Plaça Major

Plaça Major is a pedestrian square in the centre of Palma's Old Town, on the island of Mallorca in Spain's Balearic Islands. It was built in the 19th century on the site of the former Inquisition building, and its uniform arcaded facades give it an enclosed, formal feel. Cafes and restaurants line the arcades with outdoor tables, and street musicians perform in the square on busy days. Small craft stalls and artists sometimes set up here, and the square is a convenient place for a coffee between sights. The Plaça Major connects to the Plaça de Cort and the city hall through the pedestrian shopping streets of Carrer Sant Miquel and Carrer Jaume II, so it forms a hub in the old town's network of lanes. Visitors typically spend 20 to 30 minutes, longer if they stop for a drink. The square is open at all hours and free; cafes operate from roughly 08:00 to 23:00. Morning is quiet and suits a coffee and a pastry, while the early evening brings residents and visitors for drinks. The best photographs are taken from the centre looking toward the arcades with the evening light on the facades. It is about a five-minute walk uphill from the Passeig des Born on the pedestrian Carrer de Sant Miquel. Cafe prices in the square tend to be higher than in side streets, so those watching their budget may prefer to pause elsewhere. The square also serves as a meeting point for walking tours. Combining the Plaça Major with the Passeig des Born and the cathedral gives a good outline of the historic centre in a half-day.