Posted by Valldemossa, located in the heart of the Tramuntana mountains, is the most famous and most visited village on Mallorca. Thousands of tourists visit the small village every day in summer and it is well worth a visit: Original houses from the 16th century with an interesting church and monastery, embedded in a charming landscape, make a trip to Valldemossa an experience.
The village’s fame has an important reason, in addition to the picturesque beauty of Valledemossa and the surrounding area: the composer Frederic Chopin spent the winter of 1838/1839 in Valldemossa with his girlfriend George Sand. Chopin, who suffered from lung disease, wanted to escape the cold winter in Paris. George Sand wrote a novel about his time in the village: the bestseller “A Winter in Mallorca”. Inspired by the book, many tourists came to the village in the 1960s and 1970s. The residents recognized their opportunity and renovated the village. Today, Valldemossa is largely closed to cars, the houses have been lavishly renovated, and flowers hang in front of every house. Valldemossa looks like a museum – not kitschy, but real. It is above all the stroll through the narrow streets that make the village so interesting. However, there are sometimes a few too many tourists in Valldemossa.
The monastery of Valldemossa with church: Chopin and his partner Sand rented a room in the monastery. Today, the Carthusian monastery is the most visited building on Mallorca after the cathedral of Palma. You can see the old monastery pharmacy, a room with original furniture from the time of Chopin and Sand, as well as the piano that the composer played on during his time in the monastery. You should also definitely look at the valuable, famous paintings by world-famous painters such as Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso. The monastery’s monumental church is also worth a visit. Unfortunately, the entrance fee for the monastery of Valldemossa has increased in recent years: at the beginning of 2013, you paid 8.50 euros. Ideally, before visiting Valldemossa and the monastery, you should read George Sand’s book, which is available in every bookshop on Mallorca and in Germany in almost every city library.
Surprisingly, the prices in the cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops are reasonable. Most of them are located around the large car park (fee required) outside Valldemossa and in the wide pedestrian street from the car park to the village center. The best place to buy souvenirs is in the Ca’n Gotxo shop, which is located under the church. The spirits and liqueurs section is popular. There you can try around 20 different spirits and liqueurs for free. Many people leave the shop tipsy – with or without the bottles they bought in their hands. You should definitely try and maybe buy the famous almond liqueur. Mallorca is known for its almonds and almond liqueur. The cognac and fruit liqueurs are also definitely worth a try or two, if you don’t have to drive afterwards.
Also worth trying is the famous pastry from Valldemossa: the Cocas de Potatas. It looks and tastes a bit like a doughnut. You can find a Coca de Potatas in many of the pastry shops in Valldemossa.
A Coca de Potata
We didn’t find the weekly market in Valldemossa, which takes place every Sunday, particularly interesting. It mainly sells cheap products from China. However, some stalls have good cheese and ham.
If you still have time, you should also visit the lower part of Valldemossa. The streets have also been renovated, but there is much less hustle and bustle. The area around the village is also worth seeing, with its many almond trees and olive trees that bloom white in spring, forests, mountains and hiking trails.
Some small tips for Valldemossa
When to go to Valldemossa? If you have the opportunity, you should come to Valldemossa outside of the main tourist times. Winter or early morning are ideal. That way you can avoid the hustle and bustle.
What is the climate like up here? The town is about 400 meters above sea level. It is usually about 3 degrees cooler in Valldemossa than on the Mallorcan coast. The trip up to the village is therefore only a slight cooling off on hot summer days.
Pronunciation of the place name: Pronunciation of the name of the village: Don’t forget that the double L is pronounced like a j. The village is therefore pronounced “Vajdemosa”, similar to how the island is pronounced “Majorka”.
Car, excursion bus or regular bus? If you want to try the well-known alcoholic drinks, you shouldn’t come in a rental car. Of course, as is to be expected on the Balearic Islands, there are many providers of private bus tours to the municipality in the mountains.
Bus connections with the public bus: At least 6 buses per day from Valldemossa to Palma de Mallorca, just 20 km away. There are also 3 buses a day to the famous and worth seeing artists’ village of Deia and further to Port de Soller. There are also more bus connections in the season.
Valldemossa and surrounding area
How long does the tour take? You should plan at least 2, preferably 3 hours for Valldemossa. Some holidaymakers spend a lot more time in the town. If you take a day trip in a rental car, we think you can visit a second destination nearby on the same day as Valldemossa. However, Valldemossa should be the focus of the day trip. A second destination that is suitable, due to its geographical proximity, is the town of Deia – the famous artists’ village on the island of Mallorca.
Unfortunately, staying overnight in Valldemossa is usually expensive: even simple rooms cost at least 70 euros when we visited, and that was in winter. If that doesn’t bother you, you’ll definitely experience Valldemossa from a great side: in the evening, when the day tourists have gone, the village has much more charm.
Valldemossa Top 10
Carthusian Monastery of Valldemossa (La Cartuja de Valldemossa)
A former Carthusian monastery built in the 14th century. It is particularly famous as the place where Frédéric Chopin and George Sand stayed in the winter of 1838/39. Today it has a museum and beautiful gardens.
Chopin Museum
The monastery has an exhibition dedicated to Chopin’s stay in Valldemossa. You can see personal items, manuscripts and the piano he used to compose.
Royal Palace of King Sancho
Once a retreat for the Majorcan kings, this palace is right next to the Carthusian Monastery. Today it occasionally hosts cultural events.
Mirador des Lledoner
A viewpoint in the village with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Ideal for a photo or a break.
Sant Bartomeu Church
The church in the center of Valldemossa dates back to the 13th century. Its baroque elements and beautiful facade are particularly impressive.
Old Town of Valldemossa
Stroll through the narrow streets with traditional stone houses, decorated balconies and flowering plants. A walk feels like a trip back in time.
Casa Natal de Santa Catalina Thomàs
The birthplace of Saint Catalina Thomàs, the patron saint of Mallorca, is a modest building that provides insight into the life of the saint. All over the village you will find tiles depicting her life.
Hiking in the area
Valldemossa is located in the Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Popular hiking trails lead through olive groves and pine forests, with wonderful views of the Mediterranean.
Try Cocas de Patata
A visit to Valldemossa is not complete without trying the famous sweet potato buns, the “Cocas de Patata”. They go perfectly with a hot chocolate or coffee. The potato coca is a sweet dish in Mallorca, especially in the village of Valldemossa.
Sa Foradada viewpoint
Just outside Valldemossa is the Sa Foradada viewpoint, from where you can admire the spectacular coastline and the famous rock with a “hole”. The sunset here is magical.
Valldemossa is particularly pleasant in the morning hours or late afternoon when there are fewer tourists around. Plan enough time to enjoy the atmosphere of this special place.
