A striking circular Gothic castle, built above Palma between 1300 and 1311. Inside is a two-storey round courtyard; outside are views over the city, harbour and bay, with pine woodland all around.
Castell de Bellver
Castell de Bellver in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- A couple of hours during a visit to Palma
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- Around one and a half to two hours
- Without a car
- Easy enough
- Parking
- Check signed parking around the hill and castle; spaces near the top can be busy
- Keep in mind
- Arriving on a Monday without checking opening arrangements
- Access
- Pushchairs: Easier in the courtyard than on the upper routes · Wheelchairs: Check current accessible routes and assistance with the castle before visiting
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Rounded arches below, Gothic arches above and open sky over the courtyard.
The main tower stands apart from the castle, connected by a bridge.
One of the stepped approaches to the castle entrance.
Getting to know Castell de Bellver
Does Castell de Bellver suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- A couple of hours during a visit to Palma
- An interest in unusual castle architecture
- A broad view over the city and bay
- Families who enjoy a castle visit and a woodland walk
Things to bear in mind
- Arriving on a Monday without checking opening arrangements
- Expecting furnished royal rooms
- Climbing the hill at midday in high summer
- Looking for a large museum collection
Drive from the airport
20 minutes
12 km
Bus connections
City buses serve the streets below the hill
Region
Palma
Nearest beach
Palmanova
8 km
Elevation
112 m
above sea level
Season guide for Castell de Bellver
November Worth a visit
Quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December.
Location
Location of Castell de Bellver
- Region
- Palma
- Municipality
- Palma
- Elevation
- 112 m above sea level
- Airport
- 12 km , around 20 minutes
- Hire car
- not essential
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5647,2.6197
What is Castell de Bellver?
Bellver is a Gothic castle on a 112-metre hill west of Palma’s old town, built between 1300 and 1311 under King Jaume II. Its master builder, Pere Salvà, also worked on the Almudaina.
Its circular layout is striking. Three towers form part of the enclosing wall, while the main tower stands separately beside it, joined by a bridge.
The courtyard
A passage leads into a perfectly round, two-storey courtyard. Rounded arches support the lower gallery, with slender Gothic pointed arches above and open sky overhead.
The shape is worth seeing for yourself. As you walk around the galleries, the curved rows of arches give you a different view at every step.
The museum
The Museu d’Història de la Ciutat presents Palma’s past, from its early history onwards. The other rooms are largely unfurnished. Come for the building and its history rather than expecting decorated royal apartments.
Over the centuries, Bellver also served as a prison.
Planning a visit
Check the current opening times, as they vary by season. Sunday hours are shorter, and Monday is usually the closing day.
The walk through Bosc de Bellver takes around twenty minutes from the lower approaches. City buses serve streets below the hill. If driving, check current parking arrangements and allow for limited spaces near the castle.
When to go
April and October are good months for the walk uphill. Clear winter days can bring particularly broad views across the bay.
In summer, cruise visitors can make the castle busy, and the climb is hot at midday. Check the opening day before setting off.
Photographs
Castell de Bellver in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Castell de Bellver
Three hours
Walk up through the woods, explore the courtyard, upper walkway and city history museum, then enjoy the views around the outside.
Half a day
Add a longer walk through Bosc de Bellver, or head down towards Santa Catalina afterwards.
A full day
Combine Bellver with other sights in Palma; the castle alone does not need a full day.
On a rainy day
The museum and some galleries are covered, but the courtyard and upper walkway are exposed. Low cloud can hide the views.
Practical details
- Parking
- Check signed parking around the hill and castle; spaces near the top can be busy
- Public transport
- City buses to streets below the hill
- Time to allow
- Around one and a half to two hours
- Good to know
- Opening hours vary by season, with shorter Sunday hours and a usual Monday closure. Check the current timetable before visiting.
- Bus
- City buses serve the streets below the hill; continue on foot
- Access
- Stone paving, steps and changes of level around the castle · Pushchairs: Easier in the courtyard than on the upper routes · Wheelchairs: Check current accessible routes and assistance with the castle before visiting · Dogs: Dogs can use the woodland paths subject to local rules; check building admission restrictions
- What you will not find
- Furnished royal apartments · Guaranteed Monday opening · Step-free access along every route · A full restaurant inside the castle
- Coordinates
- 39.5647,2.6197 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
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Where to swim nearby
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Places to stay within reach
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Castell de Bellver
Why is Castell de Bellver round?
Its circular plan was part of the design associated with Pere Salvà, who also worked on the Almudaina. Three towers join the ring of walls; the main tower stands separately, linked to the castle by a bridge. The round courtyard is one of the building's most distinctive features.
When was the castle built?
Between 1300 and 1311, under King Jaume II. It served as a royal residence and later as a prison. Today it houses Palma's city history museum.
What can I see inside?
The two-storey circular courtyard, upper walkway and Museu d'Història de la Ciutat, with displays about Palma's past. Do not expect furnished royal apartments; the architecture is a major part of the visit.
When is it open?
Check the current timetable before visiting. Hours vary between summer and winter, Sundays have shorter hours and Monday is usually the closing day.
How do I get up to the castle?
Walk through the pine woodland, allowing around twenty minutes from the lower approaches, or check current road and parking access. City buses serve the streets below the hill, leaving an uphill walk to the entrance.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Castell de Bellver?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. Clear winter days can bring wide views across the bay.
Is Castell de Bellver worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. Cruise visitors can make the castle busy; the uphill walk is hot at midday. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy.
How far is Castell de Bellver from Palma airport?
About 12 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 20 minutes by car. You can walk uphill through the pine woodland in around twenty minutes, depending on your starting point. Parking and vehicle access near the castle can be busy; check current arrangements.
Do I need a hire car for Castell de Bellver?
Easy to manage without a car City buses serve the streets below the hill; continue on foot
Where can I park in Castell de Bellver?
Check signed parking around the hill and castle; spaces near the top can be busy
Can I visit Castell de Bellver with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Stone paving, steps and changes of level around the castle Pushchairs: Easier in the courtyard than on the upper routes Wheelchairs: Check current accessible routes and assistance with the castle before visiting
Are dogs allowed at Castell de Bellver?
Dogs can use the woodland paths subject to local rules; check building admission restrictions
Castell de Bellver features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.