It looks like Tuscany, but it’s Mallorca

With just 600 inhabitants, Fornalutx has managed to maintain its authenticity in the face of the mass tourism that characterises other areas of the island. Its streets, flanked by traditional houses with green-painted wooden shutters and pots overflowing with bougainvillea and geraniums, create an atmosphere reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside, albeit with an unmistakable Mallorcan personality. The square is the epicentre of social life in Fornalutx. Surrounded by small cafés and traditional bars, it allows visitors to immerse themselves in the leisurely pace of local life while enjoying a coffee or an aperitif. It is undoubtedly the ideal starting point for exploring this municipality.

One of the most outstanding monuments is the Parròquia de la Nativitat de la Mare de Déu, a Gothic building with Baroque additions. Its tower, built in the 17th century, originally served defensive purposes and today offers privileged views over Sóller and the surrounding mountains.
As you stroll through the streets of Fornalutx, it is impossible not to stop and admire the numerous stately homes with their ancient coats of arms displayed on their façades.

These buildings, mainly constructed from marès (the characteristic Mallorcan sandstone), bear witness to the prosperous past of many local families over the centuries. The old public wash houses of Fornalutx are another of the municipality’s historical attractions. These carefully restored facilities provide a better understanding of what daily life was like in centuries past, when the inhabitants came to collect water directly from the Torrent de Fornalutx for their daily tasks.

For lovers of hiking and nature, this Mallorcan enclave offers numerous possibilities. Various trails lead from the town centre to natural viewpoints offering spectacular views of the Soller Valley, with its characteristic orange groves, and the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon. The famous Camí de Castelló is one of the most popular routes among hikers and visitors looking to combine history and nature.
Fornalutx’s location in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana is no minor factor in its tourist appeal. This mountain range, which runs through the north-west of Mallorca for around 90 kilometres, was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, particularly valuing the perfect integration between human activity and the natural environment over the centuries.

The ancient terraced farming systems, the network of water channels of Arab origin and the cobbled paths connecting different villages are some of the elements that have earned this international distinction. Fornalutx is one of the best-preserved examples of this wise adaptation to the land. Fornalutx’s gastronomic offering perfectly complements its architectural and scenic attractions. In its restaurants and bars, you can sample typical Mallorcan dishes such as pa amb oli, Mallorcan soups and frit mallorquín. Local products are the stars of a cuisine that keeps the island’s culinary traditions alive. Some establishments also offer the chance to enjoy these delicacies on terraces with panoramic views of the valley.