Tandem Bicycle Tours, Inc.
Mallorca, Spain
Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma
Cap de Formentor Lighthouse
Palma de Mallorca
Some Highlights of this Tour:
In recent years Mallorca has become a world premier cycling venue. With historic castles, stunning beaches and charming villages, this island offers something for every cyclist. Mallorca (Majorca) is largest of the Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean south of Barcelona. The climate is mild with loads of sunshine. The island has diverse terrain from the challenging mountain climbs of the Serra de Tramuntana, like the Cap de Formentor and Sa Calobra, along with gorgeous scenic coastal roads. Come experience the world-class training routes on the well-maintained roads in a place that makes for a cycling holiday as interesting and enjoyable as anywhere in Europe.
- Ride along spectacular sea-side roads, by fragrant orange groves and through charming medieval towns.
- Visit historical castles and hilltop monasteries.
- View the amazing caves at Drach and Artà.
- Enjoy a day exploring the island of Menorca and its largest city, Ciutadella.
- Check off Sa Colobra and Cap Formentor, the two most famous climbs on Mallorca.
- Relax after a day of cycling, and enjoy the Mediterranean at any of our hotels, all of which are seaside.
September 12, Day 1 – arrival in Palma de Mallorca
Arrive in the capital of the island and make your way to the beachfront hotel at Ca'n Pastilla where we spend our first two nights. After building bikes, spend the afternoon enjoying the beach or visiting the city before our welcome dinner this evening.
Lodging: Hotel THB El Cid
September 13, Day 2 – Ca'n Pastilla to Palma de Mallorca
20 km - 94 m
We'll start our tour with a seaside cycle along the bike path to Palma de Mallorca to explore the city. Ca'n Pastilla has an excellent long beach and a fantastic cycle path along the promenade leading to the beautiful city of Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands. Called the "pearl of the Mediterranean," Palma de Mallorca is a beach parapdise, originally founded by the Romans. After cycling into town we'll learn all about this vibrant city with a guided walking tour of Palma before returning back to the hotel.
Lodging: Hotel THB El Cid
September 14, Day 3 – Palma de Mallorca to Colonia de Sant Jordi
53 km - 300m or 76 km - 444 m
From Ca'n Pastilla, we head south-east along the cycle path of the beautiful Bahía de Palma (Bay of Plama). Then the route turns inland and we ride through the Mallorcan countryside with narrow lanes, windmills and almond trees. This coastline is one of the least commercial in Mallorca due to its many cliffs sculpted by the blue waves of the Mediterranean, with long beaches and tiny coves surrounded by pines and junipers. Take time to enjoy the superb and unspoiled beach of Es Trenc and the salt mines before arriving at Colonia Sant Jordi.
Lodging: Hotel Universal Marqués
September 15, Day 4 – Colonia de Sant Jordi Loop Ride
44 km - 278 m or 63 km - 410 m or 95 km - 1273 m
Mallorca as a riding destination is popular due to its combination of flat and rolling terrain, mountains in the north, and also wonderful coastal scenery. The flatter terrain has various optional climbs up to monasterios or similar, which afford us tremendous views of almost the whole island. We have three ride options today. Our longer ride today has three climbs: the first is to the Santuari de Monti-Sion in Porreres; then we have a big climb to the Santuary de Sant Salvador (close to Felanitx), and finally the Castell de Santeri, a medieval castle built over Muslim, then Byzantine, and probably Roman remains. Our 63 km ride does the same loop, but is a bit gentler and omits the climbs, and we also offer a short and leisurely loop.
Lodging: Hotel Universal Marqués
September 16, Day 5 – Colonia de Sant Jordi to Porto Cristo
47 km - 484 m or 61 km - 633 m
First we pass Ses Salines, where the Romans extracted salt. A short side tour takes us to the lighthouse set on beautiful and rocky coastline. Then it's on to the picturesque village of Santanyí, close to the Parc Natural de Mondragó with its rich birdlife and pretty beach of Cala Mondragó. The coastline is one of the most beautiful to be found on any Mediterranean island. From here we head to Porto Cristo, a charming little resort with the famous Cuevas del Drac nearby.
Lodging: Hotel THB Felip
September 17, Day 6 – Port Cristo Loop Ride
32 km - 329 m (10 km gravel) or 66 km - 710 m or 73 km - 910 m
We will begin the day with a visit to the famous visit to the Caves of Drach. Enjoy a boat trip on the submerged lake with a small orchestra playing on a boat. Our loop ride takes us out to the village of Petra via the town of Manacor, where we can visit the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre. An optional climb takes us up to the Santuari de la Mare de Déu de Bonany.
Lodging: Hotel THB Felip
September 18, Day 7 - Porto Cristo to Cala Ratjada
44 km - 550 m (2 km gravel)
Enjoy a delightful ride to the charming resort of Cala Ratjada. The ride takes in beautiful shoreline with beaches and charming restaurants and cafés. En route we have the Cuevas de Artà, with the entrance to the cave overlooking the sea and huge chambers with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. There is a beautiful beach at nearby Canyamel and then the impressive castle of Capdepera. In Cala Ratjada we can spend time at the beach of Cala Agulla or Cala Mesquida or take the road to Cala Gat and the lighthouse of Capdepera with views over to Menorca.
