Living in Mallorca means discovering that even the island’s most famous landmarks can still surprise you. Now, one of Palma’s most spectacular viewpoints is accessible again, as the terraces of the iconic cathedral have officially reopened for visitors this season.

Perched high above the historic centre, the terraces of Palma’s cathedral offer a perspective of the city that few people ever experience. For expats and residents alike, it’s a rare opportunity to see the island’s capital from a completely different angle.

A unique view over Palma and the bay

Climbing up to the terraces reveals sweeping views across Palma’s skyline and the Mediterranean beyond. From this elevated position, visitors can admire the city’s rooftops, the marina and the curve of Palma Bay stretching into the distance.

The route also provides a closer look at some of the cathedral’s most remarkable architectural features, including its bell tower, flying buttresses and the enormous Gothic rose window that dominates the building’s façade.

Palma Cathedral — often called La Seu — is one of Mallorca’s most recognisable landmarks. Construction began in the 13th century after the Christian reconquest of the island, and the Gothic structure still dominates the seafront skyline today.

Seeing it from the terraces allows visitors to appreciate details of the architecture that are impossible to spot from the ground.

Opening hours and how to visit

The terrace tours have reopened for the 2026 season and will remain available until November. Visits run Monday to Friday from 10am to 4.30pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 1.30pm.

Entry slots operate every 30 minutes, with each tour lasting around an hour. Tickets can be purchased online through the cathedral’s official website or at the ticket office on site.

A standard ticket costs €25 and includes access to the cathedral itself as well as the Museum of Sacred Art of Mallorca, making it a worthwhile cultural outing even for those who have lived on the island for years.

Visitors can also choose to add an audio guide, which provides historical insights into the building and highlights the landmarks visible from the terraces.

Discounts and perks for Mallorca residents

One of the biggest advantages for residents is the discounted entry. Those living in the Balearics can visit the terraces free of charge on Fridays, provided they collect their ticket from the cathedral’s ticket office and show proof of residency.

On other days, residents benefit from a reduced rate of €8 for access to the cathedral, terraces and museum.

For expats who now call Mallorca home, this makes it one of the island’s most affordable cultural experiences — and one that rivals the views from many of Palma’s rooftop bars.

Important things to know before you go

Because of the narrow passages and height involved, the terrace route has some restrictions. Access is limited to visitors over the age of nine and is not recommended for people with vertigo, mobility issues or certain heart and respiratory conditions.

The route includes steep stairs and elevated walkways, but those who make the climb are rewarded with one of the most memorable panoramas in Palma.

For many residents, it’s a reminder that even after years on the island, Mallorca still has new perspectives waiting to be discovered.

Results from FUNCAS (Fundación de las Cajas de Ahorros) 2025 survey indicate that 53 per cent of Spaniards aged 60 to 64 were still in work, the highest proportion for that age group since at least 1970, according to a major labour study. The figure highlights how longer working lives and demographic change are reshaping Spain’s labour market.

The increase affects older workers, employers and policymakers across the country. It raising concerns now Spain’s population is ageing rapidly, and higher participation at older ages could have wide‑ranging economic and social implications for pensions, workforce planning and public services.

What has changed

In 2025, 53 per cent of people between the ages of 60 and 64 were in employment, marking the highest employment rate for that cohort in more than five decades. This rate has not been seen since 1970, when data show a similar level for men, although the overall working patterns were very different at that time. 

The figures come from the latest Nota de Coyuntura Social report by Funcas, the research foundation formerly linked to Spain’s savings banks, which analysed employment trends spanning several decades. 

The rising rate stands out for both sexes but is being driven especially by the growing number of women in work. In 2025, 48 per cent of women aged 60–64 were employed, a record high, while the employment rate for men in the same age group was 58 per cent. 

The study also finds that people aged 65 to 69 are participating in the labour market more than at any time since the early 1980s, although their employment rates remain lower than for those in their early 60s. 

Why employment for older workers is rising

Economists point to several key reasons behind the trend:

• Longer life expectancy and better health at older ages mean many workers are both willing and able to continue working beyond traditional retirement ages.
• Delayed retirement and pension reforms have increased the age at which workers become eligible for full pension benefits, encouraging longer working lives.
• Greater female labour force participation over the past decades has boosted employment rates among older women, who historically were much less likely to work.

Together, these factors have pushed up employment among people nearing retirement age, a change seen not just in Spain but across many European countries, though the scale and timing vary by nation. 

