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Alaró

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Beyond the market town – a walk through the hill country

The modest elevation of Alaró masks a network of gentle ridges that lead into the heart of Mallorca’s interior. A short drive north of the town centre brings you to a series of limestone pathways that overlook the agricultural plains of the Raiguer region. While the main street offers the usual cafés and weekly market, the surrounding countryside rewards cyclists and walkers with quiet lanes lined with almond trees and stone terraces that have been cultivated for generations. Early autumn, when the almond blossoms have faded but the grapes are swelling, is an especially rewarding time to experience these routes, as the light softens and the scent of earth lingers after a brief rain.

A culinary detour: tasting the farmhouse pantry

Alaró’s modest size means it has escaped the tourist‑driven restaurant boom that characterises many Balearic coastal towns. Instead, a handful of family‑run eateries still source directly from nearby farms, serving up dishes that showcase local produce such as heirloom tomatoes, wild fennel and sobrassada made in small batches. The town’s weekly market, held on Tuesdays, is the ideal place to barter for fresh figs or a bottle of Mallorcan olive oil, then take them back to a modest rural gîte for an impromptu picnic. Comparing this experience to the more polished seaside venues highlights how Alaró preserves a slower, agrarian rhythm that is increasingly rare on the island.

When to linger: the quiet winter months

Most visitors to the Balearics schedule their trips for sun‑soaked summer, but Alaró offers a different kind of appeal during the cooler months. With temperatures rarely dipping below ten degrees Celsius, the town’s historic stone houses retain a pleasant warmth, and the surrounding hills often catch a veil of mist that adds a contemplative atmosphere to early morning walks. Local festivals, such as the feast of Saint James in early July, are less crowded, allowing travellers to engage more intimately with residents. The off‑peak period also means accommodation rates drop, making it an economical base for exploring the island’s interior without sacrificing comfort.

Introduction

Municipality and town in Balearic Islands, SpainAlaróMunicipality and town Coat of armsMunicipal locationAlaróLocation in MallorcaShow map of MallorcaAlaróAlaró (Balearic Islands)Show map of Balearic IslandsAlaróAlaró (Spain)Show map of SpainCoordinates: 39°42′24″N 2°47′27″E / 39.70667°N 2.79083°E / 39.70667; 2.79083Country SpainAutonomous community Balearic IslandsProvinceBalearic IslandsIslandMallorcaComarcaRaiguerJudicial districtIncaGovernment • AlcaldeLlorenç Perelló (2019) (PP)Area • Total45.72 km2 (17.65 sq mi)Elevation252 m (827 ft)Population (2025-01-01) • Total6,121 • Density133.9/km2 (346.7/sq mi)DemonymsAlaroner, alaroneraTime zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal code07340WebsiteOfficial website Alaró (Catalan pronunciation: [ələˈɾo]) is a small municipality in the district of Raiguer on Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands in Spain.

History

[edit] Alarò's origin dates back to the Islamic period. The documented history begins in the thirteenth century, during the reconquest of Mallorca, with its Castillo de Alaro being the center of this. The Castillo de Alaro was built by Christian inhabitants to ward off invasions from pirates. The town was the first to have an urban electricity network on the island. This event happened on August 15, 1901. Currently, electric distribution is unified with the rest of the island, but as a sign of how important it was for the island of Mallorca, on May 8, 2000, the Consell Insular de Mallorca marked the tower of the old factory as a monument of cultural interest.

Country estates

[edit] The municipality's most characteristic image is that of the twin peaks, Castell and s Álcadena, which inspired numerous legends about kings and witches. This panorama is a landmark when entering the village from Consell. However it is also possible to reach Alaro by taking the secondary Ragieur road, the Santa Maria road or by way of Lloseta where there is another kind of scenery to enjoy, perhaps not so spectacular but certainly picturesque. There are many country estates along these secondary roads, evidence of the rural economy that existed until the advent of tourism: Son Antelm and Son Fiol, on the Santa Maria road, Sa Teulera, on the Coanegegre-Alaro road, Son Penyaflor and Son Curt on the Castell road. Son Palou was an important family of the area. Manor Son Palou was their country estate. Son Forteza, Son Guitart and Son Grau are on the way to Lloseta.

Economy

[edit] One of the most important economic activities in Alaró for years was the shoe industry. Alaró municipality once had up to 30 factories and more than 2000 people dedicated to this activity. Today, that industry has been reduced to a minimum, with only one major company in that sector. There were also important lignite mines, now closed, relevant to the activities of electricity generation and distribution. For some time they belonged to the electric company GESA (now part of the Endesa group). Today, the town of Alaró, like many others on the island has become a commuter town, with most of its inhabitants working in the capital of the island (Palma de Mallorca).