10 Best Historic Things to See in Mallorca

Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca towers above the city of Palma, serving as one of the most recognisable landmarks in Mallorca. The ornate, sandstone building overlooks both Palma Old Town and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Roman Catholic cathedral, also known as La Seu or Palma Cathedral, was built during the reign of King James I of Aragon in 1229. It has over 60 stained-glass windows, including a central rose window above the main entrance. Another standout feature of the church is its ornamental wrought-iron baldachin, designed by Antoni Gaudí in 1901.

Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver) is a circular Gothic structure on a hill close to the city of Palma. Built in the 14^th century, this formidable royal fortress has a central courtyard surrounded by 3 towers. It’s one of the few circular castles in Europe, with expansive views of Mallorca and Palma Bay.

Bellver Castle also houses the Palma Museum of Municipal History, which showcases artefacts from the Roman, Arab, and Spanish periods of the island’s history. Classical music by the Balearic Symphony Orchestra takes place at the castle every summer, usually in July.

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina (Palau Reial de l'Almudaina) is an impressive landmark next to the Palma Cathedral in Mallorca. The complex serves as the official residence of the King and Queen of Spain, as well as the venue for royal ceremonies on the island.

The castle is open for public viewing, so you can explore its many opulent rooms and courtyards. The Capilla de Santa Ana is a Gothic Romanesque-style chapel with a Pyrenean marble portal – one of the few remaining designs in Mallorca. During summer, you can visit the Royal Palace of La Almudaina for free on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.

The Sanctuary of Sant Salvador is a 14^th-century monastery on the summit of Puig de Sant Salvador, which sits 509 metres above sea level. Inside, you can find a Gothic 15^th-century altarpiece and religious paintings. Pilgrims often come here to leave offerings to La Mare de Déu de la Salut and the Virgin Mary.

Known locally as Santuari de la Mare de Déu de Sant Salvador, the monastery is flanked by a couple of monuments – a 14-metre-tall stone cross and a sculpture of Christ standing atop a 37-metre-high platform. The Sanctuary of Sant Salvador is around 8 km southeast of Felanitx. The winding road leading to the summit is very popular among experienced cyclists.

The Basílica de San Francisco is a 13^th-century Roman Catholic church in Palma Old Town. It’s one of Mallorca’s best historic buildings, thanks to its intricate gothic cloister and baroque sandstone facade. Here, you can check out statues and artwork telling the story of the island's iconic figures, relax in the serene courtyard, and simply take in the grand structure.

The Basílica de San Francisco’s vaulted ceiling features stonework and sculptures dating back to the 14th century. Wall carvings showcase notable events, such as the massacre of 19 Catholics in Holland in 1572. You can also visit the tomb of Ramon Llull, a philosopher and poet who was stoned to death in 1315 for attempting to convert Muslims in Tunisia.

The Carthusian Monastery Valldemossa was built in the 14th century as a royal residence and was later turned into a monastery. The building, also known as Valldemossa Charterhouse, lies within the Tramuntana Mountains. It was the winter home of famous composer Frédéric Chopin between 1838 and 1839.

When you visit, you can roam through the gardens, explore the library, and enjoy panoramic views of Mallorca from the terraces. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a piano concert performance of Chopin’s most famous compositions.

The Castell de Capdepera is a medieval fortress on Puig de Capdepera, a 159-metre-high hill on Mallorca’s northeast coast. It was built in the 14th century during the reign of King James II of Aragon. Today, it's a historic landmark where you can enjoy expansive views of the Minorca Channel and the Mediterranean Sea.

Every May, the Castell de Capdepera hosts a medieval festival to celebrate the founding of Capdepera. The fortress is open year-round, and you’ll need to climb around 150 steps to reach the summit.

Santuari de Lluc is a 13^th-century monastery in Escorca, on the west coast of Mallorca. This prominent pilgrimage site also serves as a museum, where you can see weapons, ceramics, and artefacts from the Talaiotic Period.

A unique part of Santuari de Lluc is that it’s a working hotel containing several rooms with en-suite bathrooms, as well as an onsite restaurant. The Església de Llluc is the monastery's chapel, which was consecrated in 1691. Inside, you can see a statue of Catherine of Palma, the patron saint of Mallorca.

Artà Regional Museum (Museu Regional d'Artà) preserves the town’s heritage through interesting exhibits on natural history, archaeology, and ethnology. This rather compact museum is just a short walk from the Ajuntament d'Artà city hall.

Founded in 1927, the museum’s collection is divided into several galleries. You can see 250 stuffed birds from 120 species, ceramics and jewellery from the Bronze Age, Talayotic and Punic periods, as well as local plants donated by Llorenç Garcías Font. There are also rotating exhibitions of local art and culture.

The Archaeological Museum of Son Fornés displays artefacts excavated from one of the complete Talaiotic settlements in Mallorca. The museum occupies an 18th-century flour mill in the small town of Montuïri, about 33 km east of Palma.

The permanent exhibition showcases the results of excavations that took place in Son Fornés between 1975 and 1988. You can see ancient weapons, tools, and coins dating back to the 10th century BC. The archaeological site is just 2.4 km northwest of the museum. The Archaeological Museum of Son Fornés opens on weekdays as well as on the last Sunday of the month – you can enjoy free entry on that day.