13 things to do in Serra de Tramuntana mountains, Mallorca
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Come with me to explore the best things to do in Serra de Tramuntana mountains in Mallorca, one of Spain’s Balearic Islands. The breathtaking mountain range crossing the northwest part of Mallorca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Exploring Serra de Tramuntana mountains has to be on every Mallorca itinerary. This region is known for epic landscapes, quaint stone villages, terraced slopes, and winding hairpin roads leading through lush valleys of olive groves and citrus trees.
During our three-month stay in Mallorca, we explored Serra de Tramuntana mountains all the way from North to South. In this list, you’ll find all the best things to do in Serra de Tramuntana with photos, descriptions, and locations on the map. Cheers!
1. Climb the iconic 365 Calvari Steps
Serra de Tramuntana mountains are all about scenic vistas, dramatic cliffs, and picturesque landscapes so I will take you to special places around the mountains where you can experience the true essence of this unique region.
Let’s start with climbing the iconic 365 Calvari Steps, or Escala del Calvari, in Pollenรงa – a picturesque town nestled at the feet of Serra de Tramuntana in the northwest of Mallorca. Climbing the stairs is one of the unmissable things to do in Pollenรงa.
The iconic stairway consists of 365 stone steps, symbolically representing each day of the year. The steps start in the heart of Pollenรงa town and lead uphill to the 18th-century Calvari Chapel. This is a climb everyone must do when visiting Pollenรงa!
Historically, the 365 Calvari Steps were created as a path for pilgrimage but today they serve as a famous landmark and tourist destination. At the top of the stairs, you are rewarded with amazing views over Pollenรงa and its surrounding area.
Location: Calvari Steps
2. See jaw-dropping landscapes at Mirador de Es Colomer
Next, let’s visit Mirador Es Colomer viewpoint! Located near the northern tip of Mallorca, this breathtaking lookout offering panoramic views is probably the most famous and most stunning of all the viewpoints in Mallorca!
The popular viewing platform was named after the tiny island called Es Colomer, which you can actually spot from the coast. This is an especially popular place around sunset hours when the whole coastline transforms into a canvas of vibrant colors.
Even getting here was an adventure for us with roads winding through the mountains but the dramatic cliffs were such a reward for the challenge! I highly recommend including Mirador de Es Colomer in your Serra de Tramuntana road trip.
Location: Mirador de Es Colomer
3. See the majestic Church of Saint Bartholomew in Sรณller
Located in the picturesque Sรณller, one of the most visited towns in Mallorca is the imposing 16th-century Church of Saint Bartholomew. One of the most visited tourist attractions and one of the most beautiful places in Mallorca!
The majestic church with its intricate stone carvings, large arches, and a blend of Gothic and modernist elements is a masterpiece by the Catalan architect Joan Rubiรณ i Bellver who was a student of the world-renowned Antoni Gaudรญ.
Visiting this iconic symbol is one of the must-do things to do in Sรณller. We also visited the inside of the church to see its vaulted ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows. I especially loved the rose windows.
The medieval church has become a symbol of Sรณller and has been ever-present in many cultural and historical events in the town for centuries. Even today people gather in the main square to eat, drink, and socialize with the church quietly overlooking it all.
While visiting Sรณller, don’t forget to taste one of their legendary orange ice creams made of oranges grown in their own valley. Due to their sweet flavor, oranges grown in Sรณller Valley have been favored by French aristocrats for many centuries.
Location: Sant Bartomeu Church
4. Drive the crazy twists of the famous Sa Calobra road
Driving the serpentine twists and hairpin bends of the famous Sa Calobra Road is an experience made for real thrill-seekers! My husband loves winding mountain roads so he was absolutely ecstatic to drive here, haha!
If you are just like him (and have a rental car!), driving Sa Calobra road or MA-2141 is one of the absolute must-do things to do in Serra de Tramuntana mountains. It is a truly spectacular and challenging drive in Mallorca.
The 13-kilometer Sa Calobra road descends nearly 800 meters through the dramatic landscape of the Tramuntana mountains, ending at the secluded beach of Sa Calobra. The road was designed by an Italian engineer Antonio Paretti.
The best section of the road starts at the Nus de Sa Corbata or the Tie Knot (location below). Due to its uniqueness, Sa Calobra road has been featured in TV commercials and shows like Top Gear and is considered one of the most iconic roads in the world!
