Tucked into the terraced hillsides of the UNESCO-listed Tramuntana Mountains in Majorca, you’ll find the historic village of Valldemossa. Follow flower-filled, honey-stone lanes scented with rosemary to Valldemossa Monastery, the cultural heart of this 2,000-strong community.
The monastery has played many roles over its 700-year history. In 1309, it began life as a royal palace, built by King James II so his asthmatic son could enjoy the mountain air. From the 15th century, Carthusian monks remodelled the palace into a working monastery for the next 400 years. Then, in the 19th-century it became a retreat for European artists like composer Chopin. When you tour Valldemossa Monastery today, you’ll find a celebration of all its past lives, from the Neoclassical church and peaceful cloister to the period drawing room and modern art collection.
Most visitors come for Chopin’s story, but the real magic is in the details the monks left behind. Their mountain-facing gardens and centuries-old pharmacy, full of herbs and remedies, reveal the simple, secluded life of the Carthusian order.
Valldemossa Carthusian Monastery opening hours:
Opening hours for Valldemossa Monastery are:
Monday to Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm
Closed on Sundays
How to get to the Valldemossa Carthusian Monastery from Palma de Mallorca
Valldemossa Monastery is around 20 kilometres from Palma de Mallorca, making it straightforward to reach for a fuss-free daytrip.
By car:
Follow well-maintained mountain roads into the Serra de Tramuntana, with beautiful views of olive groves, forests and valleys
You can park in one of the village car parks and walk into the old town, the monastery is only a few minutes away on foot in the main square
By bus:
You can catch public bus number 203 from Palma to Valldemossa which takes around 35 minutes
Check local timetables for departure times
By organised tour:
An organised tour is the simplest way to get in and out of the mountain village and see not only the monastery, but neighbouring towns and sites too
