Discover Alaro: historic center, trails and the Castell

Walk to the Castell and along the dry-stone paths

The route to Castell d'Alaró is part of the restored and signposted dry-stone path network of the Consell de Mallorca. You can drive part of the way, but the final section must be completed on foot. If you are planning a visit, take this into account when organizing your day: the hike starts in the town center, but you cannot complete the whole route by car. The Castell therefore offers a different focus for an outing than a stroll through the town's streets.

The Castell is also home to historical and religious heritage. Its wall has been preserved with five towers. The Mare de Déu del Refugi Oratory dates from 1622; since the 17th century, the site has been a destination for worship and pilgrimages. The rock of Castell d'Alaró is part of the Natura 2000 network and is designated both as a Site of Community Importance and as a Special Protection Area for Birds. Landscape, architecture and religious history come together here in a clearly defined destination for an outing.

Waterways, a gorge and local history

The Camí de ses Artigues a Orient offers another way to learn about Alaró's history. It starts in Alaró and provides an opportunity to visit part of the Andalusian hydraulic system that supplied the town with water. The path reaches s'Estret, a natural gorge in the valley. The spring of ses Artigues, which supplied much of the municipality with water for centuries, is also part of the history of the water supply. The qanat of ses Artigues extends about 60 meters underground. Sa Font, in turn, is the first of ten water-powered grain mills in the Font de la Vila qanat system.

Los Damunt, Alaró's original town center, is located in the historic center and has been documented since the 13th century. A short walk along streets lined with old façades makes this part of town a destination in its own right, in addition to the trails to the Castell. An exceptional hackberry tree, Celtis australis, stands in Plaça de Sa Bastida. It is estimated to be 200 years old, about 8 meters tall and 2.60 meters in circumference. If you are interested in local history and distinctive details, a walk through Los Damunt combines both without requiring a longer hike.

Church, culture and a market visit

The parish church of Sant Bartomeu stands in Alaró's central square; the parish's history dates back to the 13th century. The current organ was built in 1754 by Pere Joan Bosch and restored in 2006 by Gerhard Grenzing at the initiative of the Orfeón de Alaró. Another landmark in the town's history is the Torre des Llum, also known as the Torre de la Electricidad: it is the only surviving part of Mallorca's first electricity plant, which opened in 1901 and was initiated by brothers Gaspar and Josep Perelló, oil and soap merchants.

The Cruz del Cós also tells a changing story. The boundary cross dates from the 16th century, was destroyed in 1884 and restored by Francesc Salvà in 1958. It was declared a Cultural Asset of Special Interest in 1963. The Teatre d'Alaró offers a different cultural focus. It reopened in 2008 after a major renovation and grew out of the former parish cinema. It hosts cinema, performing arts, concerts and seminars. Outside, there are murals by Menéndez Rojas; inside, a work by Pep Llambías.

The Saturday morning market offers local produce, wine and crafts. The public gardens of Son Tugores include a botanical garden and a children's playground. Alongside the hiking and local history, these offer different ways to shape your stay. When choosing a holiday apartment in Alaro, you can decide whether you would most like to explore the trails, the historic center or the town's cultural and everyday life.

Discover more places

More places in the directory: Campanet, Palma De Mallorca, Consell, Lloret De Vistalegre, Pollença, Soller, Petra and Jornets.

Back to the main travel guide: Mallorca.