Tramuntana is a mountain range on the northwest coast of Mallorca and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The multitude of mesmerizing views and eye-catching villages make the area perfect for a Mallorca road trip.
Mallorca is widely known as a beach resort destination, although the island has so much more to offer. There are hundreds of caves on the island, whereof only about a handful can be visited by the public. The varied landscapes are what set Mallorca apart from Ibiza or the other Balearic Islands.
The mountains are covered in thick forest in the lower parts until the altitude takes over and the trees are scarce. There are various hiking routes for nature lovers of different difficulty levels. Further, the island is popular among cyclists during the autumn, winter, and spring months when temperatures are a bit cooler.
For a Mallorca road trip, the views and the charming old villages in the Tramuntana mountain range is my absolute favorite route. You can do this route in a day or split it up into several days if you want to spend more time in each place. I have included sunrise and sunset at Cap de Formentor as I fell completely in love with the views. However, there are some other spots for good sunrise and sunset views.
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Sunrise at Cap de Formentor lighthouse
Sunrise at cap de Formentor lighthouse can be absolutely spectacular on a good morning. The lighthouse is the farthest point you can drive to on the cape. It also has good views of the smaller island Menorca.
To get there in time for sunrise you will have to plan your time well so you drive early enough to enjoy the early morning spectacle.
As the sun rises you will be stunned to see the spectacular nature with one winding road opening up in front of you. The same road you just drove in the dark. If you like road trips, you will love this scenic route that brings you back towards the famous viewpoint. For the more adventurous, there are places to stop on the road and small paths you can follow to some incredible views. It’s all up to you and your time schedule.
Cap de Formentor viewpoint
The viewpoint is quite popular, so it is a perfect time to come after sunrise as you will show up before the crowds. The viewpoint gives great views of the rough cliffside, and on a windy day, you will be thankful for the strong protective fences that are built around the path and viewpoint.
If you want to get even higher up, there is a small winding road on the opposite side of the parking. You can either walk or drive up. If you choose the first option, make sure you consider the weather. If it is particularly hot or cold and windy it might be a rough walk up to the top.
From the old watchtower at the top, situated 380 meters above sea level, the views are remarkable.
Pollensa
From the viewpoint, there is just over half an hour drive to get to Pollensa. This little town full of medieval houses has a rich history. More than 300 years ago Talaoit settlements left their landmarks here. Later, both Romans and Moors left their footprints among many others.
There is still a Roman Bridge that was built to provide Pollensa with water. The most popular attraction, though, is to walk the 365 steps to the Calvary hill. A small chapel sits at the top of the stairs. This is definitely the place to get the best views of the village.
Lluc
According to See Mallorca Lluc is the most sacred site in Mallorca. This town is a center for pilgrims, and it houses a popular monastery among visitors.
Legend says that a little shepard boy found a statue of the Virgin in a crack in a rock. She was placed in the church, but after she returned to the crack in the rock in some supernatural Godsent way three times, the villagers decided to build her a shrine.
Today, the holy place is possible to visit to pay homage to the Virgin and visit the beautiful gardens, and museums. You can even stay the night in the old pilgrimage rooms. There are several restaurants and bars for visitors.
Fornalutx
Driving from Lluc it takes about 45 minutes on winding roads to get to Fornalutx. This is, without a doubt, one of the quaintest villages along the mountain range.
The village dates more than 1000 years back to when the Arabs had conquered the island. It has preserved its traditional look and walking around the tight streets feels like going back in history. Colorful orange groves surround the village.
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Soller
From Fornalutx it is only a 10-minute drive to Soller. This is the bigger town in Tramuntana and makes a good place to stay overnight on your Mallorca road trip. The town is filled with restaurants and there are a number of hotels to choose from.
The church of Sant Bartomeu is beautifully situated on the main square of the city, and well worth a visit.
However, the main attraction is the old-fashioned tram that goes between Soller and Port de Soller. The trip only takes about 15 minutes, with scenic views of the orange and lemon groves and finally the sea. If you want to take the trip to Port de Soller it might just as well be worth leaving your car behind for a few hours.
Port de Soller has a picturesque seafront with a nice beach. On hot summer days, it is perfect to go for a refreshing swim or even try out some water sports. Further, there are boat trips from the small port.
Deia
A short half an hour drive from Soller is Deia, known to be an artistic town with plenty of art galleries. The village was home to the English poet Robert Graves among other foreign artists. Even today’s celebrities tend to visit Deia. The rustic village sits beautifully on the side of the Tramuntana mountain range and looks over the clear blue sea.
The seaside lacks accessible beaches, but on the other hand, there are quite a few small coves where you can only get to by boat or swimming.
Valldemossa
Valldemossa is beautifully situated in a valley along the Tramuntana Mountains and is only a 15 minutes drive from Deia. The picturesque houses and tiny streets surrounded by green hillsides are a true pleasure. You will find art galleries and gift shops as well as numerous cafes and restaurants to eat in.
The village is also known for housing the well-known pianist Chopin during a long winter where it is said that he worked on some of his most beautiful pieces. The pianist stayed in a monastery that now is visited by tourists for its history.
It is said that Mallorcas saint Santa Catalina Thomas was born in Valldemossa. And each home in the village has a plaque with her prayers.
Port Valldemossa
Port Valldemossa is not a spectacular place in itself, though the drive down from Valldemossa is absolutely worth it. The narrow zic-zac road that leads down to this tiny port has some implausible views. If you meet a car on this road it is almost certain that one of you need to get out of the way to let the other one pass. Other than that there is not much more to the tiny fishing town but a small pebbled beach and a restaurant.
Sunset at Cap de Formentor watchtower
The watchtower at Cap de Formentor is, without doubt, an implausible sunset spot. As you get views all around, the colored sky paints a stunning background of the breathtaking views at the top.
The drive from Valldemossa is either about 1 hour and 15 minutes driving the M-13, or 2 hours returning across the mountain.
How to plan your Mallorca road trip
It is fairly easy to get a rental car for your Mallorca road trip directly at the airport. In high season it might be preferable to book in good time in advance as tourism is higher. Hotels and hostels should also be booked in advance during peak season.
However, I would recommend going in shoulder seasons or low season (September to May). It will be easier to find a hotel room on the go, which makes the trip more relaxed as you can find out where you would like to spend the night as you go.
Further, staying away from the high season will give you a better experience as you don’t have to fight for good views and photo moments with hundreds of other tourists. Temperatures will also be more bearable. Further, I believe that going outside peak season will benefit the locals enormously as they won’t feel all the pressure at once. The economy will also spread in a healthy way as you provide income during otherwise scarce periods.
If you prefer to plan ahead, you can look for accommodation and prices on Booking.com now to assure the best prices and the best place to stay for your trip.
If you haven’t booked your flight to Mallorca yet, make sure you do it here!
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