Raixa
A country estate near Bunyola, transformed by an 18th-century cardinal into an Italian-style villa. A terraced staircase, stone lions and cypresses fill the gardens. It now belongs to the island council, and entry is free.
Raixa
Raixa in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You want to understand the Serra de Tramuntana World Heritage Site.
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- One to two hours
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Free parking at the estate
- Keep in mind
- It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Manageable in the courtyards, but not on the grand staircase · Wheelchairs: Ground floor and courtyards, but not the hillside garden
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
The staircase climbs the hillside, unlike anything else on the island.
Beneath the arcade there was room for carts and tools, as well as welcome shade.
The estate's older working buildings stand behind the manor house.
Getting to know Raixa
Does Raixa suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You want to understand the Serra de Tramuntana World Heritage Site.
- You enjoy garden design and an impressive terraced staircase.
- You'd like a substantial visit without an admission charge.
- You're visiting Alfàbia; the two are eight minutes apart.
Things to bear in mind
- It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
- Late-afternoon arrivals miss the opening hours.
- Don't expect a fully furnished stately home.
- There is nowhere to swim.
Drive from the airport
28 minutes
28 km
Bus connections
No bus service to the estate
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Port de Valldemossa
8 km
Elevation
120 m
above sea level
Season guide for Raixa
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December.
Location
Location of Raixa
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Municipality
- Bunyola
- Elevation
- 120 m above sea level
- Airport
- 28 km , around 28 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.6800,2.6700
Getting to know Raixa
A country estate near Bunyola, whose present appearance owes much to Cardinal Antoni Despuig i Dameto. After spending time in Italy, he had the property remodelled in the 18th century as an Italian-style villa, with terraces, pools, fountains and a grand staircase guarded by stone lions climbing the hillside.
There is nothing else quite like it on Mallorca.
Why admission is free
You might expect such an estate to be private and charge admission. Instead, Mallorca’s island council bought it in 2002, spent more than ten years restoring it and opened it free of charge. An audio guide is available on request.
Since 2021, Raixa has been the visitor centre for the Serra de Tramuntana UNESCO World Heritage Site. The permanent exhibition explains the house’s history and agriculture’s importance to the mountain landscape — a useful first stop before heading into the hills.
Check the opening days
Raixa opens Tuesday to Saturday, only until early afternoon. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
Check before travelling, particularly for a weekend visit: Saturday is an opening day, Sunday is not.
When to come
March and October are pleasant. February brings almond blossom on nearby estates, while January offers clear air and very few visitors.
In high summer, the terraced staircase is exposed to the midday sun. Arrive early — sensible anyway, with closing time at three.
Combine the visit with Jardins d’Alfàbia, eight minutes away by car.
Photographs
Raixa in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Raixa
Three hours
Explore the courtyard and arcaded porch, climb the grand staircase and return through the garden terraces, with time for the exhibition inside.
Half a day
Combine it with Jardins d'Alfàbia, eight minutes away.
A full day
Make it the first stop on a trip to Sóller or Valldemossa.
On a rainy day
Partly suitable; the indoor exhibition is sheltered, but the gardens are not.
Practical details
- Parking
- Free parking at the estate
- Time to allow
- One to two hours
- Good to know
- Entry is free and an audio guide is available on request. Open Tuesday to Saturday, from the morning until early afternoon; closed Sundays, Mondays and public holidays. Check current times before setting off.
- Bus
- No bus service to the estate
- Access
- Paved courtyards; steps and gravel paths in the gardens · Pushchairs: Manageable in the courtyards, but not on the grand staircase · Wheelchairs: Ground floor and courtyards, but not the hillside garden · Dogs: On a lead outside; not inside the building
- What you will not find
- Sunday or Monday opening · Late-afternoon opening · A bus service · Furnished rooms
- Coordinates
- 39.6800,2.6700 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
Ramon Llull founded a school for Eastern languages here in 1276. Six hundred years later, Archduke Ludwig Salvator …
At the foot of the Sóller pass, this garden has irrigation rooted in Moorish times. Palm groves, a pergola with …
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 …
Sant Pere bastion, built in the late 16th century on the western edge of Palma’s old town, became home to a …
Palma's grand promenade between Plaça de la Reina and Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I. It follows the bed of a torrent …
An 11th-century brick chamber in an old-town garden, with twelve columns, horseshoe arches and a dome pierced by …
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
Places to stay within reach
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Raixa
Is there an admission charge at Raixa?
No. The estate has belonged to Mallorca's island council since 2002. It was restored over more than ten years and is free to visit. An audio guide is available on request.
When is Raixa open?
Tuesday to Saturday, from the morning until early afternoon. It closes on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays. Check the times before travelling, especially if arriving in the afternoon.
Who was Cardinal Despuig?
Antoni Despuig i Dameto was an 18th-century Mallorcan churchman and art collector. After spending time in Italy, he transformed Raixa into an Italian-style villa with terraces, fountains, pools and an exceptional garden staircase.
How is Raixa connected with World Heritage?
Since 2021, the estate has housed the visitor centre for the Serra de Tramuntana UNESCO World Heritage Site. A permanent exhibition explains the estate's history and agriculture's role in shaping the mountains, making a useful introduction before exploring them.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Raixa?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. Clear air and few visitors make this a good time for the garden.
Is Raixa worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually lively. The grand staircase has no shade at midday. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually lively.
How far is Raixa from Palma airport?
About 28 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 28 minutes by car. Turn off the Ma-11 between Palma and Bunyola and follow the access road to the estate car park. Getting here without your own transport is difficult.
Do I need a hire car for Raixa?
A car is needed No bus service to the estate
Where can I park in Raixa?
Free parking at the estate
Can I visit Raixa with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved courtyards; steps and gravel paths in the gardens Pushchairs: Manageable in the courtyards, but not on the grand staircase Wheelchairs: Ground floor and courtyards, but not the hillside garden
Are dogs allowed at Raixa?
On a lead outside; not inside the building
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.