Discover the best castles in Majorca

When you think of a holiday in Majorca, the first thing that comes to mind are its paradisiacal beaches and hidden coves where you can sunbathe while you cool off in the crystal-clear waters. But what many people don’t know is that Majorca is an island full of history where you can find traces of other eras in every corner.

One of the best ways to discover this history is through the castles, magical places that have seen life develop inside their walls and which have thousands of stories and legends to tell their visitors. Here at ROIG we’re going to help you discover the best castles in Majorca so that you can hit the road and make your days off an unforgettable experience.

Alaró Castle

Alaró Castle is one of the best things to do in Mallorca. The Saracens arrived on the Balearic island in 902 and there is evidence that the first thing they erected was this fortification. Moreover, this castle became one of the last Arab resistances on the island until 1229, with the arrival of James I the Conqueror.

Today you can visit the castle wall, with five towers that are still standing. You can find it in the Serra de la Tramuntana mountain range and it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, so it should be one of your must-see places in Majorca.

Punta de n’Amer Castle

The Punta de n’Amer castle is one of the local favourites and is also usually one of the most praised by visitors from all over the world. This fortified tower, located in the municipality of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, is a must on your visit to the island.

Its construction dates from the mid-17th century and it has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. The main tower that stands on the castle was used as a watchtower to keep watch over neighbouring towers and to act quickly in the event of a sea attack. The castle is surrounded by a moat and can only be accessed via a drawbridge, which makes the experience all the more exciting.

Inside the castle you can visit a small museum and there is a perfectly preserved cannon at the top of the castle. Don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful sea views from the terrace.

Bellver Castle

Bellver Castle is located in Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital, and is one of the most emblematic castles in the region. In its time, this fortification housed a prison, but now it is the meeting point for the people when they want to celebrate all kinds of festivities and events. That is why it is one of the best castles in Palma de Mallorca that are worth setting aside a morning to visit.

Concerts, plays, fairs, etc. are held there. The castle was built using stone from a quarry located just below the building. One of the main attractions of Bellver Castle are the views it offers over the bay of Palma, as it is located on a small mountain above sea level, close to the city.

Capdepera Castle

If you are looking for the best things to do in Majorca in autumn, we would like to introduce you to Capdepera Castle, a very well preserved fortress on the northwest coast of the island. It is a mediaeval castle located on Puig de Capdepera, a 160-metre high hill from which you can enjoy fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea.

This fortress was erected during the reign of James I of Aragon in the 14th century, and nowadays a great festival is held annually to celebrate the founding of the town of Capdepera, with which it shares its name. The castle is open all year round, although the climb is only suitable for the most daring, because to reach the highest point you have to climb 150 steps. Dare to try?

Santueri Castle

With the reconquest of Mallorca in 1229 by James I, Santueri Castle became the property of Nuño Sans, the Count of Roussillon, who died 20 years later. The fortification then passed into the hands of his nephew James II, King of Mallorca, but unfortunately after a few years, with the assault by King Alfonso III of Aragon, the castle was practically in ruins.

It was then that the fortification became part of the kingdom of Aragon and was used as a watchtower against possible attacks from the sea. Finally, in 1811, the castle was sold to a private individual, completely ceasing its function as a fortress. This owner renovated it and made it suitable for visitors, turning it into one of the most emblematic spots on the island.

King’s Castle

The Castell del Rei (King’s Castle) is located in the Ternelles Valley, in the region of Pollença, in the northern part of the island of Mallorca. Nowadays, this fortification is in ruins and there are very few stones left that are capable of outlining the shape of what was once a great defensive fortress.

In its time, the castle was very similar to the fortresses of Alaró and Santueri. The path that will take you to the fort is completely public, although access to the interior is restricted and only some people with special permits or on special dates when the place is open to the public have access to it.

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Royal Palace of La Almudaina

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina is one of Mallorca’s finest castles and is located just behind Palma Cathedral. This complex is still in use today and serves as the official residence of the Spanish royal family when they are on the island. In addition, it also hosts all the monarchical ceremonies that take place in Mallorca.

The castle area is open to the public, so you can take a luxurious stroll through the courtyards and ancient rooms. In addition, this complex also houses the chapel of Santa Anna, a construction from the Gothic-Roman period that has a marble portal that is worth admiring and photographing.

During the summer months, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina opens its doors free of charge on Wednesdays and Sundays, although you will have to queue a little to get in, but we can assure you it is worth the wait.

San Carlos Castle Museum

The Castle Museum of San Carlos is one of the fortifications on our list because it is a castle with a different style to those we have shown you previously. In 1610 King Philip III ordered this fortification to be built to defend the maritime area of the island, especially the natural harbour of the city of Palma, then called Porto Pí.

Pirates continually assaulted the city from this point and the Barbary pirates mercilessly flogged the Mallorcan people. After a while, King Philip IV felt the need to enlarge this castle, so a major construction work was carried out, which is what gave it its unique shape.

The castle has a trapezoid-shaped ground plan and four large, highly original bastions. Nowadays, inside the castle you can visit the Military Museum of Mallorca, and if you have a bit of time, don’t forget to visit the Porto Pi lighthouse, very close to the castle.

Cabrera Castle

We finish our selection of the best castles in Majorca with Cabrera Castle, a fortification located on the small island of Cabrera, but belonging to the municipality of Mallorca. To get to this fortification you will have to take a ferry from the port of Palma and the trip will take you just a few minutes.

When you reach the small island you can walk around it on foot in a leisurely stroll. During your walk you will come across a hexagonal building located at the eastern end of the entrance to the natural harbour, rising to a height of 72 metres above sea level. The attacks that this castle has suffered throughout history have meant that this building has little to do with what it was originally.

This is a day trip that is worth organising if you are enjoying your holidays in Majorca, as it will allow you to leave your watch at the hotel and just worry about enjoying the small details and the wildest nature.

Now that you’ve discovered the best castles in Majorca, you’ve probably realised that to get to them you’ll need your own vehicle. At ROIG we want to make it easy for you and help you hire the best car in Majorca at a good price so that you can enjoy your holidays at your own pace and with total freedom. Enter our website to discover the offers!