12 Best Things to do in Valldemossa, Mallorca

The best thing you can do in Valldemossa is just slow down and wander. The old town is filled with narrow stone streets, honey-coloured buildings, terracotta roofs and small wooden doors with green shutters.

Almost every house has flowers spilling from a windowsill or a little ceramic tile by the door. Take a slow morning, get a coffee or matcha somewhere, and let yourself get a little lost. That’s when Valldemossa is at its most beautiful.

Valldemossa sits high in the Tramuntana mountains, and that means viewpoints everywhere. Walk to the edge of the village and you suddenly look down on terraced olive groves and deep green valleys.

My favourite is the small mirador right at the entrance of the old town, just before you walk down into the streets. It’s the perfect spot to take it all in before you dive into the village. Here is the location: Mirador de Valldemossa II. The other location is: Mirador Valldemossa.

Try to come early in the morning or right before sunset. The light is so much softer, the bus crowds have not arrived yet, and the village is at its quietest and most magical.

The Real Cartuja, the old Carthusian Monastery, is the heart of Valldemossa and the reason most people first hear about this village. It became famous because the composer Frederic Chopin and the writer George Sand spent the winter of 1838 here, and you can still visit the simple cells they stayed in, complete with original pianos and personal belongings.

Even if you are not a music or history person, the monastery is worth it. The cloisters and the gardens with their views over the valley are all really beautiful.

If you’re interested in the history of Valldemossa, it’s worth paying the €12 / USD 13 entrance fee to explore the monastery. A short piano performance of Chopin’s compositions is also included and adds a special touch to the experience.

The monastery is closed on Sundays, so plan your visit on another day. It is busiest in the late morning when tour buses arrive, so going right when it opens is the move.

Right next to the monastery, you’ll find the small but beautiful gardens. We almost walked right past it without even noticing it. While we didn’t visit the monastery itself, we did take some time to wander through the free gardens. It’s a lovely spot to pause for a few minutes between sights, especially on a warm day when you’re looking for a bit of shade.

You cannot leave Valldemossa without trying its two famous local treats! The ensaimada is a fluffy, spiral-shaped pastry dusted with icing sugar, and it’s the most typical sweet bread in all of Mallorca.

The coca de patata is the local specialty of Valldemossa: it’s a soft, fluffy potato bun with a delicate sweetness that has become a beloved treat across Mallorca.

Both are sold all over the village, but the bakeries in the old town are the spots to try them at their freshest.

Pastisseria Ca’n Molinas is the classic spot, locals and visitors all swear by their ensaimada and coca de patata. Get there before noon if you want them still warm from the oven.

The drive from Valldemossa along the MA-10 towards Deia is one of the most beautiful roads on Mallorca. The road runs through the Tramuntana Mountains, passing steep, terraced hillsides and beautiful scenery.

Sa Foradada is the famous rock with a big natural hole in it, sticking out into the sea below the Son Marroig estate. Be sure to stop at the viewpoint, where you’ll be able to see the rocky outcrop framed by blue water and a coastline that stretches into the distance.

This spot gets very popular during summer, so arrive early to grab a good parking spot and a front row seat to enjoy a cocktail at the viewpoint bar. They play chill music as you watch the sunset.

Time it for golden hour. Sa Foradada is one of the most famous sunset spots on the whole island. Bring water and good shoes if you want to hike down the 3 km (each way) trail.

While walking through the old town you will spot countless little ceramic tiles next to the doors, all showing the same young woman in blue. That is Saint Catalina Thomàs, the patron saint of Mallorca, who was born right here in Valldemossa in 1531.

Her tiny birthplace has been turned into a small chapel and you can step inside. Right nearby you will also find the Church of Sant Bartomeu, a simple but beautiful village church that is worth a quick stop.

If you want one really memorable dinner in Valldemossa, this is it. Can Costa is a family-run restaurant just outside the village in an old olive oil mill from the 17th century, and it’s famous on the island for its traditional Mallorcan paella cooked over an open wood fire.

If you’re planning to order the paella at Can Costa, it’s good to know that it’s typically served with a minimum order of two people.

Reserve in advance, especially in high season. Can Costa books out fast and the paella is made fresh, so you want a table waiting for you, not the other way around. hehe

Deia is only a 20 minute drive from Valldemossa along the same scenic MA-10 road, and it’s absolutely worth the trip. Another tiny stone village clinging to the mountains, but with a slightly different feel: more artsy, more bohemian, with a famous writer history (Robert Graves lived here) and a beautiful little cove called Cala Deia.

Spend the day wandering the village, walking up to the cemetery for the views, and lunching at one of the cafés on the main road. If you like it as much as we did, check out my full guide to the best things to do in Deia for the longer version.

Discover Alcúdia: Mallorca’s Charming Historic Town

Driving between Valldemossa and Deia takes you right past the turn-off for Sa Foradada, so you can easily combine the two in a single half-day along the coast.

Hidden below the village down a narrow mountain road, Port de Valldemossa is a tiny pebble beach with a handful of stone houses and one or two seafood restaurants right on the water. It feels more local, and very, very quiet, perfect for a swim. Just be careful, as jellyfish (medusas) can sometimes be present.

The 6 km drive down is part of the experience: dramatic switchbacks, sheer drops, and the road getting narrower the closer you get. Take it slow, spend a couple of hours swimming or just sitting by the water.

If your trip lines up with a Sunday, plan your morning around the village market. It’s small but really lovely, set up around Plaça de la Cartoixa and the streets nearby, with stalls selling local olive oil, cheese, fresh bread, ceramics, woven baskets, and handmade jewellery.

It runs from around 9 in the morning to 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Go early, grab a coffee, walk the stalls slowly, and pick up something to take home.

Good to know: If you want to visit a market on a Wednesday or Saturday, you have to visit the Santanyi Market!

The Carthusian Monastery is closed on Sundays, so the market morning is the perfect Sunday plan: village stroll, ensaimada, market, lunch.

Valldemossa sits right inside the Serra de Tramuntana, the UNESCO listed mountain range that runs along the entire west coast of Mallorca. That means the trails start from the village itself, and the hiking here is honestly some of the best on the island.

The classic stage is the Valldemossa to Deia hike on the famous GR221 long distance trail. It’s around 11 KM, about 5 hours one way through beautiful mountain scenery.

If you do not want to walk the full thing, even an hour up the Camí de s’Arxiduc gives you incredible Tramuntana views.

Wear proper shoes, bring water, and start early. The trail is mostly unshaded and gets seriously hot from late morning. If you hike one way to Deia, you can grab the 203 bus back to Valldemossa or arrange a taxi.