Royal Palace of La Almudaina, Palma
Palace in Palma
Right beside Palma Cathedral and facing the bay, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina is where royal power, military architecture and Mediterranean light all meet. Rebuilt in 1309 under King James II of Majorca as a fortified palace or alcazar modelled on the Royal Palace of Perpignan, it has kept the same basic layout since the 14th century, with royal apartments, a chapel dedicated to Saint Anne and historic bathing facilities woven into one compact complex. Today, it is one of the top sights in Palma de Mallorca for visitors who want more than just a beach holiday.
Inside, you move between a medieval-feeling ground floor filled with 15th century furniture and art and an upper storey used for official royal functions, dressed with objects and artworks from the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries. Step out onto the terraces and you are rewarded with sweeping views across Palma's harbour and the city walls, while the cathedral rises just next door, making the palace a great place to visit on a walking tour of Palma de Mallorca that links royal, religious and maritime history in a single loop.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- Things to See and Do in the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- How to Get to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- Where to Stay close to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- Is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina Worth Visiting?
- FAQs for Visiting Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- Nearby Attractions to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
History and Significance of the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
La Almudaina's story goes back to its role as a fortified seat of power. Rebuilt in 1309 on older foundations by King James II of Majorca, it was conceived as an alcazar: a palace stronghold that combined residence and defence. Its design took inspiration from the Royal Palace of Perpignan, the mainland court of the Majorcan kings, and the layout has remained largely unchanged since the 14th century. This continuity means that when you walk through its halls today, you are moving through spaces that medieval rulers would recognise.
Within the complex you find clearly defined areas for the ruling family, a chapel dedicated to Saint Anne and even historic baths that underline the palace’s blend of ceremony and domestic life. The ground floor preserves much of the medieval atmosphere, with stone halls and 15th century furnishings giving a strong sense of how the court functioned in the late Middle Ages. The upper floor, by contrast, reflects later tastes: rooms used for receptions and official events are decorated with artworks and objects from the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries, showing how each era has left its mark without erasing what came before.
Today, La Almudaina remains an active symbol of monarchy as the official summer residence of the Spanish Royal Family when they are in Mallorca, even though they also use the nearby Marivent Palace and the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid at other times. The fact that this centuries-old fortress palace still hosts modern royal ceremonies and receptions adds a living layer to your visit: you are not just touring an empty shell but a building that continues to play a role in Spain's contemporary state life, while sharing its ridge-top position above the harbour with the neighbouring cathedral.
Things to See and Do in the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
A visit typically begins in the exterior courtyards and ramparts, where you can appreciate the palace’s role as a defensive structure. From the walls and terraces, the views over the harbour, Parc de la Mar and the seafront are superb, with La Seu’s buttresses and towers rising dramatically at your back. This outdoor circuit sets the tone: La Almudaina is as much about strategic vantage points as it is about tapestries and throne rooms.
Inside, the ground floor is the place to soak up the medieval atmosphere. You will find stone halls furnished with 15th century pieces, tapestries and artworks that recall the time when Majorcan kings held court here. The chapel of Saint Anne is a particularly evocative space, offering a quieter, more intimate counterpoint to the grand ceremonial rooms above. Look out for architectural details like vaulted ceilings, narrow windows and doorways that still feel distinctly fortress-like.
Moving upstairs, the tone shifts towards formality and display. Here, rooms used for official royal functions are decorated with objects and art from the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries, including paintings, furniture and decorative pieces that reflect different periods of Spanish royal taste. As you move from room to room, notice how the views change: in some spaces windows frame the cathedral, in others they open out onto the bay. Taking your time, rather than rushing through, helps you feel the transition from medieval stronghold to modern ceremonial palace.
How to Get to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Most visitors reach Palma via Palma de Mallorca Airport, the island's main international gateway with regular flights from cities 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, airport buses and taxis bring you into the city centre, from where it is a simple walk down to the waterfront and the cathedral-palace complex.
If you are coming from 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 the station you can stroll through the old town or take a short bus ride towards the seafront, then walk along Parc de la Mar until you reach the cathedral and the palace just above it.
Drivers can follow the main island roads into Palma and use one of the underground or multi-storey car parks near the old town or along the seafront promenade.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. Once parked, everything is easily explored on foot: simply follow signs to the cathedral, and you will find the Royal Palace of La Almudaina directly beside it, overlooking the harbour.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- Suggested tips: Combine your palace visit with Palma Cathedral next door and a stroll along Parc de la Mar, so you see the complex from both inside and outside in one go.
