Almond Blossom in Mallorca: Where and When to See It

There are plenty of places to see and photograph almond blossom in Mallorca, from short walks near Palma to quiet roads linking villages at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana. Here are some of the places we like to visit, with options for exploring on foot, by bike or by car.

When do almond trees blossom in Mallorca?

We usually see almond blossom from late January through much of February. The fields turn white, with splashes of pink in places. Exactly when the flowers open depends on the variety and the weather that winter, so two orchards in the same area can be at different stages.

In Japan, the custom of viewing flowers is known as hanami and is most often associated with cherry blossom. In Spain, the Jerte Valley is one of the best-known places to see flowering cherry trees. In Mallorca, we have our own version, with almond orchards, terraces and mountains in the background.

White and pink almond blossom

Mallorca’s mild Mediterranean climate helps the trees flower in the middle of winter. The petals range from white to pink depending on the variety. Flower colour alone won’t tell you whether the tree produces sweet or bitter almonds.

If you’re in Mallorca with the family at this time of year, it’s a good excuse to get out into the countryside. On foot you can pick out the different shades from the path, something you can easily miss from the car.

Almonds in Mallorca

Many varieties of almond are grown in Mallorca. Almond trees have played an important role in the island’s rural economy and still shape the landscape, though some orchards have fallen out of use.

Almonds are used in cooking and in cosmetics. Almond growing expanded particularly towards the end of the 19th century, when phylloxera affected Mallorca’s vineyards and some of the land was planted with almond trees.

If you’d like to try the local almonds, look for gató, a traditional almond sponge cake served for dessert in many restaurants on the island. Another favourite of ours is the almond ice cream (in Spanish) at Can Joan de S’Aigo. The name Ametlla de Mallorca, or Almendra de Mallorca, has been registered as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) since 2014.

Where to see almond blossom in Mallorca

You can drive, cycle or walk, depending on how far everyone feels like going. It’s a lovely outing to share with children and grandparents. These are the areas we usually suggest.

1. Serra de Tramuntana. Its cultural landscape has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. The countryside around Valldemossa, Sóller (in Spanish) and Deià is a good place to start. Several of our Mallorca walks pass almond trees growing beside the paths and terraces.
2. Central Mallorca and the Raiguer. From Palma, try Marratxí, Bunyola, Consell or Santa Maria del Camí. Further out are Sencelles, Inca, Lloseta, Selva and Moscari. Country lanes run between many of these villages and the scenery changes as you go.
3. Llucmajor. There are almond orchards in the surrounding countryside. Take the minor roads and look for somewhere you can park safely and legally before stopping for photos.
4. Calvià in the south-west. You can see almond orchards along the drive between Santa Ponça and Es Capdellà. If you’d rather walk, try the nature trail from Peguera to Es Capdellà (in Spanish).
5. Eastern Mallorca. Look for almond blossom around Manacor, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar and Son Servera. Son Servera also holds the almond blossom fair described below.
6. Raixa and Raixeta. Off the Sóller road is Raixa (in Spanish), a country estate in Bunyola with an Italian-style courtyard and gardens climbing the hillside of sa Muntanyeta. The estate houses an interpretation centre and admission is free. The short walk towards Raixeta (in Spanish) starts at the car park and passes an almond orchard on the first stretch.
7. Palma. You can also look for almond trees near the monastery at Es Secar de la Real, around Son Sardina and at Son Espanyol, near ParcBit. We describe our walk from there below.
8. Views from above. For a broader view of the patchwork of fields, try the Sant Salvador sanctuary in Felanitx, the Bonany hermitage or Puig de Randa. For close-up photos of the blossom, choose one of the walks past the orchards.

Many almond trees grow on private land. Take photos from public paths and, if you’re driving, park only where permitted and where you can leave the road clear.

Son Servera’s almond blossom fair

The Fira de la Flor d’Ametler usually takes place in early February in the grounds of Ca s’Hereu. The estate was formed when the old Binicanella estate was divided in the 15th century. Stalls feature almond products and displays of different varieties, and some years there’s an exhibition of old farm machinery. The Son Servera town council publishes the date and programme for each fair.

Walk from ParcBit to Establiments

From the outdoor gravel car park next to the school near ParcBit, a track leads towards Establiments. Allow about 40 minutes each way. From Palma, you can also take the M1 metro to ParcBit.

The first almond orchard is right beside the car park. The walk passes the entrance to Granja Angus Son Mayol and the Can Mayol winery. For directions, see our ParcBit to Establiments walk (in Spanish).

A circular walk from Selva via Caimari, Binibona and Moscari

For a longer walk past the almond orchards, start in Selva, go through Caimari and Binibona, then return via Moscari. Our route is about 10.8 km and takes roughly two and a half hours on foot, plus time for photos. It follows minor roads shared with vehicles. You can also drive the circuit and stop at designated parking spots.

Along the way you pass several country estates, some with almond orchards. You can walk just part of the route and return the same way. For a shorter outing, try the short walk from Caimari to Binibona (in Spanish).

February gives us just a few weeks to enjoy the almond blossom. Sometimes a short walk is enough to find a lovely orchard. If you bring your camera, you’ll probably be out longer than you planned.

Routes at a glance