Bishop's Garden, Palma

Gardens in Palma

Public Domain / Mutari

Hidden just behind the soaring walls of Palma Cathedral, the Bishops Garden feels like someone has quietly opened the door to a private courtyard and invited you in. This small, enclosed space, officially known as Jardí del Bisbe, offers a calm pocket of greenery and shade with privileged views of the cathedral's roof and the rear façade of the Episcopal Palace, making it one of the things to do in Palma de Mallorca when you need a break from busy streets and full-on sightseeing.

You enter through an elegant mannerist-style gate and step into a world that feels closer to the old Casals of Palma than to a formal public park. Neatly clipped hedges frame narrow paths, fruit trees and an orchard occupy quiet corners, and a central safareig pond comes alive in spring and summer when water lilies bloom. It is a gentle, reflective space rather than a big attraction, but its mix of history, greenery and cathedral views makes it a highlight of any walking tour of Palma de Mallorca, especially on a warm day.

History and Significance of the Bishops Garden
Things to See and Do in the Bishops Garden
How to Get to the Bishops Garden
Practical Tips on Visiting the Bishops Garden
Where to Stay close to the Bishops Garden
Is the Bishops Garden Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Bishops Garden
Nearby Attractions to the Bishops Garden

History and Significance of the Bishops Garden

The Bishops Garden sits directly behind La Seu, occupying land long associated with ecclesiastical power in Palma. From here you look up at the rear of the Episcopal Palace, the traditional residence of the Bishop of Mallorca, and at the upper levels and buttresses of the cathedral itself. In earlier centuries this would have been a private world, part of the bishop's domain rather than a public amenity, and the layout still echoes that intimate, inward-looking character.

Its design recalls the gardens of Palma’s old Casals, the grand townhouses of the city’s noble and wealthy families. These houses often hid geometric gardens and small orchards behind their façades, places where owners could retreat from noise and heat without leaving the city walls. In the Bishops Garden, the ordered hedges, fruit trees and water feature bring that tradition into a church setting, blending religious and domestic garden styles.

Over time, as Palma has opened more of its historic fabric to visitors, the garden has become a small but valued public space. It gives locals and travellers alike a different view of the cathedral complex, one that focuses on texture and detail rather than the grand seafront perspective. For those interested in how city landscapes evolve, Jardí del Bisbe is a good example of how formerly private ecclesiastical spaces can find a new life as shared urban oases.

Things to See and Do in the Bishops Garden

As you pass through the mannerist gate, pause to appreciate its proportions and stonework. It acts as a threshold from the surrounding streets into a quieter, almost cloistered world. Once inside, let yourself slow down: this is a place for strolling and sitting rather than ticking off big monuments. Follow the paths between the geometrically pruned hedges, noticing how they create small “rooms” of greenery within the garden.

The safareig, or pond, is the focal point. In spring and summer, water lilies spread across the surface, reflecting the sky and surrounding foliage. It is easy to imagine the pond’s earlier practical role in irrigating orchards and gardens, but today it functions mainly as a decorative and calming element. The gentle movement of the water and the changing light across the lilies make it a surprisingly soothing place to linger for a few minutes.

Do not forget to look up. One of the joys of the Bishops Garden is the perspective it gives you on the rear of Palma Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, angles that most visitors never see properly from the usual seafront viewpoints. From here you can trace flying buttresses, rooflines and stone details against the sky, and perhaps take a few photos that capture both Gothic architecture and lush greenery in a single frame.

How to Get to the Bishops Garden

Most visitors will arrive in Palma via Palma de Mallorca Airport, the island's main international gateway with regular flights from across Spain and Europe. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Palma on Booking.com. From the airport, you can take an airport bus or taxi into the city centre and then walk towards La Seu and the Episcopal Palace; the garden is tucked just behind the cathedral.

If you are staying elsewhere on the island, regional trains link towns such as Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor with Palma’s Estació Intermodal near Plaça d’Espanya.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From there, it is a pleasant walk through the old town to the cathedral complex, following signs downhill towards the sea; once at La Seu, look for paths and streets leading around the back of the cathedral to the garden entrance.

