Passeig des Born

Passeig des Born is the main boulevard of old Palma, a tree-lined promenade in the Old Town that runs from Plaça de la Reina to Plaça de Joan Carles I on the island of Mallorca in Spain's Balearic Islands. It is lined with arcades, aristocratic palaces and designer shops, and it works as both a promenade and a shopping street. Palma's principal stores, Mallorcan craft shops and terrace cafes cluster around it, and the surrounding lanes lead to Sa Llotja and the Santa Catalina neighbourhood a few minutes away. Visitors typically spend 30 to 60 minutes walking the length of the boulevard, longer if they shop or stop for coffee. There is no entry fee and the street is open at all hours, though shops generally trade from about 10:00 to 20:00 and many close on Sundays. The wide central walkway makes the Born pleasant for a slow stroll, and the facades of the palaces on the side streets reward a look upward. Early evening is the most popular time, when residents and visitors come out for an aperitif and the terraces fill. Weekday mornings are quiet and suit those who prefer to browse shops or take photographs without crowds. The boulevard is walkable from Plaça de la Reina and Plaça de Joan Carles I, and EMT buses stop on Avinguda Jaume III nearby. It also forms a natural link between the cathedral area and the Plaça Major, so it fits well into a half-day on foot through the historic centre. The lanes off the Born include small galleries, bakeries and bars, and are worth exploring without a fixed plan.