Tramuntana is a mountain range on the northwest coast of Mallorca and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The multitude of mesmerizing views and quaint mountain villages make the area perfect for a Mallorca road trip.
I’ve done this road trip with a few variations several times, and I still think this is the best itinerary, which includes several of my favorite places to visit in Mallorca by car.
The Balearic island is widely known as a beach resort destination, although Mallorca has so much more to offer.
There are hundreds of caves on the island, of which only about a handful can be visited by the public. The varied landscapes are what set Mallorca apart from Ibiza and 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 road trip in Mallorca, the views and the charming old villages in the Tramuntana mountain range make this my absolute favorite route.
Read on to steal my itinerary or edit it to make it your own.
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Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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Mallorca road trip – Day 1
The first day of this Mallorca road trip itinerary starts before sunrise, so make sure you’ve got enough sleep the night before.
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 of 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.
I was absolutely stunned to see the spectacular nature with one winding road opening up in front of me as the morning light started peeking through the clouds. The same road I had just driven in the dark.
Even though I wasn’t really lucky with the weather, the one day I got up early to see the sunrise (I’m not really a morning person, you know!), as the heavy clouds were ready to let the rain through any minute, it was truly magical.
See the views from 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.
We even stopped at a few places on the way there to take in the magnificent nature this area of Mallorca has to offer.
The viewpoint gives great views of the rough cliffside, and on a windy day, you’ll 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 lot.
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 unmatched.
Have breakfast in Pollensa
From the viewpoint, there is just over half an hour’s drive to get to Pollensa. This little town full of medieval houses has a rich history.
You’ll find several restaurants and cafés in Pollensa to grab breakfast or a coffee before exploring the town.
More than 300 years ago, Talaiot 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. Among the most prominent things to do in Pollensa, 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.
Visit Lluc Monastery
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, which is worth visiting.
Legend says that a little shepherd 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 if you want to extend the road trip for an extra night.
There are several restaurants and bars in the village, if you want a drink or a snack before you continue your road trip through Mallorca’s most picturesque landscapes.
Walk around Fornalutx
Driving from Lluc, it takes about 45 minutes on winding roads to get to Fornalutx. There are a few different parking lots at the entrance of the village.
This is, without a doubt, one of the quaintest villages along the mountain range.
What baffles me is that no matter what time of the year I’ve visited Fornalutx, it’s always been near-empty of tourists, making this a fantastic hidden gem in Spain.
The village dates back more than 1000 years to when the Arabs had conquered the island. It has preserved its traditional look from after the reconquest, and walking around the narrow streets feels like going back in time.
Surrounding the village, you’ll see a sea of colorful lemon and orange groves, making this place even more picturesque. No wonder Fornalutx has been a haven for several artists throughout history.
Fornalutx is a small town that you can easily see in an hour.
Have dinner in Soller
From Fornalutx, it is only a 10-minute drive to Soller, where I suggest spending the night. There are plenty of restaurants where you can have dinner and enjoy a relaxing evening with a glass of local wine.
Where to stay in Soller:
LUXURY: Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa – Located in Port de Soller, this is the ultimate experience, with a hammam and spa. Besides, the hotel has private parking and it’s pet-friendly.
MID-RANGE: L’Avenida – This is a fantastic hotel, centrally located in Soller with a pool and parking available for guests.
BUDGET: Sóller Center – Possibly the best location in Soller, a clean and modern hotel with private parking.
Mallorca road trip – Day 2
Explore Soller
There are plenty of things to do in Soller to spend the day. With one day in Soller, I suggest starting the day with breakfast at the main square.
After breakfast, visit the iconic church of Sant Bartomeu, which is located on the same square. I found it incredibly beautiful inside, especially when taking the time to take in all the details.
After visiting the church, take a stroll through the old town, and visit the Soller Museum, where you can see how the upper class lived in the 20th century.
Take the tram to Port de Soller
Before lunch, take the iconic tram to Port de Soller. The old-fashioned tram dates back to 1912 and is what Soller is most famous for.
While it’s very possibly a big tourist trap, I still think it’s worth it. After all, it’s one of the main reasons to visit Soller. It’s a great way to get down to Port de Soller and to leave the car behind for one day to avoid the stress of parking.
The trip only takes about 15 minutes, with scenic views of the orange and lemon groves and finally the bay of Port de Soller.
Have lunch and explore Port de Soller
Once you reach Port de Soller, you can have lunch at one of the restaurants by the marina to take in the sea breeze. It’s a very nice little town and marina.
