Valldemosa Holidays

Travel Agent's View

Valldemosa enjoys a pretty setting, in the middle of a mountain range, surrounded by olive and almond trees and plenty of greenery.

Part of the village goes up the mountain slope which means that some of the streets can be quite steep. There are a number of pedestrianised tree lined avenues that are lined with nice restaurants, cafes, bars and one or two souvenir shops.

One of the most popular attractions in the resort is the former monastery which is Majorca's second most visited building next to Palma's Cathedral. Palma is just 17km away should you wish to visit the many attractions on offer in the capital.

Insider's View

Sometimes I feel for the people of Valldemossa. Over the years this pretty mountain town has been branded as the place where the TB riddled musician, Chopin, spent a thoroughly miserable winter with his lover George Sands. They arrived in 1838 and stayed in icy cells at the Carthusian Monastery and found the place musty, bitterly cold and the locals disagreeable. What did they expect? I never tire of visiting this monastery with its arched and airy corridors, bright monastic cells made into mini-museums, library and old pharmacy and of course, Chopin's original cell. Just beyond the monastery is a little maze which is fun for children, and a beautiful garden.

There's much more to Valldemossa than the Chopin experience. For shopaholics there is a wonderful array of clothes and artisan shops and lots of cafés, restaurants and bakeries. Even if it's hot, do try one of the village's famous potato buns accompanied by thick hot chocolate, and take a walk to Michael Douglas's Costa Nord, a multimedia cultural centre in the town.

On a Sunday morning there's a wonderful food and artisan market in the main car park and you can follow that off with lunch at popular Ca'n Mario in the town, or at Es Port restaurant in the Port of Valldemossa. Be warned, this is the nearest beach but it's very shingly and a bit wild although surrounded by stunning scenery.

Nearby is the medieval mansion, Son Marroig, erstwhile home to Habsburg Archduke Ludwig Salvator. I find the house a bit dull if I'm honest, but I like the 40 minute walk to Sa Foradada, meaning ‘hole in the rock' a promontory where the old duke kept his yacht.

Michael Douglas owns S'Estaca, previously also one of the duke's properties but don't try and get a peek. It's strictly private land. Another nearby excursion is to Miramar, along the coast which used to be a medieval monastery-it's a great place for a relaxing walk. Insider Sig