Lodging: Hotel THB Cala Lliteras
September 19, Day 8 – Cala Ratjada
Rest Day or Ride to Artá 42 km - 670 m
Our hotel today by the beach makes for a great location to take a day off the bike, if you like. Or, for those looking to cycle and looking for a bit of a climb, we can ride out to the pretty little town of Artà and then on to the 19th century Ermita de Betlem monastery, with magnificent views over the coast.
Lodging: Hotel THB Cala Lliteras
September 20, Day 9 – Cala Ratjada to Alcúdia
44 km - 390 or 62 km - 685 m
Artà is a charming village of narrow medieval streets, cafés and a fine 15th century fortress. A beautiful side trip takes us to the Ermita de Betlem monastery, with the most spectacular views across the sea towards Alcúdia and Formentor. Then the huge extense of the Bahía de Alcúdia with the birdlife of the Parc Natural de S'Albufera and the fantastic beach of Playa del Muro. Next is the village of Alcúdia with its medieval walls and Roman ruins of Pollentia, and the spectacular bay of Pollença. And if you want a longer ride, then take the extension to Ermita de la Victoria. A final extension takes you to Ermita de la Victoria.
Lodging: Hotel THB Bamboo
September 21, Day 10 – Alcúdia – Ferry to Menorca
Rest Day or Ferry to Menorca
Relax at the hotel and beach today or for those looking for a non-cycling excursion, you can visit Mallorca's neighbor, the island of Menorca. It's a 75-minute ferry ride to Ciutadella, the former capital of Menorca. Once in Ciutadella take time to have a leisurely lunch at the one of the harborfront restaurants, get lost in the charming old town, visit the 14th-century Cathedral, head to the beach, or shop for your "Menorquinas," the fashionable sandals ("avarcas") of Menorca, before heading back to Alcúdia in the evening.
Lodging: Hotel THB Bamboo
September 22, Day 11 - Alcúdia to Cape of Formentor Lighthouse
42 km - 570 or 46 km - 310 m or 62 km - 990 m
Today's ride is all about cycling to the Cape of Formentor lighthouse. This is one of the most famous routes on the island and is truly spectacular riding with the impressive cliffs plunging into the deep blue sea. From June through October, cars are banned on the lighthouse road, making cycling the ideal way to visit. The road is well-paved and while the final climb is considered steep, it is manageable for most. Alternatively, take a ride to the beautiful village of Pollença, to enjoy a day on the seafront at Pollença with its beautiful promenade lined with pine trees, cafés and restaurants. You can also take a shorter ride to Cala Formentor and the Ermita de la Victoria on the shores of the Bahía de Pollença.
Lodging: Hotel THB Bamboo
September 23, Day 12 – Alcúdia to Port de Sóller
71 km - 1360 m
The mountains of Sierra de Tramuntana have some of the most spectacular scenery on the island. The first ascent leads to Lluc and its famous monastery. Then the famous descent of Sa Calobra, but we'll save this for the next day. It's one way. The land route leads through the beautiful villages of Fornalutx and Biniaraix before reaching Sóller and Port de Sóller.
Lodging: Hotel Marina & Wellness Spa
September 24, Day 13 – Port de Sóller and Ferry to Sa Calobra
41 km - 1,130 m or 26 km - 910 m
Today we take the ferry to Port de Sóller to ride up the world-famous climb of Sa Calobra and then back to Port de Sóller. The climb itself is less than 10 km, with an average gradient of 7% and 17 hairpin turns, including the iconic loop of Nus de sa Corbata (Knot of the Tie). Sa Calobra is Mallorcan for snake, and as you ride it, you will see why!
Lodging: Hotel Marina & Wellness Spa
September 25, Day 14 – Port de Sóller to Palma de Mallorca and Can Pastilla
52 km - 750 m or 73 km - 1,280 m
Our final ride takes us through more spectacular scenery of the Sierra de Tramuntana. Deià is one of the prettiest villages of the sierra and once home to the writer Robert Graves. Valldemossa was home to Chopin and the novelist George Sands. The stunning coastline and olive trees, orange, lemon and almond trees finally lead us to Palma de Mallorca and then along the coastal cycle path to return to Can Pastilla to reflect on a marvelous tour and to start making plans for our next visit to this beautiful island.
Lodging: Hotel THB El Cid
September 26, Day 15 – Departure from C'an Pastilla
Depart from C'an Pastilla, or maybe take an extra day or two just to relax and enjoy this lovely city.
The description listed here is a very good approximation of this trip but routes may change marginally to improve the trip experience. We are now taking bookings for this tour. If you are interested in this tour, please Contact Us for more information or check out our info page to see what's included on a Tandem Bicycle Tour.
Menorca
Ensaimada Mallorquina Pastry
Ciutadella
