Places of interest #25 in Palma de Mallorca

CaixaForum Palma

4.5 · 2,035 reviews
Refined and intellectually engaging
CaixaForum Palma, Plaça de Weyler, 3, Centre, 07001 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
Interesting facts
1

The Gran Hotel was the first building in Palma to be constructed with a reinforced concrete structure.

2

The facade's ceramic decorations and sculptures were created by the artists Adrià Gual and Eusebi Arnau.

3

The building's basement originally contained the hotel's laundry, boiler room, and storage, now repurposed for exhibition support.

4

It remains one of the most significant examples of Modernism in the Balearic Islands, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding Gothic and Baroque architecture of central Palma.

Overview

CaixaForum Palma is an art gallery and cultural center housed within the historic Gran Hotel, a masterpiece of Catalan Modernist architecture designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1903. The building served as the first luxury hotel on the island of Mallorca before transitioning into a space for rotating art exhibitions, lectures, and concerts. It features a notable facade adorned with intricate stone carvings, ceramic tiles, and ironwork characteristic of the Art Nouveau movement. The interior retains restored elements of its original hotel design, blending functional gallery spaces with period decorative features. The institution focuses on hosting temporary international art exhibitions and educational workshops. It functions as a hub for the Fundació "la Caixa" cultural programming in the Balearic Islands. The site is located in the heart of the city's historic commercial district.

Photo spot

From the opposite side of Plaça de Weyler to capture the full architectural detail of the Modernist facade.

Insider tips

Visit the bookstore inside the lobby for a curated selection of art catalogs and local history publications.

Check the official website before visiting to see if the current exhibitions require prior registration for guided tours.

The upper floors often offer quiet views over the surrounding Plaza Weyler.

What to avoid

Do not mistake the building for a hotel; it no longer offers guest accommodations.

Etiquette

Maintain a quiet tone in gallery spaces; photography without flash is typically permitted for personal use only.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1-1.5 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to avoid the heavier pedestrian traffic in the surrounding shopping district.
Address
CaixaForum Palma, Plaça de Weyler, 3, Centre, 07001 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
39.572, 2.650
Get directions
Details
Architectural StyleCatalan Modernisme
Key FeaturesRotating international art exhibitions and historic Modernist facade

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1-1.5 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to avoid the heavier pedestrian traffic in the surrounding shopping district..

From the opposite side of Plaça de Weyler to capture the full architectural detail of the Modernist facade.

Close by you'll find Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca, Train Sóller Station (Palma de Mallorca), Royal Palace of La Almudaina.