Visiting Valldemossa, Mallorca
Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Palma, Valldemossa is one of the most famous hilltop towns on the island of Mallorca in Spain. That said, it still maintains a very local feel, with many people going about their daily lives as they shop at the market, go to church, or sit outside their houses chatting with friends.
Tip: Northwest Mallorca is incredibly scenic; it was one of our favorite drives! We combined our visit to Valldemossa with other stops on this coastline. For example, you can stop at the nearby artist’s village of Deia, hike down to the breathtaking rock formation of Sa Foradada, or join a boat trip from Soller, an elegant harbor town.
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
1. Explore the Old Town Streets
It’s true that there aren’t many ‘activities’ in Valldemossa. Instead, its beauty is taking in the scenery: wandering the pretty cobblestone streets lined with flower pots, colorful flag garlands, and green-shuttered houses. Best of all, nearly all these streets are pedestrianized (free of cars), making your village stroll all the more peaceful.
One of our favorite things to do on our trip to Mallorca was to grab a typical Balearic pastry and sit on a bench overlooking the pretty village viewpoints. In Valldemossa, you’ll find a famous bakery called Forn i Pastisseria Ca’n Molinas, which makes excellent Ensaimadas (a typical fluffy sweet bread dusted with icing sugar).
2. Carthusian Monastery
One of the most beautiful buildings in Valledemossa is the grand Carthusian Monastery, once the holiday home of the King of Mallorca. Monks later took it over, and even the famous composer Chopin stayed here (along with his partner, the renowned French writer George Sand). It’s said that the beauty of this setting inspired some of their greatest works!
For a small entry fee (12 EUR/13 USD), you can wander inside and visit the museum dedicated to Chopin and Sand, showing the rooms they slept in and other artifacts. There’s even a Chopin piano concert to listen to at the end of your visit.
Opening Times and Tickets
General tickets cost 12 EUR/13 USD. For a bit extra (14.50 EUR/16 USD), you can climb the tower for 360-degree views across the pretty rooftops and valley of Valldemossa.
3. Port de Valldemossa
Although you feel you’re genuinely nestled in the heart of the mountains here, Valldemossa is only 6km away from the nearest beach, Port de Valldemossa. This pretty pebble beach on the edge of a quaint fishing port makes the perfect place to relax for a few hours as you enjoy the crystal-clear turquoise waters and scenic mountain views.
The drive to reach Port de Valldemossa is not for the faint of heart! It’s 6 km of sheer drops, hairpin bends, and narrow roads. Please don’t attempt this unless you’re a confident driver, as once you start your descent, there is no way of turning around. Although we think it’s well worth it for the beautiful beach at the bottom.
Tip: Another good option is Port des Canonge, which is a short drive away (also a slightly nerve-wracking road!).
Jellyfish/Medusa
On this side of the island, there are frequent sightings of jellyfish. Luckily, the clear water makes it particularly easy to see them here. However, we recommend swimming with a snorkel just in case.
You need to be careful as their sting, although not harmful, can be painful. We were lucky not to get stung on our trip, but we saw a few unfortunate victims!
4. Find the Best Views on the Island
Because of its high location, one of the best things about Valldemossa is all the incredible viewpoints. As you wander among the pretty churches, stone houses, and narrow cobbled streets, you’ll turn each corner to find another ‘mirador’ — a viewpoint where you can find sensational views across the village and down the valley towards Palma.
Grab your camera and snap away at the beautiful green fields, olive groves, and surrounding mountains. Here are some great spots to head for:
Tip: You’ll find a couple of beautiful restaurants with open terraces and fantastic views in Valldemossa. The first is Troia, which has excellent views of the village center (book your table here). The other is De Tokia a Lima, which offers high-end dining and is located on the village outskirts. We want to try this one on our next visit! (reserve your table here)
Must-see: Sunset Views at Mirador sa Foradada
The entire road along this western coastline (from Valldemossa to Soller) is incredibly scenic. It follows along sheer cliffs with open views of the shimmering sea and the beautiful olive tree terraces.
As you drive from Valldemossa on the road to Deia, you’ll find one of the best viewpoints to watch the sun go down: Mirador de sa Foradada (here is the exact location).
Parking at the Mirador
In high season (July/August), the parking for this viewpoint gets full very quickly. Consider arriving a few hours before sunset (varies between 8.30 PM – 9.00 PM in summer). Please note that there’s a small parking fee.
5. Valldemossa Sunday Market
If you’re visiting on a Sunday, check out the Valldemossa Market, which takes place on Sunday mornings from 9 AM to 3 PM. It’s a traditional market run by locals where you can buy fantastic fresh fruit, vegetables, and plants. There are also textiles and ceramics, which make great memorabilia from your trip!
Unfortunately, we didn’t see this market. However, we went to the Santanyi Market on a Wednesday instead, which is an excellent option if you’re not in Mallorca on a Sunday.
6. Go Hiking in the Tramuntana Mountains
With such beautiful mountain scenery, this area of Mallorca is incredibly popular with hikers. Although we didn’t hike on this trip, we saw many groups of walkers leaving Valldemossa and embarking on the ‘dry stone route’. This is an incredible UNESCO walk that spans the length of the Tramuntana Mountains.
One of the challenging (and beautiful) parts of this route is from Valldemossa to Deia, so if you’ve got the energy, we definitely recommend it! The walk is around 8 KM and takes approximately 5 hours with a 520-meter ascent.
