Royal Gardens of La Almudaina, Palma
Gardens in Palma
At the foot of the Almudaina Palace, the Royal Gardens stretch out like a cool green carpet between the old city walls and the sea. Once the private Andalusian-style gardens of the 14th century palace, they were designed to supply fruit, vegetables and medicinal herbs as well as beauty, enclosed by walls, the seashore and the gardener's house until the mid-19th century, making them one of the best places to visit in Palma de Mallorca if you enjoy historic landscapes.
Today's gardens are the result of a 1960s rejuvenation project by architect Gabriel Alomar i Esteve, who cleared away later buildings and reimagined the space in traditional Andalusian style. You wander past cypress trees, fountains and orange trees, along shaded arcades and beside a large pond where black swans glide beneath an Islamic arch, with the palace rising above you. It is a calm, photogenic corner of the city and often visited on walking tours of Palma de Mallorca that link the palace, cathedral and waterfront.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
- Things to See and Do in the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
- How to Get to the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
- Where to Stay close to the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
- Is the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina Worth Visiting?
- FAQs for Visiting Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
- Nearby Attractions to the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
History and Significance of the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
In the 14th century, when the Almudaina Palace was a key royal residence, its gardens were both practical and symbolic. Laid out in Andalusian style, they were planted with fruit trees, vegetables, medicinal herbs, ornamental plants and flowers, turning the area below the palace into a productive oasis framed by walls, the shoreline and the gardener’s house. For the court, the gardens offered shade, fresh produce and a place to stroll, reflecting Islamic and Mediterranean traditions of combining utility with pleasure.
From 1847 to 1918, the story of the gardens shifted as urban pressures pushed in. Buildings such as the Alhombra Hotel, the Lyric Theatre, small shops, newspaper offices and a shipping office rose at the end of the Royal Gardens, nibbling away at the original green space. Bit by bit, what had once been a continuous, enclosed garden became fragmented and overshadowed by new construction, mirroring the way many historic open spaces in European cities were squeezed during the 19th century.
A major turning point came in 1966, when architect Gabriel Alomar i Esteve led a project to reshape Palma’s seafront and restore dignity to the area below the palace. The buildings that had encroached on the garden were demolished, and the Royal Gardens were re-created with a deliberate nod to their Andalusian roots. The renewed layout features cypress trees, fountains, orange trees, shaded walkways and a large pond with black swans, while an Islamic arch spanning the water and sculptures by artists such as Llorenç Roselló, Josep Maria Subirachs and Alexander Calder, including the famous “Stone Slinger,” add artistic and historical depth.
Things to See and Do in the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
As you enter the gardens from the seafront side or from near the palace, take a moment to absorb the overall layout: long sightlines, narrow canals and tree-lined paths guide your eye towards the palace walls and the large pond. The cypress trees and orange trees give the space a distinctly Mediterranean feel, while the fountains provide a soft background soundtrack that contrasts with the busier streets above. It is a place that invites slow walking rather than rushing from point to point.
The pond is a central attraction. Here, black swans glide across the water, and the reflections of trees, arches and sky make for some of the most atmospheric photographs in the area. The Islamic arch spanning the pond is a key visual element, echoing the site’s older Andalusian influences and framing views back towards the palace. As you move around the water, look for different angles that combine the swans, arch and palace in a single view.
Scattered throughout the gardens are sculptures that reward a closer look. The bronze “Stone Slinger” is perhaps the most famous, evoking Mallorca’s legendary slingers and their role in ancient warfare and local folklore. Works by Llorenç Roselló, Josep Maria Subirachs and Alexander Calder add a modern artistic layer to this historic setting, creating a dialogue between old stone walls and contemporary forms. Between the art, the greenery and the constant presence of the palace overhead, you get a strong sense of how the Royal Gardens act as a bridge between Palma’s royal past and its present as a relaxed, seaside city.
How to Get to the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
Most visitors 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, airport buses and taxis take you into the city centre; from there you can walk down to Parc de la Mar and find the gardens below the palace and cathedral.
If you are staying elsewhere on the island, regional trains connect 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, stroll through the old town towards the cathedral, then descend towards the seafront, where you will see the Royal Gardens laid out beneath the palace walls.