Location: Sa Calobra Road
5. Go underground at Coves de Campanet
Hidden in the northern part of Mallorca near the Serra de Tramuntana mountains are impressive caves in Mallorca – Coves de Campanet. They were only discovered in 1945 and since then have become a treasured tourist attraction on the island.
Despite the dramatic change in scenery going from mountaintops to underground, visiting the majestic stalactites and rock formations of Coves de Campanet is one of the most unique things to do in Serra de Tramuntana.
Coves de Campanet features large chambers and galleries filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The caves also feature a couple of small underground lakes. Some of the chambers and galleries even have names like ‘Room of the Lake’.
You can walk around by a manmade pathway while checking out all the rock formations up close. It took us about 40 minutes to explore the caves and I really liked what I saw – it was pretty impressive!
What I found interesting about these caves is that there is evidence these caves were inhabited by humans in prehistoric times. There is also a restaurant Ses Coves next to the entrance offering scenic views over the surrounding mountains.
Location: Coves de Campanet
6. Explore the mountain villages of Valldemossa and Deiร
One of my favorite things to do in Serra de Tramuntana mountains was to visit the charming mountain villages. Two of the most beautiful villages are Deiร and Valldemossa. They are quintessentially Mallorcan and must be on your itinerary.
Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, tranquil Valldemossa is known for its cobblestone streets, honey-colored stone houses, and the 14th-century Royal Charterhouse. It has long been a place favored by many artists and celebrities.
Some of the top things to do in Valldemossa include trying the local pastry coca de patata, visiting the village’s scenic viewpoints as well as the Carthusian Monastery, and taking a photo at the iconic Carrer Rectoria – the most beautiful street in Mallorca.
However, the top things to do in Deiร include admiring the views of the hillside village from the main road, stopping by one of the village’s many picturesque cafes with panoramic terraces, as well as paying a visit to the nearby Cala de Deiร .
The postcard-perfect village of Deiร is a place that calms your mind and inspires, which is probably why it has long attracted famous artists and creatives to its surroundings. Valldemossa was my favorite, but Deiร deserves a visit too!
Location: Valldemossa – Deiร
7. Take a dip in the rocky west coast coves
It is no secret that most of the famous beaches in Mallorca are located on the East coast of the island. The white sand beaches boast crystal-clear water that is impossible to resist and thus attract hordes of local and tourist crowds.
But the rocky western coastline along the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range hides some unique treasures too. Surrounded by dramatic cliffs, the secret West Coast coves are less crowded and provide an idyllic escape from the crowds.
Some of the most beautiful coves on the West Coast of Mallorca are Cala de Sa Calobra, Cala Figuera, Cala Barques, Cala de Deiร as well as Cala Banyalbufar and Cala Tuent. Most of them are rocky pebble beaches but the scenery here is unmatched.
Location: Cala de Sa Calobra – Cala Figuera – Cala Barques – Cala de Deiร
8. Watch sunset at the famous Mirador de sa Foradada
Mirador de sa Foradada viewpoint overlooking the West Coast of Mallorca and a unique seaside cliff with a hole is one of the most popular places in Mallorca. Especially around the sunset hours.
The breathtaking viewpoint is located near Deiร village and is easily accessible if you have a rental car. Just in case you decide to wait for the sunset, check out the nearby Foradada Restaurant and ask for a table. Unbeatable views are guaranteed!
If this viewpoint is too crowded already, you can check out other fantastic viewpoints offering great views of the Mediterranean Sea, like Torre del Verger, Mirador d’en Ricardo Roca, or other spots along the coastline.
Location: Mirador de sa Foradada
9. Celebrate life at a restaurant with a view
There is no better way to enjoy the Serra de Tramuntana mountains than by finding a restaurant at a scenic place and just enjoying life while soaking in the beautiful scenery of Serra Tramuntana.
There are a couple of fantastic cliffside restaurants along the coastline with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Some of them are Bens d’Avall Restaurant, Restaurant Illeta, Restaurante de ses Barques, or Restaurant es Grau.
However, you can also look for restaurants with panoramic terraces in some of the mountain villages, like Restaurante Mirรณ and El Olivo in Belmond La Residencia Hotel in Deiร or NENI Mallorca and many other seaside restaurants in Port de Soller town.
