Palma reveals its soul at walking pace. Behind heavy wooden gates and weather-worn stone walls, time-capsule courtyards invite visitors into a quieter world. If you’re wondering which courtyards of Palma de Mallorca you simply can’t miss—and you fancy topping off the outing with a sweet reward—follow this route through five iconic patios and finish with Sukalde’s legendary Basque-style cheesecake in the old town.
A five-stop journey through Courtyards of Palma de Mallorca
Begin on Carrer de l’Almudaina, where Can Oms (1666) greets you with a baroque staircase and Ionic columns polished by centuries of sea air. Early-morning light makes the marble veins glow.
Steps away stands Can Bordils, its pointed Gothic arch leading to the city archives. Walk under the rib-vaulted ceiling and you’ll feel transported to the 14th century.
Drift on to Can Savellà to find Can Vivot: a perfect square patio framed by Tuscan columns and crowned with a noble coat of arms. Imagine horse-drawn carriages once clattering over these flagstones.
Head toward Carrer de la Unió, where modest shutters hide Can Balaguer. Inside, Renaissance sobriety meets Modernist flourishes, and a small interior garden offers a pocket of calm amid the shopping rush.
Save your camera’s last shot for Can Forteza Rey on Carrer de Colom. Its flamboyant Modernist façade—mosaics, grotesque masks, columns spiralling like candy—opens onto a luminous courtyard that might as well be a Gaudí postcard.
Tip: All five palaces allow free entry (unless hosting a paid exhibition). Some are still private homes—keep your voice down and respect residents’ signs.
The perfect finale: Basque cheesecake at Sukalde
After exploring the courtyards of Palma de Mallorca, let your feet, and taste buds, rest at Sukalde (Carrer del Forn de la Glòria 5). The house specialty is a Basque cheesecake baked at high heat: caramel-dark edges, a molten centre, finished with local honey and toasted walnuts.
Feeling peckish? Pair it with the signature Rabowich (oxtail mini-sandwich) or char-grilled octopus with smoked-garlic alioli. From the cocktail list, a crisp Txakoli or an Espresso Martini makes the cheesecake sing.
Book online here or call 686 92 44 08 to secure your table.
A day to remember
Wandering the courtyards of Palma de Mallorca is like leafing through five centuries of island history—Gothic cloisters, baroque staircases, Modernist mosaics—all within a kilometre of each other. Ending the walk with Sukalde’s indulgent Basque cheesecake turns a cultural outing into an unforgettable experience. Architecture, heritage and flavour, all in the heart of Palma. Ready to lace up?