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Dominating the entire port, Palma Cathedral (known as Sa Seu) is a glowing man-made mountain of sandstone. The second largest Gothic cathedral in the world, it is also the symbol of the city and the island’s most visited building (see Sa Seu: Palma Cathedral).

Having been a royal palace for over 1,000 years, this building’s style speaks of its long, fractious history with an uneasy blending of Islamic and Gothic elements.

Just behind the cathedral, the 17th-century Palau Episcopal houses a little diocese museum. On display are items from various churches in Mallorca as well as a selection of majolica tiles. Particularly noteworthy are: a picture of St George slaying the dragon in front of Palma’s city gate, painted in 1468–70 by Pere Nisart; Bishop Galiana’s panel depicting the life of St Paul (who is portrayed holding a sword); the Gothic pulpit in a Mudéjar (Spanish-Moorish) style; and the jasper sarcophagus of Jaume II, which stood in the cathedral until 1904. The palace itself, which is built around a large courtyard, adjoins the city walls. (See also Museu Diocesà, Palma).

This 10th-century brick hammam (bath house) is one of the few architectural reminders of a Moorish presence on Mallorca. A small horseshoe-arched chamber, with a dome supported by irregular columns and what would once have been under-floor heating, it has survived in its original form. This would have been the tepidarium , the lukewarm room; there would have also been a hot room and a cold plunge. Apart from this, there’s not much to see, but the pleasant garden has tables and chairs.

It’s worth the entrance fee just to see the building, a 17th-century palace built on the foundations of one of Mallorca’s earliest Arab houses. The museum contains some fascinating exhibits, providing a quick overview of Mallorca from prehistory to the 20th century. There are some powerful recreations of Neolithic and Bronze Age tombs and dwellings, and several treasures from Roman times. Some gorgeous examples of Modernista furniture are on the top floor – in particular a console with a daringly asymmetrical design (see aslo Museu de Mallorca, Palma).

During the Middle Ages, this was Palma’s most fashionable church, and to be buried here was a major status symbol. Aristrocratic families competed with each other by building ever more ostentatious sarcophagi in which to place their dead. The dark interior contains many fine works of art. Next to a 17th-century statue of the Madonna is the carved figure of the famous medieval mystic Ramon Llull, who is buried in the church. Standing in front of the basilica is a statue of Junípero Serra, a Franciscan monk and native of Mallorca, who was sent to California in 1768 and founded Los Angeles and San Francisco. (See also Basilica de Sant Francesc, Palma).

Several interesting examples of Palma’s Modernista output are found in this square. The Gran Hotel was Palma’s first luxury hotel when it opened in 1903. Designed by Catalan architect Lluis Domenech i Muntaner, it was the building that began the craze for Modernista in the city and is now an excellent art gallery (free) with a permanent display of paintings by Hermen Anglada-Camarasa and a major venue for temporary exhibitions. Across the street is the wonderful façade of the Forn des Teatre pastry shop next to the old-fashioned Bar Central (see Bar Central).

A fine Italianate edifice, Ca’n Solleric was built for a family of olive oil merchants in 1763 and converted into a modern art gallery in 1995. It stands at the top of the gracious Passeig des Born, which was created in the 19th century on a dried-up river-bed. This is Palma’s main promenade, similar to Barcelona’s famous Ramblas and the venue of large-scale cultural events. Set among its plane trees are flowerbeds and seats.

One of Europe’s most remarkable, fairytale castles was actually a prison for 700 years and now houses an excellent museum.

The prolific career of Catalan master Joan Miró in all its depth and variety: few artists have had such a brilliant showcase built for them.