Bellver Castle tickets, opening hours and the forest walk up from Palma

Most castles in Europe are square, rectangular or simply follow the shape of their hill. This one is a perfect circle, and it has been watching over the bay for more than 700 years.

What is Bellver Castle and why is it round?

Bellver Castle is a Gothic fortress built on a circular plan, with three round towers attached to the main walls and a fourth, larger tower standing apart. That detached keep, the Torre de l’Homenatge, is linked to the castle by a stone bridge over the moat. Seen from above, the whole complex looks like a giant compass, and no other castle on Mallorca looks anything like it.

Historians still debate why the king chose a round design. A circle is easier to defend from every side, but it also had a symbolic meaning in medieval times, linked to perfection and royal power. Whatever the reason, the result is one of the most photogenic monuments in the Balearic Islands and, thanks to its location, the best viewpoint in Palma.

The castle sits about 112 m above sea level, on a hill covered by the Bellver forest, a protected pine wood that’s now one of the largest parks in Palma. From the walls you look down on the marina, the cathedral and the curve of Palma Bay, with the Mediterranean Sea stretching away to the south.

A short history of Castell de Bellver

A royal residence for King James II

Construction of Castell de Bellver began in 1300, during the reign of King James II of Mallorca, the son of James I the Conqueror. Several master builders worked on the site, among them Pere Salvà, who is also linked to the Gothic works at the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. The castle was designed as a summer royal residence with a fortress built in, so it combined comfortable halls with thick walls, arrow slits and a moat.

Bellver resisted sieges in 1343 and 1391, and it fell only once, in 1521, during the revolt of the Germanies. Over the following centuries the kings stayed here less and less, and from the 17th century the castle was sometimes used by the viceroys of Mallorca.

Six centuries as a prison

Bellver’s longest role was as a prison. From the late 14th century, and above all as a military prison from the 18th to the mid-20th century, its cells held political prisoners and prisoners of war. The writer and minister Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos spent six years here, from 1802 to 1808, and used the time to write a detailed description of the castle.

After the Battle of Bailén in 1808, thousands of French soldiers were sent to Mallorca, and the highest-ranking officers were held in the castle. You can still spot graffiti scratched into the stone by prisoners from different periods. In 1821, during a yellow fever epidemic, the castle even worked for a time as a mint, where silver from local churches was melted down to make coins.

From military prison to city museum

In 1931 the Second Spanish Republic handed the castle and the surrounding forest over to the city of Palma. A museum opened inside in 1932, and after a major restoration in 1976 it became the City History Museum. Today Castell de Bellver belongs to the Palma de Mallorca city council and is one of the most visited monuments on the island.

Bellver Castle in 2 hours - a simple route

• 0-20 minutes: walk up from Plaça Gomila through the pine forest, using the stairs and the path that cut across the road.
• 20-60 minutes: cross the moat, explore the central courtyard and visit the rooms of the City History Museum.
• 60-80 minutes: climb to the rooftop terrace, walk all the way around the walls and look across to the keep.
• 80-120 minutes: take a different trail down through the forest and finish with a drink in Santa Catalina or on the seafront.

Two hours is enough to see the castle properly without rushing. Here’s how to split the time and discover the castle at an easy pace if you arrive on foot from the city.

If you come to Bellver Castle by car, taxi or tourist bus, you’ll save the climb and can spend the extra time in the forest or at one of the viewpoints around the castle entrance. In summer, start early, as the walk up is steep and there’s little shade near the top.

What to see inside Bellver Castle

The central courtyard

The heart of Bellver Castle is its round central courtyard, surrounded by two levels of galleries. On the ground floor you’ll see heavy semicircular arches, while the upper floor has lighter Gothic pointed arches, a mix of styles that gives the courtyard its character. In the middle there’s a cistern that once collected rainwater for the whole garrison.

The rooms and the chapel of Sant Marc

Around the courtyard are the old royal palace rooms and the chapel of Sant Marc, which is still used for weddings and civil ceremonies. The halls are simple rather than lavish, but their vaulted ceilings and thick walls help you imagine life at the medieval court. Look out for the room where Jovellanos was held, now part of the visit.

