Castell de Bellver

Castell de Bellver sits alone on its pine-covered hilltop, one of only three circular Gothic castles in Europe. You'll walk through the unique round courtyard with its elegant two-story arches, climb the keep for sweeping views over Palma Bay, and explore rooms that now house Palma's city history museum. The 14th-century fortress was built as a summer palace for King James II of Mallorca, though it spent most of its life as a prison.

The circular design creates an almost magical atmosphere as you move through curved corridors and chambers that feel completely different from typical angular castles. The central courtyard is surprisingly intimate, with perfect acoustics that make summer concerts here exceptional. From the rooftop battlements, you get unobstructed 360-degree views: the cathedral and old town spread below, the airport and mountains beyond, and endless Mediterranean stretching to the horizon. The pine forest surrounding the castle makes the whole experience feel removed from the city bustle.

Most guides oversell the museum inside, which is fairly standard local history with limited English signage. The real draw is the architecture and views, so don't spend too much time reading displays. Entry costs €4 for adults, €2 for students and seniors. Skip the audio guide and focus on the courtyard and tower climb. The gift shop is overpriced tourist tat, but the small cafe sells decent coffee for €2 if you need a break.