At the edge of the Bastion of Sant Pere stands Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani de Palma. The bastion is part of the Renaissance city wall that surrounded Palma until the beginning of the 20th century. The museum displays temporary exhibitions and an important collection of contemporary art in the historic setting of the fortress walls. Its central courtyard hosts cultural activities and allows visitors to explore the museum outdoors. The collection, changing exhibitions and courtyard offer different perspectives on the same place.
Art and Palma’s City Walls
The surviving remains of the historic walls can be explored on an easy route with four key stops. This brings two different approaches to the subject of the walls together: the museum at the edge of a particular bastion and a route to the surviving wall remains. Palma’s streets also invite visitors to explore the city’s history through its different architectural forms. They feature palaces, churches, castles, monasteries, courtyards and gardens of Roman, Muslim and Christian origin.
Castle, Museum and Palace
Bellver Castle is a Gothic castle with a circular floor plan. It has three original towers as well as the Torre del Homenaje, which was added later. The castle also houses Palma’s Museum of the History of the City, which traces the city’s development under Roman, Muslim and Christian rule. A 360-degree view over the Bay of Palma and the island of Mallorca complements this architectural and historical perspective.
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina offers a different perspective: it reflects the Roman, Islamic and Christian phases of Palma’s history and served as the residence of the Kings of Mallorca. Together with Bellver, it shows how differently Palma’s history can be read through individual buildings: here, in a Gothic castle with a city history museum; there, in a palace with several historical phases and a former function as a royal residence.
Market and Getting Around the City
Mercat de l’Olivar is located in Palma’s historic centre. Its stalls offer tastings and tapas, as well as food to take away or enjoy on site. This means a visit to the market can take different forms: a quick stop for a sample or a chance to enjoy a meal there.
Public transport is also part of Palma’s urban setting. The city has an extensive public transport network; EMT manages the 31 bus routes that make up the urban transport network. The most common way to travel to Mallorca is by air, via Palma de Mallorca Airport. There are direct connections from many European cities to major Spanish and international cities.
Mallorca: Urban History and Mountain Landscapes
On Mallorca, the Serra de Tramuntana offers a landscape perspective alongside Palma’s buildings and urban history. The Serra is a UNESCO World Heritage mountain landscape, with cliffs descending to the sea, green valleys and clear streams. Its cultural landscape is shaped by agricultural terraces, interconnected waterworks including watermills, dry-stone structures and farmhouses. At the same time, the Serra de Tramuntana is the largest protected natural area in the Balearic Islands.
The routes also differ in their described courses. The GR-221, also known as the Ruta de la Pedra en Sec, crosses the Serra de Tramuntana on Mallorca. The Artà-Lluc GR-222 route connects the Llevant mountain ranges and their natural park with the central area of the Serra de Tramuntana. Mallorca therefore offers two distinct route connections: one route through the Serra and another linking the Llevant mountain ranges, including their natural park, with the central area of the Serra.
Discover more destinations: Can Pastilla, Establiments, S'aranjassa, Son Ferriol, Vileta, Es Pil Larí, Gènova, Son Gual, Son Sardina, Son Vida, Cala Major.
For the overview of the wider destination: Mallorca.
