Alaró

Alaró Resort Guide

Alaró

Situated about 30km (about 19 miles) from Palma International Airport, the small inland town of Alaró has a relatively short transfer time at around 20-40 minutes drive.

Set in a remote, peaceful valley at the foot of the Sierra Tramuntana mountain range, the town is favoured for its remote and picturesque location. Packed with rustic buildings and winding, narrow cobbled streets, Alaró has a relaxed pace, and its location makes it a haven for cyclists, ramblers, hikers and casual walkers alike.

Alaró has a charming town square, around which most of the action occurs, with a selection of traditional bars and restaurants, shops and hotels, and the towns church is here. Around the square you can sit outside beneath parasols to soak up the ambience with a drink or two, or dine al fresco at one of the bar-cafes or restaurants in the square.

You will find Alaró a marked contrast to the more well known tourist resorts on the coast - here things move at a slower pace, well away from the 18-30 scene.

There is a small market on Saturday mornings, where you can buy all kinds of local produce - lovely fresh fruit and vegetables, plus gifts, handmade jewellery, homewares and clothing. Alaró has several good bakeries selling delicious fresh bread and pastries. There is also a good butcher and a supermarket / grocery store.

Romantic and pretty, Alaró has plenty of pulling power, with fabulous lush green countryside all around. The area is officially designated as a 'nature area of special interest' no doubt due to its wealth of pine forests, olive trees, almond trees, river, and vistas of stretching plains.

From the surrounding plains rise two impressive mountains to dominate the skyline: Mount Alaró, the highest at 825m (about 2,700ft), and Mount S’Alcadena (813m or about 2,667ft).

Alaró's most famous tourist attraction is probably the castle (Castell d’ Alaró), perched on top of a rocky mountainous outcrop called Puig Des Castell (Puig d’Alaró). In partial ruins, the castle dates back to the 15th century although it is thought that there has been some kind of fortification on that site since around 900AD when the island was inhabited by Moors.

Alaró Castle is situated on top of the mountain at over 800ft above sea level, and so has a steep but enjoyable walk to reach the top via an old stone road - plenty of places to stop and have a picnic - or dine at the restaurant situated part way up. This is a challenging but rewarding route - in fact it is used by Tour de France cyclists in training. When you get to the top you are rewarded with breathtaking views over the countryside and beyond to the coasts at Palma and Alcudia. The views of Serra de Tramuntana mountain range are also impressive. The castle and battlements are steeped in history and there are numerous local legends based on it.

The area around Alaró is a well known hiking trail, starting in the town itself, up past the castle and hilltop chapel, which offers panoramic views of the sea and plains: the route is also used as training for Tour de France cyclists. It will take you about two hours to complete, and, thankfully, there's a nice cafe at the top so you can stop for a rest.

Alaró has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and will leave you in no doubt that this is the real deal when it comes to authentic Majorca. Kick back and enjoy the gentle pace of day to day life with siestas, tapas and alfresco dining all part of the experience.

From Alaró, you can drive out to the coast in about 30 minutes, so if you want to have some 'beach time', you could consider Puerto de Soller and Soller.

If the idea of exploring the neighbouring towns takes your fancy, both Valldemossa and Deia are within easy reach by car and well worth a visit, and the market town of Inca is about 10 minutes away by car. You could also drive or take the bus to the city of Palma.

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