Randa
A village of a hundred people at the foot of Puig de Randa, with a stone cross at the fork in the road and lanes of rough stone houses. The climb to the mountain's three religious houses begins here.
Randa
Randa in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You're heading up Puig de Randa to visit the religious houses.
- Best months
- January–May, October–December
- Time to allow
- Ten minutes in the village; half a day including the mountain
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Straightforward and free at the village edge
- Keep in mind
- There is no major visitor attraction in the village.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Possible, but bumpy · Wheelchairs: Limited access on uneven lanes
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Bare stone, an arched gateway and vine leaves. The village has three lanes like this.
Carefully worked stone doorways, even in a village of a hundred people.
Trees older than the village buildings, a reminder of what supported the religious houses above.
Getting to know Randa
Does Randa suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You're heading up Puig de Randa to visit the religious houses.
- You enjoy stone villages without needing a major attraction.
- You'd like to see old olive groves right at the village edge.
- You're a road cyclist; the climb to Cura is an island classic.
Things to bear in mind
- There is no major visitor attraction in the village.
- There is nowhere to swim.
- The choice of restaurants is limited.
- Midday in high summer is very hot.
Drive from the airport
30 minutes
27 km
Bus connections
No reliable connection
Region
Pla de Mallorca
Elevation
210 m
above sea level
A glimpse of Randa
Season guide for Randa
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 and August.
Location
Location of Randa
- Region
- Pla de Mallorca
- Municipality
- Algaida
- Population
- 100
- Elevation
- 210 m above sea level
- Airport
- 27 km , around 30 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5264,2.9156
Getting to know Randa
A village of around a hundred people at the foot of Puig de Randa, in the municipality of Algaida. Three lanes, a stone cross at the fork and bare stone houses with round-arched gateways.
You can walk through in ten minutes. Most people drive straight past, which is understandable but a pity: such a complete stone-built village is unusual on Mallorca.
The olive groves
They start right at the edge of the village: old, twisted trees on red soil, many of them centuries old. Stop here and you can see what once sustained the religious communities on the mountain.
The harvest takes place in October.
The mountain
The only road up Puig de Randa passes through the village. Three religious houses stand on the mountain: Nostra Senyora de Gràcia, halfway up beneath an overhanging cliff; Sant Honorat above it; and Santuari de Nostra Senyora de Cura at the 548-metre summit.
The road is narrow and winding but surfaced throughout. Walking up takes around an hour. It is one of Mallorca’s classic road-cycling climbs, particularly busy in spring.
When to come
March and October are good choices. January has the clearest air, which matters here: the view is the reason to climb.
In July and August, haze can hide that distant view. Low cloud has the same effect, making the journey less worthwhile.
Photographs
Randa in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Randa
Three hours
Walk around the village, then head up to the Santuari de Cura. In clear air, the view takes in much of Mallorca.
Half a day
Add the other two religious houses, Gràcia halfway up and Sant Honorat between it and Cura.
A full day
Combine Randa with Montuïri, Algaida or Llucmajor.
On a rainy day
Little to do. Low clouds also make the climb less worthwhile, hiding the view you've come for.
Practical details
- Parking
- Straightforward and free at the village edge
- Time to allow
- Ten minutes in the village; half a day including the mountain
- Good to know
- There is no shop in the village. Cura at the summit has a restaurant; don't count on refreshments at the other two religious houses.
- Bus
- No reliable connection
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: None in the village; the nearest is in Algaida · Pharmacy: In Algaida · Medical care: In Algaida · Cash machines: In Algaida · Fuel: Beside the Ma-15 near Algaida
- Access
- Paved and gravel lanes with gentle slopes · Pushchairs: Possible, but bumpy · Wheelchairs: Limited access on uneven lanes · Dogs: Generally straightforward
- What you will not find
- A major village attraction · A supermarket · A bus service · A beach
- Coordinates
- 39.5264,2.9156 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
The middle of the three religious houses on Puig de Randa, built beneath an overhanging cliff that extends right …
A monastery estate on the highest point of the Pla, 548 metres above the plain. Ramon Llull retreated here in the …
A family glassworks dating back to 1719, beside the road to Manacor in a castle-like building. Watch glassblowers …
On a low hill near Montuïri are the remains of a settlement founded almost 3,000 years ago. Massive talayots, low …
A small pilgrimage church on a hill above Sant Joan, reached by a broad stone staircase. There is a well, shade …
An old country estate near Sant Joan where it’s easy to stay longer than planned. Behind the substantial walls are …
Son Corró is a small prehistoric sanctuary near Costitx. Six re-erected stone columns stand among low walls. The …
Son Fred is a well-preserved talayot near Sencelles, a round tower built from enormous stone blocks. Duck through …
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 Randa
What is there to see in Randa?
A stone cross at the road junction, three lanes of bare stone houses, round-arched gateways and olive groves on the edge of the village. There is no attraction with opening hours; Randa is the starting point for the mountain behind it.
How do you reach Puig de Randa?
Follow the only road climbing through the village. It is narrow and winding, but surfaced and manageable in a car. Walking up takes around an hour. For road cyclists, it is one of Mallorca's classic climbs.
Which religious houses are on the mountain?
Nostra Senyora de Gràcia stands halfway up beneath an overhanging cliff, with Sant Honorat above it. At the summit, 548 metres high, is Santuari de Nostra Senyora de Cura. Only Cura reliably has a restaurant.
Are there restaurants in Randa?
One or two small places open according to the season, but there is no shop. For a more reliable meal stop, head up to Cura or back to Algaida.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Randa?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December. Clear air gives the mountain's best views of the year.
Is Randa worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually quiet. Very hot, with haze hiding the distant views. August: another month may suit you better. Usually quiet.
How far is Randa from Palma airport?
About 27 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 30 minutes by car. Approach from Algaida or Llucmajor on the Ma-5017. The only road up Puig de Randa passes through the village. It is narrow and winding, but surfaced throughout.
Do I need a hire car for Randa?
A car is needed No reliable connection
Where can I park in Randa?
Straightforward and free at the village edge
Can you swim at Randa?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Randa with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved and gravel lanes with gentle slopes Pushchairs: Possible, but bumpy Wheelchairs: Limited access on uneven lanes
Are dogs allowed at Randa?
Generally straightforward
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.