Mallorca Mediterranean Road Bike Tour

This is a self-guided loop around Mallorca, one of the world's premier road cycling destinations and a favourite training ground for professional riders. From the beachfront base of Ca'n Pastilla, the route heads south-east along the Bahía de Palma before turning inland through windmill-dotted countryside to the hilltop Santuari de Cura and Santuari de Monti-Sion, finishing at the beach resort of Colonia de Sant Jordi.

The route continues past the Roman salt works at Ses Salines and the beach of Cala Mondragó to Porto Cristo, with its underground boat trip through the Cuevas del Drac, then on to Cala Ratjada via the Rafael Nadal Academy at Manacor and the stalactite caves of Artà. A ride past the medieval streets of Artà and the wetlands of the Parc Natural de S'Albufera leads to Port de Pollença, with an optional day out to the dramatic cliffs of Cape Formentor.

The tour's centrepiece is the Sierra de Tramuntana: an ascent to the monastery at Lluc, then the legendary one-way descent (and return climb) of Sa Calobra, one of the most famous climbs in the world, before reaching Port de Sóller via the villages of Fornalutx and Biniaraix. The final stage passes through Deià and Valldemossa, once home to Robert Graves and Chopin respectively, along the dramatic Tramuntana coastline back to Palma de Mallorca and Ca'n Pastilla.

Highlights:

• Santuari de Cura and Santuari de Monti-Sion hilltop viewpoints
• Underground boat trip through the Cuevas del Drac at Porto Cristo
• Cuevas de Artà and the castle of Capdepera
• Optional ride to the Cape Formentor lighthouse
• The legendary Sa Calobra descent and climb in the Sierra de Tramuntana
• Villages of Deià and Valldemossa, once home to Robert Graves and Chopin

Surface and terrain:
Sealed roads throughout. PDF describes the tour as "generally easy to intermediate," though this appears templated given the Sa Calobra climb and 130 km days. Route options on 5 of 7 riding days. Road, gravel and e-bike rentals available.

Weather:
Mallorca enjoys mild temperatures year-round; July and August can be hot and humid. Spring and autumn are the ideal cycling seasons.

Suitable for:
Self-guided cyclists comfortable with genuinely demanding days, including the Sa Calobra climb, though shorter route options on most days make it adaptable for less experienced riders too.