Towns & villages
Bunyola, Orient and Alaró
Twenty minutes from Palma, another Mallorca begins, of gardens, a valley and a castle:
- Jardines de Alfabia (Bunyola): a garden of Arab heritage at the foot of the Tramuntana, with fountains and pergolas.
- Raixa: a historic estate by the Sóller road, whose gardens many think are worth more than the house.
- Orient: one of the smallest villages in the Serra, among olive trees. For lunch, Mallorcan cooking at Ca'n Tomeu.
- Es Salt des Freu: hidden waterfalls in the Coanegra valley, next to Orient.
- Castell d'Alaró: a rock castle at over 800 metres, with a hermitage and a refuge at the top. You walk up.
For more: climbing at Sa Gubia and golf at Son Termes.
You'll need a car and walking shoes. The Orient road is narrow and winding: take it slowly.
Around here it pays to check the calendar before the map. Raixa, run by the Consell de Mallorca, opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm and closes on Mondays, Sundays and public holidays; entry is free and groups of up to 15 do not need to book. The Alfabia Gardens are seasonal, open from February to October and closed in winter. Without a car, the Sóller train stops at Bunyola, its only intermediate station between Palma and Sóller.
Castell d'Alaró is climbed from the car park by the Es Verger restaurant, about 45 minutes on a steep path; from Alaró village it is an hour and a half to two hours. The track up to Es Verger is narrow and rough, so do not drive beyond the car park. The road from Bunyola to Orient is full of bends and shared with cyclists, so take it slowly, especially at weekends.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the walk up to Castell d'Alaró?
From the Es Verger car park it is around 45 minutes uphill on a stony path that steepens near the top. Starting on foot from Alaró village, allow an hour and a half to two hours. Take water and proper walking shoes.
What are Raixa's opening hours and is it free?
Raixa opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm and is closed on Mondays, Sundays and public holidays. Entry is free, and groups of 15 or fewer can walk in without booking; larger groups need to arrange a visit by phone or email.
Are the Alfabia Gardens open in winter?
No. The Alfabia Gardens are seasonal, open roughly from mid-February to the end of October, every day through the morning and afternoon, with last entry an hour before closing. In winter, Raixa, a few minutes away, is the alternative.
Updated in November 2026