Don’t worry; you won’t have to make the long trek back — you can take the 203 bus back to Valldemossa at the end of the day. This bus line also connects to Palma if you’re staying in the city. (Book your bus tickets in advance here)
7. Day Trip to Deia
No trip to the northwest coast of Mallorca is complete without a visit to the beautiful artist’s village of Deia. If you’re staying in Valldemossa (or even just visiting for the day), add some time to see this neighboring village. It has a similar aesthetic to Valldemossa but feels more nestled in the mountain, with superb sea views and a history of famous residents.
Its popularity among musicians, artists, and creatives continues today, with many familiar faces staying in the famous Belmond La Residencia Hotel. You can book to have a cocktail here for a special occasion. Although this is expensive, we really enjoyed this experience.
Tip: Visit Deia on a Wednesday when they have a great food market with delicious coffee!
Hotels in Valldemossa, Mallorca
There are not many hotel options in Valldemossa, but the small selection on offer is truly beautiful! Valldemossa makes a great place to stay on your Mallorca itinerary, with charming guesthouses and upmarket hotels with pools.
If you struggle to find availability in peak months in the village, consider looking further outside, within the countryside. Alternatively, choose a nearby hotel in Deia or a hotel in Soller.
Tip: We didn’t stay in Valldemossa on our trip, but we recommend the hotel we stayed in, Soller, just a 30-minute drive away. It’s called Ca’l Bisbe, and you can reserve a room here.
How Many Days in Valldemossa?
Valldemossa is a small town, so visiting for a half day is lovely. We recommend the morning; if you arrive before 9 AM (before the tour buses arrive), you’ll have the streets almost all to yourself! You can then grab a delicious brunch at Barbaflorida Cafe before continuing your road trip down the coast.
Although we didn’t stay in Valldemossa, we think it would be a great spot to base yourself if you follow a Mallorca itinerary, particularly if you’re more inspired to visit places up this northwestern coastline, such as Deia, Soller, or Sa Calobra.
It’s also not too far away from Palma (30 minutes); it’s the first village you’ll come across as you drive from the city up into the Tramuntana Mountains.
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How to Visit Valldemossa, Mallorca
All flights arrive at Palma de Mallorca airport (30-minute drive from Valldemossa). Please be aware that this airport is huge (!), so you’ll need to allow plenty of time to walk from your gate to the arrivals hall.
We recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your trip, and this is definitely the easiest way to get to Valldemossa from the airport.
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Palma to Valldemossa
Traveling from Palma to Valldemossa is also easy if you don’t have a car. Take the airport bus directly into Palma city center and get off at the Estacion Intermodal, where all the buses and trains leave Palma for other destinations across the island. From here, you can take bus 203 to Valldemossa, which takes around 30-35 minutes. Here is the complete timetable.
Note: We recommend booking your tickets online as they’re 40% cheaper than buying them directly on the bus. (Book your bus tickets in advance here)
Alternatively, join an organized tour of Valldemossa. These usually include other stops in the area like Soller or Sa Foradada. See tickets and availability here.
Getting around
Once you arrive in Valldemossa, there are two parking lots to choose from. However, these get full quickly (particularly on weekends and peak season). Therefore, try to arrive as early as possible, ideally before 9 AM, when tour buses will likely arrive. Most parking areas accept cards, but it’s always a good idea to carry a bit of cash just in case.
Tip: Parking on the street can be confusing, as you’ll see different colored painted lines corresponding to different pricing. To avoid confusion, it’s better to park in one of the designated parking lots. However, we did find some free parking (within the white painted lines) in the back streets of the village, closer to the restaurant Es Taller.
How Much Does Valldemossa Cost?
Mallorca is a top-rated holiday destination, and as it’s an island, it can be a bit more expensive than other places on mainland Spain. Particularly in this northwest area (Valldemossa, Deia, Soller), you’ll find the villages catering to a wealthier clientele because of the region’s reputation, so accommodation and restaurants are more expensive than other spots on the island.
That being said, there is still a way to budget in Valldemossa. Consider staying a bit further outside the village, making a picnic, and traveling outside of peak months to get the best deal on accommodation. We traveled towards the end of October, and it was still warm and considerably cheaper!
Best Cafes and Restaurants
For a small place, Valldemossa has a great selection of cafes and food spots. One of our favorites for breakfast was Barbaflorida Cafe, which is situated in a typical brownstone building with green shutters. You can walk upstairs and eat in one of the windows, or they have a small selection of tables in the courtyard under the trees outside.
For dinner, we recommend Es Taller. This restaurant is situated in a converted car garage on the edge of town, and the food is really excellent. The ingredients are fresh and local — they even have their own allotment outside. Make sure to book ahead in summer, as this place gets full quickly! Some other great restaurants that we spotted are:
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Best Time to Visit
Mallorca is a beautiful island to visit all year round, and Valldemossa is no exception. In the hotter months, Valldemossa is also a couple of degrees cooler than other places on the island, as it’s located at a higher altitude.
We visited in mid-October and loved it! We had clear, sunny days, and it was still warm enough for swimming. Moreover, there were fewer crowds, it was easier to park, and accommodation was considerably cheaper. The fall and spring are also great for hikers, as the temperatures are more bearable for the more challenging walks.
Tip: While we know Mallorca is a popular choice for the summer months of July and August, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this time. The beaches can feel overcrowded, and parking is nearly impossible unless you arrive very early. If you visit Valldemossa during these months, time your arrival well to avoid the crowds.
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