Right at the upper end of La Rambla, past the market stalls and the shade of tall plane trees, a quiet garden waits behind a large stone gate. From June through September, Biblio Jardí, the reading garden of Palma’s Biblioteca de Cultura Artesana, opens to anyone who wants to slow down for an afternoon. This summer the garden reopened with a fresh redesign, and it looks better than ever.
A Garden Where Nobody Rushes
Libraries tend to be quiet, almost stiff places. Not this one. Kids run between the flower beds, a group of students argues cheerfully about a recent film, and an elderly couple shares a newspaper in the shade. Somehow the mix works. The mood is so relaxed that most visitors settle in within minutes. Alongside the garden benches, small clusters of tables and chairs invite longer stays, and a colorful children’s corner keeps younger readers busy with picture books and tales.
A New Look for a Beloved Space
This year’s reopening brought more than just longer days and warmer air. The city refreshed Biblio Jardí with new pathways, additional shaded seating, and freshly planted greenery, giving the garden a cleaner, more open feel without losing its old world charm. As a result, the space now handles bigger crowds comfortably, yet it still keeps that intimate, tucked away atmosphere that made it a favorite in the first place. Regulars will notice the difference right away, while first time visitors will simply enjoy a garden that finally has room to breathe.
A Coffee Break Just Around the Corner
Once settled in, plenty of visitors head to one of the cafés just around the block for a coffee before returning to their book. Time tends to slip away quickly here. The garden is open to everyone, no membership required. That said, members of the Biblioteca de Cultura Artesana can also borrow newspapers, magazines, or books straight from the collection. Everyone else is welcome to simply bring their own reading and find a shady spot.
Steps Away, an Underground Cathedral
Just next door, inside the same cultural complex, another discovery waits for those willing to look a little further. The Aljub de la Misericòrdia, a former water cistern turned atmospheric exhibition space, sits only steps from the garden gate. Blue and white light plays across old stone columns, and a wooden walkway leads visitors deep into what feels like a secret underground hall. Even though it reopened to the public back in 2023, the aljub remains something of an insider tip.
Plan Your Visit
Biblio Jardí is open through September 18, 2026, Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm and Saturday mornings from 9.30am to 1pm (however, closed on Saturdays in July and August). The garden sits at Via Roma, 2, 07012 Palma de Mallorca, right next to the cultural center of La Misericòrdia. Whether the plan is one chapter or an entire afternoon, this is one of the easiest ways to slow down in the middle of the city. 
Read more about urban oases in Palma, here, and about Mallorca gardens, right here.
