An 11th-century brick chamber in an old-town garden, with twelve columns, horseshoe arches and a dome pierced by round skylights. The Arab Baths are among the few buildings surviving from Mallorca’s Moorish period.
Banys Àrabs
Banys Àrabs in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You’d like to see a surviving part of Moorish Palma.
- Best months
- January–June, September–December
- Time to allow
- Around fifteen minutes.
- Without a car
- Better without a car
- Parking
- No parking at the baths; use car parks around Parc de la Mar.
- Keep in mind
- Don’t expect a large complex.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Limited access. · Wheelchairs: Not suitable.
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Twelve columns with differing capitals, reused from older buildings.
The peaceful garden is somewhere to linger after the short visit inside.
Three jars on a bench, without a label or display case.
Getting to know Banys Àrabs
Does Banys Àrabs suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You’d like to see a surviving part of Moorish Palma.
- You want a quiet fifteen-minute stop in the old town.
- You enjoy photography; the light through the dome is a large part of the appeal.
- You’re visiting with children and want a short stop.
Things to bear in mind
- Don’t expect a large complex.
- There aren’t extensive interpretation panels.
- The garden isn’t somewhere to sit out of the rain.
- These are historic remains, not working baths.
Drive from the airport
20 minutes
10 km
Bus connections
EMT services to Parc de la Mar or Plaça de la Reina
Region
Palma
Nearest beach
Can Pastilla
7 km
Elevation
12 m
above sea level
A glimpse of Banys Àrabs
Season guide for Banys Àrabs
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December.
Location
Location of Banys Àrabs
- Region
- Palma
- Municipality
- Palma
- Elevation
- 12 m above sea level
- Airport
- 10 km , around 20 minutes
- Hire car
- more hindrance than help
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5669,2.6511
The Arab Baths
The Banys Àrabs preserve a chamber from an 11th-century Arab bathhouse on Carrer de Can Serra, a few minutes east of Palma cathedral.
They are among the few buildings in Palma surviving from Moorish times.
Inside the chamber
The square room has twelve columns supporting horseshoe arches beneath a brick dome with round skylights.
Look at the capitals: they differ because they were taken from older buildings and reused here.
The domed warm room and an adjoining chamber make up most of what survives. It is a small visit, but you can still see the shape of the space clearly.
The garden
Outside is a little garden with amphorae, palms and an arched niche in the old wall. It’s a peaceful corner of the old town, and you may spend longer here than inside.
Planning your visit
Fifteen minutes is enough for a first look. Admission costs a small amount, and the narrow lane is not accessible by car.
When to come
March and October are pleasant. In high summer, the small chamber can become crowded.
Photographs
Banys Àrabs in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Banys Àrabs
Three hours
Combine the cathedral, Almudaina and Banys Àrabs, all close together on foot.
Half a day
Add Sa Llotja, the harbour and a walk through the old-town lanes.
A full day
Make it part of a full day exploring Palma.
On a rainy day
Partly suitable. The bathing chamber is covered, but the approach and garden are outdoors.
Practical details
- Parking
- No parking at the baths; use car parks around Parc de la Mar.
- Public transport
- EMT services to Parc de la Mar or Plaça de la Reina.
- Time to allow
- Around fifteen minutes.
- Good to know
- There is a small admission charge. The main surviving features are the domed warm room and an adjoining chamber; this is not a sprawling bath complex.
- Bus
- EMT services to Parc de la Mar or Plaça de la Reina.
- Access
- Uneven historic stone floors and steps in the garden. · Pushchairs: Limited access. · Wheelchairs: Not suitable. · Dogs: Not allowed.
- What you will not find
- A large complex · Step-free access · Extensive interpretation panels · Free admission
- Coordinates
- 39.5669,2.6511 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
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Where to swim nearby
Beaches and swimming nearby
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Places to stay within reach
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Banys Àrabs
How old are the baths?
They date from the 11th century, during the period of Muslim Mayurqa, and are among Mallorca’s few surviving examples of Moorish architecture.
Why do the columns look different?
Their capitals were reused from older buildings. The builders used what was available, rather than a matching set for all twelve columns.
How much time do you need?
Around fifteen minutes for the chamber, longer if you sit in the garden. The domed warm room and an adjoining chamber are the main surviving spaces.
Can you bathe here?
No. This is a historic monument, not a working bathhouse. Palma has modern bathing experiences inspired by Arab baths, but these original remains are for visiting.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Banys Àrabs?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December.
Is Banys Àrabs worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. The chamber is small and can feel crowded when busy. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy.
How far is Banys Àrabs from Palma airport?
About 10 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 20 minutes by car. On Carrer de Can Serra, a few minutes east of the cathedral. Don’t drive to the entrance; the lanes are narrow and some have restricted access.
Do I need a hire car for Banys Àrabs?
A car can be more trouble than it’s worth EMT services to Parc de la Mar or Plaça de la Reina.
Where can I park in Banys Àrabs?
No parking at the baths; use car parks around Parc de la Mar.
Can I visit Banys Àrabs with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Uneven historic stone floors and steps in the garden. Pushchairs: Limited access. Wheelchairs: Not suitable.
Are dogs allowed at Banys Àrabs?
Not allowed.
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.