Puig de Bonany is a 318 m hill shared by three towns—Petra, Vilafranca de Bonany and Sant Joan—and a place of worship. For centuries, the reason to climb up here was to pray, go on a pilgrimage or, as happens today, enjoy the best views over the whole Pla de Mallorca.
It’s not a mountain in the strict sense of the word, but rather a pine-covered hill with dry farmland, yet its height is more than enough to make it one of Mallorca’s most sought-after natural viewpoints.
History of Puig de Bonany
In the 17th century, when the first chapel was built in honour of a carving of the Virgin found on the hill, Puig de Bonany became a meeting point for nearby towns.
And the building that’s there now? It’s the Ermita de Bonany, rebuilt between 1920 and 1925 after the previous sanctuary was destroyed by lightning.
Near the esplanade you’ll also find a stone cross—made by local craftsman Joan Vives Lliteras—erected in tribute to the last sermon Friar Junípero Serra gave in Mallorca before sailing to Mexico, where he would go on to found the missions that gave rise to cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.
And there’s something else that made it famous: a legend surrounding Puig de Bonany that says that, in 1609, the people of Petra climbed up here to pray for rain after several years of drought; it rained, and that became a “bon any”—a good year—hence the name of this place.
Over the centuries, that religious bond grew into something bigger and bigger, so that every year, on the third day of Easter—Tuesday—thousands of people from Petra, Vilafranca de Bonany, Sant Joan and other nearby towns climb up in pilgrimage to the sanctuary to celebrate what’s known as pancaritat. A mass is held and, afterwards, everyone sits down to eat outdoors, with panades and other typical Easter sweets.
The hiking route to the summit
The most common way up is on foot from Petra: around seven kilometres there and back, with an elevation gain that doesn’t reach 220 m—perfectly manageable for almost any fitness level.
What’s more, the path alternates flat stretches with others that take you into pine woods, almond groves and carob trees, the species that cover Puig de Bonany. You won’t be short of shade, even on hot days!
If you’d rather switch up your starting point, you can also go up from Vilafranca de Bonany or from Sant Joan, the other two towns that share borders with this hill. All three routes meet at the top, on the sanctuary’s esplanade, and none is difficult. It’s up to you!
Flora and fauna of Puig de Bonany
The landscape you’re about to walk through is typical of the Pla de Mallorca. That means that on the lower part of Puig de Bonany you’ll come across dry farmland, while on the upper part pines and wild olive trees (oleasters) predominate.
In this mix of large trees it’s easy to come across species typical of the island such as mastic, Italian buckthorn, myrtle or strawberry tree, as well as climbers like sarsaparilla.
It’s not a specially protected area, but you should look after it as if it were. What’s more, Puig de Bonany has been the subject of cartography studies for its value as a representative sample of inland Mallorca’s vegetation.
As for wildlife, the most common thing is to come across birds typical of Mediterranean scrubland such as kestrels and wood pigeons—as well as silence and tranquillity.
Views from the summit of Puig de Bonany
We can’t tell you in just a few lines what the views are like—you have to pack your bags and come and see for yourself. From the sanctuary’s esplanade, at 317 m above sea level, you’ll have a good part of the Pla de Mallorca in front of you and, if the day is clear, the silhouette of the Serra de Tramuntana in the background.
And if, while looking for more information or photos, you realise that the Puig de Bonany viewpoint barely shows up in tourist guides, it’s because it’s still one of the island’s best-kept secrets among locals themselves.
The three towns that share Puig de Bonany
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Petra
Petra is the best known, above all for being the birthplace of Friar Junípero Serra. It’s small—barely 3,000 inhabitants—but it holds more history than it seems, starting with the Church of Sant Pere—one of the largest in Mallorca—where Friar Junípero Serra himself was baptised on the very day he was born.
And if you still have time, don’t leave without stopping by the Teatre Municipal Es Quarter, the former Guardia Civil barracks turned into one of the island’s most beloved cultural venues. It hosts theatre, dance, magic shows and concerts all year round at prices you’ll love.
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Vilafranca de Bonany and Sant Joan
Vilafranca de Bonany is famous for its melons and its agricultural fair—held every year in September—and Sant Joan is known for several wineries and wine estates scattered around its surroundings. You can visit Bodega Blanca Terra, Es Figueral Nou or Finca Els Calderers. Time for a tasting and a guided tour, right?
Climb Puig de Bonany on your next visit to Mallorca
A natural viewpoint over the Pla de Mallorca, a sanctuary with centuries of history, and so many traditions behind this mound that makes up Puig de Bonany.
And very close to it, just a few kilometres away, we’ve got the perfect accommodation you’re looking for to take a trip through inland Mallorca. All you have to do is click here and in a couple of minutes you’ll have your apartment, house or villa for your stay in Mallorca, Ideal Property style: with all the comforts!