Montuiri, Mallorca

The name ‘Montuïri’ translates in Latin to ‘Mountain Town’, and whilst official records suggest the town of Montuiri dates back to 1329 AD, the architecture signals that its history started way before that. Buildings like Velar de Sa Torre, Alcoraia, S’Almudaina and Es Rafal Aixat show Moorish influence while settlements outside the village were established in the Bronze Age with Son Fornes, a great place of archaeological interest, dating back as far as 900BC.

The eight mill towers of the Molinar district, redundant since the 1920s, are the symbol of the village. The number of 18th and 19th-century grand mansions standing in the village today suggests that many wealthy men lived in Montuiri in more recent times.

Son Fornes archaeological site
The archaeological site of Son Fornes is 2.5km from Montuiri. Talaiot 1 is one of the largest of these Bronze Age megaliths in Mallorca and it welcomes visitors to one of the most typical settlements of the Talaiotic Period. A museum for this site is housed in an 1800's flour mill, helping us to understand the transformation of the island's communities during the first millennium BC. It is open year-round but, beware, opening hours vary depending on the season.

Museu Etnològic des Calderers
To learn more about the more recent history of the island visit the Museu Etnològic dels Calderers, a 17th-century rural manor showcasing period interiors, farming tools and tastings of wine and pork products. It is just over a 10-minute drive away from Montuiri.

Puig de Sant Miquel
Head to the top of Puig de Sant Miguel (661m) for the best views of the area. The 14th-century Santuari Mare de Deu la Bona Pau is a landmark worth seeing here and there's also a traditional restaurant with a panoramic terrace serving Mallorcan cuisine.

Montuïri is the setting for one of Mallorca's most spectacular festivals, the Feast of Sant Bartholomew. Each August, 'cossiers' (traditional Mallorcan dancers) accompanied by musicians with bagpipes, flutes and drums, dress up as women and devils and perform a dance, the origins of which stretch back at least 400 years, where evil is overcome by good.

The annual Partridge Fair held in Plaza Major takes place on the first weekend of December. A partridge hunting competition, alongside the usual delights found in Mallorca’s famous fairs, can be enjoyed here, including local produce, livestock and arts and crafts.

Finally, the weekly morning market is held on Mondays in the main square and is a great opportunity to see this village at its best whilst rubbing shoulders with the locals.

Montuiri is a sleepy village, a great place to stroll around and absorb some of the history, natural beauty and character of the island. However, if you were to use Montuiri as a base whilst staying on the island, then there are plenty of interesting places to visit in the surrounding area.

Wine Tasting & Tours
Jaume Mesquida de Mallorca is a biodynamic winery less than a 15-minute drive away from Montuiri. This family-run business has been passed down through the generations and can be visited Monday to Friday. We recommend booking in advance for tours and tastings.

Cycling
The area surrounding Montuiri is popular amongst road cycling enthusiasts, as there are various routes to match different levels of ability. There’s a choice of places to rent bikes too.

Walking & Hiking
This area might not be as famous as the west for hikes and walking trails but there are some lovely trails to try. The short walk from Montuiri to the top of Puig de Sant Miguel is one of the best and can be incorporated into a number of routes.

Golf
The highly regarded Son Gual Golf Course is down the road from Montuiri. Here you can enjoy first-class facilities including a superior course, golf academy, an exclusive clubhouse and more.

There are various traditional cafes and restaurants to visit in Montuiri. Puig de Sant Miquel is the best place to dine in town – this a country house on the top of the Puig de Sant Miquel hill serves hearty, rustic food. They specialise in Arros Brut but the lamb shoulder is also highly regarded as are the homemade desserts. In the centre of the village you will find Ca'n Xorri, situated next to the Ajuntament de Montuiri. It’s a no-frills kind of place but the large terrace out the back allows its patrons to enjoy the most incredible views over Mallorca’s rural plains whilst indulging in some simple, yet mouth-watering local dishes.

Boutique hotel in Montuiri
There are a handful of small hotels located within the village, perfect for a hideaway retreat all year round. Can Moio Hotel de Interior, a quaint boutique hotel and one of Mallorca’s great secrets, has just five rooms and a home-away-from-home vibe. It benefits from the perks of small hotels, from a swimming pool that never feels overcrowded to an honesty bar. The rooms have been recently remodelled to feature all the mods and cons you would want from a 21st-century hotel, whilst the living space predominantly preserves the original charm of the house.

Rural retreat in Montuiri
Retreat Finca Son Manera is a country manor turned four-star hotel specialising in yoga retreats. Various packages are available but spacious rooms, healthy food, relaxing surroundings, a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools are all on the menu here.

By car
It takes around 25 minutes to get to Montuiri from Palma de Mallorca’s Sant Joan airport. Follow the Ma-19, then take exit 6 to get on the Ma-15 towards Manacor, which takes you all the way to Montuiri.

Public transport
The A42 is a direct public bus running from Palma de Mallorca Son Sant Joan Airport to Montuiri. It takes about 30 minutes and runs a few times per day – please note that it only runs Monday to Friday, not on Saturdays, Sundays and Festivals. This bus also connects Montuiri to Manacor, Porto Cristo, Cala Millor and Cala Bona. Alternatively, you can catch the number 1 bus from the airport to Plaça d'Espanya in Palma, where you will find alternative, more frequent options.