In winter, Valldemossa regains the tranquillity that so captivated Chopin and George Sand. Stone-paved alleyways, the Chartreuse monastery with few visitors, and the peaks of the Tramuntana all around: from November to March, the most famous village in the Mallorcan mountains reveals itself at its own pace. Here’s what to see and how to fit it into your trip.
Valldemossa in winter: practical information
| Location: | | Serra de Tramuntana, north-west of Palma (approximately 17 km)
| Altitude: | Around 400 m: cooler than in Palma and on the coast, especially in the mornings and evenings|
| Places to visit: | La Chartreuse and the cells of Chopin and George Sand · the village’s narrow streets · the house where Catalina Thomàs was born · the views of the Tramuntana mountains|
| With AmigoTrésors de Majorque: | a day trip to Sóller, the MA-10 road, Son Marroig and Valldemossa, from November to March|
| Stay at | Ca’s Papà, a 13-room boutique hotel in Valldemossa, including a hire car, for 2 to 4 nights|
| How to get there: | | By car via the mountain road, by bus from Palma, or with the Classic Experience pick-up service
Valldemossa in winter: the village in the Tramuntana at its own pace
Valldemossa is one of the most popular villages in Mallorca, and with good reason. Stone houses, flower-lined alleyways, mountains in the background: the setting is almost too beautiful to be true. In high season, you’ll be sharing it with lots of other people. In winter, it returns to being a village where you can take your time.
This article is part of our feature on Mallorca between November and March. If you’re staying in Palma, do take a look at our ideas for enjoying the capital in the off-season.
La Chartreuse, where Chopin spent the winter
It was during the winter of 1838–1839 that Frédéric Chopin and George Sand stayed at the Chartreuse de Valldemossa. Chopin worked on several of his Preludes whilst there, and George Sand drew on her experience to write her story *A Winter in Majorca*. The cells they occupied can be visited today, as can the monastery’s former pharmacy and its cloisters.
Visiting at the same time of year as they do gives the visit a special significance. Just remember to check the opening hours, which are reduced in winter.
Did you know? George Sand wasn’t exactly kind to Majorca.
In *A Winter in Majorca*, the writer recounts a stay that was a far cry from the picture-postcard image: the rain, the damp of the Chartreuse, Chopin’s illness and difficult relations with the villagers, which she describes without leniency. The book is now sold in every shop in the village, proof that Valldemossa has forgiven her. Reading it before you visit means discovering the Chartreuse from a different perspective.
The narrow streets and coca de patata
Valldemossa’s charm lies in its little details. On many of the façades, small ceramic tiles pay tribute to Catalina Thomàs, the Mallorcan saint who was born in the village. Her birthplace is in the centre. And for a tasty treat, you simply cannot leave without trying the coca de patata, the soft brioche that is the pride of the village – best enjoyed with a hot chocolate.
The panoramic views of the Serra de Tramuntana
Valldemossa lies at the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. The winter air offers clearer views of the dry-stone terraces, olive groves and mountain peaks, which are sometimes blanketed in snow during the coldest winters. For walkers, a half-day hike with an Amigo can be tailored to your ability, from coastal walks to mountain trails, with walking equipment and a traditional lunch included. Our selection of the island’s most beautiful trails will give you further ideas.
The Tramuntana at your leisure?
If you have a car, the road from Valldemossa to Deià and Sóller is one of the most beautiful on the island. Deià is remembered for the poet Robert Graves, and Sóller for its tram to the harbour. To make the most of it without having to organise anything, our self-guided day out in the Tramuntana mountains combines a visit to the botanical gardens in Sóller, entry to the Son Marroig estate and a pre-booked lunch at a local eatery, complete with a roadmap to guide you between each stop.
Travelling to Valldemossa with an Amigo
If you don’t have a car, the easiest option is to join us. Our ‘Treasures of Mallorca in the Tramuntana’ day trip begins in Sóller and its harbour, follows the Ma-10 road overlooking the Mediterranean, stops at Son Marroig – the former residence of Archduke Louis-Salvador of Austria – and ends in Valldemossa, where you’ll have the chance to visit the Carthusian monastery. In a small group of up to 8 people, including a Mallorcan lunch and collection from your accommodation.
From Valldemossa, explore the heart of the island
At the foot of the Tramuntana mountains, the inland villages are easy to explore from Valldemossa, especially with the car included in our village stay. As part of our half-day tour of artisans in the centre of Mallorca, an Amigo will take you to a workshop where recycled glass is hand-blown, to one of the island’s oldest tela de llengües factories, and to a family-run cutlery workshop founded in 1890. For a gourmet day at your own pace, ‘Vins & Saveurs’ combines a visit to a local market, a tour of a vineyard with wine tasting, and lunch at a traditional restaurant – all already booked for you.