After lunch, I suggest going up to Museu de la Mar, where you can find the best views of the bay. Besides, if the museum is open, a visit is one of the best things to do in Port de Soller.
When you get back down, I suggest walking along the marina to see the boats and stroll along the promenade past the beaches. If the weather allows, you might even wanna go for a dip before taking the tram back to Soller.
To change things up, you might even choose to have dinner in the marina. It’s truly magical with the evening’s twinkling lights over the water.
Mallorca road trip – Day 3
Walk around the streets of 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, overlooking the clear blue sea.
It’s a really beautiful town to walk around for an hour or so, and grab a coffee in one of the cafés. I recommend getting there early, especially in high season, as there’s limited parking and it fills up quickly.
Walk around Valldemossa Old Town
Valldemossa is only a 15 minutes drive from Deia and it’s easy to park in the streets and on public parking lots in the village.
But opposed to Deia, there are quite a lot of things to do in Valldemossa, and I suggest spending the day there to see all the main sites without hurry.
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 town is truly picturesque, with great viewpoints, and there are so many cute bakeries where I suggest sitting down for a coffee before you head to the tourist attractions.
Visit the Chopin Cell
Valdemossa is known for housing the well-known pianist Chopin during the winter of 1838-1839. While he was there, he worked on some of his most beautiful pieces.
The pianist stayed in a monastery in the middle of town, and his room is now open to the public. Guess where I went headfirst when I arrived in Valdemossa?
To the Chopin Cell.
Not only can you see his original piano, which he composed his music with, but on the wall, you can see a lot of his tabs, with his own scribbles and corrections, and the gardens are absolutely breathtaking with the most incredible views.
No wonder where the artist got his inspiration from.
Visit the Palacio Rey Sancho and climb the tower
The Palacio Rey Sancho was built in 1309, where the old mosque stood, and served as a residence for King Sancho. In 1399, it was given to the Carthusian monks, who continued building the monastery.
The palace has a nice courtyard, and you can walk through decorated rooms in the palace. But don’t miss out on the concert hall with its incredible frescoes in the ceiling.
The main highlight, however, is the tower, where you’ll walk up some impossible stairs to sweeping views of Valdemossa and the valley below.
Visit the Carthusian Monastery
After exploring the Chopin Cell, it’s time to see the rest of the monastery where the pianist was living. Note that these are two different tickets, and that you can’t see the rest of the monastery with the Chopin Cell ticket.
The monastery dates back to the 15th century and was expanded over the next centuries. It’s a beautiful building with gardens and courtyards.
Besides the gardens, the highlights of the monastery are the church, which is absolutely stunning with frescoed ceilings, and the old pharmacy.
Drive the winding road to 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. In my humble opinion, the drive down is the best part.
How to plan your Mallorca road trip
Best time to go on a Mallorca road trip
You can enjoy a road trip in Mallorca all year round. However, this specific road trip is best done outside of the hottest summer months, as it will get very hot.
My suggestion is to do it between September and mid-June. Especially September is nice, as you can combine it with a beach vacation and even go swimming at the beach in Port de Soller.
Note that winter in Mallorca can be rainy. It has happened to me several times that it’s been pouring down during my trip, and we had to improvise. Luckily, there are plenty of cozy cafés where you can hide from the rain.
Getting a rental car
It is fairly easy to get a rental car for your Mallorca road trip for pickup directly at the airport. During high season, make sure you book early to secure the best prices, as tourism is at its peak.
We used Discovercars when we went to Mallorca to find a good deal. I love it, because you can look at different deals from different rental companies and choose the car size and price that fits your needs.
👉BOOK YOUR RENTAL CAR HERE
Book your accommodation
There are some great hotels in and around Soller. Here are some of my top picks. The luxury option is located in Port de Soller.
If you opt for staying there, I suggest taking the tram up to Soller and back, so you basically do it the opposite way from what I suggested in the itinerary.
LUXURY: Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa – Located in Port de Soller, this is the ultimate experience, with a hammam and spa. Besides, the hotel has private parking and it’s pet-friendly.
MID-RANGE: L’Avenida – This is a fantastic hotel, centrally located in Soller with a pool and parking available for guests.
BUDGET: Sóller Center – Possibly the best location in Soller, a clean and modern hotel with private parking.
Reflections on a road trip in Mallorca
Summing up, this road trip across Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountains is a fantastic way to see the area’s charming towns and get a peek into what Mallorca has to offer beyond its glittering beaches.
Driving around Mallorca is easily the best way to see the island, especially getting off the beaten path, as many places are harder to reach by public transport, especially if you don’t have a lot of time.
Happy travels!
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