Our adventure day in Mallorca, Spain
Every time we visit Mallorca, we take the old family car out for a spin. It’s a charming relic that doesn’t warn you if you leave your headlights on when parked, which inevitably means a dead battery the next morning. Our solution? A long drive around the island to recharge both the car and our spirits—a tradition we affectionately call our adventure day.
We usually start from the Port of Andratx, winding our way up into the Serra de Tramuntana mountains toward Sóller. Our route takes us through Estellencs, a tiny village I’ve never actually stopped in—I can never find a parking spot! But it’s worth a drive-through along the Carretera Autopista Estellencs. About halfway along, we always stop at Torre del Verger, a viewpoint that seems to call for a dozen photos every single time. From here, the coastal scenery stretches endlessly, with Banyalbufar lying serenely to the right.
Banyalbufar & La Granja Esporles
The town of Banyalbufar is famous for its 2,000 terraced fields cascading down the mountainside, an intricate irrigation system of aqueducts designed by the Moors in the 10th century that still works today.
Close by, La Granja Esporles is a must-visit for history and family fun. This 10th-century mansion, just a 30-minute drive from Palma, is now a museum where you can explore stately rooms, stroll through lush gardens, feed animals, and sample traditional Mallorcan delicacies—all included in the entrance fee.
Valldemossa
Next on our route is Valldemossa, the picturesque village forever linked with composer Frédéric Chopin and his partner, the French writer George Sand. Nestled in the mountains about 18km from Palma, Valldemossa is often busy with tourists in summer, yet it’s a delight to wander its car-free cobblestone streets lined with 16th- and 17th-century stone houses with classic red-tiled roofs.
Deià
Continuing along the coast, we reach Deià, another tiny village that has long attracted writers and artists, including Robert Graves. For a bit of peace, we love stopping at La Residencia for a quiet drink while soaking in the serene surroundings.
Sóller & Port de Sóller
Not far from there is Sóller, reachable by car in 30 minutes or via a charming vintage train from Palma, which takes about an hour. A fun highlight is the small train that shuttles visitors from Sóller to Port de Sóller, offering a scenic taste of local life.
Cúber & Gorg Blau
Inland, halfway across the northern coastline, are two beautiful reservoirs: Cúber, tucked between Puig Major and Morro de Cúber, and Gorg Blau, nestled between Puig Major and Puig de Massanello. Swimming isn’t allowed, but the area offers some of the island’s best hiking and walking routes.
Pollença
Further north lies Pollença, an easy drive from Palma near Cap de Formentor. The village center, Plaça Major, is dominated by an 18th-century parish church.
For a panoramic view, climb the 365 steps of El Calvari, crowned by another historic church. Afterwards, treat yourself to lunch at La Font de Gall, a classic local restaurant renowned for its arroz negro—just make sure you’ve earned it with the climb first!
Mirador Es Colomer & Cap de Formentor
Finally, our adventure day often ends at one of the most breathtaking spots on the island: Mirador Es Colomer on the road to Cap de Formentor. In my opinion, it offers the most spectacular view of all, a perfect finale to a day spent exploring Mallorca’s mountains, villages, and coastline.
More about Mallorca
Written by Elene Riordan
Welcome to Travelling Cooks! I’m Elene, a 50-ish-year-old British-Belgian woman living in Brussels, surrounded by my beautiful friends and family. This blog is a celebration of my three great passions—travel, restaurants, and cooking. Enjoy!