How this affects local communities

For older workers from larger cities the trend could mean longer careers and continued income, but it also raises questions about job quality, working conditions and opportunities for training and career progression later in life.

In rural areas and smaller towns, older workers may be more likely to remain in sectors such as agriculture, retail or family businesses, where experience and continuity are valued. However, regional differences in economic activity mean the impact is not uniform across Spain.

Employers, particularly in sectors facing labour shortages such as healthcare, transport and hospitality, may view increased participation among older workers as a potential solution to recruitment challenges. But this also creates pressure on workplaces to adapt roles and conditions to the needs of an older workforce.

What older workers and families should consider

For individuals approaching retirement age, the changing employment landscape presents both opportunities and challenges:

• Review retirement planning. Those choosing to work longer should understand how continued employment affects pension entitlements and benefits, including potential increases in future pension income.
• Consider training and skills development. Longer working lives may require new skills or updated qualifications, especially in sectors undergoing rapid technological change.
• Discuss flexible working options with employers. Part‑time roles, phased retirement or adapted duties can help balance health, lifestyle and work commitments.

Family members and carers should also be aware that older relatives may work later into life, which can affect caregiving plans, household finances and long‑term care arrangements.

Broader labour market context

The rising participation of older workers fits within a broader narrative of change in Spain’s job market. Overall employment levels in Spain have been growing in recent years, with unemployment rates trending downward and total employment reaching new highs. However, older worker participation stands out because it defies long‑held expectations about retirement ages and working lives. 

International comparisons show that many European Union countries are also experiencing rising labour force participation among older age groups, driven by similar demographic and policy factors. Spain’s record rate for those aged 60–64 highlights how sharply the domestic labour market is shifting.

What happens next

Analysts say the increase of older workers remaining in employment is likely to continue as demographic pressures mount and pension systems adjust to longer life expectancy. Policy discussions are already under way in government circles about how best to support older workers, including lifelong training programmes, flexible working arrangements and incentives to promote healthy ageing at work.

Spain’s labour market institutions, employers and social partners will be closely watching future data to see whether the record high employment rate in 2025 becomes the norm or if it signals a broader structural shift that will redefine retirement and work in the years ahead.

Children dying after being accidentally left inside hot cars has sparked a proposal that could change how young children travel in vehicles in Spain. The request has been submitted to the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) by AESVi, the Spanish Child Road Safety Alliance, a coalition of road safety experts, doctors, engineers and child seat manufacturers focused on improving child protection in vehicles.

Supporters say allowing very young children to travel in the front passenger seat under strict safety conditions could help drivers maintain visual contact with the child and reduce the risk of tragic incidents where children are forgotten in parked vehicles.

What change has been proposed

The proposal suggests allowing children up to three years old to travel in the front passenger seat, provided they are seated in a rear-facing child restraint system and all existing safety requirements are followed. Supporters of the idea argue that placing very young children in the front seat would allow drivers to maintain constant visual contact with the child, reducing the chance of accidentally leaving them behind when arriving at their destination. According to AESVi, Spain currently has one of the strictest rules in Europe regarding where children can sit in cars.

What the current law in Spain says

Under Spain’s current traffic regulations, children 135 centimetres or shorter must normally travel in the rear seats using an approved child restraint system. They may only travel in the front seat in limited circumstances, such as when the vehicle has no rear seats, when the rear seats are already occupied by other children using child seats, or when it is impossible to install all the required seats in the back. If a rear-facing child seat is placed in the front seat, the front passenger airbag must be deactivated.

Why the proposal is being discussed

The suggested change is linked to concerns about children being accidentally left in parked vehicles during hot weather, a situation that road safety experts say can quickly turn fatal. According to Spain’s traffic authority, temperatures inside a closed car can rise by more than 10°C in just 10 minutes, even on relatively mild days. Within half an hour, the temperature inside the vehicle can become dramatically higher than outside, and in extreme cases can exceed 60°C.

Medical experts warn that infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to heatstroke. In some cases, a child left inside a hot vehicle can suffer fatal heatstroke in as little as 30 to 60 minutes. Spain has seen tragic incidents linked to this risk. In 2025, a two-year-old boy died in Valls, Tarragona, after being accidentally left inside a parked car during a period of high temperatures.

What the current DGT rules say

At the moment, the idea remains a proposal rather than a confirmed change to the law. Any modification to Spain’s traffic regulations would require formal approval and publication before coming into force. For now, the DGT’s official guidance continues to state that children 135 cm or shorter should travel in the rear seats whenever possible.