Esporles
Charming little village in a valley on the south side of the Serra de Tramuntana
Esporles is one of Mallorca’s best-kept secrets, a wonderfully pretty place thanks to the well-preserved traditional blonde stone architecture and stunning setting in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
Esporles is still very much a quiet place, with just a few bare necessities like a tobacconist, pharmacy and a couple of boutique shops. Carrer de sa Rectoria, the main street, is lined with majestic looking trees and fringed by a torrent running through the village. On the other side of the road, you will find a wide pedestrianised promenade with some cafes and restaurants.
Off the main street, there are lots of quaint narrow lanes with more of the same blonde stone houses, many of which have some spectacular views of the surrounding valley. At the furthest western point of Carrer de sa Rectoria, in the direction of Banyalbufar, you will be charmed by the dominant Neo-Gothic church standing tall.
Esporles and its suburbs appear to be untouched by tourism, which is probably why an affluent expat community have been drawn here. It’s a handsome village, just 20 minutes from Palma, making it a desirable place to live and this is reflected in the house prices in the area, comparable to other prestigious mountain villages like Deia and Valldemossa.
History & Culture in Esporles
Esporles' early history
The Moors established Esporles in the early Middle Ages and it was further developed in the 12th century when the Catalan troops conquered the Muslim city of Medina Mayurqa in 1229.
The first parish church of Esporles was already mentioned in 1248 but it was developed over the years and a grand neo-Gothic church now stands in its place. The oratory is dedicated to Sant Crist de la Pois, patron saint of the long-gone textile industry.
Sights & Attractions in Esporles
History, architecture and culture in Esporles
There was once a time where textiles prospered due to the good amount of rainfall and water systems, although the factories are now either in ruins or been converted into housing. The residents of Esporles also relied upon agriculture, traditionally orange trees, almond trees and livestock were their main assets to make a living.
The dry stone terraces around the neighbouring village of Banyalbufar are a must-see. From the road, as you enter the village, you will see hundreds of ledges falling down into the sea, but there’s very good reason for this. The Moors famously settled in this area during the 10th century and cultivated around 2000 dry stone terraces on the mountain slopes, making the most out of the farmland on the inhospitable steep hills, along with a sophisticated irrigation system of aqueducts which are still in use today.
Museums and galleries
Just outside the village on the road to Banyalbufar, you’ll find a museum set in a 17th-century estate showcasing Mallorca’s history and traditions. Visitors can explore lush gardens, see traditional crafts and watch artisans at work, with exhibits ranging from olive oil making to a medieval torture chamber. There’s also a café, terrace and play area, making it ideal for a family visit.
Sights in Esporles
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Ses Rotes Horses & Wine
Located in Esporles
Ses Rotes Horses & Wine offers an equestrian centre alongside local wines in the serene countryside near Esporles and a unique experience for nature lovers, wine enthusiasts and equestrians.
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La Granja, Esporles
This country house, just west of Esporles, is on a site known since Roman times for its natural spring. Since 1447 it has been a private house owned by various noble families; most of what you see today dates from the 17th century.
Beaches in Esporles
Located in the Tramuntana mountain range, there’s not exactly a local beach. However, several beautiful coastal spots are accessible within a reasonable drive, such as Cala Banyalbufar or Port des Canonges
Beaches in Mallorca
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Cala Banyalbufar
Located 6.0 km away
Offering a distinctly different experience from the more typical Mallorcan beaches, Banyalbufar is carved into the dramatic foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana. This small bay bears a few signs of regular usage, with terraced slopes and protective structures that blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Once difficult to access, Cala Banyalbufar is now easily reachable via a windy round, allowing all to discover its quiet beauty.
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Cala Deia Beach
Located 11.9 km away
Cala Deia is a very beautiful small rocky cala with clear waters and rock pools, one of the few beaches on the west coast of Mallorca. It's quite a rugged beach here so you might need to bring a chair or a lilo to lie on.
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Cala Major Beach
Located 12.8 km away
Cala Major is located within Palma Bay, around four kilometres to the west to the city of Palma.
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Palma City Beach (Can Pere Antoni)
Located 13.3 km away
The closest beach to Palma is at Ca'n Pere Antoni. This stretch of golden sandy beach starts just beyond the cathedral. A promenade and cycle path runs along its length but behind these lies the main road that takes you to Palma airport.
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Portixol Beach
Located 14.2 km away
Portixol is found just to the east of Palma's cathedral and is home to a little bay within which a little sand and shingle beach known as D'es Portitxolet Beach resides. The water is generally calm here due to the sheltered nature of the bay.
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Illetas Beach
Located 14.3 km away
Only 9km from the capital of Palma, Illetas is a holiday resort claiming three picture-perfect beaches. Illetas beach is the main beach, and is more sheltered than the huge stretch of sand that makes up the beach in front of Palma's cathedral, making this one of the nicest beaches in the Bay of Palma.
