Son Marroig
Archduke Ludwig Salvator's country estate above the west coast, with a white marble pavilion on the edge — the best-known viewpoint between Valldemossa and Deià.
Son Marroig
Son Marroig in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Views of Na Foradada
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- An hour
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Car park beside the house, with limited space in season
- Keep in mind
- Expecting a large exhibition
- Access
- Pushchairs: Manageable on the terraces, more awkward towards the pavilion · Wheelchairs: Limited access to the forecourt and terrace
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
House and pavilion share the same dramatic coastal terrace.
Terraces and pines surround the house. Ludwig Salvator bought this land to preserve it.
The loggia faces north-west, looking out over the estate.
Getting to know Son Marroig
Does Son Marroig suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Views of Na Foradada
- Learning about Ludwig Salvator and the coast's history
- A stop between Valldemossa and Deià
- Photography, especially in the evening light
Things to bear in mind
- Expecting a large exhibition
- Travelling without a car
- Looking for a long visit, as an hour is enough
- Going for a swim
Drive from the airport
45 minutes
40 km
Bus connections
The Valldemossa–Deià–Sóller service stops nearby
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Port de Valldemossa
5 km
Elevation
200 m
above sea level
A glimpse of Son Marroig
Season guide for Son Marroig
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 Son Marroig
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Municipality
- Deià
- Elevation
- 200 m above sea level
- Airport
- 40 km , around 45 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.7513,2.6289
What is Son Marroig?
Archduke Ludwig Salvator’s country estate above the west coast, between Valldemossa and Deià. There is a manor house with a loggia and tower, terraces, a chapel and, at the edge, a small round pavilion of white marble.
Ludwig Salvator
Born in Florence on 4 August 1847, the son of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ludwig Salvator was a Habsburg drawn more to the Mediterranean than to court life.
He first visited the Balearics in the summer of 1867. The landscape was only part of what kept him here. He began recording everything: plants, rocks, fishing equipment, houses, customs, proverbs, prices and harvests. His work became Die Balearen in Wort und Bild geschildert — seven volumes, still an extraordinarily comprehensive account of the islands.
In 1872, he settled here and bought coastal estates including Miramar, Son Marroig, Son Moragues and S’Estaca. Son Marroig became his main residence.
Rather than developing his land, he protected the coast, kept paths open and became known for welcoming visitors. He died on 12 October 1915 in Brandeis in Bohemia, far from Mallorca.
His work helps explain why so much of the Tramuntana coast remains undeveloped today. S’Estaca has for years belonged to actor Michael Douglas, another chapter in this coast’s history.
The marble pavilion
A small round pavilion in the Ionic style, made entirely from white Carrara marble, stands above the sea. The archduke built it as a viewing pavilion, framing Na Foradada below.
It is one of the island’s most photographed sights, and the view deserves the attention.
Na Foradada
Below lies Na Foradada, meaning roughly “the pierced one”, named after the large round hole in the rock through which you can see the sea. It explains the pavilion’s precise position.
A path descends across private land. Access arrangements can change, so ask at the house first. Allow a good two hours for the return walk and bring water, as shade is scarce.
Inside the house
The manor house, with its loggia, tower and chapel, is open as a museum. It contains furniture, paintings, maps and editions of the archduke’s works, alongside terraces overlooking the coast.
There is an admission charge and set opening hours, reduced outside the main season. The car park beside the Ma-10 is small. An hour is enough for the house and pavilion, but not for the walk to Na Foradada.
When to visit
March and October are good months. January has the clearest air, while October brings warm evening light.
In high summer, the Ma-10 is busy and the car park is often full.
Photographs
Son Marroig in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Son Marroig
Three hours
Explore the house and chapel, then cross the terrace to the marble pavilion and its view of Na Foradada.
Half a day
Add the descent to Na Foradada peninsula, checking the route and access at the house first.
A full day
Combine it with Valldemossa, Miramar and Deià, all along the same road.
On a rainy day
A limited option. The interior is dry, but the views are the main reason to come.
Practical details
- Parking
- Car park beside the house, with limited space in season
- Public transport
- The Valldemossa–Deià–Sóller service stops nearby
- Time to allow
- An hour
- Good to know
- The house is a museum with an admission charge and set opening hours. The path to Na Foradada crosses private land; access arrangements can change, so ask first.
- Bus
- The Valldemossa–Deià–Sóller service stops nearby
- Access
- Paved terraces and paths with occasional steps · Pushchairs: Manageable on the terraces, more awkward towards the pavilion · Wheelchairs: Limited access to the forecourt and terrace · Dogs: On a lead in the grounds; not inside the house
- What you will not find
- A beach · A large exhibition · Consistent year-round opening hours · Places to eat close by
- Coordinates
- 39.7513,2.6289 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
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Mallorca’s largest reservoir sits in the heart of the Tramuntana beside the MA-10. Swimming is forbidden, there’s …
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
A tiny fishing settlement beneath the cliffs, reached by six kilometres of tight hairpin bends. A few stone houses …
An almost circular, sheltered bay with a sandy beach, two lighthouses and a tram that has run down from Sóller …
Places to stay within reach
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Son Marroig
Who was Ludwig Salvator?
An Austrian archduke who bought large areas of the Tramuntana coast from 1872 onwards, protected them from development and documented them in extensive publications. Son Marroig was one of his estates, and Miramar another.
What is Na Foradada?
The rocky peninsula below Son Marroig, pierced by a large hole that gives it its name. Its view explains why the marble pavilion stands in that particular spot.
Can you walk down to Na Foradada?
A path crosses private land. Access arrangements can change, so ask at the house first. The descent takes roughly an hour, and the climb back takes longer.
Is there an admission charge?
Yes. The house is open as a museum, with an admission charge and set hours. Opening is more limited outside the main season, so check beforehand.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Son Marroig?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. The clearest air of the year. Check opening hours beforehand.
Is Son Marroig worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. The car park is small and the Ma-10 is busy in summer. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy.
How far is Son Marroig from Palma airport?
About 40 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 45 minutes by car. On the Ma-10 between Valldemossa and Deià. There is a car park beside the house, but spaces are scarce in season and stopping on the road is awkward.
Do I need a hire car for Son Marroig?
A car is needed The Valldemossa–Deià–Sóller service stops nearby
Where can I park in Son Marroig?
Car park beside the house, with limited space in season
Can you swim at Son Marroig?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Son Marroig with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved terraces and paths with occasional steps Pushchairs: Manageable on the terraces, more awkward towards the pavilion Wheelchairs: Limited access to the forecourt and terrace
Are dogs allowed at Son Marroig?
On a lead in the grounds; not inside the house
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.