Montuïri
A hilltop village in the Pla, with eight old windmills along one street and steps climbing to the church. It’s best known for a dance tradition that has continued here for centuries without a break.
Montuïri
Montuïri in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You’re nearby on 23 or 24 August, when the Cossiers dance.
- Best months
- January–May, October–December
- Time to allow
- One to two hours.
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Free and straightforward below the old centre.
- Keep in mind
- You expect a major ticketed attraction.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Manageable on main streets, tiring uphill. · Wheelchairs: The lower part is possible; the old centre rises steeply.
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Exposed sandstone and restrained decoration, familiar features of village churches in the Pla.
The tower is a landmark when approaching across the plain.
An elaborate doorway signalled wealth, contrasting with the simpler wall around it.
Getting to know Montuïri
Does Montuïri suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You’re nearby on 23 or 24 August, when the Cossiers dance.
- You’d like to see old windmills; eight stand along one street.
- You’re interested in Mallorca’s prehistory, with Son Fornés just outside the village.
- You want a stop between Palma and Manacor.
Things to bear in mind
- You expect a major ticketed attraction.
- You want to swim.
- You’re coming at midday in high summer.
- You need a wide choice of places to eat.
Drive from the airport
30 minutes
30 km
Bus connections
Services on the Palma–Manacor route
Region
Pla de Mallorca
Elevation
180 m
above sea level
Season guide for Montuïri
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Some places closed
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December. Less suitable in July.
Location
Location of Montuïri
- Region
- Pla de Mallorca
- Population
- 2,900
- Elevation
- 180 m above sea level
- Airport
- 30 km , around 30 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5700,2.9841
About Montuïri
A village of around 2,900 people on a hill in the Pla, beside the Ma-15 between Palma and Manacor. Park below, then climb through stepped streets towards the church.
The Cossiers
The Cossiers are a dance group of six dancers, a woman in white known as the lady, and a figure representing the devil. They perform on 24 August for Sant Bartomeu and on the previous evening, on Plaça Major in the centre.
Flute and drum accompany a sequence of dances, with colourful ribbons and hats. The devil interrupts before being driven away at the end, forming the story of the performance.
What makes it special is the continuity. Many villages once had similar groups, but most traditions stopped at some point before being revived. Montuïri’s never ceased, through the Republic, the Franco years and the tourism boom. It received the Ramon Llull Award in 2012, one of the Balearics’ major honours.
You sense it while watching. Visitors are welcome, but the village is dancing for itself.
The windmills
At the top of the village on Carrer des Molinar, eight old windmills stand in a row. They ground local grain; Montuïri relied on cereals and pulses for centuries.
The climb is the village’s loveliest walk, passing through its oldest lanes. At the top, views stretch across the Pla and, in clear air, to the Tramuntana in the north.
After ten minutes uphill, you understand the appeal of this elevated setting.
Son Fornés
Son Fornés lies two and a half kilometres north-west. According to the museum guide, the Talayotic settlement began around 850 BC, in the early Iron Age. Its oldest structures are almost 3,000 years old. The site remained in use into Roman times and was repeatedly rebuilt.
Three talayots and many building foundations survive. The largest talayot is about seventeen metres across. Low entrances, enormous stone blocks and surviving columns make the site easy to picture. Independent visits to the excavation are free.
Finds are displayed at the Museu Arqueològic de Son Fornés in Molí des Fraret, an old village windmill on Carrer Emili Pou, separate from the archaeological site. Check current museum hours and admission prices before visiting.
When to come
Choose March or October for the village, and 23–24 August for the Cossiers. In July, the midday climb to the Molinar is uncomfortable, and the streets are quiet.
Photographs
Montuïri in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Montuïri
Three hours
Climb from the square to the church, then follow Carrer des Molinar past the windmills for views across the Pla.
Half a day
Add Son Fornés, two and a half kilometres outside the village, and its museum in town.
A full day
Combine it with Randa and Puig de Randa, or Sineu, each around fifteen minutes away.
On a rainy day
Limited options. The Son Fornés museum is indoors; otherwise, consider Inca or Palma.
Practical details
- Parking
- Free and straightforward below the old centre.
- Public transport
- Services on the Palma–Manacor route.
- Time to allow
- One to two hours.
- Good to know
- The old centre is uphill. For the windmills, follow Carrer des Molinar through the oldest and highest part of the village, with broad views over the plain.
- Bus
- Services on the Palma–Manacor route.
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Small village shops. · Pharmacy: In the village. · Medical care: Local surgery sessions; health centre in Vilafranca. · Cash machines: On the main square. · Fuel: Beside the Ma-15.
- Access
- Paved lanes climbing towards the church and Molinar. · Pushchairs: Manageable on main streets, tiring uphill. · Wheelchairs: The lower part is possible; the old centre rises steeply. · Dogs: Straightforward.
- What you will not find
- Beach · Hotels · A wide choice of places to eat · A level village centre
- Coordinates
- 39.5700,2.9841 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
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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 Montuïri
Who are Montuïri’s Cossiers?
A group of six dancers and a lady, accompanied by a figure representing the devil. They perform for Sant Bartomeu on 24 August and the previous evening. Montuïri’s group is regarded as the island’s only one with an unbroken tradition, recognised with the Ramon Llull Award in 2012.
What is Son Fornés?
A Talayotic settlement two and a half kilometres north-west of Montuïri, founded around 850 BC. Its oldest structures are almost 3,000 years old, although many visible walls belong to later phases. Three talayots and other building foundations survive. Finds are displayed in the museum at Molí des Fraret in Montuïri.
Where are Montuïri’s windmills?
On Carrer des Molinar, in the oldest and highest part of the village. Eight mills survive in an area once associated with grain and pulse trading. The view stretches across the Pla.
Is Montuïri worth visiting outside the festival?
Yes, as a one- to two-hour stop between Palma and Manacor, for the church, windmill street, views and archaeological site. For a full day, combine it with Randa or Sineu.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Montuïri?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.
Is Montuïri worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually very quiet. Too hot for a comfortable midday climb to the Molinar. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually lively. The Cossiers dance on 23 and 24 August, a good reason to visit despite the heat.
How far is Montuïri from Palma airport?
About 30 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 30 minutes by car. Beside the Ma-15 between Algaida and Vilafranca. The village climbs a hill; park below and walk up.
Do I need a hire car for Montuïri?
A car is needed Services on the Palma–Manacor route.
Where can I park in Montuïri?
Free and straightforward below the old centre.
Can you swim at Montuïri?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Montuïri with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved lanes climbing towards the church and Molinar. Pushchairs: Manageable on main streets, tiring uphill. Wheelchairs: The lower part is possible; the old centre rises steeply.
Are dogs allowed at Montuïri?
Straightforward.
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.