Nestled in the very picturesque Tramunta Mountains of Mallorca, Valldemossa is quite possibly one of the most beautiful towns you will ever set eyes upon! It certainly attracts its fair share of visitors throughout the day, which is no surprise when you consider it’s such a romantic location.

On the other hand, feeling worlds away from the busier beach resorts that Mallorca is so famous for, we are also proposing that Valldemossa could well be the serene, tranquil holiday alternative you were looking for. The best place to stay in Mallorca as a base. It’s the perfect location for visiting some of Mallorca’s prettiest towns on the west. You’re surrounded by oodles of hillsides to hike. Valldemossa’s restaurant scene is vibing. And, you’re still only half an hour from Palma airport and the beaches on the south coast!

Plus…who doesn’t want to stay in a gorgeous place of fairytale proportions?!

Valldemossa, Mallorca

Surrounded by Olive and Almond groves, and framed by the Tramuntana hills, Valldemossa is the most charming setting for a love story. And, in fact, it is the scene for a few famous real-life romances, but more on them later.

Floral displays garnish narrow streets which lead to cobbled squares and quaint little cafes. Terraced hillsides embrace the pale stoned village in a gentle hug and Valldemossa becomes the ideal place to retreat to. In fact, if Mallorca was participating in a giant game of hide and seek, Valldemossa is the wardrobe filled with blankets, locks from the inside, and allows a hiatus of secret bliss whilst the game carries on around you.

But first of all, where to stay in Valldemossa…

Our Recommended Hotel | Valldemossa

Staying in Valldemossa is an absolute dream. The daytrippers leave, the streets calm down, and the restaurants start to ready their tables for the evening diners. And retreating to your hotel balcony with a glass of local wine and the Valldemossa vistas is the icing on the cake for any day in Mallorca.

The scene becomes even more appealing if your budget stretches to a stay at the newly renovated Hotel Valldemossa, escapism at its finest. Stylish interiors brimming with artisan fabrics, modern art, designer furniture and luxury toiletries. You’re waited on hand and foot by all the staff and nothing is too much trouble. And then there’s dinner at De Tokio A Lima, Hotel Valldemossa’s innovative Japan-Peru fusion restaurant on the terraces of Valldemossa. Truly a hotel spectacular in every way!

Hotel Valldemossa

We also love the Valldemossa hotel Ca’s Papa and would recommend it in a heartbeat for a more budget-friendly Valldemossa hotel option. We really appreciated the modern twist on the Mallorcan style and loved our balcony views and the exceptional breakfast.

Valldemossa – Hotel Ca’ s Papa

Things To Do In Valldemossa

Apart from just wandering the beautiful streets and taking in the scenery, there are loads of things to do in Valldemossa. It’s a town with a dozen stories and thankfully there are several ways to discover them.

Visit the Carthusian Monastery Where Chopin Lived

Probably the most notable visitor to Valldemossa, Chopin once spent a whole winter in the rooms of this old Carthusian monastery with his lover Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin (try saying that in a class register!). But before it was gifted to the monks it started life as a royal palace of the King of Aragon and the place is a delight to explore.

You learn a bit about the workings of the building, and a nice little synopsis of Chopin and Amantine’s retreat that fateful winter. Plus a number of live performances throughout the day showcase some of the songs he composed in Valldemossa.

The pharmacy and library are splendid, and overall it’s a good use of €12, €14,50 if you want to climb the tower and take advantage of the incredible views. Alternatively, it’s only €5 if you just want to visit the section devoted to Chopin (two rooms only) but we think it’s worth seeing the whole monastery and palatial rooms across the way.

Wander The Gardens of King Juan Carlos I Of Spain

As part of the monastery, you can see from the gardens that cultivation was regarded as a reverential activity. So it’s no surprise that wandering these serene-bordered pathways and maze of trees makes you feel at one with nature. They’re an absolute joy to spend a few moments exploring and it’s a quiet escape from the often bustling streets of Valldemossa.

It’s an interesting concept to think of Chopin in these same gardens composing some of his greatest tunes, plus they’re free to visit too.

Check Out The Cafe And Restaurant Scene

The day we arrived we passed the Cappuccino Grand Cafe, with its penguin-style waiters and impeccable aesthetics and I thought, I think I’m going to like it here. It certainly set the scene for quite the foodie break. Valldemossa is not the usual tourist trap when it comes to restaurants, making it the perfect place to stay in Mallorca as a base with plenty of food options to sample.

And there are so many options for evening drinks too – ranging from the sublime to the kind of place you’ll find the locals drinking.

