Activity · Day trip
Tramuntana panoramic tour in one day
The classic route through the mountains in the north-west: which towns are worthwhile, how much time is realistic and how the tour also works without your own car.
The day route largely follows this coast road between Valldemossa, Deià and Sóller.
Quick answer
What is the Tramuntana panoramic tour?
A day route through the Serra de Tramuntana that links Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller and Port de Sóller – driven by hire car via the MA-1110 and the MA-10 coast road, as a guided coach tour or as a combination of the historic railway from Palma and the tram to the harbour. At around 90 kilometres the distance is short, but the driving time is long because of the hairpin bends.
Route and schedule
A realistic start is around 09:00 in Palma or on the north coast. Valldemossa is full from late morning, Deià has hardly any parking and Sóller fills up with the trains from Palma. If you keep to this order, you stay a good hour ahead of the main wave of visitors each time and finish the day at the harbour when the day visitors are already heading back.
| Stop | Time there | What is there | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valldemossa | 1–2 hrs | Charterhouse, Chopin’s cell, natural-stone lanes | Multi-storey car park on the edge of town, centre on foot only |
| Deià | 45–90 min | Artists’ village on the hillside, cemetery with a view, Cala Deià below | Very little parking, park on the through road |
| Sóller | 1–2 hrs | Plaça Constitució, Modernisme façades, market on Saturdays | Tram from the Plaça to the harbour, leave the car behind |
| Port de Sóller | 1–2 hrs | Round bay, promenade, Cap Gros lighthouse for sunset | Largest parking areas on the route, end of the tram line |
| Optional mirador | 15 min each | Miradores between Valldemossa and Deià with views of the cliffs | Only stop in designated lay-bys, not on the hard shoulder |
Option without a hire car
From the Estació Intermodal in Palma, the historic narrow-gauge railway runs to Sóller, and from there the tram goes down to the harbour. If you like, you can take the excursion boat from Port de Sóller to Sa Calobra in summer. Valldemossa and Deià are not on the railway line but can be reached by scheduled bus from Palma – though then as a separate day rather than as a round trip.
When the route works
Drivable all year round. The best time is April to June and September to October: mild temperatures, clear views and fewer coaches. In high summer, traffic is heaviest between 11:00 and 16:00. After heavy rain, sections of the MA-10 may be closed because of rockfall.
Profile at a glance
- Duration
- 1 day, approx. 8–10 hours
- Distance
- approx. 90 km from Palma, round trip
- Season
- all year round, ideally spring and autumn
- Difficulty
- winding mountain roads, no hiking needed
- Without a car
- Palma–Sóller train plus tram
Parking in the towns
Valldemossa, Deià and Sóller have historic centres with very limited parking. The most reliable options are the paid car parks on the edge of town; Port de Sóller has the largest capacity and is therefore a good base for the afternoon.
Next steps
Frequently asked questions about the Tramuntana tour
How long does the Tramuntana panoramic tour take?
For the loop Palma – Valldemossa – Deià – Sóller – Port de Sóller and back, allow a whole day. The pure driving time is around three hours; the rest goes on viewpoints, strolling through towns and breaks.
Do you need a hire car for the Tramuntana?
No. The combination of the historic Palma–Sóller railway, the tram to the harbour and scheduled buses covers the core route. With a hire car, however, you are free to choose the miradores between Valldemossa and Deià.
In which direction is it best to drive the route?
Clockwise, i.e. first Valldemossa, then Deià and Sóller. That way the coast is in more favourable light in the morning and you drive through the narrow sections before the afternoon traffic.
Is the route suitable for inexperienced drivers?
The MA-10 is well built but winding, narrow in places and very busy in summer. If you feel unsure, set off early and choose a small vehicle.
Is Sa Calobra worth doing on the same day?
No. The spur road to Sa Calobra takes at least two hours there and back and is an excursion in its own right. If you want to include it, drop Valldemossa or Deià instead.