In Mallorca, there is a paradise that you cannot miss. Yes, we are talking about the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant, a place that combines spectacular mountainous landscapes with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea.
This park extends over more than 17,000 hectares, combining mountainous landscapes, spectacular cliffs, hidden coves, and a biodiversity that will leave you speechless.
Declared a protected natural area, it is one of the most authentic, least touristy, and quiet corners of the island. And today we are here to tell you everything you need to know to plan your visit!
Where is the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant?
The Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant is located in the northeastern part of Mallorca. It covers part of the municipalities of Artà, Capdepera, Sant Llorenç, and Santa Margalida, covering a large part of the Sierra de Llevant.
In this park, some of the highest peaks in eastern Mallorca rise, such as Talaia Freda—564 m high—and Bec de Ferrutx—519 m—, which dominate the horizon and offer spectacular panoramic views.
This area is relatively remote and undeveloped. To the north, it borders the Bay of Alcúdia and to the east, the Mediterranean Sea. This translates into a unique combination of coastal and inland landscapes such as pine forests, holm oak groves, wild olive scrubland, dense areas of palm hearts, as well as flowers and herbs—Majorcan peony, stepp joana, rosemary, and thyme.
As a reward, this park is part of the European Natura 2000 network as a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) and a Site of Community Importance (SCI), because it also includes a marine reserve.
How to get to the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant
And now for the important part: how to get to the Parc Natural de Llevant. The most common way is by car. You should head towards Artà, which is about 70 km from Palma, and from here take the Ma-3333 road towards the Ermita de Betlem. After a few kilometers, you will see a detour towards s’Alqueria Vella, the main entry point to the park.
If you are not coming by car and are not planning to rent one either, don’t worry. You can also get there by public transport to Artà—there are several bus lines that connect Palma and other cities with this town—and from there take a taxi to the park.
Another option is to hire an organized excursion that includes transportation; some local companies offer hiking routes or guided tours of the Llevant peninsula.
In any case, keep in mind that the park is a natural area away from urbanized areas, so it is very important that you are clear about what the logistics will be.
What to see and do in the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant
The Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant is the best place on the island to enjoy outdoor experiences.
If you like untouched beaches, here you will find some of the most beautiful and hidden ones in Mallorca, such as Cala Torta, Cala Mitjana, or Cala Estreta, and other well-known ones such as Cala Mesquida or Cala Ratjada—which are very close—, with turquoise waters and fine, light sand.
Many of them remain practically wild and without any construction in their surroundings, so you can swim or snorkel in total tranquility.
Oh! And we can’t forget to recommend the S’Arenalet des Verger beach, a remote cove with golden sand that can only be accessed by walking.
Among the activities that we recommend is also visiting the historic town of Artà, discovering the Port de Alcúdia, or touring the Bay of Pollença.
And after that, tasting the typical food of Mallorca can be the perfect ending to your day.
Hiking routes to choose from
In addition to the routes through Mallorca that we have already told you about on other occasions, the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant has multiple signposted trails, thirteen of them official. By touring them, you can discover more viewpoints of Mallorca such as Sa Font Celada or S’Arenalet.
And if you are interested in photography or bird watching, take some binoculars: the Parc de Llevant is a Special Protection Area for Birds, home to birds of prey and many other species. With a little luck, you can spot a vulture, eagle, or cormorant in the sky.
Ermita de Betlem Route
A moderately difficult path that starts from the small urbanization of Betlem and ascends to its Ermita, an old monastery located on the side of the mountain. It is about 7 km of route—round trip—through paths surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, with magnificent views of the cliffs and the Bay of Alcúdia.
Circular route of s’Alqueria Vella
A circular itinerary of 5 km that begins and ends in the center of s “Alqueria Vella, the central point of the park. It is very well signposted and runs through the valley of s” Alqueria, passing through old cultivated lands and offering you beautiful panoramic views of the Bay of Alcúdia and the Ermita de Betlem.
Route to the beach of S’Arenalet des Verger
This route takes you to the spectacular virgin beach of S’Arenalet des Verger—which we have told you about before—.
The route is about 8 km and passes through very diverse landscapes: pine forests, sections with scrubland, and even through the historic Camí dels Presos, an old road built by prisoners of war in 1941.
Ascent to the Bec de Ferrutx
And here is a route designed for the most experienced hikers: climb the Bec de Ferrutx to get the best panoramic views of the island. The route runs between pine forests, rocks, and old charcoal burners’ paths. Once at the top, you can see the Cap de Formentor and even the silhouette of Menorca to the east. However, it is a journey with a lot of unevenness and irregular terrain.
Entrance and rules of the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant
Access to the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant is free; there is no charge to visit the park or to take its trails.
As for the rules, it is important to follow the indications to conserve the environment. The basics? Do not leave garbage, do not light fires or smoke in forest areas, do not camp, and try not to disturb the fauna.
And speaking of this, you should know that the park is a hunting refuge, which means that this practice is prohibited in the entire natural area. It is also not allowed to uproot plants, collect animals, or feed wildlife. In short: apply common sense, respect the space, and everything will be fine.
Is it worth visiting the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant?
Yes, it is definitely worth it. The Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant is one of those places that make you fall even more in love with Mallorca, because although it is not as well known as other Mallorcan parks, it offers you an unparalleled natural richness.
Prepare your backpack, open your eyes and lungs wide, and let yourself be amazed by the beauty of Llevant. Of course, do it from accommodation where you can rest soundly after touring the park from top to bottom.
And for that, you just have to click on this link and discover the houses, apartments, and villas that we have in Ideal Property.
The best natural park in Mallorca had to be accompanied by accommodation to match, right?