We’ve always discovered that Mallorcans take their cuisine seriously and are proud of their local produce and traditional dishes, and Valldemossa was no exception to this standard. In fact, there probably wasn’t anywhere in the town that a native would turn his nose up at.

Some of our favourite Valldemossa restaurants were…

• S’estret for tasty tapas in charming surroundings.
• Troya for a great Turkish kebab but an even greater view.
• Fine dining on the terraces of Hotel Valldemossa (you don’t have to be a guest to book a table.
• For a traditional cocas de patata and glass of horchata try the 100 year old bakery Can Molinas.
• The Octopus Carpaccio at Es Taller will make your mouth water.
• Pick up a cocktail at Cafe Cappuccino and people-watch till your heart’s content.
• Tacos, Margarita’s and a dance at the underground bar on Carrer Marques de Vivot – a night you’ll never forget!

Go Shopping In Valldemossa

Despite visiting a fair few markets in Mallorca I still think shopping in Valldemossa tops them all.

We collected all of our souvenirs from the shop next to the bank on Carrer Marques (it appears to not have a name) – you will recognise it from the beautiful baskets and woven goods outside. But there are so many great patisseries to sample from and we loved the small deli counter attached to the tapas bar Quinta Penas.

Add to that a Sunday Market and multiple arts and crafts stores, Valldemossa actually is a consumer’s dream destination.

Plus, during the month of July Valldemossa holds the Artdemossa Fair and streets and squares are filled with musicians, artists and crafters.

If you have room in your case, pick yourself up a bottle of Olive Oil from the nearby ancient Olive groves of Son Moragues. Most gift shops in Valldemossa sell it.

Hiking Around Valldemossa

Another great reason to choose a Valldemossa hotel and stay in this gorgeous town as a base is all the hiking available right on your doorstep.

These Tramuntana hills are famous for their dramatic scenery and there are dozens of walks that can be started from Valldemossa with ease. Traverse ancient olive groves, steep valleys, rugged cliffs and other picturesque mountain villages almost as gorgeous as Valldemossa.

You can pick up information about some of the trails from the Tourist Information in Valldemossa. There are details on hikes to the famous Son Matge Caves, Puig Gros (one of the higher peaks in the Tramuntana), famous Olive Groves and the Son Marroig Estate once owned by Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria.

Things To Do Near Valldemossa

And when you’re done exploring the sights of Valldemossa there is still plenty to see and do nearby – see, we told you it was a good base.

• Visit the Son Moragues Olive Groves for a tour – learn about the traditional methods of olive oil production in this historic estate with an aristocratic past. And most importantly, sample the produce! The sea views are stunning and it’s only a short drive from Valldemossa town.
• Visit the Son Marroig Estate of Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria, a 19th-century residence with breathtaking views and impressive architectural and decorative features. The famous marbled pavilion and a gander at the estate are well worth the €4 entrance fee and an hour of your time.
• Watch the sunset down at Port de Valldemossa, a 15 minute narrow winding drive away. There’s a seafood restaurant which is also a great spot for a cocktail too.
• Visit the Cabrera Foundation Museum in Deia. Founded by actor Michael Douglas, who has a long-standing connection the area, the museum focuses on promoting the history and culture of the Serra de Tramuntana. Learn about the local traditions, art and nature of this world-famous UNESCO site.

Things To Know About Valldemossa Before You Visit

• The best time to visit Valldemossa is in the shoulder seasons to avoid the heavier tourist months of July and August.
• The Valldemossa Festival, Festes de la Beata, is held yearly in late July, around the 28th, in honour of Saint Catalina. Saint Catalina Thomas was born in Valldemossa and is the island of Mallorca’s official patron saint. Expect a busier town over these festival weeks.
• The weather in Valldemossaa. Don’t expect the temperate climate of Mallorca’s beach towns here in Valldemossa – winters are long in comparison. Between November and April expect low teens and plenty of rain – there’s a reason this area is so lush and green.
• Valldemossa isn’t the easiest town to navigate for disabled visitors, due to the steep and cobbled streets. You have been warned!
• If you’re doing Mallorca without a car the number 203 bus from Palma to Valldemossa takes 35 minutes and runs regularly throughout the day.
• If you visit Valldemossa just for the day by car you will want to park on the outside of town. The main road running though has a few car parks with ample places for daytrippers and saves you from the embarrassment of getting stuck down the narrow lanes. Valldemossa is pretty much a car-free zone.
• The Valldemossa market is held on Sunday mornings in the first main car parking lot you come to when you approach the town from the direction of Palma.

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So is Valldemossa worth visiting? Absolutely. But we think it’s also worth considering as a Mallorca base if you love visiting pretty villages, seeing amazing scenery and getting away from the hordes of tourists at the beach towns.

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