Palma cathedral from the Parc de la Mar

La Seu is the biggest thing on the island and it was built to be seen from the water: a wall of golden sandstone, buttresses and pinnacles, standing on the old sea wall above the bay. The Parc de la Mar below it is a modern park built around an artificial saltwater lake, and that lake exists — among other reasons — to give the cathedral back its reflection after the ring road cut it off from the sea.

Stand on the far side of the water and the whole building fits, upright and doubled. Walk the palm-lined promenade for a softer version with the harbour behind, or go up to the Mirador terrace beside the cathedral for the view the other way, out over the bay.

First light is for the reflection: the water is dead flat, the promenade is empty and the sky behind the towers colours up while the stone sits in even shade. For sun on the façade, come in the last hour of the day instead, when the low light comes off the bay and turns the sandstone honey-coloured. Twice a year, on 2 February and 11 November, the sunrise projects the great rose window onto the wall beneath the other one — check the exact time if you want it.

The park and the promenade are free and always open. The interior is ticketed with its own hours and closes to visitors during services, so check before you build a session around it.