Paseo Marítimo y Es Baluard (Museu d'Art Modern)
A museum of modern and contemporary art built into Palma's old Renaissance ramparts, with works by Miró and Picasso and a lookout terrace over the bay. A great starting point for the seafront walk toward the Cathedral and the marina.
The essentials
- Tickets
- 6 €
A museum inside the city wall, facing the bay
Es Baluard is no ordinary museum: it's built on the remains of the Sant Pere bastion, part of the Renaissance city wall Palma raised in the 16th century (attributed to Italian military engineer Giovanni Battista Calvi, known locally as "Capità Fratin"). The current building, opened on 30 January 2004, fits contemporary architecture between the original stone ramparts, and that contrast is half the reason to visit. The other half is inside: a permanent collection of over 700 works of 20th- and 21st-century Balearic and Mediterranean art, featuring names like Joan Miró, Picasso, Miquel Barceló, Sorolla and Anglada-Camarasa. The temporary programme changes several times a year (in 2026 it featured "Fiona Rae: Vista" until 23 August), so it's worth checking the current lineup before you go. And if contemporary art isn't your thing, the terraces and outdoor walkways over the Paseo Marítimo and Palma Bay are reason enough to climb up here.
Tickets, hours and how to dodge the crowds
It's not free: general admission is around €6 and the reduced rate about €4.50. Under-12s and unemployed visitors get in free, though the exact conditions for the reduced rate and any discounts with the Tarjeta Ciudadana can change, so confirm them at esbaluard.org before your visit. Opening hours run Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 15:00; closed Mondays. Watch out for the ticket office, which closes 30 minutes before the museum, so turning up at 14:45 on a Sunday means you're locked out. Summer or public holidays may bring special hours. For a quieter visit, aim for the first hour after opening (10:00-11:00) Tuesday to Thursday; weekends and midday draw much bigger crowds, especially in July and August. Online booking doesn't appear to be mandatory, but it's worth checking the official website to avoid surprises, as well as any temporary room closures for maintenance.
Getting there and what to do right after
Palma has no metro or tram in the historic centre (the Sóller train and the UIB metro leave from elsewhere and don't reach here), so walking or the bus are the realistic options. From the Cathedral or the centre it's a 15-20 minute walk, a pleasant stroll along the city wall. On the EMT urban bus network, lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 46 stop nearby; the tourist bus line 50 also has a stop. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for the permanent and temporary exhibitions combined, plus another 15-20 minutes if you want to sit on the terrace-lookout without rushing. The trick that works best: combine the visit with a walk along the coast. As you leave, the Paseo Marítimo is right at your feet, and following the seafront you can walk to the marina or, in the opposite direction, back to the Cathedral. It's a handy starting point for an entire afternoon without needing transport.
Frequently asked questions
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Other places in Palma de Mallorca
Catedral de Santa María de Palma (La Seu)
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Castillo de Bellver
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