Algaida
Most people know Algaida only from the sign on the Palma–Manacor road. It’s the turn-off for Puig de Randa, but the village itself has old windmill towers and a church with an unusual open arcade.
Algaida
Algaida in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You’re heading to Randa or Puig de Randa — this is the turn-off.
- Best months
- January–May, October–December
- Time to allow
- Twenty minutes to an hour.
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Straightforward and free in the village.
- Keep in mind
- Don’t expect one continuous old town; the main road cuts through the village.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Straightforward. · Wheelchairs: Most streets are accessible.
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A tower and a rose window on a simple façade. The more unusual feature is along the side.
A windmill tower on Carrer de sa Quarterada. The sails and cap mechanism are gone; the tower remains.
Creu des Colomer, built in 1578–79, stands beside the road rather than beside the church.
Getting to know Algaida
Does Algaida suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You’re heading to Randa or Puig de Randa — this is the turn-off.
- You’d like to see old windmill towers among the village houses.
- You’re cycling; the well-known climb to Cura starts here.
- You want to visit the glassworks on the Ma-15.
Things to bear in mind
- Don’t expect one continuous old town; the main road cuts through the village.
- There’s nowhere to swim.
- This isn’t somewhere to come for a lively atmosphere.
- Avoid midday in high summer.
Drive from the airport
25 minutes
25 km
Bus connections
Services on the Palma–Manacor route
Region
Pla de Mallorca
Elevation
200 m
above sea level
Season guide for Algaida
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 Algaida
- Region
- Pla de Mallorca
- Population
- 5,700
- Elevation
- 200 m above sea level
- Airport
- 25 km , around 25 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5581,2.8931
A stop in Algaida
Algaida is a village of around 5,700 people on the Ma-15, between Palma and Manacor. The main road cuts through it, and many visitors know little more than its name on a sign.
In the centre, look for two features rarely found together in the Pla: the parish church’s open arcade, which looks rather like a cloister without a monastery, and old windmill towers among the houses. Later buildings have simply grown up around them.
Creu des Colomer
Beside the through road stands a stone wayside cross dating from 1578–79. Its Renaissance design has a stepped base, a fluted shaft and a sculpted cross at the top.
Crosses like this marked routes, boundaries and village entrances, which explains why they stand by roads rather than churches. This is the oldest feature in Algaida’s streetscape, but it’s easy to miss as traffic passes it.
The windmills
Algaida was a milling village, and the towers still shape its skyline. The best-known are Molí d’en Xina, Molí d’en Pau and Molí d’en Boi; most date from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Molí d’en Xina, on the northern edge, was built in 1738, last restored in 1979 and is now used as a studio.
Two more stand on Carrer de sa Quarterada: Molí des Sant and Molí d’en Mostatxet. Their sails have gone, but the round rubble-stone towers and tiled caps remain, surrounded by later buildings.
The road to Randa
The Ma-5017 leads from Algaida to Randa, then up Puig de Randa and its three sanctuaries. Allow eight minutes to the village and around twenty to Santuari de Cura at the top.
For road cyclists, this is the start of one of Mallorca’s best-known climbs.
Before you head up the mountain
Algaida is your last chance to buy fuel, pick up supplies or withdraw cash before the mountain. Randa has none of these facilities.
When to come
March and October are good choices. Almond trees blossom between Algaida and Randa in February; October brings the harvest.
In July and August, the still inland air can make it very hot. It’s often better to keep driving.
Photographs
Algaida in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Algaida
Three hours
Explore the centre, the church arcade and the windmill towers, then continue to Randa and Santuari de Cura.
Half a day
Add Montuïri or Pina, both within about fifteen minutes.
A full day
Combine it with the mountain. Algaida alone doesn’t fill a day.
On a rainy day
The glassworks on the Ma-15 is indoors. Otherwise, there’s little to do in the rain; head to Palma.
Practical details
- Parking
- Straightforward and free in the village.
- Public transport
- Services on the Palma–Manacor route.
- Time to allow
- Twenty minutes to an hour.
- Good to know
- Algaida is your last chance before Puig de Randa to buy supplies, fill up with fuel or withdraw cash. Randa itself has none of these facilities.
- Bus
- Services on the Palma–Manacor route.
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Several in the village · Pharmacy: In the village · Medical care: Village health centre · Cash machines: On the main square · Fuel: On the Ma-15
- Access
- Paved and tarmac streets, with gentle slopes. · Pushchairs: Straightforward. · Wheelchairs: Most streets are accessible. · Dogs: Straightforward.
- What you will not find
- A continuous old town · Beach · Hotels · Peace and quiet on the main road
- Coordinates
- 39.5581,2.8931 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
A family glassworks dating back to 1719, beside the road to Manacor in a castle-like building. Watch glassblowers …
The middle of the three religious houses on Puig de Randa, built beneath an overhanging cliff that extends right …
A monastery estate on the highest point of the Pla, 548 metres above the plain. Ramon Llull retreated here in the …
On a low hill near Montuïri are the remains of a settlement founded almost 3,000 years ago. Massive talayots, low …
Son Corró is a small prehistoric sanctuary near Costitx. Six re-erected stone columns stand among low walls. The …
Son Fred is a well-preserved talayot near Sencelles, a round tower built from enormous stone blocks. Duck through …
A small pilgrimage church on a hill above Sant Joan, reached by a broad stone staircase. There is a well, shade …
A large aquarium on Playa de Palma, with Europe's deepest shark tank. Open all year, it is a reliable option for a …
Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
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Your questions answered
Your questions about Algaida
What is there to see in Algaida?
The parish church with its open arcade, the old windmill towers on Carrer de sa Quarterada, the Creu des Colomer wayside cross from 1578–79 on the main road, and the lanes behind. Allow twenty minutes to an hour; this is a stop along the way rather than a full day out.
How do you get from Algaida to Puig de Randa?
Follow the Ma-5017 towards Randa. From there, the only road up the mountain leads past its three sanctuaries. Allow around eight minutes to Randa village and twenty minutes to Santuari de Cura at the top.
Is there anything to do before leaving Algaida?
Stock up, buy fuel or withdraw cash if you need to. It’s the last opportunity before the mountain. Randa has no shop, cash machine or petrol station.
Is Algaida useful for cyclists?
Yes, as a starting point. The climb through Randa to Santuari de Cura is one of the island’s classic routes and is particularly busy with cyclists in spring.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Algaida?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.
Is Algaida worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually very quiet. Very hot, with little breeze inland. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very quiet.
How far is Algaida from Palma airport?
About 25 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 25 minutes by car. Just off the Ma-15. The Ma-5017 leads from here to Randa and on up Puig de Randa. Parking in the village is straightforward.
Do I need a hire car for Algaida?
A car is needed Services on the Palma–Manacor route.
Where can I park in Algaida?
Straightforward and free in the village.
Can you swim at Algaida?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Algaida with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved and tarmac streets, with gentle slopes. Pushchairs: Straightforward. Wheelchairs: Most streets are accessible.
Are dogs allowed at Algaida?
Straightforward.
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.