Visiting Castill De Bellver with Palma City Sightseeing Bus Tours

When my daughter and I visited Palma De Mallorca earlier this year, we took a City Sightseeing tour bus to be able to see more of the Palma. We had already explored Palma Old Town, which we loved. It’s so cute, quirky and lives up to it’s “old town” name. It was definitely a firm favourite holiday destination of ours. But, seeing more was something we were excited for. We are pretty big fans of castles, when it be Carrickfergus castle here in County Antrim, N.Ireland or even Downhill House in County Derry, N.Ireland. Whatever the castle, we’re big fans, which is why we were excited to visit the Castill De Bellver with Palma City Sight Seeing Tours.

Castill De Bellver

Built in the 14th century on top of a hill in the west of Palma, Castill de Bellver is a beautiful Gothic-style castle. It was originally built for King James II of Majorca and is also one of the few circular castles in Europe.

From the summit of Bellver castle, you are gifted with a 360 degree panorama view of the Bay of Palma and the mountains of Tramuntana, Majorca’s 90km mountain range. Bellver is Spain’s only existing circular castle and during it’s long history was used as a royal summer residence. However, more interestingly it was used as a prison for almost six centuries. It ended it’s rein from being a prison in 1915.

Castill de Bellver is the only castle that I have visited, that still has a moat and a drawbridge. It’s so perfectly preserved, it excites me to think who has walked over that drawbridge over the centuries. Bellver also has three defence towers and a tall free-standing keep, known as Torre del Homenaje.

Getting “the shot”

Inside the grounds of the castle, the circular rooftop views are incredible. However, getting “the shot” with the entire circle in your photo is no easy feat. It wasn’t even possible with my Samsung S20 wide angled feature either! I had to sit on the edge of the circle in the courtyard, lean back & use the panorama feature on my phone. Just to nab that shot. I must have looked insane to people walking around. But I did not care as that shot is 100% worth it.

The courtyard also houses a museum of sorts, with artefacts of Roman, Arab and Spanish periods. There is also the old castle kitchen and castle chapel to see as well. And of course, walking up to the top and walking around the roof of Spain’s only existing circular castle.

We had a great time visiting Castill de Bellver. It is definitely a place you need to visit if you’re in Palma. You can find it on the map, below! To get there, I highly recommend getting tickets for the Palma Sightseeing tours. Castill de Bellver is stop number sixteen on the route.