Mallorca North West Coast
Mallorca's north west coast is more commonly referred to as the Serra de
Trasmuntana which is the mountain range stretching the length of the coast from
Puerto
Pollensa to
Andratx. If you rent car in Mallorca and decide to drive the full length of
this coast I can assure you that it will be added to your personal shortlist of
'best drives ever'.
I've had the pleasure of driving this route many times in both directions,
however, for the purpose of this article I'll describe the highlights of the
drive south departing from Pollensa. The journey is only 88km but small, winding
roads make it a long journey.
The scenery is beautiful as you wind your way along the C-710 towards the
monastery at Lluc which is your first port of call. There's plenty parking next
to the monastery and no charge to have a look around the island's most sacred
site. There are a few cafés and restaurants serving quite decent Mallorcan
dishes and light snacks.
Just beyong Lluc look out for a right turn to the small port of Sa Calobra which
takes you onto a 12km road full of hairpin bends. From the car park it's a 600m
walk through several tunnels to the Torrent de Pareis which is a beautiful cove
with great places to go for a swim. Unfortunately, the place is mobbed during
the summer with day trippers making the drive fairly unpleasant in both
directions. Touristy meals are available in the cafés on the seafront.
Once you're back on the main road follow signs for
Soller. Look over to your right as you're
approaching the Gorg Blau reservoir and you'll see Puig Mayor which is
Mallorca's highest peak at 1445m. Shortly before arriving in Soller take the
left turn for Fornalutx, a village which claims to be the most beautiful on the
island. Well worth stopping in one of the nice restaurants here for lunch or for
a snack in the square beneath the village clock.
Continue on to Puerto de Soller via another pretty village at Biniaraix. The Port
de Soller has a large bay looking out to sea and lies just 3km from the pretty
town of Soller. The scenic train excursion from Palma to Soller stops in the
town then visitors transfer to a tram that takes them down to the port. If you
fancy treating yourself stay the night at the 5 star Gran Hotel Soller and
continue your journey the following day.
Head out of Soller town on the C-710 heading for Deia.
Beautiful coastal scenery suddenly appears to your right as you wind your way
through the hills. Pull over in Deia and take a stroll up to the old village
church where the English writer Robert Graves is buried then stroll along the
main street where there are plenty places for refreshments.
Next stop is the picturesque town of Valldemosa
which is famous for its monastery where the composer Frederic Chopin and his
lover George Sands spent an unpleasant winter in 1838. Heading back out of town
take the turn for Port de Valldemossa which is a 6km drive of hairpin bends
which eventually reaches a little bay with a single restaurant overlooking what
can be wild seas on windy days.
The rest of the drive meanders through lovely little villages such as
Banyalbufar and Estellencs before reaching the end of the Serra de Tramuntana at
Andratx. Look out for signs for viewpoints along the road which give you superb
views along the rocky coastline. Just west of Andratx is the idyllic little town
of Sant Elm which is a great spot for a seafood lunch
overlooking the island of Dragonera.
See Also:
Mallorca East Coast
Mallorca North East Coast
Mallorca South West Coast
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