Discover the Sierra de Tramuntana, a World Heritage Site

The Sierra de Tramuntana is a mountain range that extends all the way from the north coast of Mallorca to the south coast of the island, it gets its name from the wind that blows from the mountains, in Mallorquin it is called the Sierra de Tramuntana, it is 99 kilometres long and its two biggest mountains are the Puig Major d’en Torrella and Puig Major de Massanella, the Puig mayor is the tallest at almost 1500 metres high. There also 3 reservoirs up in the mountains: Cúber, el Gorg Blau and a smaller one which is only used by the military base at Puig Major.

The history and heritage of the Sierra de Tramuntana

The Sierra de Tramuntana has an incredible cultural landscape formed by roads, cliffs, terraces and dry-stone constructions made by man who, far from destroying the natural view of this area, has respected the environment and has integrated into it perfectly, making it even prettier. 

The Sierra de Tramuntana has an incredible hydraulic heritage; thanks to the ingenuity of man the exploitation of water resources were developed to supply water to the terraces where olive trees grow on the mountain slopes, during long dry hot summers. The Arab invasions over the centuries meant that the population were compelled to leave the coast for the safety of the mountains and constructed a coastal surveillance network to alert the towns of the arrival of enemy ships. These consisted of towers, watchtowers and two rock castles.

We should also mention the religious heritage present in the mountains, especially the monastery at Lluc, a place of pilgrimage and a site of cultural interest in Mallorca.

It was the Sierra de Tramuntana that brought the first tourists to the island in the beginning of 20th century, thanks to a group of pioneering visitors such the Archduke Luis Salvador de Austria. He was so fascinated by Mallorca's north coast that he bought several large estates in the Valldemossa and Deià areas, which went on to become two of the most important tourist locations on the island.

The Archduke built several viewpoints, still in existence today, so that travellers could enjoy the wonderful landscape offered by this part of Mallorca's coastline.

Today its wonderful scenery, views, villages and coves make it a first-class tourists destination attracting hundreds of tourists from all over the world who find on their arrival in the Sierra de Tramuntana a wealth of cultural, historical and gastronomical heritage.

The Sierra de Tramuntana was declared a world heritage site

The Sierra de Tramuntana, is without any doubt one of the island's biggest treasures, its spectacular cliffs, paths, scenery, landscapes, viewpoints and villages make it  the unique place it is and everyone who comes to visit the mountains falls in love with its stunning landscapes and natural beauty.

It was in 2011, when the landscape of the Sierra de Tramuntana in the Balearic Islands, baptized with the name of the wind that comes from that direction, was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO they regarded it as an area of great physical and cultural significance.

How UNESCO described the Sierra de Tramuntana

The Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana located on a sheer-sided mountain range parallel to the north-western coast of the island of Mallorca. Millennia of farming in an environment with scarce resources has transformed the terrain and displays an articulated network of water management mechanisms between the different plots which are of feudal origin. The landscape is marked by agricultural terraces and inter-connected water works - including water mills - as well as dry stone constructions and farms.

Quaint mountain villages

The majestic Sierra de Traumuntana stretches from the region of Andratx in the south west of Mallorca right the way up to Cap de Formentor.  The municipalities in the Serra de Tramuntana are:

• Alaró


• Andratx


• Bañalbufar


• Calviá


• Campanet


• Deia


• Escorca


• Esporlas


• Fornalutx


• Lloseta


• Mancor del Valle


• Pollensa


• Santa María del Camino


• Puigpuñent


• Sóller


• Valldemosa

Although Mallorca is seen as a place of sun and beach it is the charming inland villages, especially those in the mountains that make Mallorca the natural paradise that it is.

Here at Zafiro Hotels we would recommend you visit each and every one of the villages if you have the time because no two places in the Sierra de Traumuntana are the same. However, if you don´t have the time to visit them all then we would suggest 3 things you shouldn´t miss out on doing.

The first one is to take a stroll through the streets of Valldemossa a village full of charm with stone houses, romantic restaurants and shops that could almost be Ibizan.

Next you cannot miss out on seeing Sóller and Port Sóller, a mesmerizing place surrounded by orange groves and one of the most beautiful ports on the island.

Lastly finish your short tour of the Sierra de Tramuntana in Deia and go and watch the sunset from its viewpoint, the perfect ending to a perfect day in the mountains.

The Sierra de Tramuntana is perfect for hiking, walking or cycling, in the spring when the weather is cooler hundreds of tourists and travellers come to enjoy the mild temperatures to do lots of outdoor sports. As the Sierra de Tramuntana lies close to the sea the dramatic views from one of the curves of the twisting mountain roads over the sea are a sight to behold and make for an unforgettable experience. The Sierra de Tramuntana is a place where you can visit again and again and there will always be something new to amaze you.