- Best time to visit: Late morning or mid afternoon on weekdays tends to be quieter; in summer, visiting earlier in the day helps you avoid the hottest hours on the terraces.
- Entrance fee: €7.00
- Opening hours: Winter hours (October to March). From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
Summer hours (April to September). From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 - 19:00 - Official website: https://tickets.patrimonionacional.es/en-GB/informacion-recinto/13/palacio-almudaina
- How long to spend: Plan around 60-90 minutes to tour the main rooms, chapel and terraces without rushing, longer if you like to linger over details and views.
- Accessibility: The historic structure means some areas involve stairs and uneven floors; while parts of the palace are accessible, visitors with reduced mobility should check specific access information in advance.
- Facilities: Expect a ticket office, basic visitor facilities and possibly a small shop; for cafés and restaurants, head to the nearby streets of the old town or the seafront promenade.
- Photography tip: Use the terraces and windows to frame the harbour and cathedral together, and look for interior shots where light from narrow windows meets stone walls and old tapestries.
- Guided tours: If available, guided visits or audio guides add depth, especially when explaining the difference between the medieval lower floor and the later-decorated upper rooms.
- Nearby food options: You will find plenty of places to eat and drink within a short walk, from seafront cafés below the palace to tapas bars tucked into the old streets behind the cathedral.
Where to Stay close to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Staying near the waterfront and the old town lets you experience La Almudaina at different times of day, from quiet early mornings to golden-hour views over the bay. A practical and central option is Hotel Almudaina, which offers comfortable rooms within walking distance of the palace, cathedral and main shopping streets. For a more intimate stay in a historic setting, Boutique Hotel Posada Terra Santa places you in a restored mansion in the old town, a short stroll from the palace and other key sights. If sea views are a priority, Hotel Boutique Calatrava overlooks the bay and city walls, putting you just minutes away on foot from La Almudaina’s entrance.
Is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina Worth Visiting?
If you are already visiting the cathedral, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. Few places in Palma offer such a clear sense of continuity between medieval kings, later Spanish monarchs and today's royal family, all in a single compact complex overlooking the sea. The mix of fortress architecture, historic interiors and harbour views makes it a rewarding visit whether you are a history buff, an architecture fan or simply someone who enjoys exploring atmospheric, lived-in palaces.
What Other Travellers Say...
Royal Palace of La Almudaina on Carrer del Palau Reial sits beside Palma's cathedral and is a former Arabian fort now used by the royal family for events; visitors praise its medieval charm, impressive stone halls, grand rooms, tapestries and sea views from the upper levels, note that some rooms are fairly bare, and recommend audio guides with short or long tour options; facilities include toilets partway through the route, and be aware parking nearby can be difficult and may require residential permits.
FAQs for Visiting Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Nearby Attractions to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- Palma Cathedral La Seu: The iconic Gothic cathedral next door, famous for its vast nave, stained glass and waterfront setting.
- Parc de la Mar: The seafront park below the palace and cathedral, with a large reflecting pool and a promenade ideal for walks and sunset views.
- Bishops Garden Jardí del Bisbe: A quiet walled garden behind the cathedral, offering shaded paths, a lily pond and unusual views of the episcopal complex.
- Església de Santa Eulàlia: Palma's oldest parish church, a short walk into the old town and rich in both religious and political history.
- Plaça Major: The city's tiled, arcaded main square built over the former Inquisition convent, now full of cafés, shops, markets and street performers.
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina 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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Planning Your Visit
Winter hours (October to March). From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00
Summer hours (April to September). From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 19:00
€7.00
Nearby Attractions
- Royal Gardens of La Almudaina (0.1) km
Gardens - Palau March Museum (0.1) km
Historic Building and Museum - La Seu: the Cathedral of Palma (0.1) km
Cathedral - Museu Diocesa de Mallorca (0.2) km
Museum - La Llotja (0.2) km
Historic Building - Bishop's Garden (0.2) km
Gardens - Passeig del Born (0.2) km
Street - Centre Maimó ben Faraig (0.3) km
Museum - Plaza de Cort (0.3) km
Square - Museo de Mallorca (0.3) km
Museum
