Galilea
One of Mallorca’s highest villages, 460 metres above the sea. Two hundred residents, a white church with a red tower roof, a café on the square and, in clear weather, views as far as the Bay of Palma.
Galilea
Galilea in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You’d like a wide view without a hike.
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- Half an hour to an hour.
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Limited, along the approach and village edge.
- Keep in mind
- You want a sightseeing attraction with opening hours.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Manageable around the square, difficult elsewhere. · Wheelchairs: Only the area around the square.
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The red tower roof is visible from far below, a landmark on the hillside.
Whitewash rather than exposed stone, an unusual choice in the mountains.
The terrace beside the church is the focus of most visits.
Getting to know Galilea
Does Galilea suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You’d like a wide view without a hike.
- You enjoy quiet mountain villages.
- You’re a road cyclist; this is a well-known climb in the south-west.
- You want a short mountain outing from Palma.
Things to bear in mind
- You want a sightseeing attraction with opening hours.
- You want to swim.
- You’re coming in hazy weather, when the main attraction disappears.
- You need a choice of places to eat.
Drive from the airport
40 minutes
30 km
Bus connections
No dependable bus connection
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Cala Fornells
10 km
Elevation
460 m
above sea level
Season guide for Galilea
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Some places closed
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December.
Location
Location of Galilea
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Municipality
- Puigpunyent
- Population
- 200
- Elevation
- 460 m above sea level
- Airport
- 30 km , around 40 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.6097,2.5050
About Galilea
A village of around 200 people at 460 metres, in the municipality of Puigpunyent, Galilea is one of Mallorca’s highest villages. You don’t arrive by accident, but you can pass through. The road climbs from Puigpunyent and descends on the other side through Es Capdellà to Peguera, following one of the south-west’s loveliest mountain routes.
There’s a whitewashed church with a red tower roof, a square and a café, but no shop.
The view
Head for the terrace beside the church. Terraces and pine woodland fall away towards the plain, with the Bay of Palma visible in clear air.
Few places on the island give you such a far-reaching view with so little effort. Order a coffee, sit for forty minutes and continue your journey.
The café on the square
Café Sa Plaça is the village’s only café. Its terrace above the hillside is the attraction. From tables beside the railing, you look across wooded slopes towards the coast, with Sa Dragonera visible on clear days.
For many visitors, that’s the reason to drive up: follow the bends, have a coffee on the village’s terrace, enjoy the view and carry on. The afternoon light is good.
Walking further
Several paths lead from Galilea into the south-western mountains, towards Puig de Galatzó, the distinctive summit visible from the square, and along old routes to Puigpunyent and Es Capdellà.
Signs aren’t continuous. If you’re walking for more than an hour, take a map. October to May is the best season.
When to come
Choose January or February for the clearest air, and March or October for a good all-round visit. In high summer, haze over the plain can obscure the distant views.
Low cloud makes the drive less worthwhile. A look at the weather first can save half an hour on the mountain road.
Photographs
Galilea in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Galilea
Three hours
Drive up, see the square and church, and stay on the terrace while the views are clear.
Half a day
Combine it with Puigpunyent and Sa Vall nature park, or continue to Andratx.
A full day
No. Galilea is a stop rather than a full-day destination, but one worth a detour.
On a rainy day
Not worthwhile. Low cloud can leave you with no view from 460 metres.
Practical details
- Parking
- Limited, along the approach and village edge.
- Time to allow
- Half an hour to an hour.
- Good to know
- There’s no shop in the village, so buy anything you need in Puigpunyent. If you’re coming for the view, check that the air is clear first.
- Bus
- No dependable bus connection.
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: No shop; the nearest is in Puigpunyent. · Pharmacy: In Puigpunyent. · Medical care: In Puigpunyent. · Cash machines: In Puigpunyent. · Fuel: Towards Palma.
- Access
- Paved lanes with noticeable inclines. · Pushchairs: Manageable around the square, difficult elsewhere. · Wheelchairs: Only the area around the square. · Dogs: Straightforward.
- What you will not find
- A visitor attraction with opening hours · Shop · Beach · Bus service
- Coordinates
- 39.6097,2.5050 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
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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.
Where to swim nearby
Beaches and swimming nearby
Around two kilometres from Paguera, Cala Fornells feels quite different. Rocky shores and small patches of coarse …
Three sandy bays in a row, separated by pine-covered rocky headlands, with a plane-tree-lined boulevard behind …
Broad sandy bays with pale, shallow water, right beside Magaluf but with a different feel. The quieter neighbour …
A compact sandy bay in the municipality of Andratx, surrounded by pine-covered slopes. A wooden footbridge leads …
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Galilea
What can you do in Galilea?
See the church square, sit on the terrace and look out across the south-west of Mallorca. There’s no museum, shop or sightseeing attraction with opening hours. The village’s appeal is its simplicity.
How high is Galilea?
About 460 metres above sea level, making it one of Mallorca’s highest villages. It belongs to the municipality of Puigpunyent and has around 200 residents.
How do you get there?
Follow a narrow, winding mountain road from Puigpunyent or Es Capdellà. There’s no dependable bus connection. Road cyclists know it as one of the south-west’s established climbs.
When are the views clearest?
January and February generally have the clearest air, with March also a good option. Haze hangs over the plain in high summer. Low cloud makes the drive less worthwhile, as it hides the view you’ve come for.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Galilea?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. The clearest air of the year gives the longest views, provided it isn’t raining.
Is Galilea worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually quiet. Haze over the plain reduces the distant views. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually quiet.
How far is Galilea from Palma airport?
About 30 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 40 minutes by car. Climb the narrow, winding mountain road from Puigpunyent or Es Capdellà. Space is limited in the village; park along the approach.
Do I need a hire car for Galilea?
A car is needed No dependable bus connection.
Where can I park in Galilea?
Limited, along the approach and village edge.
Can you swim at Galilea?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Galilea with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved lanes with noticeable inclines. Pushchairs: Manageable around the square, difficult elsewhere. Wheelchairs: Only the area around the square.
Are dogs allowed at Galilea?
Straightforward.
Galilea features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.