Events in Esporles
Esporles famously hosts the Fira Dolça food festival in October, where people travel from all over the island to celebrate sweet treats produced on the island.
Otherwise, there are a few small fiestas held for locals throughout the year in the small village like the Festes de Sa Vilanova, in honour of the month of August. Within these festivities, the Eucharist of Esporles, otherwise known as ‘the Last Supper’, takes place at the end of July. It starts with a procession of locals walking together to the Hermitage of Maristell, however, the paella contest is the main event for many.
Keep an eye on our events calendar for any updates.
Dining in Esporles
Local specialties
For some of the island’s best suckling pig it's worth a visit to the village's restaurants, you'll find a typical Castillian steakhouse with a traditional wood oven within a rustic and cosy setting. Elsewhere you can find authentic Spanish dishes with food made using only the freshest local organic ingredients.
Restaurants in Esporles
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Doble Coffee
Located in Esporles
With outside seating overlooking the Mallorquin village, this coffee shop feels like a home away from home.
Things to do in Esporles
Being a sleepy rural village, Esporles is the kind of place you just want to sit down with a coffee and soak up the spectacular scenery. Its main visitors are those who plan to trek the ancient paths or attempt the challenging cycle routes this part of the island has to offer.
Wine tasting
Visit the local family-run vineyard, famous for producing some of the first 100% ecological wines on the island. If you can, take the opportunity to visit the wine cellar but also the working olive oil mill on the farm.
Cycling in Esporles
Located within a valley of the Serra de Tramuntana, Esporles is a popular place for cyclists to either base themselves or just make a pit-stop. During the springtime, you will certainly spot some cycling lycra around the village whether it be in the local hotels or making the most of the scenery in one of the little cafes. From here to Banyalbufar, cyclists can be seen tackling the winding roads, steep climbs and descents.
Cycling Routes in Mallorca
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Seeing Palma by bicycle
Located 12.0 km away
Palma is a really bike friendly city. The giveaway is the prominent red cycle route running all along the Paseo Maritimo and through the city centre. The weather is perfect for it too. Despite the obvious benefits of urban exploration on two wheels, Palma on Bike was my first experience of cycling in the capital.
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Palma to S'Arenal Cycling Route
Located 12.5 km away
Enjoy a flat route by the sea that is completely on purpose made cycle paths so that it is safe for all the family to cycle. It takes you from the capital city of Palma to the beach resort area of Playa de Palma.
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Cycling from Palma to Playa de Palma
Located 15.0 km away
On Saturday we hired bikes and set off on a hot afternoon to explore the beaches of Palma Bay. A shoreline cycle path runs from the northern end of Palma docks all the way to the resort S’Arenal in the south.
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Palmanova to Santa Ponsa Cycling Route
Located 16.7 km away
A nice quiet route, if you stay away from the main roads and enjoy these resorts in a more laid back fashion.
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Port de Soller to Port d'Andratx Loop Cycling Route
Located 17.1 km away
The southern end of the Sierra Tramuntana does not have the epic climbs of the north, however this rolling ride provides no less than six different summits as well as some of Mallorca's most scenic roads.
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Port de Soller to Valldemossa Loop Cycling Route
Located 17.6 km away
Cycling from Port de Soller along the coast and through Deia, you will then travel on to Valldemossa before heading back inland and finishing over the Coll de Soller.
Hiking in Esporles
Hiking is the only way to see some of Mallorca’s best bits, and this part of the island is full of walking enthusiasts in the cooler months.
The most popular hike here is the Old Postman’s Route from Banyalbufar to Esporles which forms part of the GR221 or Dry Stone Route and offers some of the best views of the terraced landscape, holm oak woods, natural springs, and sea views.
You can also complete another part of the Dry Stone Route by taking the path to Valldemossa, although much of this is through dense oak forest which means the views aren’t as impressive.
Walking Routes in Mallorca
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Mallorca Hiking Club - The Old Postman's Route
Located 1.5 km away
When a post for the Mallorca Hiking Club popped up on Facebook on a miserable February day, it immediately grabbed my attention. My New Year's Resolution to get fit was but a distant memory, and this sounded too good an offer to pass up. I have always fancied mooching around the pretty part of Mallorca that I knew existed, but with a hopeless sense of direction, I was nervous to go off on my own in case I got lost and ended half way up a mountain in the middle of nowhere.
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A wintery coastal hike on Cami de Sa Volta des General
Located 5.6 km away
On a sunny February Saturday morning, we drove towards Banyalbufar to try the leisurely but beautiful Port des Canonge hike, along a coastal path at the very edge of the majestic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. The path is called Cami de Sa Volta des General, named after General F. Cotoner who, in the 19th century, was the owner of the Baronia estate, now a hotel in Banyalbufar.
