Hotels near Old Town of Palma de Mallorca

Palma's Old Town (Casc Antic) wraps around La Seu in a maze of Arab-era alleys, Renaissance courtyards, and Modernista facades. Walk from the cathedral up Carrer del Palau Reial to the Almudaina Royal Palace - originally a Moorish fortress, now a working royal residence and museum. From there cut through the Jewish quarter (Sa Calatrava) and Placa Sant Francesc with its 13th-century Gothic basilica.

The heart of the area is Placa Major, a clean Neoclassical square ringed by cafes. Carrer Sant Miquel runs north and is the best street for ensaimada bakeries (Forn des Teatre and Ca'n Joan de S'Aigo are the institutions), while Passeig del Born has the higher-end shopping. Don't skip the Banys Arabs, an intact 10th-century Arab bathhouse on Carrer Can Serra, and the Mercat de l'Olivar food market for tapas at lunch.

Pro Tip: Many private patios on Carrer Can Savella and Carrer Morey only open during the Ruta dels Patis in May - check Palma's tourism office calendar before you travel if you want to see the inside of these courtyards.