Mallorca, a jewel in the Balearic Islands, is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. In this captivating journey, we explore the heart and soul of this Mediterranean paradise, from the charming Port de Soller to the historic streets of Valldemossa. Nestled in the northwestern part of Mallorca, Port de Soller, a mere hour’s flight from Barcelona is a picturesque horseshoe-shaped bay surrounded by the majestic Tramuntana mountains. Its captivating beauty and serene ambiance make it an ideal haven for relaxation and exploration. With the enchanting Esplendido Hotel as our base, we delve into the nearby villages of Fornalutx, Deia, and Palma de Mallorca, each offering its own unique charm.
Driving through Mallorca is an adventure in itself, with winding mountain roads offering breathtaking views. The west coast location of Port de Soller treats visitors to stunning sunsets and a plethora of delightful hotels, cafés, and restaurants, like the vibrant Agapanto with its live music and bay views. Our sailing expedition along the northern coast revealed spectacular cliffs, caves, and cooler-than-expected swimming waters, a refreshing respite in the summer heat.
The highlight of our adventure was the challenging hike from Deia to Port de Soller along the renowned GR221 trail. This strenuous, 9-mile trek through ancient olive groves and rugged terrain is a testament to the island’s natural beauty and rich history. Our guide, equipped with essentials and local knowledge, made the journey an unforgettable experience, culminating in a perfect picnic with breathtaking views.
Valldemossa, a quaint village en route from Palma, presents an Instagram-worthy landscape with its pale stone houses set against lush greenery and dramatic mountain backdrops. This rural idyll, steeped in history and natural beauty, offers a glimpse into the soul of Mallorca, away from the bustling tourist spots. Its narrow, winding roads and rich cultural heritage, including the famous monastery where Chopin once stayed, add to its allure, making it a must-visit destination on the island.
PORT DE SOLLER
This is the quaint little port town in the northwestern part of Mallorca, Balearic Islands. A short (1 hour) flight from Barcelona. It’s a very protected little horseshoe-shaped bay with Tramuntana mountains surrounding it. So charming that we really didn’t do too much exploring and we loved our hotel, Esplendido. We visited Fornalutx, Deia and Palma de Mallorca. Driving to other bays and cities is about an hour in any direction, and also mountainous with winding roads along cliffs so we didn’t do any night driving. As it’s on the west coast, we enjoyed magnificent sunsets! Tons of charming hotels, cafés, and restaurants (Agapanto, with live music and bay views was our fave). On the day we sailed by private charter north, we went swimming – it wasn’t quite the bathwater temp I expected after a long hot summer, but it was still lovely at about 75º. Magnificent cliffs, caves and scenery. In the summer months, we watched for the very nasty purple jellies with a big sting. It prohibited us in several areas.
DEIA TO PORT DE SOLLER ~ The big hike GR221 & finding the best spot for a Perfect Picnic in Port de Sóller
I’d never heard of GR before this hike. I learned a lot. On one of our days, we planned a very strenuous hike. Roughly 9 miles from Deia back to the port with a steep vertical climb. We hired a professional who also carried the extra water, and picnic kit including a lovely wine and some snacks. We carried a lot of water as well. It’s a grueling trip, but good for anyone in moderate shape. The highlight along the route were the hundreds of year-old olive trees, some producing almost nothing any longer but twisted and gnarley. Here are several other hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. As a hiking trail, the GR221 leads through the Tramuntana mountains of Mallorca from Port d’Andratx to Port de Pollenca. The route is only partially signposted. Careful route finding and a keen eye for the cairns are therefore important.
VALLEDEMOSSA
From Palma, (airport), we drove through Valledemossa for lunch en route to Port de Soller. Every picture is Instagram-worthy. This little rural village is in the midst of the Tramuntana mountains, with pale, perfect stone houses and buildings which contrast vividly against the surrounding green forests of terraced olive, figs and lots of other varieties I don’t know. Just very picturesque, especially with big clouds, mountain backdrops and blue sky. The roads are treacherously Bond-y dangerous. Hairpin turns, very narrow. Valldemossa comes from the Moorish name for the town: Musa Valley. We didn’t see any muses but we saw tons of Brits, Germans, Dutch and lots of cyclists. No Americans so far. The monastery/palace and Chopin having stayed here are a big tourist draw. Parking is near impossible and very expensive — more than San Diego!
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