace and the Zarzuela Palace both in Madrid, Almudaina Palace is the official summer residence of the royal family, however, they always stay in Marivent Palace and Almudaina Palace is used for receptions and ceremonies.

If you want to know more anecdotes and details about the Almudaina Palace and see Palma, we wait for you at 11 a.m!

What to see in Mallorca? The Cathedral of Mallorca

Our next stop is the Cathedral of Mallorca.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma de Mallorca, also called the Cathedral of Mallorca, the Cathedral of the Sea, Cathedral of the Light and the Seo in Majorca, is full of anecdotes and curiosities.

One of the most stunning details is its reflection above the seawater, being the only one in the world.

History of the Cathedral of Mallorca

Its construction starts with Jaume I, King of Aragon and earl of Barcelona, after the Christian conquest in 1229.
Jaume I promised to Virgin Mary that if he could conquer Mallorca he would create the most stunning temple to her, for that reason he purified the former mosque and built our Cathedral, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.

The construction of the Cathedral took 400 years; the works ended in 1630.
Restored several times, the Gaudi’s intervention in 1904 and Miquel Barceló’s in 2007 are the most important restorations.

The largest rose window of the Cathedral 

This rose window stands out for its size, as known as “ the Eye of the Gothic” and it is about 13 meters diameter, the biggest one of all the cathedrals of the Mediterranean area.

Formed by 1.236 colour stained-glasses and offers some magical effects, for instance, the “Vuit” (the eight): the 2nd February and the 11th November, during the sunrise, the largest rose window is projected below the other rose window, located on the west façade forming a magical eight.

We could write a thousand lines about the Cathedral, but we prefer to explain more things about this stunning building during our free tour.

What to see in Mallorca? The Jewish quarter of Palma

Located very close to the Cathedral, the Jewish quarter is known for its serenity, peace and quietness. 

History, mysteries and anecdotes surround the Jewish community of Mallorca, its origin dates back to ancient times

History, mysteries and facts of this community that lived in Palma de Mallorca

During the Middle and part of the Modern Age, in Palma there were two calls jueus, that refers to the Jewish quarter of the Aragon Kingdom.

The Jewish community of Mallorca came to have about three thousand people (approximately 15% of the total population of the city) during some years of the 14th Century.

In 1391 the peasant riot ended with the assault on the Jewish neighbourhood of the city of Mallorca. Finally, during the «Semana Santa» in 1435, the Jewish community disappeared.

Since the 17th Century, the converted Jews, called Xuetes (used as an insult), were marked until the first half of the 20th century, preventing marriages and relationships.

A lot of history, mysteries and anecdotes surround the Jewish community in Palma de Mallorca. Discover them with Mallorca Free Tour.

What to see in Mallorca? Famous typical Mallorcan courtyards or patios

The old town of Palma has a collection of large and small courtyards or patios.

Palma is the city of the courtyards. The old town would not be the same without the patios of the stately homes, a symbol of power and social status. Writers and chroniclers agree in remarking that the architecture of Palma has in these urban houses one of the most important references.

History and anecdotes of the Mallorcan courtyards

As an island that enjoys a strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea, Mallorca adopted the construction of residences with courtyards or patios as the most natural way to build. The origins are the traditional houses of Roman, Muslim and Catalan cultures.

A patio is a space located halfway between the street and the house. They all have a similar structure and had a social function of <<open doors>>.

The history of Palma’s courtyards dates back to the 13th Century. The oldest patio dates back to the 14th-15th Centuries. A document from the beginning of the 19th Century extracted from the Public Archive of Palma collects more than 500.
Today they have become institutional buildings, museums and, in many cases, independent houses where the Majorcans live.

They certainly caused and continue to cause admiration in those who have the pleasure to stop to appreciate it like the visitors to the Free Tour.

What to see in Mallorca? Santa Eulàlia church

After visiting the Mallorcan courtyards, we stop in front of the Parish Church of Santa Eulàlia the ancientest parish church of Majorca and one of the parishes or districts in which «Ciutat de Mallorques» was divided.

History of Santa Eulàlia’s parish church

It receives the name of the patron saint of Barcelona, very appreciated by the Catalans. For us, it is a significant church of our history, and for the Kingdom of Mallorca, because it was where were crowned Jaume II and Jaume III.

Built-in the 13th Century. But its façade and bell tower was remodelled during the 19th Century, due to the slight earthquake in Majorca in 1851.

The terraces surrounding the church show us a large number of gargoyles, representing figures of the Middle Age: demons, dragons or fantastic beasts used to protect the temple and frighten sinners.

If you want to see the fear they give, you can check out in Mallorca Free Tour.

What to see in Mallorca? The City Hall

We move to our next stop: the centre of Palma. The City hall of Palma is located in the emblematic Plaza de Cort, where firstly the Hospital of San Andrés was placed, later it became the House of the Court of the Kingdom of Majorca and nowadays the City hall.

The Plaza de Cort is considered the kilometre 0 of Majorca, the origin of the roads. 

In the centre we find the mythical and immense olive tree of Cort catalogued and protected by law and also transplanted here in 1989 from Pollensa as a symbol of peace. 

History of the city hall

The current building of the City hall was built between the years 1649 and 1680 as a traditional Mallorcan manor house in the countryside: three decreasing floors topped with a stunning corvel. 

