A stroll through the
centre of Palma From the heart of the city
The centre of Palma de Mallorca is a unique setting where different influences from the Arab, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods converge. A place where you can lose yourself in different moments of the history of the island of Mallorca.
From El Josemari Youth Hostel, located in the heart of the old town of Palma, you will have the privilege of being just a few steps away from the most emblematic monuments of the city. It is the ideal starting point for your walk through the heart of Palma.
Discover the old town of Palma from El Josemari Youth Hostel
Patios and squares of Palma
As you leave our hostel, you will find yourself surrounded by narrow cobbled streets that hold centuries of history. Every alleyway hides architectural treasures, from old stately homes to stunning courtyards.
These courtyards, known as "casals", are a distinctive feature of Palma and have their origins in Roman times, with Islamic and Catalan influences from medieval times.
We recommend you visit the Casal Balaguer , considered the best preserved courtyard in the centre of Palma.
Another place you should visit from our accommodation is the Plaza de Sant Francesc . Also very close to our youth hostel in the centre of Palma is the Church of Santa Eulalia , one of the most important temples in Mallorca throughout its history. It is the only church on the island with three naves, not counting Palma Cathedral.
A few minutes away from Santa Eulalia is the Plaza de Cort , where the Palma Town Hall is located. In this square you will find a 600-year-old olive tree known as the Olivera de Cort .
Emblematic Palma
Walking down the narrow streets of the centre of Palma, you will reach the Paseo del Borne . This is the most elegant street in the city. As well as luxury shops, this promenade is lined with restaurants and cafés. All along the pedestrian area you will find stone benches to take a break during your stroll through the heart of the city.
Walking down the Paseo del Borne you will come to the gardens called S'Hort del Rei . These gardens are located in the surroundings of the Almudaina Palace . A Gothic building of great historical value, it is considered one of Palma's must-see tourist attractions.
A few metres from the Almudaina Palace you will see the Cathedral of Mallorca , also known as La Seu . As well as being one of the most emblematic buildings in the heart of the city, La Seu is one of the tallest Gothic structures in Europe.
From El Josemari we recommend that you book a visit to the impressive rooftop of the cathedral and take a break from your stroll through the historic centre of Palma with views of the sea.
Near La Seu, you will find the Arab Baths . They are located in the stately garden of Can Pit . This tourist attraction is one of the legacies of Muslim architecture.
Also close to La Seu is La Lonja . This area of Palma's old town is the heart of Palma's nightlife. It is the perfect place to go at night as it has a wide variety of restaurants, bars and clubs.
Shopping in the centre of Palma from El josemari youth hostel
Shopping streets
Our hostel is located 6 minutes walk from the Plaza Mayor. This large square surrounded by restaurants and cafes with terraces has a craft market on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday mornings.
It connects to one of the busiest streets in the city centre, Calle San Miguel. You will find a large number of shops and businesses of all kinds along this street. Continuing along this street you will reach the city's nerve centre, Plaza de España.
This square houses the Intermodal Station where public transport connects with the metro, buses and trains.
Experience the markets in the centre of Palma
Between Plaza de España and Plaza Mayor is the Olivar Market. A traditional market since 1951, where you will find fresh products such as fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood and much more. The Olivar market also has a wide gastronomic offer.
Another outstanding market in Palma is the Santa Catalina Market . This area has more than 50 stalls selling fresh produce. You can also enjoy a drink or go for tapas in the market itself with a wide gastronomic offer.
The Santa Catalina market is open every day except Sundays from 8 am to 2 pm.
The area of Barrio Santa Catalina is one of Palma's most attractive neighbourhoods. With a combination of styles between antiquity and modernity. An area of multiple gastronomic influences from around the globe where you can sample Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Thai and much more.
Sightseeing near the centre
Very close to the popular Santa Catalina neighbourhood you will come to Palma's Paseo Marítimo . A quiet pedestrian area where you can enjoy the sea in the background or watch the boats moored in the harbour area.
Walking down the Paseo Marítimo in the area of the city walls you can reach the Es Baluard Museum . This museum of modern and contemporary art blends modernity with antiquity by merging the building with part of the city wall that protected the city in medieval times.
For history lovers, further outside Palma is the Bellver Castle . In medieval times it served as a fortress and royal residence, today it is a point of interest and a museum with historical artefacts from the island of Mallorca.
