Orient
Forty residents in a high Tramuntana valley, reached by a road with seventeen hairpins. Rough-stone houses, ivy-covered façades and no shops, with walking routes below Castell d’Alaró.
Orient
Orient in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You enjoy walking; routes lead to Castell d’Alaró and around the valley.
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- Twenty minutes for the village, or half a day with a walk.
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Limited; roadside parking before the village at weekends.
- Keep in mind
- You’re driving a large vehicle; the road is narrow.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Very difficult. · Wheelchairs: Not suitable.
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Moisture in the valley helps ivy flourish across the façades.
The little square is the village’s main shared space.
A little church for a small village.
Getting to know Orient
Does Orient suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You enjoy walking; routes lead to Castell d’Alaró and around the valley.
- You like the winding mountain road from Bunyola.
- You want a very quiet village.
- You’d like a good meal; the restaurants have a reputation beyond the valley.
Things to bear in mind
- You’re driving a large vehicle; the road is narrow.
- You want to shop; there’s no village shop.
- You’re travelling without a car.
- You’re coming in rain, when the bends are less enjoyable.
Drive from the airport
45 minutes
35 km
Bus connections
No dependable connection
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Port de Sóller
9 km
Elevation
460 m
above sea level
Season guide for Orient
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 Orient
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Municipality
- Bunyola
- Population
- 40
- Elevation
- 460 m above sea level
- Airport
- 35 km , around 45 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.7350,2.7600
About Orient
A village of around forty people at about 460 metres, in a high Serra de Tramuntana valley within Bunyola municipality.
There are two dozen rough-stone houses, ivy-covered façades, a little church and two restaurants. No shop, petrol station or dependable bus connection.
The approach
A narrow, winding mountain road through holm-oak woods leads from Bunyola or Alaró. The first time you drive it, you may wonder what lies at the end.
Large vehicles are awkward on this route. At weekends, parked cars line the road well before the village.
Why come up here?
For the walking routes. Marked paths climb to Castell d’Alaró and continue down to Alaró, the main reason many people visit.
And for the restaurants, known beyond the valley. At weekends, the restaurant on the village edge becomes a meeting place for walkers descending from the castle and cyclists tackling the bends from Bunyola. The Bunyola–Orient–Alaró circuit is popular on this side of the mountains, with Orient in the middle.
Arrive in the morning for a better chance of a table; by lunchtime on fine weekends, space becomes scarce.
Buy water and food for your walk in Bunyola or Alaró beforehand, each roughly a quarter of an hour away. Orient itself has no shop.
When to come
March and October are best for walking, with autumn colour in the valley in October.
July and August are too hot for comfortable longer walks, though shaded parts of the valley are more bearable. Winter can be cold and wet, with some restaurants closed.
Photographs
Orient in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Orient
Three hours
Explore the lanes and ivy-covered façades, see the church and follow part of the path towards Castell d’Alaró.
Half a day
Walk up to Castell d’Alaró and back, or continue down to Alaró.
A full day
Combine it with Bunyola, Alaró and a drive through the Tramuntana.
On a rainy day
Not a good choice. The mountain road is less pleasant and the paths become slippery.
Practical details
- Parking
- Limited; roadside parking before the village at weekends.
- Time to allow
- Twenty minutes for the village, or half a day with a walk.
- Good to know
- No shop or petrol station. Buy water and walking supplies in Bunyola or Alaró beforehand, each roughly a quarter of an hour away.
- Bus
- No dependable connection.
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: None; nearest shops in Bunyola or Alaró. · Pharmacy: In Bunyola or Alaró. · Medical care: In Bunyola. · Cash machines: In Bunyola or Alaró. · Fuel: In Bunyola.
- Access
- Paved lanes with steps and slopes. · Pushchairs: Very difficult. · Wheelchairs: Not suitable. · Dogs: Straightforward; keep dogs on a lead on the paths.
- What you will not find
- Shop or petrol station · Dependable bus connection · Plenty of parking · Beach
- Coordinates
- 39.7350,2.7600 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.
Where to swim nearby
Beaches and swimming nearby
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Orient
How do you reach Orient?
By a narrow, winding mountain road from Bunyola or Alaró. There’s no dependable bus connection. Large vehicles are awkward on the route, and weekends bring more oncoming traffic.
How many people live in Orient?
Around forty. It belongs to Bunyola municipality and sits about 460 metres up in a high Serra de Tramuntana valley.
Can you walk from Orient to Castell d’Alaró?
Yes, it’s a main reason to visit. Marked paths climb to the ruined castle and continue down to Alaró. Buy water and supplies beforehand, as the village has no shop.
Are there restaurants in Orient?
Two restaurants are known beyond the valley. There’s no shop, petrol station or cash machine.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Orient?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. The valley can be cold and wet; some restaurants close.
Is Orient worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually quiet. Too hot for longer walks, though shaded parts of the valley remain more comfortable. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually quiet.
How far is Orient from Palma airport?
About 35 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 45 minutes by car. A narrow, winding mountain road approaches from Bunyola or Alaró. Parking is limited; at weekends, cars line the approach well before the village.
Do I need a hire car for Orient?
A car is needed No dependable connection.
Where can I park in Orient?
Limited; roadside parking before the village at weekends.
Can you swim at Orient?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Orient with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved lanes with steps and slopes. Pushchairs: Very difficult. Wheelchairs: Not suitable.
Are dogs allowed at Orient?
Straightforward; keep dogs on a lead on the paths.
Orient features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.