Northwest Mallorca
The northwest region of Mallorca is characterized by the majesty of the Tramuntana mountain range (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011) and its splendid landscapes that contrast with coves and secluded beaches of golden rocks, sand, and/or small pebbles with turquoise waters.
Indeed, the northwest of Mallorca offers us that perfect combination of mountains and sea that characterizes the Balearic archipelago in Spain. In this area of Mallorca, the cliffs slide down in the form of steep crags to the irregular and rugged coastline of western Mallorca. This coastline hides some little-known coves, while the mountains are home to some of the most attractive villages in Mallorca: the exuberant beauty of Valldemossa, Soyer, Fornalutx, and Deiá could literally take your breath away…
The winding roads (such as the Sa Calobra road) and the rugged hills of the northwestern region of Mallorca reveal spectacular landscapes whose peaks can rise (such as Puig Major) to over 1,400 meters in height.
The northwest coast of Mallorca
Beautiful bays, coves with warm crystal-clear waters, and famous beaches characterize the northwest coast of Mallorca. A good way to explore the northwest coast of the island is along the promenade, which covers a large part of this area in its different towns and municipalities, offering beautiful landscapes and a splendid atmosphere wherever we go.
Some coastal towns that you should not miss in the northwest of Mallorca are: Puerto de Sóller, Puerto de Valldemossa, Cala Deiá, Caló de s’Estaca, Cala Banyalbufar, and Cala Estellencs. Fantastic spots in Mallorca to enjoy a romantic sunset.
Beaches in the northwest of Mallorca
The beaches in the northwest of Mallorca are not always characterized by sand. Many of the most iconic beaches or coves in this area have rocky bottoms and pebbles on the shore. Some of the best-known beaches in this area are:
Sa Calobra, a place of pilgrimage for tourists thanks to the beauty and spectacular nature of its lush landscape. It is located in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana, at the mouth of the Pareis torrent. Sa Calobra beach is accessed via a narrow, winding road that starts in Sóller. From there, it descends towards the sea along fourteen kilometers of zigzagging curves. The most famous stretch of road to Sa Calobra is popularly known as Nus de sa Corbata (tie knot) and includes a 360-degree curve.
Platja d’en Repic is a well-known seaside resort located in Port de Sóller, a beautiful bay guarded by the Serra de Tramuntana mountains in the northwest of Mallorca. Platja d’en Repic is approximately 250 meters long. It is a beach with coarse sand, small stones, and smooth pebbles in some areas.
Platja Es Través, known as the beach of Puerto de Sóller, is approximately 700 meters long and 20 meters wide, offering ample space for recreation. This beach is very well connected and has numerous local services: hotels, hostels, bars, seafood restaurants, and other restaurants.
Places of Interest and Monuments in Northwest Mallorca
In northwest Mallorca, there are many places of natural, historical, and cultural interest. In the towns that make up this region of Mallorca, you can visit numerous places and enjoy many different activities. Below, we will mention some of them.
Monastery of Lluc
Monastery of Lluc (Santuari de Lluc), The sanctuary of Santa María de Lluch (in Catalan Santuari de Santa Maria de Lluc) is one of the cultural attractions of the northwest coast of Mallorca. The Lluc Monastery or Sanctuary of Santa María de Lluch is located at an altitude of about 400 meters, in the heart of the Tramontana mountains.
It was founded in the early 13th century, although archaeologists believe that there was already a sanctuary in this location in pre-Christian times. In fact, there are also several prehistoric caves in the area known as Ses Cometes des Morts (the kites of the dead, in Mallorcan), an archaeological site with human remains that were found in wooden coffins and can still be seen in the monastery’s own museum.
The name Monasterio de Lluc comes from the Latin Lucus, which is what the Romans called the natural environment where the sanctuary is located, referring to a “sacred forest”. It is considered the island’s sacred place and pilgrimage site par excellence, as it is home to the Virgin of Lluch, patron saint of Mallorca. The monastery is the first Marian sanctuary in the Balearic Islands. It also has a botanical garden, established in 1956, called the Lluch Botanical Garden.
Royal Charterhouse of Jesus of Nazareth (Valldemossa Charterhouse) and “Palace of King Sancho.”
The Royal Charterhouse of Jesus of Nazareth, better known as the Valldemossa Charterhouse, is a palace in the municipality of Valldemosa, in the northwestern region of Mallorca. It was the residence of King Sancho I of Mallorca, a former royal residence and royal charterhouse (15th century). King James II of Mallorca chose this exceptional location in the Tramontana mountains, at an altitude of over 400 meters, to build a palace for his son Sancho. This palace complex became known as the “Palace of King Sancho”.
In 1399, Martin the Humane (King of Aragon, Valencia, Mallorca, Sardinia, and Count of Barcelona) ceded all the royal possessions of Valldemosa to the Carthusian monks, who founded the Carthusian monastery of Valldemosa and lived there until 1835.
The complex houses the Municipal Museum, which has a section dedicated to the old Guasp Printing House, the Archduke Luis Salvador Room, the “La Serra de Tramuntana” art gallery, and a collection of contemporary art.
Across the Cartuja square is the Palace of King Sancho, a luxurious mansion that preserves elements of the old Carthusian monastery. Cell 4 of the monastery still houses documents and mementos from the stay of the musician Frederic Chopin and his lover, the writer Amantine Aurore Lucile Dupin de Dudevant, who wrote under the pseudonym George Sand, during the winter of 1838-1839. Frederic Chopin composed his Preludes Op. 28 there, and George Sand wrote A Winter in Majorca.
