Bunyola
A village at the foot of the Tramuntana with a lovely old railway station. The wooden Sóller train stops here before disappearing into the long tunnel beneath the mountains.
Bunyola
Bunyola in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Breaking a journey on the Sóller train
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- Around an hour
- Without a car
- Hire car recommended
- Parking
- Generally straightforward, with free parking in the village
- Keep in mind
- Expecting a major visitor attraction
- Access
- Pushchairs: Manageable at the station and square; harder in the lanes · Wheelchairs: Much of the station and main street is accessible; the hillside lanes are difficult
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
A ticket window, a bench and a few notices. The booking hall retains its simple old-fashioned feel.
Wooden carriages, a station canopy and cypress trees at Bunyola.
The platform leads straight out towards the village streets.
Getting to know Bunyola
Does Bunyola suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Breaking a journey on the Sóller train
- A quiet mountain village
- Continuing to Orient or Castell d'Alaró
- Anyone who enjoys railways
Things to bear in mind
- Expecting a major visitor attraction
- Swimming
- Wanting a wide choice of restaurants
- Walking in high summer
Drive from the airport
30 minutes
30 km
Bus connections
The Palma–Sóller train stops in Bunyola
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Port de Valldemossa
10 km
Elevation
200 m
above sea level
Season guide for Bunyola
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December. Less suitable in August.
Location
Location of Bunyola
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Population
- 6,800
- Elevation
- 200 m above sea level
- Airport
- 30 km , around 30 minutes
- Hire car
- recommended
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.6961,2.6994
The railway station
Bunyola is the last stop before the Sóller train enters the long tunnel beneath the mountains.
Wooden carriages stand on the tracks. There is a handwritten notice by the ticket window, a bench beneath an old tree and a café in the station building. It is a working station that still has much of its old character.
You can visit without a train ticket.
Around the village
Behind the station, paved lanes climb the hillside. There is a square shaded by plane trees and a church whose tall stone wall dominates the neighbouring streets.
Bunyola is a place to wander quietly, stop for a coffee and watch village life.
On to Orient
A narrow, winding mountain road leads to Orient in around 15 minutes, taking you into a peaceful valley.
There is no village shop there, so buy any supplies you need in Bunyola.
When to visit
March and October are good months for walking. February brings almond blossom on the slopes, while in January you may see snow on the mountains behind the village.
In July and August, trains are busy and the heat often makes walking uncomfortable.
Photographs
Bunyola in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Bunyola
Three hours
Wait at the station for a train to arrive, then walk through the lanes to the square and church.
Half a day
Add a trip up to Orient or Castell d'Alaró.
A full day
Combine Bunyola with Sóller, Orient and Alaró to explore this side of the Tramuntana.
On a rainy day
There is little to do indoors, though you can stop at the station café.
Practical details
- Parking
- Generally straightforward, with free parking in the village
- Public transport
- The Palma–Sóller train stops in Bunyola
- Time to allow
- Around an hour
- Good to know
- You can visit the station without a train ticket. If you continue to Orient, bear in mind that the road is narrow and there is no village shop up there.
- Bus
- The Palma–Sóller train stops in Bunyola
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: In the village · Pharmacy: In the village · Medical care: Local surgery; hospitals in Palma and Inca · Cash machines: In the village · Fuel: On the Ma-11
- Access
- Paved lanes and steps, climbing uphill · Pushchairs: Manageable at the station and square; harder in the lanes · Wheelchairs: Much of the station and main street is accessible; the hillside lanes are difficult · Dogs: Generally straightforward
- What you will not find
- A beach · A museum · Lively nightlife · Level lanes throughout the old centre
- Coordinates
- 39.6961,2.6994 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
At the foot of the Sóller pass, this garden has irrigation rooted in Moorish times. Palm groves, a pergola with …
A country estate near Bunyola, transformed by an 18th-century cardinal into an Italian-style villa. A terraced …
Ramon Llull founded a school for Eastern languages here in 1276. Six hundred years later, Archduke Ludwig Salvator …
Archduke Ludwig Salvator's country estate above the west coast, with a white marble pavilion on the edge — the …
A historic country estate near Esporles, with a manor house and gardens. Public access hasn’t been confirmed, so …
An 11th-century brick chamber in an old-town garden, with twelve columns, horseshoe arches and a dome pierced by …
Sant Pere bastion, built in the late 16th century on the western edge of Palma’s old town, became home to a …
Palma’s cathedral was begun in 1230 and built over several centuries. Its Gothic buttresses rise above the water …
Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Where to swim nearby
Beaches and swimming nearby
A tiny fishing settlement beneath the cliffs, reached by six kilometres of tight hairpin bends. A few stone houses …
An almost circular, sheltered bay with a sandy beach, two lighthouses and a tram that has run down from Sóller …
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Bunyola
Does the Sóller train stop in Bunyola?
Yes. Bunyola is the last stop before the railway enters the long tunnel beneath the mountains. You can visit the station without buying a train ticket.
What is there to see in Bunyola?
The railway station, paved lanes, a square shaded by plane trees and a church with an impressively large stone wall. Allow about an hour for a look around this working village.
How do you get from Bunyola to Orient?
A narrow, winding mountain road takes around 15 minutes. There is no village shop in Orient, so buy anything you need before leaving Bunyola.
Is Bunyola a good base for a holiday?
It can suit walkers well. Orient, Castell d'Alaró and walks on this side of the mountains are within reach, while Palma is around half an hour away.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Bunyola?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. Clear air, with occasional snow on the mountains behind the village.
Is Bunyola worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually lively. Busy trains and temperatures often too high for a comfortable walk. August: another month may suit you better. Usually lively.
How far is Bunyola from Palma airport?
About 30 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 30 minutes by car. Follow the Ma-11 towards Sóller. The train stops in the village and makes a particularly enjoyable way to arrive. Parking is generally straightforward.
Do I need a hire car for Bunyola?
A car is useful The Palma–Sóller train stops in Bunyola
Where can I park in Bunyola?
Generally straightforward, with free parking in the village
Can you swim at Bunyola?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Bunyola with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved lanes and steps, climbing uphill Pushchairs: Manageable at the station and square; harder in the lanes Wheelchairs: Much of the station and main street is accessible; the hillside lanes are difficult
Are dogs allowed at Bunyola?
Generally straightforward
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.