A village at the foot of the Tramuntana, beneath a flat-topped mountain crowned by one of Mallorca’s three former royal castles. Down below are lanes, a square and the Saturday market; up above is a castle you can only reach on foot.
Alaró
Alaró in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A day trip
- Best for
- You enjoy walking — the climb to Castell d’Alaró is the area’s classic route.
- Best months
- January–May, October–December
- Time to allow
- Two hours for the village; half a day to a full day including the castle.
- Without a car
- Hire car recommended
- Parking
- Usually straightforward on the edge of the village; only a few spaces up at Es Verger.
- Keep in mind
- For swimming, you’ll need to travel around 25 km to the sea.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Limited access in the village; unsuitable for the castle. · Wheelchairs: Parts of the village centre are accessible; the castle is not.
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Smaller roads lead into Alaró between dry-stone walls, with the mountain always in view.
The square around the monument is the busiest part of the village in the morning.
The square beside Sant Bartomeu is the heart of the village. In the morning, half the community seems to be sitting here.
Getting to know Alaró
Does Alaró suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You enjoy walking — the climb to Castell d’Alaró is the area’s classic route.
- You’d like to see a village with relatively little tourism.
- You want a half-day trip from Palma, just 25 km away.
- You enjoy good food away from the coast.
Things to bear in mind
- For swimming, you’ll need to travel around 25 km to the sea.
- The castle is unsuitable if you have difficulty walking.
- Don’t expect a busy resort with a wide choice of entertainment.
- Avoid walking here at midday in high summer.
Drive from the airport
35 minutes
32 km
Bus connections
Connections via Consell and Binissalem
Region
Raiguer
Elevation
230 m
above sea level
Season guide for Alaró
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December. Less suitable in July and August.
Location
Location of Alaró
- Region
- Raiguer
- Population
- 5,600
- Elevation
- 230 m above sea level
- Airport
- 32 km , around 35 minutes
- Hire car
- recommended
- Worth visiting for
- a day trip
- Coordinates
- 39.7047,2.7911
The village
Alaró lies around 25 km north of Palma, at the foot of the Tramuntana, 230 metres above sea level. Sant Bartomeu parish church dates from the 13th century; its bell tower was built in 1361, while the church’s present appearance comes from an 18th-century rebuilding.
There’s no harbour, viewing terrace or souvenir-shopping street. Instead, you’ll find a square where half the village seems to gather in the morning, lanes with colourful doors and some very good places to eat. The cemetery is worth a short detour too: whitewashed family tomb chapels with tiled domes stand close together like a small town.
The mountain
Behind the village rises Puig d’Alaró, a flat-topped mountain with sheer cliffs. On top stands Castell d’Alaró, one of Mallorca’s three royal castles, with origins reaching back to Moorish and Roman times.
The mountain looked almost impossible to capture, and its defenders could hold out for long periods. Stand beside the cliff edge and the choice of location makes immediate sense.
The climb
You have two options.
By car, follow the narrow, steep and partly unpaved road to Es Verger restaurant. From there, continue on foot for around 45 minutes. The road isn’t ideal for a hire car with low ground clearance, and parking at the top is limited.
Walk all the way from Alaró for a proper day on the mountain. Allow half a day to a full day for this classic local walk.
There’s little shade. October to May is the enjoyable time to do it; July and August are best avoided. After rain, the rock becomes slippery.
When to come
March is the guide’s first choice, with green countryside, clear air and comfortable climbing temperatures. October comes a close second. In February, almond trees blossom on the plain below; winter often brings the longest views from the mountain.
In July and August, the inland village can feel stifling, and some shops close for their annual break.
Photographs
Alaró in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Alaró
Three hours
Walk around the square and Sant Bartomeu church, explore the lanes and have a coffee beneath the plane trees. That’s enough time for the village itself.
Half a day
Drive up to Es Verger, then walk to Castell d’Alaró. Allow around 45 minutes for the climb, plus time to enjoy the view.
A full day
Walk all the way up from the village and back, stopping for something to eat along the way. It’s the more rewarding walking option and fills a day.
On a rainy day
Give the climb a miss in the rain, when the path becomes slippery. Try the wineries in nearby Binissalem instead.
Local celebrations
- Saturday — Weekly market At Plaça de la Vila, 8 am–2 pm.
- 24 August — Sant Bartomeu The village’s patron saint celebrations, with concerts and processions.
Practical details
- Parking
- Usually straightforward on the edge of the village; only a few spaces up at Es Verger.
- Public transport
- Connections via Consell and Binissalem, with a change from Palma.
- Time to allow
- Two hours for the village; half a day to a full day including the castle.
- Good to know
- The road up to Es Verger is narrow, steep and partly unpaved, so it isn’t ideal for a hire car with low ground clearance. The final stretch to the castle is on foot in any case.
- Bus
- Connections via Consell and Binissalem, with a change from Palma. Consell-Alaró railway station is several kilometres outside the village.
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Several in the village, open year-round · Pharmacy: In the village · Medical care: Village health centre; hospital in Inca · Cash machines: On the main square · Fuel: On the road out towards Consell
- Access
- Cobbles and slopes in the village; a rough path with steps to the castle. · Pushchairs: Limited access in the village; unsuitable for the castle. · Wheelchairs: Parts of the village centre are accessible; the castle is not. · Dogs: Keep dogs on a lead and watch for grazing animals on the mountain.
- What you will not find
- Beach · Nightlife · Step-free access to the castle · Direct bus service from Palma
- Coordinates
- 39.7047,2.7911 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
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Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Alaró
What is Castell d’Alaró?
A castle on Puig d’Alaró above the village. It was one of Mallorca’s three royal castles, with origins reaching back to Moorish and Roman times. The flat-topped mountain was considered almost impossible to capture, which explains the choice of site.
How do you reach Castell d’Alaró?
Drive along the narrow, steep and partly unpaved road to Es Verger restaurant, then continue on foot for around 45 minutes. If you walk the whole way from Alaró, allow half a day to a full day.
What is there to see in Alaró itself?
Sant Bartomeu parish church dates from the 13th century, with a bell tower from 1361, although its present appearance comes from an 18th-century rebuilding. There’s also the square in front, the village lanes and a cemetery with elaborate family tomb chapels.
When is the best time to walk up to the castle?
Between October and May. In July and August the route is too hot, with little shade. The rocks become slippery after rain, so postpone your walk in those conditions.
How far is Alaró from Palma?
Around 25 km north, or roughly 35 minutes by car. Public transport involves a change at Consell or Binissalem; there is no direct bus from Palma.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Alaró?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December. Clear air and comfortable temperatures for walking.
Is Alaró worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually quiet. Too hot for walking; the inland village can feel stifling too. August: another month may suit you better. Usually quiet. Heat and annual business closures.
How far is Alaró from Palma airport?
About 32 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 35 minutes by car. A narrow, partly unpaved road runs towards the castle as far as Es Verger restaurant. The final stretch is on foot only.
Do I need a hire car for Alaró?
A car is useful Connections via Consell and Binissalem, with a change from Palma. Consell-Alaró railway station is several kilometres outside the village.
Where can I park in Alaró?
Usually straightforward on the edge of the village; only a few spaces up at Es Verger.
Can you swim at Alaró?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Alaró with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Cobbles and slopes in the village; a rough path with steps to the castle. Pushchairs: Limited access in the village; unsuitable for the castle. Wheelchairs: Parts of the village centre are accessible; the castle is not.
Are dogs allowed at Alaró?
Keep dogs on a lead and watch for grazing animals on the mountain.
Alaró features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.