Valldemossa and La Granja
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Walking/Hiking,
Mountain,
Town / City
High in Tamuntana Mountains, filled with golden light and olive trees, is the old stone city of Valldemossa, built around a graceful monastery dating to the 1300s. It is a place of marvelous beauty and legendary inspiration, where Frederic Chopin composed some of his finest work, even as he lay dying of tuberculosis, and writers like George Sand and Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío wove together their prose from its sights and sounds.
Today, Valldemossa remains a quiet escape, with fine lodging and dining, and wonderful outdoor adventures. One of the classic day trips is to La Granja, a former convent surrounded by spectacular gardens, with fountains, flowers, and botanicals from throughout the region and world. Free tastings of La Granja's ("The Farm's) jams and cheeses are heald throughout the week, but try to come on a Wednesday or Friday, for a crafts festival, equestrian show, and folkloric dancing.
Latest Reviews
Review by Leslie B, Israel, August 2011
Doing what:
I would have given this a 5 star; except for the fax number given and not a phone number given to contact Hotelbeds. Viator was great on making the recomfirmation for us and finding out where was our pickup point and time and for that alone they get a 5 star (and getting back to us). It was a hairy two days though. Hotelbeds itself gets a minus 1 -- even went on their website and no response.
The trip itself was wonderful! Valldemossa is where Chopin (composer) and George Sands (female writer) spent two winters together. Learned a lot about their lives, the lives of others and was treated to a lovely concert. Amazing village!
La Granja is also great! You get to walk through at your own pace and see what Majorcian life was like at the turn of the century. If you want, you can sample various foods.
We also had an unexpected visit to a glass factory. Yes, we've all been there; but this was no pressure to buy at all. The demostration was like nothing I've ever seen before. The blower makes in minutes a wonderful blown glass figure. Unbelieveable!
Though Valldemossa lies just 17 kilometers (10 miles) from Mallorca's capital, La Palma, allow extra time to navigate the winding roads up into the mountains.
Buses to Esporles take you to La Granja, 7km (4mi) south, but run considerably less frequently, and taxis may be more difficult to arrange in Valldemossa than in La Palma. Day trips are easily arranged.
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