About Bellver Castle
Bellver Castle is a 14th-century Gothic castle on the outskirts of Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain, notable for its rare circular layout.
The castle was constructed for the Mallorcan crown in the early 14th century and served as a royal residence, then as a military and later a municipal site. Over centuries it was adapted for defensive use and later converted to public and museum functions.
Sited on a wooded hill just west of Palma’s historic centre, the castle overlooks the city and harbour and is reached by a short drive, public transport or a steep walk from central Palma.
- Design: One of the rare Gothic castles in Europe built on a circular plan, often cited for its distinctive round form.
- Views: Located on a wooded hill just outside Palma, the castle’s ramparts offer uninterrupted views over Palma and the Bay of Palma - best in clear weather or at sunset.
What to See#
- Central keep and courtyard: A circular Gothic keep and courtyard around a central well form the castle’s core; the plan is notable for its nearly circular layout and concentric ramparts.
- Palma History Museum: Housed in rooms around the ramparts and inner ward, the municipal city collection presents Palma’s history and rotating temporary exhibits.
- Ramparts and viewing terraces: Wide stone ramparts and terraces provide several panoramic viewpoints across the city of Palma and the Bay of Palma, used for photography and sunset views.
Nearby Attractions to Bellver Castle
Best Time to Visit Bellver Castle
Visit Bellver Castle in spring or early autumn (April-June or September-October) to avoid the hottest, busiest weeks of mid-summer while enjoying good weather and views.
Weather & Climate near Bellver Castle
Bellver Castle's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 30°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 5° - 15° | 10° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.6h |
| February | Very Good | 5° - 15° | 10° | 34 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.6 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.6h |
| March | Very Good | 6° - 17° | 12° | 32 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 8° - 19° | 14° | 40 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.1h |
| May | Ideal | 12° - 23° | 17° | 29 mm | some cloud | 75% | 3.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.2h |
| June | Ideal | 16° - 26° | 21° | 15 mm | mostly sunny | 72% | 3.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 14.7h |
| July | Ideal | 18° - 30° | 24° | 6 mm | mostly sunny | 69% | 3.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.5h |
| August | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 25° | 17 mm | mostly sunny | 69% | 3.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.5h |
| September | Excellent | 17° - 27° | 22° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 3.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 13° - 23° | 18° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.3 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| December | Very Good | 7° - 16° | 11° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
How to Get to Bellver Castle
Bellver Castle sits on a wooded hill just west of Palma de Mallorca’s city centre (only a few kilometres from central Palma). By car it’s a short drive from Palma - follow local signs for Castell de Bellver and park nearby. From Palma centre the castle is reachable by a 15-25 minute uphill walk, a short taxi ride, or by local buses serving the Bellver area.
Tips for Visiting Bellver Castle
- Go late afternoon or near sunset for the best light over Palma and the bay from the ramparts-views from the circular castle are the highlight for photography.
- Avoid peak cruise-ship hours by visiting early or late; many day-trip visitors arrive mid-day so mornings and late afternoons are noticeably quieter.
- Take the tree-lined path up from Palma if you prefer a pleasant walk through the woodland setting, and allow time to explore the interior courtyard and museum displays inside the castle.
