A stone’s throw from Sóller, one of Spain’s prettiest towns, lies Biniaraix, an enchanting village that has succeeded in retaining the charm of its stone cottages, narrow streets, and steep slopes. The village’s unique beauty makes it an idyllic place. For this reason, the centre and the church have been designated Assets of Cultural Interest by Mallorca’s Island Council.
Biniaraix lies exactly 2 kilometres from Sóller, in the shadow of the Biniaraix Gorge, and belongs to two municipalities: Sóller and Fornalutx, and is known all over the island of Mallorca as a quiet village whose economy is linked to the production of oranges.
Traditionally, the main activity of the area was agriculture with orchard, vine and olive crops, and its heyday was during the nineteenth century, thanks to the production of citrus fruits. There was never any shortage of water, thanks to the torrent of waterfalls that runs through the Biniaraix Ravine. However, the agricultural industry fell into decline as many residents decided to emigrate to the south of France, where they set up businesses trading in fruit.
- A walk through Biniaraix’s historic quarter
- Barranco de Biniaraix [Biniaraix Gorge]
- Tramuntana mountains
- What to see around Biniaraix
- Where to eat in Biniaraix
A walk through Biniaraix’s historic quarter
A simple stroll around the historic centre of the village is enough to make visitors feel that they are taking a journey back in time. Biniaraix church, with its white-tiled bell tower, transports us back to the late sixteenth century, while the country estates of Cas Don and Can Ribera and the old public pools take us back to a more recent past, which is nonetheless remarkable and unique.
Naturally, we recommend you take a walk around the historic quarter to soak up the atmosphere of this lovely Mallorcan village and discover its most charming spots. No doubt, you will want to immortalise them on your Instagram, or to send a photo or two of this pretty village to those you love.
Barranco de Biniaraix [Biniaraix Gorge]
Close to Biniaraix (Mallorca) lies the remarkable gorge of the same name. The gorge is a karstic canyon formed by the action of water. Around the gorge, a great, dry stone path has been built — the Camí des Barranc which is protected as a Mallorca Asset of Cultural Interest. The slopes of the gorge are divided into small agricultural holdings devoted mainly to the cultivation of olive, carob and almond trees. From time immemorial, the Camí des Barranc has been the main line of communication between the Sóller and Fornalutx valley, the valleys of L’Ofre, Cúber, and Orient, and the monastery of Lluc. The path begins right at Biniaraix’s old laundry.
Tramuntana mountains
The Sierra de Tramontana (or Serra de Tramuntana) is the Balearic Islands’ principal mountain range. It is in the north-west of the island in the area around Biniarraix, and gives its name to one of the island’s counties, the capital of which is Sóller. It is such a beautiful area that in 2011, the mountain range’s cultural landscape was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its highest peak is Puig Mayor, which rises to 1,445 metres, followed by Puig de Massanella and another 53 peaks all above 1,000 metres.
What to see around Biniaraix
Biniarraix is a place that casts a spell over everyone who sees it. Its compact size means that it can be viewed in barely two or three hours, so you will have time to tour the area’s other tourist destinations that are well worth seeing, such as Fornalutx, Valldemosa and Deià. And if you feel like going for a dip, you can head for nearby Cala Biniaraix. So that you don’t miss anything, here are a few details:
Fornalutx. Less than 2 kilometres from Biniaraix and at the foot of Puig Mayor, the Sierra de Tramuntana’s highest peak, a charming town set among fabulous natural scenery. Its inclusion in the Spain’s Most Beautiful Towns association is fully justified. Until 1837, it formed part of the municipality of Sóller, and it has successfully retained its network of steeply sloping, picturesque streets with their exquisite stone houses. Our tour begins in the Plaza de España. Make sure you don’t miss the church, which dates back to the thirteenth century, or the Casal de Can Xorai, a stately mansion owned by the municipality, where nineteenth and twentieth century photographs of the town are displayed.
Valldemosa. Twenty-eight kilometres from Biniaraix is Valldemosa, another pretty town with steep, narrow streets. An outstanding feature is the thirteenth-century church in the centre. The town’s main tourist attractions are the Cartuja de Valldemosa [Charterhouse], and the legacy left by Chopin and his partner, the writer George Sand, when they stayed here. It was here that Chopin composed his ‘Preludes Op. 28’, and George Sand wrote ‘A Winter in Majorca’. But they were by no means the only famous guests, as Rubén Darío, Jorge Luis Borges, Jovellanos, and Santiago Rusiñol all visited here.
Around Biniaraix
Deià. Deià is one of Mallorca’s prettiest and most delightful towns. It is 13 kilometres from Biniaraix, between Valldemosa and Sóller, and it has something of a bohemian reputation, as lots of painters have settled here, finding inspiration in its steep, stone streets and its idyllic setting. It is worth stopping off in the Plaza de la Iglesia to visit the parish church of San Juan Bautista [St. John the Baptist], the town’s patron saint. Close to the church, there is a small viewing point with fine views of the Serra de Tramuntana. The writer Robert Graves is buried here, and there is a small museum devoted to him.
Where to eat in Biniaraix
As Biniaraix is such a small village, there is not a great deal of choice in terms of places to eat. You could try Café Es Barranc, which has a varied menu. They serve good meat and fish, or you could have a generous dish of pasta, salad and burgers. Or there’s Bar Bodega Biniaraix, which has been in business since 1930, where you can enjoy some of the area’s excellent cold meats, as well as good salads, Mallorcan soups, squid stuffed with spinach, and much more. If you need more options, you could head to the towns of Sóller or Fornalutx, which are just a short distance from Biniaraix.