The City History Museum and the Despuig collection

The ground-floor rooms house the City History Museum, which tells the story of Palma from its Roman origins through the Islamic and Spanish periods to the present day. Displays include archaeological finds, ceramics, coins and old photographs of Palma. A separate section shows the Despuig collection, classical sculptures gathered by the 18th-century Mallorcan cardinal Antoni Despuig, many of them brought from Italy.

The rooftop terrace and the keep

The highlight of Castell de Bellver for most visitors is the rooftop terrace. From here you get panoramic views over the city, the port, the cathedral and the entire bay, with the mountains in the background. It’s the place for photos, especially in the late afternoon when the light turns golden. Across the moat, the tall keep tower rises like a separate lighthouse, joined to the walls by its narrow bridge.

Bellver Castle opening hours and tickets

Bellver Castle is closed on Mondays all year. From October to March, the opening hours are 10am to 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday, and from April to September they’re 10am to 7pm. On Sundays and bank holidays, the castle opens from 10am to 3pm. It’s also closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 December. If you want to visit Bellver Castle on a quiet day, go on a weekday morning.

Last entry is 30 minutes before closing, and the ticket office in the Visitor Reception Centre by the castle entrance and car park stops selling tickets 45 minutes before closing. Entry to Castell de Bellver is free on Sundays and for children under 14, and there are reduced tickets for young people, students and pensioners. The castle can also close at short notice for official events organised by the city.

How to get to Bellver Castle

Bellver forest and other things to do nearby

The Bellver forest is one of the largest green spaces in Palma, with shady trails, children’s play areas and a lovely view at almost every turn. It’s a lovely place to stroll before or after your visit, and many people from Palma come here to run or walk their dogs. Pack water and wear comfortable shoes, as some of the trails are steep.

At the foot of the hill, the old fishermen’s district of Santa Catalina is full of restaurants, tapas bars and a lively food market. From there it’s a short walk to the Es Baluard museum and the old town, where you can visit La Seu Cathedral and the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. Along the Passeig Marítim, the promenade by the marina, you’ll find bars with sea views, perfect for a sunset drink.

Is Bellver Castle worth visiting?

Yes, Castell de Bellver is worth visiting, especially if you love history, architecture or simply great views. The round courtyard is unlike anything else on the island, the museum is small but interesting, and the rooftop gives you the best view of Palma. It’s also good value, free on Sundays and one of the most unusual castles in Spain.

It’s a good choice with kids too. Children love crossing the bridge to the keep, spotting the graffiti and running around the forest playgrounds after the visit. Pushchairs can manage the courtyard, but the stairs to the rooftop are not step-free, so check the accessibility details before you go.

Practical information

• Tours of Bellver Castle are worth booking in advance. You can choose from bus, bike and walking tours with experienced guides, who will show you the most interesting places, answer your questions and share stories about the castle and the city.
• Address: Carrer de Camilo José Cela, s/n, 07014 Palma, Mallorca
• Book tours on GetYourGuide

Hotels near Bellver Castle

Bellver Castle stands on a hill above the western part of Palma, so the closest hotels are on the hillside and along the Passeig Marítim. Staying here puts you between the castle, the marina and Palma’s old town, with good bus links and the sea on your doorstep.

💰 Hotel Amic Horizonte

A family-run hotel on the hillside above Palma‘s port, about 2 km from the city centre and a short drive from the castle. Rooms are simple and bright, many with balconies, and the terrace and outdoor pool look out over the bay. The buffet restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes, so you don’t need to go far for dinner. It’s a good budget base if you want sea views without paying seafront prices.

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🏨 Catalonia Majórica

A comfortable mid-range hotel on the slopes below the Bellver forest, with views over the bay of Palma. It has an outdoor pool with a large sun terrace and bar, a hot tub and a small gym, and every room comes with a balcony. The restaurant overlooks the port and serves international food. It suits couples and families who want a pool and an easy walk to the castle trails.

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💎 Hotel Victoria, a Gran Meliá Hotel

A classic luxury hotel on the Passeig Marítim, right at the foot of the Bellver hill and about 100 m from the marina. Many rooms have views over the bay, and there are both indoor and outdoor pools. Breakfast is served in the Marivent restaurant, while La Terraza del Victoria is the place for dinner with a view. Choose it for a special trip with the sea, the castle and the old town all close by.

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