On the facade, you can contemplate the balcony, the Rellotge d’en Figuera (clock of Figuera) or the “Bench of lazybones”.

Discover more of the city political life in Majorca Free Tour. 

What to see in Mallorca? The Modernist buildings 

Most of the Mallorcan modernist buildings follow the Catalan modernism trend. 

The Gran Hotel

Perhaps it is the most amazing modernist building of Palma. Located in Plaza Weyler, it was built in 1903 by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. 

The Grand Hotel was the most luxurious in Spain, until the inauguration of the Ritz (Madrid) in 1910. Innovations and luxuries include elevator, steam heating, running water and electricity.

The House Can Forteza Rey

It remembers us to Casa Batlló in Barcelona (Gaudi’s building). His promoter was José Forteza-Rey who worked as a goldsmith of the cathedral at the same time that Gaudí made the reform (1904-1914). 

The history of the building is quite curious: José Forteza Rey built the building for his sons: a pharmacy on the ground floor, a dental clinic on the first floor and the rest as a private residence. The mezzanine was his own house.

It emphasizes the decorative treatment, the polychrome ceramics of the Mallorcan factory «La Roqueta» and the monstrous or rather painful and suffering face, flanked by two winged dragons located on the second floor and above, the dentist sign «Dental clinic I. F. Rey «, efficent and artistic publicity, associating evil with the remedy.

The Águila Building

Nearby the house Forteza Rey, we found the building: l’Àguila. It was built in 1908 by the architect Gaspar Bennazar, popularly known as «S’Arquitecte», among his works also stand out S’Escorxador and the Paseo Sagrera.

The Àguila used as a shopping centre, and nowadays, it is a boutique hotel.

Discover more about the old city architecture and what to see in Mallorca with our free walking tour. 

What to see in Mallorca? The plaza Mayor

Very close to the City hall is the Plaza Mayor, the main square of Palma de Majorca. There is a local saying that <<All roads lead to Plaza Mayor>> as <<all roads lead to Rome>> and it is the current centre of the city of Palma.

From the Plaza Mayor start the main and busy city streets: San Miguel, Jaime II, via Sindicato, where there are many shops of traditional products, local and jewellery. On Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, there is a handicraft market.

History of Plaza Mayor 

During the 14th century, the Headquarter of the Inquisition was here until its definitive abolition in 1823. It was a place so dark and lugubrious that local people used to call the << Black House>>. Later, the square became a market, and after the Civil War, it became a square with fountains and gardens. The plaza is linked to the Rambla promenade by a staircase.

In 1969, the City Council approved the «Great Reform», creating the underground shopping centre and parking.

Discover more about the history of Palma and what to see in Mallorca with our Free Tour.

What to see in Mallorca? Sant Miquel street

This street is one of the main shopping areas in the centre of Palma. It is a narrow and long street and one of the busiest pedestrian streets.

Sant Miquel street belongs to the most traditional and cosy shopping area, next to Oms Street and Las Ramblas. It could be considered an open-air shopping centre, with plenty of shops, clothing and footwear, accessories, perfumeries, souvenirs, fabrics and Mallorcan embroideries.

In San Miguel, there are local and traditional shops of yesterday such as the historic Valldemossa Embroidery and the well-known Camper shoe shop, and famous brands such as Desigual, Mango and Sfera.

Sant Miquel’s parish church

In the middle of calle Sant Miquel you will find this parish church, one of the five parish churches of Palma (Santa Eulàlia, Sant Miquel, Sant Jaume, Santa Creu and Sant Nicolau).

History of the Church of Sant Miquel 

According to the tradition, during the Christian conquest of Majorca, the Archangel Warrior San Miguel appeared helping the Christians. After the victory, they built a church in honour of Sant Miquel. The carved portal, the bell tower and the church plant are the only architectural elements from the ancient Gothic church maintained. In 1632 the church suffered a refurbishing, and it became a Baroque-style church.

Discover more about the churches of Palma and what to see in Mallorca with our free walking tour. 

What to see in Mallorca? The Olivar Market

After walking through the old town we come to the Olivar Market. The markets have become one of the most attractive parts of many cities and the «Mercat de L’Olivar» is the largest and most complete municipal market in Palma. 

History of the Olivar Market

The building was built in 1951 and it is an illuminated building following the Mediterranean architecture trends. Before to become the market, where it was located the Verge de Olivar nunnery.

The Mallorcan variat

Variat means “mix” and it is a combination of dishes from Mallorcan cuisine in the same dish, you can taste it in this market, being one of the main reasons to visit it.

Discover more about the Mallorcan food and what to see in Mallorca with our Free Tour.

What to see in Mallorca? Plaza España

As in other cities, the Plaza de España is a neuralgic point of Palma communications. 

Many avenues, streets and squares converge here, it is a perfect point to finish the tour of Mallorca Free Tour and to go to eat to any of the restaurants that we found in the surroundings. Depending on your tastes, do not hesitate to ask our guides on where to go to eat well.

Jaume I statue

In plaza España is the equestrian statue in honour of Jaime I, the Conqueror, opened on January 20, 1927.

A myth explains that depending on how the legs of the horse are placed, you can know how the horseman died: the four on the ground floor would mean natural death, one leg raised died due an illness, disease or wounded in a battle and two legs raised mean that the horseman died in combat. 

Discover more stories, history and legends with our free walking tour in Majorca.