Rooftops in Palma: the capital of Mallorca seen from above
The capital of the Balearic Islands
Capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands and the main city of Mallorca, Palma has more than 400,000 inhabitants, around half of the island's population, on a little over 208 km². Founded by the Romans in 123 BC in the south of the island, at the head of a wide bay surrounded by hills, it saw Vandals and Muslim dynasties come and go before becoming the capital of the Kingdom of Mallorca. Its inhabitants still simply call it “la Ciutat”, the city.
Its historic centre, with narrow lanes lined with houses with patios, is organised around the Cathedral and the Passeig del Born. At the start of the 20th century, the ramparts were partly demolished and replaced by wide avenues; some survive, notably the seafront ramparts at the foot of the Cathedral, and the Es Baluard museum of modern and contemporary art stands on the western edge of the old town, near the Santa Catalina gate. To the west, Santa Catalina, a former fishing district of low houses, is known for its market and its restaurants.
La Seu, the Almudaina and Bellver Castle
Seen from above, Palma is recognisable by the silhouette of its Gothic Cathedral, La Seu, whose construction facing the sea stretched from 1230 to around 1600, reflected in the pool of the Parc de la Mar. Beside it stands the Almudaina Royal Palace, a former Arab palace. Above the bay, Bellver Castle, a 14th-century Gothic fortress, crowns a pine-covered hill, while the Llotja, the former Gothic merchants' exchange, borders the old port, where yachts moor at the foot of the city.
Where to get a view from above in Palma
In the heart of the old town
On the roof of the Sant Francesc hotel, the Singular terrace faces the bell tower of the Sant Francesc basilica; reserved for guests during the day, it opens to the public on summer evenings. Close by, in the former Jewish quarter, Terracota occupies the 4th floor of the Antigua Palma hotel, a 17th-century noble house. A short walk from the Passeig del Born, El Cielo del Born, on the roof of the Nivia Born Boutique Hotel, serves everything from breakfast to dinner above the rooftops and bell towers.
La Calatrava and the Parc de la Mar
East of the Cathedral, the La Calatrava district overlooks the ramparts. The rooftop of the Es Princep hotel opens onto the whole bay and the port, from morning until sunset. A little further on, Ç The Rooftop tiers its lounges on the roof of the El Llorenç hotel, facing the sea and the Cathedral.
The port and the Moll Vell
On the renovated old pier, facing the Llotja, Sky Nudos occupies the upper terrace above the Mar de Nudos restaurant: you can have a drink at mast level, with the Cathedral and Bellver Castle as a backdrop.
From Avenida Jaume III to Santa Catalina
On Avenida Jaume III, the main shopping street that continues the Born, the Sky Bar of the Hotel Almudaina, on the 8th and top floor, and the Nakar Hotel, with its bar-restaurant on the 8th floor and its terrace with pool just above, look out over the Cathedral and the bay. Facing Sa Feixina park, the Sky Bar of the Hotel Saratoga offers a 360° view from its 8th floor. At the entrance to Santa Catalina, the Sky Bar of the Hotel Hostal Cuba crowns a fine Modernist building facing the marina.
Facing the Platja de Palma
East of the city, on the roof of the Iberostar Selection Llaut Palma, KATAGI Blau overlooks the long beach of the Platja de Palma and the bay.
Gastronomy and cocktails up high
Cocktails, vermouth and gin and tonic
Expect to pay around €14 for a classic cocktail at KATAGI Blau, €15 on the Singular terrace, €16 at Ç The Rooftop and at the Sky Bar of the Hostal Cuba, and €18 at Sky Nudos, with house creations rising to €18 or €20. Terracota focuses on wines, vermouths and tapas, while the hotel bars on Avenida Jaume III stick to the classics facing the sunset.
Dinner, brunch and fusion cuisine
Several rooftops lend themselves to a full meal: Japanese cuisine and Mallorcan produce at KATAGI Blau; Japanese-Mediterranean fusion cuisine at Sky Nudos; reinvented Mallorcan recipes at the Cuit of the Nakar Hotel; a restaurant set up on the roof of El Llorenç during the warm months; lunches and dinners to share at the Sky Bar of the Saratoga. For Sunday brunch, KATAGI Blau and El Cielo del Born are good addresses.
A rooftop for every occasion
As a couple or with friends
For an evening for two, the Singular terrace facing the basilica, Terracota with its shade sails or El Cielo del Born play the intimacy card. With friends, the Sky Bar of the Saratoga and the bar of Ç The Rooftop, which do not take reservations for a drink, lend themselves to impromptu outings, while Sky Nudos and the Nakar roof, with its DJ, come alive after dark.
Getting around easily
Central Palma can be explored on foot: from the Cathedral, it takes about ten minutes to reach the Moll Vell, La Calatrava or Avenida Jaume III, and about twenty to reach Santa Catalina. Drivers will find an underground public car park on the Passeig de Mallorca, near the Almudaina, Nakar and Saratoga hotels. For the Platja de Palma, EMT bus line 25 leaves from the Plaça de la Reina.
Tips for making the most of Palma's rooftops
Seasons and access
Palma's mild climate means most terraces can be enjoyed all year round, but several hotel rooftops reserve their pools for guests and limit visitor access: the Singular terrace welcomes them only on summer evenings, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm, and the Nakar roof from mid-May to mid-October from 7.30pm; the Sky Bar of the Almudaina closes for a few weeks in January. Opening hours change with the seasons: check them before you go, book when you can and arrive early to watch the sun set over the bay.
Photo : Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0