If you are 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 walk a few minutes to the palace and down into the gardens.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 is compact and very pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to combine the gardens with nearby sights on foot.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
- Suggested tips: Combine a visit to the Royal Gardens with a tour of the Almudaina Palace and Palma Cathedral above, then finish with a walk or rest in Parc de la Mar.
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon or early evening is especially pleasant, with softer light, cooler temperatures and good reflections on the pond; spring and summer bring water lilies and lush foliage.
- Entrance fee: The gardens are generally free to enter
- Hours: 24 Hours
- How long to spend: Plan 30-60 minutes to wander the paths, admire the pond and sculptures, and take a short break on a bench.
- Accessibility: Paths are mostly level and suitable for casual strolling, though some surfaces may be slightly uneven; overall, access is good for visitors with moderate mobility.
- Facilities: The gardens themselves have limited facilities; for cafés, toilets and shops, head up towards the palace and cathedral area or down to Parc de la Mar and nearby streets.
- Photography tip: Use the pond as a mirror to capture reflections of the arch, trees and palace; visiting near golden hour gives the warmest tones on stone and water.
- Guided tours: Many city and palace tours pass alongside or through the gardens; joining one can help you understand how the gardens fit into Palma’s broader urban transformation.
- Nearby food options: Cafés and restaurants are plentiful in the nearby old town streets and along the seafront, making it easy to pair a garden visit with a drink or meal.
Where to Stay close to the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
Staying near Palma’s seafront and historic centre makes it very easy to enjoy the Royal Gardens at different times of day. A convenient and comfortable option is Hotel Almudaina, which places you within walking distance of the palace, cathedral and waterfront. For a more intimate, historic atmosphere, Boutique Hotel Posada Terra Santa offers a boutique stay in a restored mansion in the old town, just a short stroll from the gardens and other key sights. If you want to wake up close to the sea while remaining near the palace complex, Hotel Boutique Calatrava overlooks Parc de la Mar and gives you an easy walk up to the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina.
Is the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina Worth Visiting?
The Royal Gardens of La Almudaina are absolutely worth visiting if you enjoy combining architecture, history and greenery in a single stop. They do not demand a huge amount of time, but they add a softer, more relaxed dimension to a visit focused on the palace and cathedral above. With Andalusian-style planting, fountains, swans, sculptures and constant views of stone walls and sea, the gardens offer a peaceful pause that can easily become one of your favourite memories of Palma.
What Other Travellers Say...
Royal Palace of La Almudaina on Carrer del Palau Reial sits beside Palma's cathedral and was originally an Arabian fort; today it serves the royal family for events and offers visitors a compact, well-preserved palace experience with stone halls, grand rooms, striking tapestries and sea views from the upper levels. Many visitors recommend exploring with an audio guide (options for a shorter or longer tour), note that rooms can feel sparse but the tapestries and architecture are impressive, and warn that parking nearby is difficult with permit restrictions; there are restrooms partway through the visit.
FAQs for Visiting Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
Nearby Attractions to the Royal Gardens of La Almudaina
- Royal Palace of La Almudaina: The fortified palace directly above the gardens, with medieval halls, royal rooms and views over the harbour.
- Palma Cathedral La Seu: The iconic Gothic cathedral next door, dominating the skyline and offering a spectacular interior and stained-glass windows.
- Parc de la Mar: The seafront park below the palace and cathedral, with a large reflecting pool and a wide promenade for walks and bike rides.
- Bishops Garden Jardí del Bisbe: A quieter walled garden behind the cathedral, with hedges, an orchard and a lily pond offering different views of the episcopal complex.
- Sa Calatrava neighbourhood: An atmospheric quarter of narrow streets and historic houses stretching towards the sea, perfect for a stroll before or after your garden visit.
The Royal Gardens 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
24 Hours
The gardens are generally free to enter
Nearby Attractions
- Royal Palace of La Almudaina (0.1) km
Palace - Palau March Museum (0.1) km
Historic Building and Museum - La Seu: the Cathedral of Palma (0.2) km
Cathedral - La Llotja (0.2) km
Historic Building - Passeig del Born (0.2) km
Street - Museu Diocesa de Mallorca (0.3) km
Museum - Bishop's Garden (0.3) km
Gardens - Centre Maimó ben Faraig (0.3) km
Museum - Plaza de Cort (0.3) km
Square - Museo de Mallorca (0.4) km
Museum
