Bunyola & the Orient Valley – Gateway to the Tramuntana

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📍 Location & Getting There

Bunyola is a quiet town on the southern edge of the Serra de Tramuntana, just 20 minutes by car from Palma. It’s also one of the stops on the famous Tren de Sóller, making it accessible by both rail and road.

From Bunyola, a scenic mountain road climbs into the Orient Valley, one of Mallorca’s most peaceful and picturesque areas. The drive from Palma to Orient takes around 40 minutes, winding through olive groves and pine forests.

🏛️ History & Character

Bunyola has roots stretching back to Moorish times, when the fertile valley was cultivated for olives and almonds. The town retains a traditional feel, with stone houses clustered around its parish church, Sant Mateu.
Orient is even smaller — a hamlet of stone houses and narrow lanes set against dramatic mountain peaks. It has long been a retreat for hikers, artists, and those seeking Mallorca at its most tranquil.

🚶 Things to Do in Bunyola & Orient

Activity	Where	Why Go
Ride the Tren de Sóller	Bunyola	Historic wooden train stops here on its way from Palma to Sóller
Explore Bunyola’s Old Town	Bunyola	Stroll cobbled streets, relax in Plaça de la Vila, visit Sant Mateu church
Hike to Castell d’Alaró	Near Orient	Scenic trail leading to castle ruins with panoramic views
Walk the Orient Valley Trails	Orient	Well-marked routes through forests, streams, and farmland
Visit Jardins d’Alfàbia	Outside Bunyola	Moorish-inspired gardens with fountains and courtyards

💡 Palma Weekly Tip: Combine Bunyola, Orient, and Castell d’Alaró into a single day trip from Palma if you’re driving.

🍴 Where to Eat

Es Rústic, Bunyola – Traditional Mallorcan dishes in a cozy setting.
Mandala, Orient – A boutique restaurant with creative Mediterranean cuisine.
Hotel & Restaurant L’Hermitage, Orient – Fine dining in a converted monastery.

🏨 Where to Stay

For a peaceful overnight stay, the Orient Valley offers unique rural hotels and fincas:

Hotel L’Hermitage – Elegant countryside retreat with spa facilities.
Finca Son Palou – A 14th-century estate turned boutique rural hotel.
Agroturismos near Bunyola – Rustic stays surrounded by olive groves.

👉 For more rural stays: Agroturismo in Mallorca

🌿 Nature & Hiking

Bunyola and Orient are gateways to some of the best hiking routes in the Tramuntana:

Orient to Castell d’Alaró – Moderate hike (~2 hrs) to castle ruins with sweeping views.
Orient Valley Circuit – Gentle circular route through farmlands and streams.
Bunyola to Sóller (via Coll de Sóller) – A longer trail with rewarding mountain views.

Did You Know? The Orient Valley is part of Mallorca’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed cultural landscape, thanks to its historic terracing and irrigation systems.

🚗 Getting There from Palma

Mode	Duration	Details
Car to Bunyola	~20 min	Via Ma-11 motorway, parking in town centre
Train to Bunyola	~25 min	Take the historic Tren de Sóller from Palma
Car to Orient	~40 min	Narrow but scenic mountain roads