Is Lluc Monastery worth visiting?
Review and all you need to know about Mallorcas number 1 Sanctuary
Want to find out if Lluc Monastery is worth a visit? I’ve got you covered.
There are lots of reasons why the answer is: yes! Mallorca’s famous pilgrimage site is not only a place of spiritual significance, but also a perfect starting point for fantastic hikes in the stunning Serra Tramuntana.
It is also the oldest and most venerated Marian monastery in the Balearic Islands!
The only valid reason to skip that visit is if you only have 3 days or 4 days on the island and no car available.
I have visited Lluc several times and have walked many of the region’s beautiful trails surrounding that spiritual place. For me, it is one of the best places on the island, esoecially if you are into hiking.
Read on and find out all you need to know about that pilgrimage site. Afterwards you will know why Lluc monastery is definitely worth a visit.
Lluc Monastery in Mallorca – Overview
The Monastery of Lluc in Mallorca, more correctly known as the “Santuari de Santa Maria de Lluc”, has its origins in the 13th century and was the first Marian monastery in the Balearic Islands.
The first chapel of the Santuari de Lluc was built in 1230. Since Lluc is administered by religious priests and not monks, the word monastery is actually incorrect. Santuaria, which means “sanctuary”, would be more correct in this case.
The most important pilgrimage site in Mallorca is located at 525 meters above sea level. It lies peacefully amidst the Tramuntana Mountains, which have been declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
The monastery of Lluc attracts visitors from all over the world with its impressive architecture and spiritual atmosphere.
The surrounding nature of the Serra Tramuntana offers outdoor lovers some of the best hikes in Mallorca: A variety of routes, from leisurely strolls to challenging mountain hikes.
Today, the Lluc monastery is home to a boarding school, a museum, the municipal administration and some tourist facilities.
The former monastery cells have been converted to comfortable guest rooms, and there are also several restaurants and shops for food and souvenirs.
I have actually stayed in Lluc monastery for 5 days during one of my visits in Mallorca as it is a great starting point if you want to hike in the Tramuntana mountains.
Interesting: Every year, on the first Saturday of August, the “Marxa des Güell a Lluc a peu” pilgrimage takes place. Thousands of people walk from the island’s capital Palma de Mallorca, 48 km away, to Lluc to pay their respects to the Virgin Mary statue.
Lluc Monastery things to see
Basilica of the Lluc Monastery
The church of Lluc, completed in 1691, has had the honorary title of “basilica” since 1962. and was renovated in the 20th century by Antoni Gaudí. In one of the side chapels at the back of the hermitage is the statue of the “Mare de Déu de Lluc”, the Black Madonna.
Made of dark stone, she is also called “The Black” or “The Dark-skinned” (La Morenata) for her dark skin.
The patron saint of Mallorca is the destination of many pilgrims from all over the world who come to the monastery of Lluc. Almost one million visitors every year. The original statue of the Virgin from the legend of the monastery’s origins disappeared in the Middle Ages; today the faithful pray to a statue that was made in Belgium in 1520.
Do not miss: Every day at 11:00 a.m. (except during school vacations), the “Els Blauets”, students from the music boarding school located in the monastery, sing the “Salve” for all the faithful. It is probably the best and most famous children’s choir in Spain and exists since 1532.
Lluc Monastery Museum
The Lluc Monastery Museum houses regional handicrafts and archaeological finds. There are exhibits on the Talyot culture, various musical instruments, weapons, ceramics, traditional costumes, paintings, and other everyday objects.
The Cometa des Morts necropolis, located near the Lluc monastery, is the source of many of the exhibits in the museum. There is also contemporary art by the spanish painter Josep Coll Bardolet.
Museum Lluc Monastery
Opening times: Daily 10:00am – 2:00pm
Price: € 4.00 per person
Cami dels Misteris to Calvary
The “Path of the Mysteries” takes you on a short, easy walk to the Calvary.
The short path starts in the main square. It takes about 15-20 minutes to reach the beautiful viewpoint if you walk at a leisurely pace.
Along the way, there are five groups of sculptures designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí.
From the viewpoint, which is topped by an iron cross, you can admire the surrounding mountains of the Serre Tramuntana and the monastery of Lluc below.
Sundial
This interesting sundial from 1991 measures 3.20 x 1.80 meters. It has five different dials.
In the middle there is a dial for the current time in Mallorca, on the right there are two dials for Central European Time (CET) and Central European Summer Time (CST).
The upper right dial shows the canonical sundial for prayer times, and the lower left dial shows the Babylonian hours.
Other things to see on the monastery grounds
The grounds of the Lluc Monastery in Mallorca offer many other interesting sights. These include a small botanical garden, a tourist information center, and many beautiful benches and picnic areas.
My tip: Lluc monastery is a very famous place on the island. Avoid the weekends and if possible come early in the morning or late in the afternoon for your visit as during the day the holy site is crowded.
