Alaró Castle

The distinctive butte-shaped twin peaks of Alaró and Alcadena loom over the pretty village of Alaró in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains. From here, there are a number of popular hiking trails, the best known being the walk up to the buildings on the Puig d'Alaró.

You don't have to walk the whole way - there's a narrow and twisting road up to the Es Verger farm, home of the now famous restaurant specialising in slow roasted lamb dishes, and after that to the parking area at Es Pouet. However, you'll have to walk the last part - twenty minutes or so along the old cobbled path.

It may be worth staying the night at the 17th century hostelry (S'Hostatgeria del Castell d'Alaró), managed by the Fundació Castell d'Alaró as part of the dry stone route. It's open all year and offers bedrooms, a restaurant and a bar - more details and bookings at +34 971 182 112.

Although there are talaiotic sites on the peak, and indications of Roman fortifications, the first written references to Alaró castle appear in the Muslim period from the 10th to the 13th centuries. The castle fell into disuse and decay in the 15th century. There are a number of entertaining legends about events involving the castle, the views are magnificent, and the place itself fascinating.