Estellencs
Four hundred residents on a steep west-coast hillside, stone lanes and a fortified church tower. Below, a small rocky cove has a boat slipway. The route down is steep, but worth the effort.
Estellencs
Estellencs in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You’re driving the west-coast road and want a worthwhile stop.
- Best months
- February–June, September–November
- Time to allow
- Half an hour to an hour; half a day including the cove.
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- A few spaces beside the through-road, filling early in the season.
- Keep in mind
- You find walking difficult; there are steps throughout the village.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Very difficult. · Wheelchairs: Not suitable.
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
The tower looks defensive because that was its purpose. People watched for corsairs from here.
Steps replace streets between the houses, helping to keep coach tours at a distance.
A rare level space in the village, and a popular place in the evening.
Getting to know Estellencs
Does Estellencs suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You’re driving the west-coast road and want a worthwhile stop.
- You’d like to see dry-stone walls and terraced hillsides.
- You enjoy walking; paths lead to the sea and into the mountains.
- You like a quiet rocky cove without sand.
Things to bear in mind
- You find walking difficult; there are steps throughout the village.
- You’re looking for a sandy beach.
- You’re driving a motorhome; the Ma-10 is narrow and winding.
- You expect a lively evening scene.
Drive from the airport
55 minutes
45 km
Bus connections
Occasional services on the Andratx–Sóller route
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Port de Valldemossa
12 km
Elevation
250 m
above sea level
Season guide for Estellencs
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Some places closed
Worth visiting in February, March, April, May, June, September, October and November.
Location
Location of Estellencs
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Population
- 400
- Elevation
- 250 m above sea level
- Airport
- 45 km , around 55 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.6535,2.4810
A village on the hillside
Estellencs is a mountain village of around 400 people on the west coast, built on a steep slope above the sea. Steps replace streets between the houses; level ground was created by hand-built terraces.
The surrounding dry-stone walls are centuries old. They help explain the coast’s UNESCO World Heritage status as a cultural landscape: you can see generations of work in the hillsides, not simply a beautiful view.
The church
Its tower looks like a defensive tower because it was one. Corsairs raided this coast for centuries. The church was a refuge and the tower a lookout.
The cove
Below the village is a small rocky cove, with a boat slipway and very clear water. There’s no sand. It’s a good swimming spot, but there’s little space to stretch out.
The road down is narrow and very steep. It’s driveable but tight. If you’re not comfortable with that, walk the nearly two kilometres and allow twice as long for the uphill return.
When to visit
March and October are good choices. In February, almond trees flower on the terraces. October brings harvesting, while in September the sea still holds its summer warmth.
In July and August, the Ma-10 is busy and the few parking spaces fill during the morning. Winter in the Tramuntana can be cold and wet, and some cafés and restaurants close.
Photographs
Estellencs in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Estellencs
Three hours
Walk up through the lanes to the church, then follow the terraces at the village edge. If you wish, continue down to the cove.
Half a day
Continue along the Ma-10 to Banyalbufar or Torre del Verger viewpoint, both a short drive away.
A full day
Drive the west-coast road from Andratx to Valldemossa. Estellencs is my favourite stop along it.
On a rainy day
Limited options. The road is less pleasant in rain, and most of the visit is outdoors.
Practical details
- Parking
- A few spaces beside the through-road, filling early in the season.
- Public transport
- Occasional Andratx–Sóller services.
- Time to allow
- Half an hour to an hour; half a day including the cove.
- Good to know
- A very steep, narrow road leads to the cove. You can drive it, but it’s tight. If unsure, walk the nearly two kilometres and allow twice as long for the climb back.
- Bus
- Occasional services on the Andratx–Sóller route.
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: A small village shop. · Pharmacy: In Andratx or Esporles. · Medical care: Local surgery hours; a health centre in Andratx. · Cash machines: In the village. · Fuel: In Andratx.
- Access
- Paved lanes and steps, with slopes throughout. · Pushchairs: Very difficult. · Wheelchairs: Not suitable. · Dogs: Straightforward.
- What you will not find
- A sandy beach · Level walking routes · A lively evening scene · Enough parking in the main season
- Coordinates
- 39.6535,2.4810 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
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The south-west's marina, with 670 berths, rows of white boats and a white tower by the quay. You come here to look …
A country estate near Bunyola, transformed by an 18th-century cardinal into an Italian-style villa. A terraced …
An 11th-century brick chamber in an old-town garden, with twelve columns, horseshoe arches and a dome pierced by …
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
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Estellencs
Does Estellencs have a beach?
Not a sandy one. Below the village is a small rocky cove with a boat slipway and clear water, reached by a narrow, very steep road. It’s good for swimming but has little space to lie down. Bring what you need.
How do you get to Estellencs?
Follow the Ma-10 between Andratx and Banyalbufar, around 55 minutes from the airport. The road is winding and narrow in places. Occasional buses run on the Andratx–Sóller route, but don’t assume a convenient connection without checking.
Why does the church tower look fortified?
Because it was. Corsairs raided this coast for centuries. The church provided refuge and its tower served as a lookout, an arrangement found in several west-coast villages.
Can you explore Estellencs with a pushchair?
It’s very difficult. The village is built on a steep slope, with steps between the houses and very little level ground. It isn’t suitable for wheelchairs.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Estellencs?
Recommended months: February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November. Almond blossom on the terraces.
Is Estellencs worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. The Ma-10 is busy, and parking spaces fill during the morning. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy.
How far is Estellencs from Palma airport?
About 45 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 55 minutes by car. On the Ma-10 between Andratx and Banyalbufar. The road is winding and narrow in places, with only a few parking spaces along the road through the village.
Do I need a hire car for Estellencs?
A car is needed Occasional services on the Andratx–Sóller route.
Where can I park in Estellencs?
A few spaces beside the through-road, filling early in the season.
Can you swim at Estellencs?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Estellencs with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved lanes and steps, with slopes throughout. Pushchairs: Very difficult. Wheelchairs: Not suitable.
Are dogs allowed at Estellencs?
Straightforward.
Estellencs features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.