There are many ways to approach the Cathedral of Mallorca (la Seu), but none as unforgettable as visiting the terraces of the Cathedral of Mallorca and climbing its stone spine. Between April and October, the temple opens this labyrinth of walkways, medieval stairways and buttresses that give the most fascinating postcard of the old town: the tapestry of Arab roofs, the bay and the Serra de Tramuntana merge perfectly with the great rose window and gargoyles, which you will have just a few centimeters from your eyes.
- Duration: 40 – 45 minutes, in guided groups.
- Visit the terraces of the Cathedral of Mallorca: Puerta de la Almoina; make your reservation at this link because places are very limited.
- Height: about 48 m above the sea; there are 215 steps, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Must: stop by the Gothic eye (the largest rose window of its style) and lean out of the buttress overlooking the Parc de la Mar: the view is like a movie.
- Price: General admission tickets cost 25 euros and for residents 8 euros.
When the legs start to ask for a break, the getaway continues with a small gastronomic twist. Less than a ten-minute walk away you’ll find two stops with Basque accents that blend perfectly with the salty aroma and golden stone of the promenade.
Sukalde – New-Wave Basque within Puro Grand Hotel
Tucked into a 17th-century mansion on Carrer del Forn de la Glòria, 5, Sukalde pairs minimalist elegance with a menu that fuses northern Spanish classics and island ingredients. Think: line-caught cod dressed in pil-pil sauce brightened with local olive oil, or melt-in-the-mouth arroz meloso of octopus and red prawns. Order a Gilda “top” pintxo—steak tartare atop the iconic olive-anchovy-pepper skewer—for a playful start, then share an 800-gram txuleta grilled over almond-wood embers. The wine list salutes both Rioja legends and rising Mallorcan vintners.
La Vasca – Casual Pintxos & Charcoal
La Vasca, the group’s original tavern on Carrer de Bonaire, 19, is all about comfort: croquetas oozing Idiazábal cheese, rabowich mini-sandwiches of slow-cooked oxtail, and tortillas “vagas” studded with Navarre chistorra. If you’re craving a hearty finish, the signature txuleton arrives on a sizzling board, flanked by padrón peppers and hand-cut fries—perfect with a glass of young Txakoli.
Make a Day of It
- Morning: 09:00 stroll through Parc de la Mar & bookshop browsing in Carrer del Sindicat.
- Mid-morning: 10:30 guided tour of La Seu interiors.
- Terrace ascent: 12:00 – feel the breeze, frame the rose window, capture the bay.
- Lunch: 13:45 pintxos crawl at La Vasca or linger over tasting plates at Sukalde.
- Siesta or shopping: 15:30 boutiques of Passeig del Born are minutes away.
Whether you’re an architecture buff, a photography hunter, or simply someone who collects “wow” moments, the Cathedral terraces + Basque-inflected cuisine combo offers a fresh way to fall in love with Palma—one step, one bite, and one unforgettable skyline at a time.