Monastery
Monestir de LlucEntered via a cloistered garden, the monastery is a huge complex, dating mostly from the 17th to 18th centuries. Off the imposing central courtyard rises…
Western Mallorca
'A sky like turquoise, a sea like lapis lazuli, mountains like emerald, air like heaven', enthused Romantic composer Chopin of his new home Valldemossa in 1838. His words ring true almost two centuries later in western Mallorca.
The Serra de Tramuntana range ripples all along the west coast, surveying the Mediterranean from above. Skirted by olive groves and pine forest, its razorback limestone mountains plunge 1000m down to the sea like the ramparts of some epic island fortress. Whether you hike their highland trails, bike their serpentine roads and steep inclines, or breeze along the cliff-flanked coastline by boat, these mountains will sweep you off your feet with their beauty and drama.
Some of the island's loveliest towns and villages perch high on hilltops and deep in verdant valleys, with grandstand mountains and sea views. Wander their higgledy-piggledy lanes and be smitten, like so many artists, poets and celebrities before you.
Explore Western Mallorca
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Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Western Mallorca.
Historic Building
Casa Robert GravesCasa Robert Graves is a fascinating tribute to the British writer and poet who moved to Deià in 1929 and had his house built here three years later. It's…
Castle
Castell d'AlaróPerched at an improbable, almost comical angle on a gigantic fist of rock, Castell d'Alaró is one of the most rewarding castle climbs on the island. The…
Monastery
Real Cartuja de ValldemossaThis grand old monastery and former royal residence has a chequered history. It was once home to kings, monks and a pair of 19th-century celebrities:…
Gallery
Ca'n Prunera – Museu ModernistaOne of Mallorca's standout galleries, Ca'n Prunera occupies a landmark modernist mansion along Carrer de Sa Lluna. The list of luminaries here is…
Gallery
Sala Picasso & Sala MiróIn two rooms at street level in Sóller's station are two fascinating, introspective and contemplative art exhibitions: the Sala Picasso and Sala Miró. Few…
Gardens
Jardins de AlfàbiaThe Jardins de Alfàbia reside in the shadow of the rugged Serra d’Alfàbia mountain range stretching east of Sóller. Here an endearingly faded finca with a…
Beach
Cala de DeiàA 3km drive from Deià (take the road towards Sóller), or a slightly shorter walk, is Cala de Deià, one of the most bewitching of the Serra de Tramuntana’s…
Square
Plaça d’EspanyaThe communal heart of the village, this gorgeous square is flanked on one side by the magnificent steps up to the church, the side wall of which occupies…
Island
Illa de Sa DragoneraThe uninhabited 4km-long Illa de Sa Dragonera is a ripple of an island that stretches out like a slumbering dragon to the west of Sant Elm. Constituted as…
Beach
Cala TuentTo skip the Sa Calobra crowds, follow a turn-off west, some 2km before Sa Calobra, to reach Cala Tuent, a tranquil emerald-green inlet in the shadow of…
Beach
Cala LlampWhat a difference a bay makes. Located 2km south of Port d'Andratx, beautiful Cala Llamp is where locals gravitate for silence and sparkling, bottle-green…
Landmark
Sa ForadadaAt Son Marroig, ask permission to wander down to this strange hole-in-the-wall rock formation by the water, which resembles an elephant from afar. It's a…
Tower
Torre des VergerOne kilometre out of town on the road to Estellencs, the Torre des Verger is a 1579 talayot (watchtower), an image you'll see on postcards all over the…
Beach
Sa CalobraPast the turning to Cala Tuent, the road winds down to this small and undeniably attractive white-pebble cove, but it's a coach-fest during the summer…
Viewpoint
Mirador de Ses BarquesThe viewpoint of Mirador de Ses Barques, about 6km above Fornalutx, has phenomenal views all the way down to Port de Sóller; the restaurant here is handy…
Church
Església de Sant BartomeuA disciple of architect Antoni Gaudí, Joan Rubió landed some big commissions in Sóller. The town didn't want to miss the wave of modernity and so Rubió…
Viewpoint
Es PuigFrom Es Puig, the hill at the heart of Deià, you peer across the rooftops of the higgledy-piggledy village and take in the full sweep of the valley to the…
Beach
Cala Portals VellsThe fairest of the beaches known as Portals Vells is Cala Portals Vells. Turquoise waters lap the platja, whose sands stretch back beneath rows of straw…
Religious Site
Camí dels Misteris del RosariAn old stone trail, partly shaded by holm oaks, leads up the Pujol des Misteris (Hill of the Mysteries), which rises behind the monastery complex. The…