Puig de Galatzo Reserve
The Puig de Galatzo Reserve is a private nature reserve and wildlife refuge for rescued species in a forest in the Mallorcan mountains. In this natural complex, you can go hiking on the summit of Puig de Gatazó, one of the iconic peaks of the northwestern mountains of Mallorca.
In the different sections of the Puig de Galatzo Reserve, visitors can explore unexpected landscapes in an environment of waterfalls and colorful vegetation. There you can climb, go zip-lining, and enjoy other leisure activities. At the end, you can enjoy a torrada (a typical barbecue) and a show featuring rescued birds and their trainers. It is worth noting that La Reserva Puig de Galatzo is located at an altitude of around 1,020 meters, in Puigpunyent, a beautiful town and one of the most attractive municipalities in Mallorca.
Activities and leisure in the northwest of Mallorca
In the northwest of the island, you can enjoy the picturesque towns and villages that make it up. You can drive along the scenic Serra de Tramuntana road, take the historic Sóller train (tren de Sóller), discover idyllic coves such as Cala Tuent and Es Canyaret in Llucalcari, or visit places of cultural interest such as those we have recommended above. And if all that weren’t enough, there’s more… much more:
Cycling tourism in northwest Mallorca
The northwest corner of Mallorca offers a wide variety of cycling activities and routes that pass through some of the most impressive landscapes in Europe:
Cycling route to Sa Calobra: With its spectacular curves and breathtaking views, the route to Sa Calobra is one of the most challenging and beautiful cycling routes in Mallorca. It is about 70 km long with an elevation gain of 2,000 meters. This is certainly a well-known route for professionals.
The route from Puerto de Andratx to Puerto de Pollença is another of Mallorca’s most popular cycling routes. The route from Puerto de Andratx to Puerto de Pollença covers about 121 km and offers panoramic views of the sea and the opportunity to explore charming villages such as Valldemossa and Sóller.
The route from Palma to Valldemossa is ideal for beginners. It is one of the most recommended options if you are just starting out in the world of cycling. This relatively flat route offers wonderful views of the bay of Palma and the Mediterranean, providing a rewarding experience for cyclists of all levels and especially for families.
Hiking in northwest Mallorca
As you have already seen, there are many activities to enjoy in natural surroundings in the northwest of Mallorca. Hikers consider the mountainous region of this area of Mallorca to be one of the most beautiful on the island. These activities allow you to easily combine your passion for hiking with a walk to the Ermita de la Trinidad chapel or around the Monastery of Lluc. The landscapes along the Puig des Teix or Puig des Caragoli routes are destinations for travelers who are more familiar with high-intensity activities.
These activities can be done on foot with family or friends, but if you’re not interested in long hikes, there are also different destinations within this group of suggestions that you can easily access by car.
One of the most popular events in this geographical area of Mallorca is the ascent to the summit of Puig de Massanella (the highest accessible peak in Mallorca at around 1,360 meters). An impressive limestone karst landscape that can be reached by following a rugged 3.5-kilometer trail. Hiking to the summit of Puig de Massanella is a popular activity among outdoor enthusiasts visiting Mallorca. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the rugged mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana and the Mediterranean Sea in the north. Hiking to the summit of Puig de Massanella offers a unique perspective of the natural beauty of northwest Mallorca.
Other Excursions in Northwest Mallorca
In the northwest of Mallorca, there are many activities to enjoy, whether sporting, family-oriented, or purely leisure-based. The climate and natural surroundings with their excellent views provide an ideal setting for outdoor activities that can be enjoyed all year round, both in the mountains and on the coast. There is a wide range of excursions, tours, and different routes on offer in these zones of Mallorca. These include boat or catamaran trips along the coast, dolphin watching, guided tours of local wineries with tastings of local wines included, horse riding rides, visits to nature reserves and natural parks, among many others…
Places of interest in northwest Mallorca
Deià is an artistic village with luxury hotels and boutiques that could meet all your expectations. Valldemossa and Banyalbufar are two inland towns that also offer accommodation in boutique hotels and villas, ideal for a quieter stay. Fornalutx, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, offers rural houses and accommodation in picturesque surroundings.
Some of the most enigmatic municipalities or villages of Mallorca are concentrated in this area. These localities in Mallorca are characterized by their location in a privileged natural environment. The presence of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains is a key feature, offering spectacular landscapes and hiking trails. These villages have coves and beaches to enjoy, with Port de Sóller being an important place for access to the sea. In all of them you can find restaurants serving local and international cuisine of different levels and categories, interesting excursions and numerous activities, such as the legendary and historic Sóller Railway and others.
Accommodation in northwest Mallorca:
In the northwest of Mallorca, the main areas for accommodation and hospitality are Sóller and Port de Sóller, which offer boutique hotels and 5-star establishments or other more economical options, located in the natural surroundings of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains.
Located on the northwest coast of the Sierra de Tramuntana rcomarque, the town of Sóller is considered one of the most beautiful in Spain. Just stroll through its historic center to immediately feel the weight of its rich history and deep-rooted traditions. The port of Sóller belongs to the municipality of Sóller and is located in the northwest of Mallorca, right in the bay of the same name, at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana.
Other charming nearby villages in the northwest are Deià, Valldemossa, and Banyalbufar, which also offer accommodation options in boutique hotels and villas. Deià is a small, picturesque coastal village in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. It is located about 16 kilometers north of Valldemossa, possibly one of the most beautiful villages you will ever see.
And that’s it for this brief guide to Northwest Mallorca. We hope it helps.
By the way: Are you coming to Mallorca on a tourist trip? If you find it helpful, you can also check out our travel guide to Mallorca and more tourist information about the island
