Majorca hinterland

Majorca is blessed with some fine beaches but it also harbours a beautiful and interesting hinterland that has a number of exciting and picturesque towns and villages, not to mention spectacular landscapes. On a drive around the island expect to see dramatic mountains, orchards of olive and almond trees, historic monasteries, museums, churches and fantastic sea views.

The best time of year to tour Majorca’s hinterland is before the hot summer months, when the island and its roads are quieter and the sun hasn’t had chance to scorch the land. At this time of year, after the winter rains, the fields are emerald green and the roads are lined with a profusion of colour due to the countless swathes of flowers.

You can take a loop around the island in either direction, starting at Palma or wherever you happen to be staying and travelling via the main sights and inland towns of Valldemossa, Deia, Soller, Pollenca, Inca and Manacor; a 120-mile journey that can be completed in a day. If you prefer to see more of the coast on your drive, then you can skip Inca and continue on towards Artà in the island’s northeast instead, before reaching Manacor.

Valldemossa: is the first major town you come to when heading out from Palma and it also happens to be the highest settlement on the island. The towns and villages around the Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains are likely to be the highlight of any tour around Majorca’s hinterland. Must-see sights here include the 14th century Carthusian monastery, which contains the Municipal Museum, and the brilliant Costa Nord Centre, which happens to be where Chopin composed some of his best pieces.

Deia: is a compact and picturesque mountain town that has inspired many artists and writers, including the English poet Robert Graves, who lived and died here.
Not far from Valldemossa is San Marroig, the former residence of Archduke Ludwig Salvador of the Habsburg family; the house is now a museum and sits in lovely gardens with spectacular views.

Soller: can be reached by heading northeast along the same road, the C710, where you will come across the picturesque town lying in a valley among orchards of oranges and olive groves. This laid back town is one of winding alleys and interesting buildings such as the church of St Bartholomew and the museum housed in the 18th century C’an Mo. From Soller you can drive an interesting loop which takes in the quaint villages of Fornalutx and Biniaraix before coming back onto the C710.

While in the area, the lofty peaks of the Sierra de Tramuntana offer great hiking opportunities and there are numerous trails of varying difficulty. Flora and fauna is in abundance here and you will see beautiful wild flowers, including orchids and rock roses, as well as fig and lemon trees and several different birds of prey.

Alcudia and Pollenca: are situated north from Soller towards the tip of Majorca. Pollenca has a few interesting sights, but is mainly given over to the port of the same name, Puerto Pollenca. Next door is the popular seaside resort of Alcudia, with its spectacular bay and pretty old town where a number of historical watchtowers still stand. The nearby S’Albufereta Wetlands contain many rare species of birds and flowers, while the archaeological remains of the Roman city of Pollentia are also worth a look.

From here you can either take the C713 to Inca or then take a loop through Manacor before heading back to Palma. Alternatively, you can head along the coast on the C712 to Artà before heading back through Manacor and Palma.

Inca: is Majorca's second largest city and is predominantly a market town known more for its great bargains than for its outstanding architecture.

Manacor: is Majorca's third largest town. It doesn’t have an abundance of exciting attractions, but it’s a good place to go shopping for glassware, ceramics and leather. Artificial pearls are also mass produced here and tours of the pearl factory outside town are popular, while the Esglesia del Delors de Nostra Senyora church is also worth a look.