The must-do route of the summer in Mallorca. If you’re on holiday on the island, have just a few days to spare, and want to do something genuinely different and special beyond the hotel — something that takes you straight to the island’s soul (and makes it crystal clear why so many people fall completely in love with this place) — we at Salty Driver have one of our favourite routes for a perfect day out in the Serra de Tramuntana from Palma. Along with a few insider tips to help you move between its hidden corners without a hitch.
Although our route starts from Palma, you can do it from wherever you’re staying on the island. Just let us know when you book your transfer — we’ll take care of everything else.
What you’ll see along the way
Take note: all it takes is one day to discover some of Mallorca’s most idyllic spots, blending authentic local experiences with charming cobbled villages like Santa María del Camí, unspoilt natural landscapes like Es Salt des Freu, and some of the most breathtaking roads on the island.
Along the way, you’ll also get to explore the island’s finest local wines, swim in crystal-clear water, savour Mediterranean cuisine by the sea, and let Mallorca’s sunsets work their magic from some of the most spectacular viewpoints the island has to offer.
From Palma to Serra de Tramuntana
The early bird catches the worm. As a local private VTC chauffeur company in Mallorca, at Salty Driver we know this better than most — especially when it comes to summer on the island.
If you want to avoid finding yourself gridlocked, surrounded by tour coaches and full car parks by mid-morning, the plan is simple: have breakfast early and be ready to head out before 8:00.
There are several ways to get going, but if you choose a private chauffeur-driven vehicle for your day’s journey, you’ll experience Mallorca in an entirely different way — no traffic to worry about, no wrestling with the GPS, no hunting for parking. Because when someone else is at the wheel, the whole experience changes.
Either way, here’s our first insider tip: enter the Serra de Tramuntana from the interior and steer clear of the Valldemossa approach, particularly between 11:30 and 14:30 — the most congested stretch of the day. We suggest heading in via Santa María, Orient, and Alaró, where you’ll find quieter roads winding through stunning scenery that feels a world away from the crowds.
All three are small, wonderfully characterful villages, surrounded by fields and farmland, where life moves at an altogether different pace.
In Santa María, for instance, it’s well worth making a stop if you’re a wine lover: this is home to some of the island’s finest wineries, including Macià Batle, where guided tours offer a fascinating window into Mallorca’s long winemaking tradition, rounded off with a carefully curated tasting of local wines.
If you happen to be doing the route on a Sunday, don’t miss its famous weekly market — one of the largest and best-loved on the island, filled with cured meats, cheeses, artisan crafts… and all the genuine spirit of Mallorca.
On to Orient
A stretch of road that will genuinely take your breath away — even more so if you’ve handed the keys to a private VTC transfer service and you’re free to simply drink it all in. This is the road to Mallorca’s most authentic self: far from the city, winding through narrow, sinuous lanes flanked by mountains, holm oaks, olive trees, and beautiful Serra de Tramuntana stone villages. A Mallorca that many visitors simply never get to see.
Between Santa María and Orient lies one of the island’s most beautiful valleys: the Coanegra Valley, where Es Salt des Freu is tucked away — a natural waterfall that spills into a pool where locals love to cool off in summer.
Along the way, stop in Alaró and take in the spectacular views of the Serra Tramuntana, with the iconic Castell d’Alarò perched dramatically on the hilltop. Just a few minutes here is enough to take in a completely unexpected panorama and capture one of those truly unforgettable shots of your Mallorca trip.
As you carry on, the landscape becomes even more extraordinary — and you can savour the island’s most authentic face in peace, without the bustle or the crowds.
A swim at Cala Deià
After all that beauty, another treat awaits — provided you haven’t lingered too long at the previous stops. Cala Deià, around 50 minutes from Palma, is one of the island’s most beautiful coves. Rocks, crystal-clear water, pine trees… An absolute must if you arrive early. From around 11:00 onwards it starts to fill up — but if you’re after a quick, refreshing dip before pressing on into the Tramuntana, it’s a brilliant option.
If you’re looking for somewhere with real local character, Port des Canonge is worth a detour here at the Serra de Tramuntana. A small cove framed by pines and carob trees, perfect for a picture-postcard stop. Parking is very limited, but if you’re travelling with a private chauffeur you can forget about finding a space entirely and simply enjoy the surroundings — your driver will wait while you take it all in, ready to continue whenever you are.
Lunch by the sea
Time to savour one of Mallorca’s other great pleasures: its food. Continuing the route, Port de Sóller is an unmissable stop. Here, the thing to do is surrender to the Mediterranean — a paella, fresh seafood, fish straight off the boat. Among our favourite spots for lunch is Ses Oliveres, a true local institution celebrated for its Mediterranean cooking and its unbeatable position right on the waterfront. Other excellent options include Patiki Beach, Randemar overlooking the harbour, or Nama if you’d like to linger a little longer over the meal.
Either way, it’s well worth booking ahead — these places are in high demand in summer — or arriving early, around 13:00. And afterwards, of course, a leisurely stroll along the harbour front.
We’d also recommend a short detour into the village of Sóller itself, about 10 minutes away. It’s ideal for a gentle wander, an ice cream or a granizado on the square, and a browse through the local shops for island specialities: olive oil, sobrasada, local wine, Sóller orange marmalade…
When you’re travelling with a VTC vehicle, your chauffeur will drop you right where you need to be — and anything you pick up along the way can go straight into the boot, so you can carry on with the route completely hands-free.
An unforgettable sunset
Then comes one of those moments you know will stay with you long after the holiday is over. The light shifts, the colours deepen, and the beauty of the Serra de Tramuntana set against the Mediterranean unfolds into one of the most extraordinary spectacles Mallorca has to offer.
Most people try to catch this magic from Sa Foradada — which in high season tends to translate into traffic, full car parks, and a good deal of jostling for a view.
That’s why we recommend a quieter alternative to round off this perfect day: the Mirador de Ses Barques, with sweeping views over the Serra de Tramuntana and the sea that rival anything Sa Foradada has to offer. They’re not far apart, and the aspect is much the same — but here you’ll actually be able to stop, breathe, and watch the last light fade slowly into the sea.
And if you happen to be on the island on 12 August, this viewpoint becomes something truly exceptional: a front-row seat for an event that won’t come around again for over 100 years — a total solar eclipse, coinciding with the Perseids meteor shower, making this already unforgettable route even more so.
