Day 2. The royal family's summer palace  

• Marivent Gardens 

The day kicks off with a walk through the Marivent Palace gardens, open to the public since 2017. Built in the 1920s, the palace became the royal family's summer residence from the 1970s onwards, when Mallorca began to become a regular part of their year and the location of some of the most private family memories.  

Although the palace interior and annexes, such as Son Vent, cannot be visited, the gardens invite you to wander among its more than 9,000m2 of paths and fountains. It is home to more than 40 native plant species, including ancient olive trees, wild olive, mastic trees, Mediterranean buckthorn and lavender. Other attractions include seven sculptures by Joan Miró, designed to create a dialogue between art and nature. A perfect introduction to the next stop of the day. 

Tips for travellers: 

Marivent Gardens are open almost all year round, except between July 14 and September 16, or when the royal family is visiting. Admission is free. 

• Miró Foundation 

The journey continues at the Miró Mallorca Foundation, a cultural space where Joan Miró spent his final years. His original workshop remains intact, now serving as a renowned artistic centre.  

The site has long drawn admiration from the Spanish royal family, with Queen Emeritus Sofia visiting on multiple occasions. During one visit, after exploring the space, she purchased a clock inspired by Miró’s work and several “siurells”, traditional Mallorcan clay figures. 

Tips for travellers:  

The Miró Mallorca Foundation is open in summer from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 7pm, and on Sundays and holidays from 10am to 3pm. Admission costs €10, with children under 16 visiting for free. Admission is also free on the first Sunday of every month. 

• Typical Mallorcan dinner 

At the end of the day, guests staying at our Zafiro Palace Palmanova - just 20 minutes from Palma - can enjoy a very special dinner at the El Olivo Restaurant. This wonderful dining experience is a tribute to Mediterranean cuisine, offering local specialities such as the delicious lamb with “tumbet”, a traditional dish made with aubergines, courgettes, tomatoes and peppers.  

A humble yet cherished dish, tumbet has graced Mallorcan tables for generations, becoming a staple at both family gatherings and royal celebrations. During the traditional summer reception at Marivent Palace, famous chefs Marga Coll and Maca de Castro paid tribute to Balearic cuisine by making tumbet part of a carefully prepared menu served to more than 600 distinguished guests. 

Day 3: Gardens and villages in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains 

The third day starts by heading north toward the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

• Visit to Lluc 

The day kicks off at the Lluc Sanctuary, one of the most iconic and spiritual enclaves on the island. Surrounded by mountains, holm oaks and oak trees, the monastery also houses an image of the Mare de Déu de Lluc, patron saint of the island.  

For this and many other reasons, it’s also the place that has been chosen by the royal family on several occasions for family outings during their summers in Mallorca. During one of them, they brought their daughters to see a performance of Els Blauets, the historic children's choir founded in 1531. Considered one of the oldest musical institutions in Europe, their voices form part of the soul of the sanctuary. The general public can also enjoy their performance from Monday to Friday at 1:15pm during the school year and at Sunday Mass at 11am. 

• Alfabia Gardens 

The next stop on the route is the Alfabia Gardens, open every day from 9:30am to 6:30pm. In 2023, the Royal Family broke with the tradition of posing for their family photo at Marivent, choosing instead the gardens to highlight the natural beauty of the Mallorcan interior, surrounded by lush gardens, fountains and historic architecture. 

Tips for travellers:  

Alfabia Gardens are open every day from 9:30am to 6:30pm. Online admission includes skip-the-line access, and children under 11 enter free. 

• Valldemossa and its Charterhouse 

From Alfabia, we continue onwards to Valldemossa to see its Charterhouse, a former royal residence from the 14th century that was later used by Carthusian monks. This place has hosted many famous guests, including Chopin and George Sand, and remains a popular destination for the royal family during their trips to the island interior.  

Tips for travellers: 

Valldemossa Charterhouse is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, and Saturdays until 4pm. Admission costs €12.50 and includes access to the grounds and to 15-minute live piano recitals held throughout the day.  

We recommend you set aside some time to wander around its cobbled streets and taste a traditional “coca de patata”, a typical sweet roll always present at the palace every summer, courtesy of the historic Can Molinas pastry shop. 

• Routes along the coast to Andratx 

After Valldemossa, if you’re staying at the Zafiro Palace Andratx, take the coastal road instead of returning via Palma. This will take you from Valldemossa to Camp de Mar, passing through some of the most beautiful villages in the Serra de Tramuntana, such as Banyalbufar and Estellencs, and stunning scenery and viewpoints from which to admire the best sunset in Mallorca. 

This 3-day tour of Mallorca following in the footsteps of the royal family reminds us that strong family bonds are also created through shared places and experiences, traditions that are repeated over and over again, and scenery that is forever remembered by all. We hope that the island will also become the setting for your most memorable holiday moments.