Few places in Mallorca capture both history and charm like Valldemossa. Just 20 minutes from Palma yet a world apart, this mountain village has long been called one of the most beautiful in the Serra de Tramuntana. It was here that Saint Catalina Thomàs was born and where Chopin and George Sand sought refuge one winter, leaving behind stories that still echo through its monastery walls. But Valldemossa’s magic isn’t only in its past—the rhythm of cafés, the scent of lemon trees, almond blossoms and mountain views make it unforgettable in the present.
Best Time to Visit Valldemossa
Spring and early autumn are the most rewarding times to come. In April–June, wildflowers brighten the hillsides and walks are cool and fresh. By September–October, golden light settles across the village and crowds thin. Summer has a lively hum, with evenings filled with music during the Chopin Festival, though you’ll share the streets with more visitors. Come in winter for a quieter mood: misty mornings, stone streets glistening from mountain rains, and cozy cafés serving steaming cups of hot chocolate.
The beautiful mountain town of Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Terraced views of Valldemossa, Mallorca.
Top Things to Do in Valldemossa
Explore the Real Cartuja – Royal Carthusian Monastery
The Royal Carthusian Monastery is the village’s historic centrepiece. Founded in the 14th century, its quiet cloisters and small chapels hold centuries of faith and contemplation. The monastery became famous after Frédéric Chopin and George Sand spent the winter of 1838–39 here, an experience she later chronicled in her book “A Winter in Majorca“. Today, you can see the rooms where Chopin composed and wander through gardens that still hold a sense of calm.
George Sand statue in front of the Real Cartuja – Royal Carthusian Monastery in Valldemossa, Mallorca. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Stroll Through Valldemossa’s Stone Lanes
Valldemossa is best discovered slowly, one lane at a time. Narrow cobbled streets curve past stone houses with green shutters and geraniums tumbling from window boxes. Shops tucked into old doorways sell woven baskets, hand-painted ceramics, and jars of local honey. Every turn reveals another detail to linger over—a shaded archway, a painted saint’s tile or a sudden glimpse of the valley. This is not a village for rushing; it’s meant to be savoured.
Beautiful stone lanes lined with plants in Valldemossa, Mallorca, Spain. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Beautiful stone lanes lined with plants in Valldemossa, Mallorca, Spain. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Saint Catalina Thomàs: The Heart of Valldemossa
Affectionately known as La Beata, Saint Catalina Thomàs is the soul of Valldemossa. Born here in 1531, she dedicated her life to faith and humility before joining a convent in Palma. Her story lives on in the village: her modest birthplace is marked with a shrine, and ceramic plaques depicting her life decorate many doorways. Each July, the feast of La Beata fills the streets with music, processions, and traditional dress—a vivid celebration that binds the community together.
Saint Catalina Thomàs Shrine in Valldemossa, Mallorca. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
A statue of La Beata or as she is known, Saint Catalina Thomàs in Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Ceramic plaques depicting Saint Catalina Thomàs’ life decorate many doorways in Valldemossa, Mallorca. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Taste Tradition Coca de Patata at Ca’n Molinas Bakery
The scent of warm pastry has drawn people to Ca’n Molinas for over a century. Founded in 1920, this family bakery still fires its goods in the original wood oven. Its signature treat, the coca de patata, is soft, airy, and dusted with sugar—best enjoyed with a strong coffee or chilled almond horchata. Locals queue here daily, proof that simple recipes, when perfected, never lose their appeal.
What is Coca de Patata?
Coaca de patata is a sweet, soft bread made from boiled potatoes, flour, homemade lard, sugar, eggs and yeast. The taste is unbeatable and you will wish you ordered more.
Traditional Coca de Patata at Ca’n Molinas Bakery, Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Inside Ca’n Molinas Bakery, Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Insider Tip
Go early if you want your coca de patata still warm—by mid-morning, the line often spills onto the street. Pair it with a café con leche for tradition, or with almond horchata for a taste unique to Mallorca. Buy an extra or two; they travel well and make the perfect snack on a walk through the Serra de Tramuntana.
Savour the Café Culture
In Valldemossa, coffee is more than a drink; it’s part of the landscape. Terraces shaded by lemon and olive trees invite you to sit with a café con leche or the refreshing granizado de almendra, an icy almond drink unique to Mallorca. Try a flaky ensaimada pastry or spread sobrasada de Mallorca, a smoky, spreadable paprika-spiced pork sausage, on fresh bread with a drizzle of honey.
For atmosphere, Es Roquissar offers sweeping views, while Cappuccino Valldemossa Café pairs refined breakfasts with a garden oasis.
One of the many outdoor cafes and the pretty little lanes of Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Take in the Views of Serra de Tramuntana
From Valldemossa’s balconies and pathways, the Serra de Tramuntana rolls out in blue-green ridges toward the Mediterranean. For walkers, gentle routes through olive groves lead to hidden lookouts or onward to Deià, another mountain village beloved by artists. These views remind you why the Serra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is a complete list of recommended routes.
Views of Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
The beautiful mountain town of Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Church of Sant Bartomeu
Step inside the small but impressive Church of Sant Bartomeu. If you go, take note of the remarkable architecture and notable religious works.
Inside the Church of Sant Bartomeu, the main church in Valldemossa, Mallorca, Spain. Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Insider Tip
Valldemossa’s streets are busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon, when coaches and day-trippers arrive from Palma. To feel the village at its most authentic, wander early in the morning or in the cool of the evening, when the pace slows and the cafés fill with locals.
Where to Stay in Valldemossa
A boutique hotel stay within walking distance of the monastery lets you catch the village at its quietest—sunrise on the cloisters, or twilight on a terrace with wine in hand. It’s also a perfect base for exploring nearby gems like Puigpunyent, surrounded by vineyards, or the hand-harvested salt pans of Flor de Sal at Es Trenc.
For an unforgettable experience, splurge and stay at the nearby 17th-century palace – Grand Hotel Son Net Mallorca: A Luxury Retreat in the Tramuntana Mountains
The entrance to the Grand Hotel Son Net. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Nearby Attractions
- Deià – An artist’s haven with clifftop views of the sea, just 15 minutes away.
- Puigpunyent – A valley village known for vineyards, countryside dining, and slow Mallorcan life.
- Flor de Sal, Es Trenc – Traditional salt pans where shimmering pools are harvested by hand.
The beautiful mountain town of Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Best Time to Visit for Food Lovers
Food seasons shape the island. Come in late autumn for olive oil tastings and rustic harvest menus, or in January and February when almond trees burst into pale pink and white blossom. Valldemossa’s bakeries and cafés celebrate the seasons, making it rewarding for food lovers at any time of year.
Why you should plan a visit to Valldemossa
Valldemossa is not just a pretty stop on a Mallorcan itinerary; it’s a place that stays with you. Music still seems to linger in the monastery’s corridors, doorways tell the story of a saint, and the simple sweetness of a coca de patata is enough to anchor a memory. Whether you come for history, food, or the mountain air, Valldemossa offers more than sights; it offers moments that feel timeless, the kind you carry home long after you’ve left its cobblestone streets behind.
The beautiful mountain town of Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
The beautiful mountain town of Valldemossa. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Looking for more ways to explore Mallorca? Check out my complete guide for places to stay, things to do, and where to eat.
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Travel Writer Wendy Nordvik-Carr participated in a press trip hosted by Visit Spain and Tourism Mallorca which did not review or approve of this article before it was published.
