SIGHTSEEING IN MALLORCA: LLUC, CAIMARI AND SELVA SELF-GUIDED CAR TOUR

The Sierra de Tramuntana is one of Spain's most impressive natural world heritages, and due to its large extension - the entire north coast of Mallorca - it is difficult to visit it completely in a few days. However, if we are in the Valley of Sóller, discovering this wonder of nature almost completely, its essence, its most spectacular landscapes, as well as its picturesque most emblematic municipalities, is much easier. Staying at the Gran Hotel Sóller allows us to get to know the Sierra de Tramuntana from its very heart: Sóller, Fornalutx, and Biniaraix. And from here, get to know its most spectacular places in a short time such as Llucalcari, Deià, Valldemossa or Banyalbufar. However, if we want to visit the Sierra heading north, the distances are longer, and therefore, after having visited the aforementioned coastal municipalities, today we will talk about how to visit the most emblematic places of the Sierra de Tramuntana and Es Raiguer if we are not in Sóller.

The places we must visit if we want to know the essence of the northern area of ​​the Sierra de Tramuntana are: Lluc, Caimari, and Selva. Three places that transmit the character and tradition of Mallorca. So, to discover them to the fullest and save time, we will rent a car and start our route from the Gran Hotel Sóller.

We will depart early in the morning towards the Port of Sóller until we reach the Monument roundabout, which will allow us to take the right exit towards the Puig Major road. After approximately 50 minutes of driving along this wonderful road, and after having crossed the turnoff to go towards Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent, we will arrive at the Sanctuary of Lluc. Located in Escorca, this place is the most important spiritual center in Mallorca. A place of pilgrimage located in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana that, according to tradition, has its origin in the 13th century when a shepherd and a monk found the venerable image of Our Lady of Lluc. Already in the 16th century, the well known choir of children singers "blauets" was canonically established, who sing to the Virgin daily on behalf of all the people of Mallorca. Upon arriving at Lluc, we will visit the sanctuary, the Virgin of Lluc, and a very interesting room where we can see all the shields of each of the municipalities of Mallorca. After visiting the Sanctuary, we can visit the Naturalist Garden of Lluc, as well as take a short hiking route through the Camí dels misteris. A path where we can see different monuments until we reach the place where, according to history, the image of the Virgin was found. Likewise, we can also choose to enjoy the large square of Lluc, its shops, its wooden porch built in the 16th century, as well as have a drink at the Sa Fonda bar or have breakfast at Ca'n Gallet, located at the entrance of the Lluc path.

After our visit to Lluc, we will continue our car route towards Caimari, a municipality that we will reach in approximately 20 minutes. Like Moscari, Biniamar, and Binibona, Caimari is one of the small villages belonging to the Selva municipality, and although it is part of the Raiguer region and not Tramuntana, it is a picturesque place located at the foot of the Tramuntana mountain range. With approximately 800 inhabitants, we recommend taking a stroll through its picturesque stone streets and admiring its beauty and ancient olive trees, as the municipality is known for its excellent olive oil production. Then, after the walk, we will head to Sa Tafona de Caimari, located at the entrance of the village from the Raiguer area, where we can stop for lunch. Sa Tafona de Caimari is one of the most well known oil mills in Mallorca and has a shop as a center for the dissemination of oil culture. Here, we can taste virgin olive oils made on site and visit the ancient olive farms. Additionally, in the shop, we can find a wide variety of local artisanal products produced throughout the island of Mallorca. After our visit to Sa Tafona de Caimari, we will have lunch at its restaurant, which offers dishes for all tastes, and we can comfortably enjoy our meal.

Then, after lunch, we will continue our route towards Selva, the last municipality on our Tramuntana car route, which we will reach in less than 5 minutes from Sa Tafona de Caimari. With about 2,000 inhabitants, Selva is the main town of the five nuclei previously mentioned that make up this Es Raiguer municipality: Selva, Caimari, Moscari, Biniamar, and Binibona. Due to the need to cross the town to go up to the Lluc Monastery, among other areas of interest in the Tramuntana mountain range, it is a rather visited locality. Like most municipalities in Mallorca, the town hall and main square where the weekly market takes place, the Gothic style San Lorenzo church dating back to the 13th century, and the park with its large square where locals gather during the town's popular festivals, such as the Olive Fair, celebrated every year in November, are located in the center of Selva. And it is precisely in this Es Parc square where we can enjoy incredible views of the place and have a drink at one of the bars and restaurants located there. It is worth mentioning that if you are a meat lover, you can find Restaurant Es Parc specializing in grilled meats in this square, which is undoubtedly a good option for lunch during our route.

Finally, after visiting Selva, we will start our return route to the Gran Hotel Sóller, and we can do it in two ways. The first option is to return the same way we came, going back through Lluc, a journey of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach the Gran Hotel Sóller. The other option is to return to Sóller via the Inca highway and take the Bunyola exit, a route that will take us to the Gran Hotel Sóller in about 45 minutes from Selva and with fewer curves than the Lluc road.

Whichever option we choose to return, once we arrive at the Gran Hotel Sóller, we recommend relaxing in our facilities after a fantastic day in the Tramuntana mountain range and enjoying a drink and a wonderful dinner at our Can Blau restaurant, with unique dishes elaborated by our Solleric chef, Rafel Torrens and don't forget to taste the delicious olive oil from Caimari "Antoni Mateu" (served at the table by our waiters).. Without a doubt, a unique way to end our day in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana.

Being able to discover the charm of the destination we visit, its history, customs, curiosities, beauty, and nature is one of the greatest riches of traveling, and this route, along with the routes we offer to visit Deià, Valldemossa, and Banyalbufar among others, will allow you to discover most of the Sierra de Tramuntana and its most emblematic and special places, so that you can take a unique and complete memory along with an unforgettable experience.

If you are staying at our hotel and would like more information about this or other routes in Tramuntana, as well as car rental companies in Sóller, please do not hesitate to ask our reception team, who will be happy to assist you.