Scenic Drives around Mallorca (Majorca)

Scenic Drives in the West

This drive gives an excellent introduction to the mountain and coastal scenery of western Mallorca.

• Start in Andratx, taking the C710 to Estellencs about halfway up the main street.

Immediately the road begins to climb. You pass a mirador sign, go through a tunnel and the sea comes into view. Follow this beautiful twisting coast road between the sea and the pine-scented hills to the village of Estellencs, one of the prettiest in Mallorca, with narrow, steep cobbled streets and women doing their washing at the village well. After another 5km, stop at the Mirador de Ses Animes and clamber up to the 16th-century watchtower for views right along the northwest coast. Soon after this you reach Banyalbufar, with its spectacular terracing.

• When the C710 turns off left towards Valldemossa, keep straight on the PM110, signposted to Palma. After 1km you see a sign to La Granja on your right.

You could easily spend 2-3 hours at this display of Mallorcan traditions.

• Leaving La Granja, take the narrow road to Puigpunyent from the car park.

Follow this road for 10km, a dramatic journey through olive groves in the shadow of Puig de Galatzo. The road continues through Puigpunyent and on to Galilea, a mountain village with a couple of tapas bars and views out to sea. From here the road twists and turns down to the village of Es Capdella.

• Turn right in the village and follow signs back to Andratx.

Scenic Drives in the Northeast

This leisurely half-day drive takes in several family attractions close to the northeast coast. It can easily be done as a day trip from Palma, adding 1 1/2 hours to the time.

• Begin by the OlivArt factory shop, as you enter Manacor on the C715 from Palma. Follow signs to Porto Cristo, leaving Manacor along a boulevard with palm trees down the middle.

After 13km you see the Coves dels Hams - choose between stopping here or continuing to Porto Cristo for the Coves del Drac.

• The road continues to Porto Cristo, where you turn left at the seafront up a steep hill, following signs to Son Servera and Cala Millor.

The road leads through orchards divided by drystone walls, reaching Auto-Safari where you can drive around the zoo.

• Continue north, bypassing Cala Millor and turning left into Son Servera. Turn right towards Capdepera.

Long before you get there you see the castle crowning the village on a hill. Stop here for lunch and a climb to the
castle, then if you feel like an afternoon on the beach take the side road to Cala Mesquida.

• Otherwise take the C715 to Arta.

Again you see the town long before you get there. After exploring Arta, take to the coast.

• Follow the C712 coast road around the bay of Alcudia.

You pass the S'Albufera nature reserve before finally reaching Alcudia.

• Return to Palma in under an hour by taking the C713 and joining the motorway at Inca.

Scenic Drives on the Plain

This lovely drive criss-crosses the central plain, following old Roman roads through almond and apricot groves on its way to several small market towns.

• Start in Petra, following signs to Santa Margalida from the parish church. Bypass Santa Margalida by bearing left towards Muro.

In Muro, Carrer Major takes you to the museum well worth a visit.

• Continue along Carrer Major, over a crossroads and past the church of Sant Joan Baptista towards Sa Pobla.

Next you cross a fertile land of windmills, red earth and potato fields. Up ahead you see the mountains.

• From Sa Pobla,follow signs to Llubi; when you reach Llubi go uphill into the village and down again to reach a main road. Cross the road and take the narrow track towards Sineu.

Drystone walls to either side line the route to Sineu. On entering the town note the modern sculpture in the street as you pass beneath it.

• Follow signs to Sant Joan. As you enter Sant Joan, turn right to Montuiri - worth a brief stop.

Leaving Montuiri cross the Palma-Manacor highway by the Orquidea pearl shop and head for Porreres. A short detour takes you up to the Santuari de Montesio.

• Leave Porreres in the direction of Vilafranca de Bonany. Turn left in Vilafranca and pass Els Calderers on your right.

You could visit the stately home of Els Calderers taking a short cut to Sant Joan.

• Take the next right turn to Sant Joan, from where you can return to Petra.

There are excellent views of the Ermita de Bonany and of Petra church as you approach.