Cap de Formentor
Go at sunrise or in the shoulder season: in summer the road is shut to cars and the bus queues are long. Half a day with the viewpoints.
The most dramatic cliff road in the Balearics, ending at a lighthouse with 300-metre drops and the whole north coast in view.
Ibiza · Menorca · Valldemossa · Formentera
At a Glance
The road from Port de Pollença to the Cap de Formentor climbs through pine and rock past the viewpoints of Mal Pas and Es Colomer, ending at a lighthouse on the island's northern tip. The cliffs fall away vertically and the whole north coast is visible from the terrace. From June to September the road is closed to private cars for much of the day, with a shuttle bus from the port.
How it got here
Mallorca spent centuries under the threat of North African pirates and local inhabitants built stone watchtowers across the northern capes to signal approaching ships. The lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula dates from the mid-nineteenth century and replaced the signal fires used by guards. This northern extremity belongs to the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain range that defined the island's defensive strategy for generations. The isolation of this limestone finger provided a natural barrier against invasion while the surrounding sea lanes determined the survival of those living in the valleys below. The lighthouse stands as a monument to the dangerous navigation required along these craggy coasts.
Where it sits
The road climbs from the port through pine forests before emerging onto limestone ridges that drop into the Mediterranean. The landscape changes from green slopes to barren rock as the peninsula narrows toward the sea. Strong winds sweep across the exposed headlands during winter months while the sun bakes the scrub in August. Heavy seasonal traffic forces restrictions on private vehicles during the summer. Visitors take shuttle buses from the port to reach the final viewpoint. Clouds often cling to the high cliffs and the humidity changes rapidly between the sheltered inland valleys and the open water.
What to eat and drink
The cuisine of the Balearic Islands relies on the produce of the Mediterranean. Ensaimada, a spiral pastry made with lard and dusted with icing sugar, serves as the standard breakfast across Mallorca. Sobrassada, a raw cured sausage made from ground pork and paprika, provides a salty spread for dark bread. Local cooks prepare tumbet, a dish of layered fried potatoes, aubergine, red peppers, and tomato sauce. For a drink, palo, a dark liqueur made from cinchona bark and gentian root, accompanies many evening meals to aid digestion, often served with ice and a splash of soda water.
Balearic Islands: the whole region
Four islands doing four different jobs: Mallorca, big enough to hold mountains, a serious city and quiet corners; Menorca, the calmest, with the best coves; Ibiza, which is two places — the clubs and a rural north almost nobody…
Minimum 5 days · better 10 days · deep 2 weeks
In Balearic Islands
In Balearic Islands
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