A tour around the top 5 villages in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains

Discover the most charming villages in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains from the new Zafiro Boutique Collection hotels. Nature, panoramic views, history, fascinating stories and age-old traditions come together in these beautiful villages in Mallorca. Zafiro Hotels would like to recommend a visit to 5 of its most iconic villages to discover the genuine essence of the island. 

Index

1. Villages in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains


2. Valldemossa


3. Deià


4. Banyalbufar


5. Sóller


6. Fornalutx


7. Charming hotels in Mallorca 

Villages in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains 

The Serra de Tramuntana mountains are a unique natural phenomenon, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which stretches 90 kilometres along the northwest coast of the island. From Andratx to Formentor, the mountains are home to 20 municipalities, each with its own particular personality and picturesque squares, ancient stone houses and cobblestone streets surrounded by green forests and olive groves.  

These beautiful mountains have been the setting for numerous films, novels, advertisements and works of art, as well as a refuge for many celebrities seeking inspiration or a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle. 

Visitors to the mountain villages enjoy an experience which is totally different to the Mallorca they see in the most popular coastal resorts. A walk through their streets is a chance to discover rural Mallorca, taking some of the beautiful hiking routes, sampling the best local cuisine or getting on a bike to take on the winding roads that take you from village to village. 

Valldemossa 

The jewel in the crown is located just 17 kilometres from Palma and has been defined as the most beautiful village in the world by the prestigious National Geographic magazine. Valldemossa has always remained true to its historical essence. With a vast heritage and a stunning natural environment. 

It is located in the heart of a valley full of olive trees nestled between the Tramuntana mountains. With stunning panoramic views and dense Mediterranean vegetation, it features beautiful, narrow cobblestone streets and old manor houses decorated with traditional green shutters. The streets are lined with colourful pots of flowers and scenes from the life of Saint Catherine Thomas, the only female patron saint in Mallorca. 

The Royal Charterhouse is one of the most iconic symbols of the village's significant historical and cultural heritage. It was built at the beginning of the 14th century as a residence for King Sancho and then handed over to the Carthusian monks a century later. Among other things, the charterhouse is home to the rooms where Chopin and George Sand stayed during their famous winter in Mallorca. 

Artists, writers and film stars 

Valldemossa has also given refuge to and inspired numerous significant cultural figures over the course of many centuries, including Santiago Rusiñol, Rubén Darío, Azorín, Eugeni D'Ors, Jorge Luis Borges or Jovellanos.  

There are many other examples of the attractiveness of Valldemossa and the Mallorcan interior, such as the magnificent documentary F for Fake (1973) by Orson Wells, TV series such as La Caza or White Lines or popular advertisements for well-known brands, such as Estrella Damm beer. 

The actor Michael Douglas has also been enchanted by the spectacular views of the Tramuntana mountains. In the 1990s he bought the S'Estaca country estate between Valldemossa and Deià, originally built in the 19th century by Archduke Luis Salvador of Habsburg. 

What to see in Valldemossa 

• La Cartuja (the Charterhouse), with its neoclassical church, frescoes painted by Manuel Bayeu and the cloister lined with beautiful cypress trees 


• The spectacular views from the viewpoint at the end of Jovellanos Street 


• The Catholic Church of San Bartolomé 


• The Arte Valldemossa gallery 


• A pathway around the hillside full of centuries-old olive groves 


• The traditional “coca” potato bun with chocolate or an almond granita 

Deià 

Very near Valldemossa, this bohemian Mallorcan village is perfectly located between the sea and the mountains. It is most famous for its spectacular cove, the stunning beauty of its stone houses and cobbled streets, the surrounding terrain and the sound of the Torrente del Racó creek as a backdrop. Surrounded by exceptional scenery and with a rich cultural history and vibrant artistic community, Deià is one of those picture-postcard mountain villages that you will never forget. 

The village also regularly hosts literary events, art workshops, open-air concerts or festivals such as the prestigious Deià International Music Festival, held on different dates between May and September and focusing largely on chamber music. 

The artistic aura of the village has been a magnet since time immemorial for many prominent figures. The famous British poet and novelist Robert Graves fell in love with and moved to the village, which later served as inspiration for many of his poems, novels and essays. The avant-garde author Anaïs Nin also lived there and used the village as a setting for a story in the Delta of Venus collection. 

Other artists who have fallen in love with Deià include Pablo Picasso, Pierce Brosnan and Peter Ustinov. The latter also acted in the film “Evil under the sun”, an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Agatha Christie that was partly filmed in Deià. 

Robert Graves' home in Mallorca 

Graves lived in Deià for much of his life. His house at Ca’n Alluny (The Distant House) can be found on the road from Deià to Sóller and has been open to the public since 2006. Although it has been renovated, it still retains much of its original appearance and allows a deeper understanding of the life and works of the author. It was here that Graves wrote “I, Claudius”, the novel that would bring him global recognition. 

Graves is buried in Deià cemetery, next to the church of San Juan Bautista, a unique cemetery with amazing views of the coast and Tramuntana mountains. Other artists are also buried in the cemetery, including the Mallorcan artists Antoni Gelabert and Antoni Ribas Prats. 