Staying in Valldemossa in winter: the Ca's Papà holiday home
Staying in the village for one or more nights means seeing it in the evening, once the day’s visitors have left, and in the morning, before they arrive. Your stay at Ca’s Papà takes you to a 13-room boutique hotel, just a stone’s throw from the Chartreuse, featuring a lounge-library with a fireplace, a terrace, a Mediterranean breakfast made with local produce, and a hire car for the duration of your stay.
The programme gets better the longer you stay. For a stay of 2 nights or more, enjoy a day of art in Palma: Es Baluard, the CaixaForum, tapas at the Olivar market and the ‘Elements’ light show. For a stay of 3 nights, you’ll also enjoy a dinner of Mallorcan specialities at a selected venue. For a four-night stay, an olive oil-making workshop at a mill in the Serra, from where you’ll leave with your own bottle.
Fancy something else? Discover our full range of holiday packages combining accommodation and activities, as well as our small-group winter excursions and self-guided winter experiences.
Valldemossa Short Break · Ca’s Papà & Tramuntana Experiences
Included in the Valldemossa – Ca's Papà holiday
- Accommodation at Ca’s Papà, a 13-room boutique hotel in Valldemossa
- A Mediterranean breakfast made with local produce
- A hire car for the duration of your stay, collected from and returned to Palma Airport
- For stays of 2 nights or more: an art-themed day out in Palma (Es Baluard, CaixaForum, tapas at the Olivar market, the ‘Elements’ show)
- For stays of 3 nights or more: a dinner of Mallorcan specialities at a selected venue
- 4 nights: olive oil blending workshop at a mill in the Serra, with your own personalised bottle
The highlights of Valldemossa in winter
- The Chartreuse during the Chopin season: Chopin’s and George Sand’s cells, the pharmacy and the cloisters, in the tranquillity of winter.
- A village on a human scale: cobbled alleyways, plaques dedicated to Catalina Thomàs and coca de patata.
- All around the Tramuntana: clearer views of a landscape listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- With an Amigo: a day trip from Sóller to Valldemossa via the MA-10, including lunch and pick-up.
- At your leisure: the gardens of Sóller and Son Marroig, with a route map and a pre-booked lunch.
- A stay in the village: Ca’s Papà, car included, with art, fine dining and olive oil on the agenda.
Our tips for visiting Valldemossa in winter
- Make sure you pack warmer clothes than you would for Palma: at an altitude of around 400 metres, the mornings and evenings are cool.
- Check the Chartreuse’s winter opening hours before you set off.
- Make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes: the village’s narrow streets are cobbled and sloping.
- The Tramuntana road is winding: please drive carefully, especially after rain.
- For a stay at Ca’s Papà with a car, the driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a driving licence for at least two years.
FAQ: Valldemossa in winter
Is Valldemossa worth a visit in winter?
Yes. The village is quieter than in high season, the Chartreuse can be visited without the crowds, and the views of the Tramuntana mountains are often clearer. It is, however, cooler than by the seaside.
What’s the weather like in Valldemossa in winter?
Cooler than in Palma. The village is situated at an altitude of around 400 metres, in the heart of the mountains: mornings and evenings are cool, and the surrounding peaks are sometimes covered in snow during the coldest winters. Sunny days are nevertheless frequent and ideal for walking.
How long does it take to visit Valldemossa?
Half a day is enough to explore La Chartreuse, the narrow streets and enjoy a break for a ‘coca de patata’. For a full day out, combine the village with Deià, Sóller or Son Marroig, as in our ‘Treasures of Majorca’ day trip. And to experience it without the crowds, it’s best to stay there for one or more nights.
How do you get to Valldemossa without a car?
There are buses running between Palma and Valldemossa. You can also choose our ‘Treasures of Mallorca’ Classic Experience, which passes through Valldemossa and includes collection from your accommodation in the areas listed on the information sheet.
Is the Chartreuse de Valldemossa open in winter?
It is open all year round, although opening hours are reduced in winter. Please check the opening hours before you visit, particularly on Sundays and public holidays.
What’s worth trying in Valldemossa?
Coca de patata, a light and soft brioche made with potatoes, is a local speciality. It can be enjoyed in the cafés and bakeries in the town centre, ideally with a hot chocolate in winter.
Where to stay in Valldemossa?
In the heart of the village, to enjoy the peace and quiet of the evenings and mornings. Our stay at Ca’s Papà, a 13-room boutique hotel near the Chartreuse, includes breakfast, a hire car and one to three experiences, depending on the length of stay.
Are the Évasion Authentic experiences available in winter?
Yes. Our ‘Classic Experiences’ and ‘Winter Freedom’ packages, such as the Ca’s Papà break, are available from November to March. For public holidays, please check the details page or contact us to check availability.
Further reading
Feedback from our travellers and contact details
Our guests regularly share their memories of the Tramuntana with our Amigos on Google. Would you like to check availability at Ca’s Papà or find out which package to choose? Drop us a line on WhatsApp or by email.
Book your stay in Valldemossa or set off for a day out in the Tramuntana mountains with an Amigo.