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Galatzo- Mallorca's Matterhorn, Puigpunyent
Located 6.1 km away
From a distance this mountain looks like an impossible challenge, but the route is well graded with a handful of paths leading to its summit.
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Hike from Valldemossa to Deia - Route of the Olive Trees
Located 6.2 km away
Valldemossa is located towards the west coast of Mallorca. The bus line to Valldemossa, Deia and Llucalcari allows access to some fantastic places of interest, the woods and mountains, and some tranquil coves to swim in.
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The Archduke's Bridlepath, Valldemossa
Located 6.9 km away
Valldemossa is located near the west coast of Mallorca. This walk was mapped out by Archduke Ludwig Salvatr during tours of his estates by mule.
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Beautiful Hike from Capdella to Puigpunyent
Located 13.4 km away
Puigpunyent is located on the south-west of the island. This walk provides some magnificient scenery without having to leave the road, which goes from Capdellà to Puigpunyent. The route takes in a series of ascents and descents, and cuts across woods and fields, with different views at each curve of the road.
Nightlife in Esporles
Not renowned for exceptional mixology or after hours parties, the town does hold its fair share of annual fiestas with local DJ’s pumping some fairly heavy beats until late during certain days of the year. However, there are a few local bars serving fishbowl size quantities of Mallorca-made gin, always ready to welcome the local residents and any new international faces.
Holidays Rentals in Esporles
Staying in short-term rental accommodation gives you the freedom to enjoy the town at your own pace. Whether in the historic centre or near the mountains, it’s a relaxed and flexible base. With extra space and the option to cook or dine out, it’s ideal for a comfortable holiday.
Holiday Rentals in Esporles
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Paradise Villa
Located in Valldemossa
Cosy family house of 270 m² in the centre of Valldemossa. High quality finishings and modern equipment, swimming pool (5 x 5 m) and large terrace. An ideal accommodation for a perfect holiday in the Serra de Tramuntana.
Price: €1,666
Hotels in Esporles
Boutique hotels
Boutique hotels are the way to go in Esporles and they have a more than worthy selection on offer from relaxing rural retreats in ancient estates with pools to more modern hotels set within fincas. These establishments have modern interiors set within traditional architecture.
Hotels in Esporles
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Son Bunyola Hotel
Located in Banyalbufar
Son Bunyola Hotel offers an intimate stay, providing the perfect base to explore Mallorca’s vineyards, olive groves, and charming countryside.
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Mirabo Boutique Hotel, Valldemossa
Located in Valldemossa
This hotel is located in the middle of the mountains, close to both the town of Deia and Palma.
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La Posada Del Marques Hotel
Situated in the valley of Es Verger, a nature reserve with breathtaking views over the south of the island, at 510 metres of altitude. The hotel is in a 16th-century manor.
Price: €1,750
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Sa Vall Hotel
Located in Valldemossa
The hotel, formerly a stately manor house called Son Escanyelles, is situated in a beautiful natural setting on the outskirts of Valldemossa. Located just a few minutes from the town centre, it has an open-air swimming pool and extensive gardens, while boasting stunning views of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
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Son Brondo Finca
A majestic manor house, dating from the Arabian period and the 14th and 16th centuries. It is situated in a protected area, surrounded by a nice garden with a variety of Mediterranean flora and fauna.
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Valldemossa Boutique Hotel
Located in Valldemossa
Situated in the heart of the valley, on top of a hill from where you can enjoy views over the bay of Palma from one part, and the Tramuntana mountain range and the monastery from the other.
How to get to Esporles
By car
Car hire is still a viable option on Mallorca. On the west coast of Mallorca, Esporles is a simple 25-minute drive from Palma airport. You could also book a private transfer to take the hard work out of any driving.
Public transport
There are no direct buses from the airport, you'll need to travel into Palma's main bus station and change.
Transfers for Mallorca
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Luxury Chauffeur Services & Airport Transfers
Experience luxury and convenience with this company. Arrive at your yacht charter, sunset tour or boat trip in unparalleled style in a Rolls Royce Ghost.
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Janer Bus Airport Transfers
The established company have been offering a reliable, reasonably priced, private transfer service in Mallorca since 1993.
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Balearic Airport Transfers
This transfer company offers cheap and reliable Airport Transfers to all destinations in Mallorca with official vehicles and professional drivers.
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Majorca Taxis Company Transfers
Multilingual company offering transfers from the airport to your destination.
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Easy Majorca Taxi
A group of taxi drivers with many years of experience in the sector of airport transfers in Mallorca. You can book online in advance or call to book last-minute.
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Shuttle Spain Transfers
With offices in Alcudia and the airport, Majorca Airport Transfers has a large fleet of taxis, minibuses and coaches to suit all group sizes.