What to see and do in Deià 

• The house of the author Robert Graves 


• Take a dip in Cala Deià at sunset 


• Visit the Deià Archaeological Museum 


• The views from Deià cemetery 


• Enjoy an aperitif at the Cala Deià bar 


• Admire the sunset from the Sa Foradada Viewpoint 

Banyalbufar 

Banyalbufar is a village in the Serra de Tramuntana surrounded by mountains and the stone terraces known as “marjales”, that seem to form a series of steps leading down to the sea. This ingenious system of terrace agriculture was built by hand centuries ago by Mallorcan peasants to convert the mountainside into a fertile area for farming. Nowadays, vineyards, olive groves, citrus trees, almond trees and tomatoes are the most important crops. 

The village also perfectly preserves the traditional architecture of the island, with its winding, cobbled streets, stone houses, some of them whitewashed, and the iconic Mallorcan shutters. Cultural attractions include the Church of the Nativitat de Maria, the Sa Canaleta washhouses and the Torre des Verger tower, built in the 16th century to watch out for pirate attacks. 

Malvasía wines from Banyalbufar 

Wine lovers will really love Banyalbufar as it’s the place where the white Malvasia grapes grown on its mountainside terraces are made into excellent Mallorcan wines. Wine production dates back to Roman times and the area now produces several high-quality wines.  

In general, they are wines with citrus and floral notes, a balanced acidity and a hint of minerals due to the sea and mountains surrounding the area. These are said to be some of the features that pleased King Jaume I so much that it was one of the reasons he brought forward the reconquest of the island. 

What to see and do in Banyalbufar 

• Hike the 8km trail known as the “Camí des Correu”, through holm-oak forests dotted with dry-stone walls and buildings, all accompanied by beautiful views of the sea 


• Sample a delicious Malvasía wine from the local bodegas Son Vives and Can Pico


• Scuba dive in the transparent waters in Cala Banyalbufar 


• Relax in the Es Corral and Sa Galera coves 


• Sunset from the Ses Ànimes viewpoint (Torre des Verger) 

Sóller 

This beautiful village is located in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana, halfway between Andratx and Formentor. Nestled between high mountains and orchards, for many people it’s the most beautiful village in the whole of Mallorca. That was at least the opinion of the great Archduke Luis Salvador, son of Leopold II of Habsburg and a well-known patron of his time, who was totally in love with the place. 

The historic centre reflects a very grandiose past, with its ancient Mallorcan houses, imposing modernist mansions and palaces with French architectural influences. The surrounding areas offer a huge choice of hiking trails and outdoor activities. 

Two of the biggest attractions in the centre of Sóller are the magnificent façade of the Church of San Bartolomé and the building known as Banco de Sóller, the current headquarters of Banco Santander. Both buildings show the tell-tale signs of having been designed by the architect Joan Rubio i Bellver, a keen disciple of Antonio Gaudí. 

Ride on the Sóller train 

This legendary wooden train has been in operation since 1912, departing from a small station in the Plaza de España in Palma and slowly passing through the stunning Sierra Tramuntana mountains to reveal a Mallorca that is so much more than just the sun and beach. This is a great experience for both couples and the whole family. The price of a ticket from Palma to Sóller is 20 euros (40 euros for a return trip) and the journey takes about an hour.  

What to see and do in Sóller 

• Visit the modernist Can Prunera Museum 


• Savour a freshly squeezed orange juice at Ecovinyassa, home to an orchard measuring more than 18,000m2 that also explains the history of orange and lemon cultivation in the Sóller Valley 


• Boat trip to the cove at Sa Calobra 


• Shopping on the Carrer de Sa Lluna 


• Enjoy an aperitif in one of the cafés in the Plaza Mayor 


• Take the tram to Port de Sóller and try the famous Sóller red prawns 

Fornalutx 

This small village was the first on the island to be included on the list of the most beautiful villages in Mallorca. Located in the higher regions of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, it offers magnificent views of the mountains, valleys and huge lemon and orange orchards in the surrounding area. The stone houses with colourful shutters and flower pots, exuberant potted plants and a maze of cobblestone streets create the most welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. 

The rustic charm of the village is especially apparent on the streets known as Església, Metge Mayol and Sant Sebastià. Among the biggest historical attractions are the 13th-century Gothic Church of San Bartolomeu and the Casal de Can Xoroi, an example of traditional Mallorcan architecture and nowadays venue for numerous cultural events. 

The handmade tiles of Fornalutx 

Almost thirty houses made of stone bear witness to a popular artform which reached its apogee in the 16th century. Tiles were painted here with colourful designs, plant motifs, religious symbols, rural scenes, geometric shapes or animals, always using red as the most predominant colour to decorate and protect village houses.  

What to see and do in Soller 

• Visit the Can Xoroi painted tiles exhibition


• Hike along the Camí de l'Alzina Fumadora, the Camí de Binibassi, the Sa Costera or the Creuer trails


• Enjoy a coffee in the middle of the peaceful Plaza de España


• Try some suckling pig or “arròs brut” in one of the restaurants 

Charming hotels in Mallorca 

To discover these idyllic villages at your leisure, the Zafiro Hotels team suggests you stay in one of the hotels in our Zafiro Boutique Collection, a selection of extraordinary boutique hotels that faithfully convey the traditions, culture and soul of the island.  

For travellers seeking some peace and quiet in the heart of the Mallorcan countryside, we recommend the new Son Sabater by Zafiro agrotourism hotel in Sa Pobla. And, for those who love history, fine cuisine and culture, we suggest the rural hotel Can Ribera by Zafiro, in Muro. Choose the one you like best and enjoy the stay that you deserve.