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. Sóller
4. Fornalutx
5. 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