Hotels near Cathedral of Palma (La Seu)

Towering above Palma's harbour, the Cathedral of Palma, known locally as La Seu, is the most photographed building in the Balearic Islands and the obvious starting point for any list of places to visit in Mallorca. Construction began in 1229 under King Jaume I of Aragon and continued for nearly 400 years, leaving a Catalan Gothic exterior with the world's largest rose window (12.5 metres in diameter) and a soaring nave 44 metres high.

Inside, two later interventions transform the experience. Antoni Gaudi oversaw a controversial 1904-1914 restoration that suspended a wrought-iron canopy above the high altar. In 2007 Mallorcan artist Miquel Barcelo completed a ceramic mural in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament - 300 square metres of clay seascape that splits opinion locally. Climb to the rooftop terraces (separate ticket, advance booking essential) for sweeping views over the bay of Palma.

Pro Tip: Time your visit for the spring or autumn equinox (around 2 February or 11 November), when sunlight passes through the east rose window and projects its image onto the wall directly beneath the west window - locals call it the 'Figure of Eight' and it draws crowds from 8:30 am.