10. Stroll through the Jardins d’Alfร bia
Among the most unusual things to do in Serra de Tramuntana is a visit to the Jardins d’Alfร bia. This special hidden gem in Mallorca takes you to some unseen scenery.
The lush historical gardens date back to the 13th century when this estate was created by the Moors who ruled over Mallorca at that time.
The scenic gardens feature fountains, palm trees, lush walkways as well as an abundance of exotic plants and flowers. Over the centuries, many of Spain’s monarchs have stayed in this estate when visiting Mallorca.
There is a special walkway where you can switch on water fountains with streams of water dancing over the walkway. Just don’t get stuck in the middle when it turns on or you’ll be wet! That was one of my favorite spots in the gardens.
Jardins d’Alfร bia is an oasis for nature lovers. You can also relax at a cafe in the middle of the garden and enjoy the fresh garden air under the shade of trees.
In one of the corners, you will find a small animal farm with goats, turkeys, sheep, and other animals all roaming around.
At the end of our visit, we got to explore the charming 13th-century manor house which features antique furniture and blends together Moorish, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles. I quite liked visiting this place – very charming and relaxing.
Location: Jardins d’Alfร bia
11. Drive the scenic coastal road MA-10
There is no better way to experience the breathtaking beauty of Serra de Tramuntana mountains than by driving through the mountains and soaking it all in!
The famous Sa Calobra road may be unique but it is only a small part of the mountains and the scenery doesn’t really change while driving Sa Calobra road. It is the same valley all the time.
So here’s my suggestion – there is only one main road, MA-10, crossing the Serra de Tramuntana mountains all the way from the north of Mallorca to the south offering stunning vistas of rugged cliffs, azure waters, and picturesque villages.
Driving the whole road would take no less than 3 hours so I recommend driving the best section from Andratx to Valldemossa or Deiร . This route travels along the coastline with epic views over the Mediterranean Sea and Tramuntana.
This scenery is like from a movie with one hairpin turn after another, crystal clear water down below, and a mountain landscape far ahead. Don’t forget to stop by viewpoints, charming villages, or cliffside restaurants along the way!
Location: MA-10 Road
12. Do a hike through the mountains
Would you believe it if I said that Mallorca is hikers’ paradise first and beachgoers’ paradise second? It is what I truly believe it is. The majestic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is the main treasure of the island.
The scenic mountains reach as high as 1436 meters above the sea with Puig Major being the highest peak on the island. The islandโs highest peak is army territory so hikers can only climb the second-highest mountain, Puig de Massanella.
Besides hiking up the second-highest mountain in Mallorca, there are hundreds of kilometers of trails for hiking in Serra de Tramuntana. The most famous route is the GR 221 Route, also known as the Dry Stone Route.
GR 221 Route is about 140 kilometers (87 miles) long traversing the entire mountain range. The route is well-marked and hiking at least one part of this route must be on every hikers’ bucket list!
Location: Puig de Massanella
13. Go on a boat trip to the uninhabited Sa Dragonera
Here’s one of my favorite things to do in Serra de Tramuntana – a boat trip to Sa Dragonera Island off the southwest coast of Mallorca. The unique Sa Dragonera (the Dragon Island) was named for its dragon-like shape (see photo above).
The tiny uninhabited island is a protected natural park boasting several endemic species (including their very own lizards!). There are three hiking trails on the island leading to the south end, to the north end, or to the highest peak of the island.
You can get to Sa Dragonera by a small ferry departing from Sant Elm. Read more about visiting Sa Dragonera here. Visiting the island is the perfect adventure for nature lovers and hikers. We went to the island three times during our stay!
Location: Sa Dragonera
Happy exploring!
Mallorca is one of my favorite islands I have ever been to. Years ago I thought Mallorca was a party island made for beachgoers. Now, after visiting Mallorca 5-6 times it is hard for me to think of a more diverse and multifaceted island to visit than Mallorca.
We spent many months living on the island of Mallorca while traveling around and discovering something new each time we went out the door – caves, villages, beaches, or epic views in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I hope you enjoy your time in the turquoise waters, picturesque villages, and crazy landscapes, of Mallorca as much as we did and I hope you get some travel inspiration from this blog post! Happy exploring!
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