Three kilometres from Palma's old centre, on a hill 113 metres above the bay, stands one of the few circular castles in Europe. Bellver — the name means 'lovely view' in Catalan — was built between 1300 and 1311 by Pere Salva, the same architect behind the Almudaina Palace, on the orders of Jaume II of Mallorca. The stone courtyard rises on two levels: semicircular arches below, Gothic arches with rib-vaulting above, and a free-standing keep connected by a single arch.
The castle has been a royal residence, a medieval fortress that held off two sieges, and a prison whose most famous occupant, the Spanish minister Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, spent six years here and used the time to write the first systematic description of the building. Since 1932 it has been Palma's City History Museum, and the surrounding forest is the only wooded area in the Balearic capital.
People who come back tend to time it for a Sunday — entry is free, and the rooftop terrace in the morning light, before the tour groups arrive, is worth the trip alone. The dungeon inside the Homage Tower, known locally as the Olla (the pot), is easy to miss if you follow the museum route without doubling back.
Jaume II commissioned Bellver in 1300, and Pere Salva finished it in eleven years — fast work for a Gothic castle of this scale. Its circular plan was unusual then and remains rare now. As a royal seat of the Kings of Mallorca it was prestigious, but its career as a prison began almost immediately after the dynasty fell. When James III of Mallorca died at the Battle of Llucmajor in 1349, his queen, Violante of Vilaragut, and her stepchildren were held within these walls. The castle resisted siege in 1343 and again in 1391, though it fell once, briefly, during the Revolt of the Brotherhoods in 1521.
Its most documented prisoner arrived in 1802: Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, the minister of justice, who spent six years confined here and commissioned the first architectural blueprints of the building. The Spanish Second Republic transferred the castle to the city of Palma in 1931, along with the surrounding forest, and it opened as a museum the following year.
Mallorca runs warm and dry through summer — the hilltop position catches a breeze, but the stone terrace is fully exposed. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable visiting conditions; winter days are mild and the castle is rarely crowded.
Loved our visit to the castle. 32 degrees so decided to taxi up and walk down, wise decision! Beautiful castle, and as visited early morning, very quiet. Made a nice contrast from the hustle and bustle of the city. Good cafe for refreshments. Views over the bay/ harbour are amazing and the castle itself creates great photo opportunities. Ticket prices are very reasonable. So to summarise, we had a great time and have some memorable photos to remind us.
This is an absolute must-visit landmark when you are in Palma! Castell de Bellver is incredibly unique due to its rare circular design and majestic towers. Walking along the upper walls gives you the most spectacular, uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic views of the entire city of Palma, the cathedral, and the huge harbor filled with ships. Inside, there is a fascinating museum showcasing local history, and the central courtyard is beautifully preserved. It feels like stepping back in time. It is a fantastic spot for photography, especially during the late afternoon light. Highly recommended!
Entrance costs 4 euros and it's worth it. Doesn't take too long to get to know the entire castle and it's a nice little cultural tour for Mallorca. Great view of Palma from the top of the castle. The parking (free) may be a little complicated because it's small, you may have to wait for someone that's leaving.
Just gorgeous views and interesting historic site with a small museum. Uphill to get there can be hard in the heat so we took a cab up and then returned to our hotel doing the walk down. We were there on June 25. I recommend sunglasses, a parasol and fan. There is a small gift shop and outdoor café for refreshments after the visit. Just lovely!
1. Perfectly Circular Design Bellver Castle is one of the very few circular castles in Europe. Most castles are square or rectangular, which makes Bellver instantly unique. 2. Built in the 14th Century It was constructed around 1300 for King James II of Mallorca. 3. Name Means “Beautiful View” “Bellver” comes from old Catalan words meaning beautiful view and the castle absolutely lives up to the name. 4. Overlooks Palma The castle sits on a hill about 3 km from the center of Palma, giving sweeping views of the city, harbor, and Mediterranean Sea. 5. Used as a Royal Residence Unlike many military castles, Bellver was originally designed as a comfortable royal home as well. 6. Later Became a Prison Over the centuries, the castle was used to imprison political prisoners and military figures. 7. Unique Central Courtyard Inside is a stunning two-level circular courtyard with Gothic arches that feels almost theatrical. 8. Built from Local Sandstone Much of the stone came from caves beneath the castle hill itself. 9. Now a Museum Today it houses the Museum of the History of Palma, telling the story of Mallorca’s past. 10. One of Mallorca’s Best Sunset Spots Many visitors go in the late afternoon because the sunset views over Palma Bay are spectacular. 🌅
Background & history adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · specs from Wikidata (CC0) · weather from Open-Meteo · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · photos from Wikimedia Commons / Unsplash with per-image credit. No third-party reviews or social posts reproduced.
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