Travelling by car, follow the main roads into Palma and use one of the car parks near the old town or along the seafront by Parc de la Mar, then continue on foot to the cathedral and round to the Bishops Garden.If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. The area around La Seu is compact and best enjoyed on foot, so once parked you can easily weave the garden into a wider stroll that includes the cathedral, the palace and the nearby lanes.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Bishops Garden

Suggested tips: Treat the garden as a short, restorative stop between bigger visits to the cathedral and the old town; bring a book or simply sit for a while and enjoy the shade.
Best time to visit: Late morning or late afternoon are ideal, especially in spring and summer when the water lilies are in bloom and the light is softer.
Entrance fee: Entry is typically free.
Opening hours: Hours can vary by season and may follow cathedral or diocesan schedules; confirm current times on-site or via local information.
How long to spend: Around 20-40 minutes is usually enough to explore the paths, enjoy the views and take a short break from sightseeing.
Accessibility: Paths are generally level, though surfaces can be slightly uneven; access for visitors with reduced mobility is reasonable but may depend on current arrangements at the entrance gate.
Facilities: There are no major facilities inside the garden itself; for toilets, cafés and shops, head back towards the cathedral area or nearby streets.
Photography tip: Frame shots that combine the safareig pond and lilies in the foreground with the cathedral roofline or palace walls behind for a strong sense of place.
Guided tours: Some city or cathedral tours include a brief stop or viewpoint here; if you join one, use the chance to ask about how the garden fits into the wider episcopal complex.
Nearby food options: Cafés and restaurants are plentiful in the streets just beyond the garden and along Parc de la Mar, making it easy to combine a visit with a drink or light meal.

Where to Stay close to the Bishops Garden

Staying in Palma's historic centre puts the Bishops Garden and the cathedral almost on your doorstep. A reliable and well-located option is Hotel Almudaina, which offers comfortable rooms within walking distance of La Seu and the seafront. For a more intimate, historic atmosphere, Boutique Hotel Posada Terra Santa places you in a beautifully restored mansion surrounded by old town lanes, just a short stroll from the cathedral complex. If you prefer to stay closer to the waterfront while remaining near the garden, Hotel Boutique Calatrava gives you sea views and an easy walk up to the Bishops Garden and Palma’s main sights.

Is the Bishops Garden Worth Visiting?

If you enjoy quieter corners of a city as much as its headline monuments, the Bishops Garden is definitely worth a visit. It will not take long, but the combination of shaded paths, lily-filled pond and unusual views of the cathedral and Episcopal Palace adds a softer, more intimate layer to your experience of Palma. As a small green refuge right beside one of the island's busiest landmarks, it offers the kind of pause that can make a packed sightseeing day feel more balanced and memorable.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.1 (317)

Jardí del Bisbe is a small, free-to-enter garden in Palma's Centre at Carrer de Sant Pere Nolasc 6, praised for its peaceful atmosphere, pond with fish and blossom and proximity to the Cathedral, though several visitors call it very small or underwhelming and note occasional presence of homeless people that made them uncomfortable.

D M

2 months ago

"A beautiful park, the only thing is that they are several homeless people are roaming around the park, I did not feel comfortable staying there."

Per T.

2 months ago

"Honestly ,small and boring. You can go to any green area around here and see the same, or better"

Andrea Kjeldsen

5 months ago

"Definitely worth a visit! :)"

FAQs for Visiting Bishops Garden

Head towards the rear of Palma Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace; look for the mannerist-style gate that marks the entrance to the enclosed garden just behind the main complex.

Yes, it is a relaxed, car-free space where children can walk around under supervision, though the pond and plants should be respected and there are no playground facilities.

It is primarily a contemplative garden rather than a picnic park; small snacks are usually fine if you are discreet, but it is best to check any posted rules and keep the space tidy for others.

Nearby Attractions to the Bishops Garden

Palma Cathedral La Seu: The city's iconic Gothic cathedral, just steps away and ideal to combine with a quiet moment in the garden.
Royal Palace of La Almudaina: A historic royal residence beside the cathedral, offering courtyards, halls and views over the bay.
Parc de la Mar: A seafront park directly below the cathedral, with a large reflecting pool and promenade perfect for walks or bike rides.
Museu de Mallorca: The island's main museum in a historic mansion, a short walk into the old town and a good follow-up if you want more history.
Sa Calatrava neighbourhood: The atmospheric quarter stretching towards the sea, full of narrow streets, churches and small squares to explore before or after your garden visit.

The Bishop's Garden appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Palma!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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