Hikes from the Lluc Monastery
The monastery of Lluc, in the middle of the beautiful Serre Tramunana, is an excellent starting point for walks and hikes. It is especially beautiful during the colder months of the year, when there are fewer tourists on the island.
The Lluc sanctuary is also one of the stages of the most famous Mallorcan long-distance hiking trail, the GR-221.
Here is just a small selection of the hiking options in this beautiful region of Mallorca:
Lluc stone forest hike
The “outward route” of this beautiful, shady hike follows the popular GR-221, which crosses the entire Serra de Tramuntana in 8-13 days.
Follow the signposts towards Pollenca, to the first stage destination, the Refugi Son Amer. Passing an old mill, the trail winds up the wooded hills.
From the beautifully renovated refuge, the ascent is totally rewarded with a magnificent view of the Lluc monastery.
The GR-221 stays in the forest for a long time. The trail is very relaxed until you reach the educational center of Binifaldó. The forest will open up allowing you a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.
Here you will leave the long distance trail and turn left towards the monastery.
Along the way there are many strange stone figures created by erosion. The most famous of these is the “Camel”, which you will pass before the stony trail returns to the monastery grounds.
⇨ This hike is ideal for hot and sunny summer days as it is nice and shady!
Lluc stone forest hike
Lenght: 9,5km / 5,9miles
Altitude meter: ↑ 250 / ↓ 250
Difficulty: intermediate
Route details tracked with Komoot
Torrent de Pareis hike
The most difficult and challenging hike in Mallorca is passing through the impressive gorge of Torrent de Pareis. The spectacular canyon stretches between 200m (656ft) high cliffs down to the beautiful beach of Sa Calobra.
The starting point is the restaurant Escorca (coordinates via Google Maps), but it is also possible to start from the monastery of Lluc. The hike will then be longer by approx. 1 hour.
There are no real trails inside the gorge. Cairns and faded arrows on the large boulders indicate a possible “path”. It is not uncommon to have to scramble and climb over large rocks and boulders to get ahead.
Once you reach Sa Calobra cove, you have more than earned a swim in the turquoise waters! In the afternoon, the bus will take you back to the monastery.
This hike is NOT a walk in the park and can be life-threatening . Please check the weather and the water level in the canyon. You must also be sure-footed and able to make small jumps.
My Tip: As the hike is an absolute highlight, I recommend joining a small guided group with a local mountain guide for anyone who is unsure whether they can complete it alone.
⇨ Check here availability for your hiking experience through the Torrent de Pareis with a hiking guide
Torrent de Pareis hike
Lenght: 10,7km / 6,6miles
Altitude meter: ↑ 70 / ↓ 470
Difficulty: difficult
Route details tracked with Komoot
Monastery of Lluc to Pollenca on GR-221
The hike on the official 10th stage of the GR-221 from the monastery of Lluc to Pollenca is quite long, but very easy to walk. And it is almost all downhill.
The only ascent is right at the beginning, to the Refugi Son Amer. From there you have another beautiful view of the Lluc Monastery before entering the forest.
It is not for nothing that the GR-221 is also called the Dry Stone Wall Trail. The shady trail runs along many of these walls on this stretch.
Around the Binifaldó educational center the forest lightens a bit before the path enters the stone forest again.
On wide and winding forest paths you will reach the plain and walk parallel to large fields. The mountains are now behind you and without realizing it, you will have descended over 700 meters.
My fear of having to walk the last part of the way on the main road to Pollenca is not realized. A narrow path leads close to the road, but just below it, next to a small river.
Info: People who have been hiking the entire GR221 find this stage rather boring. This is because they have already experienced the fantastic mountain streches with the magnificent views.
⇨ If you haven’t hiked the GR-221, if you like long, easy, wooded trails and if you don’t want to think too much while hiking, then this hike is for you!
You can return to the Lluc Monastery from Pollenca by bus, which runs this route 4 times a day (only in summer!).
Lluc – Pollenca (on GR221)
Lenght: 20km / 12,4miles
Altitude meter: ↑ 320 / ↓ 750
Difficulty: intermediate or difficult due to the lenght
Route details tracked with Komoot
Rother Walking Guide Mallorca
The Rother Walking Guide Mallorca is the fantastic resource where I find most of my walks, hikes or hiking ideas.
✅70 coastal and mountain walks
✅Every route with GPS data to download
✅264 pages in packetsize; ideal for backpacks
Where to stay in Lluc Monastery
The monastery of Lluc is an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding mountains. It is worth staying in the former cells of the monastery, which are now much more comfortable.
There are 81 single and double rooms, as well as 39 apartments in the so-called guest wing, which range from very basic to very good standard and therefore have significant price differences.
The rooms have a beautiful view of the mountains or the shrine itself. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, 3 restaurants, 2 bars and 1 café, so you don’t have to go out for dinner.
In order to get around you do have a bus stop in front of the monastery and a big parking lot but please be aware that Lluc, due to its remote location, is not the ideal location without a car to base yourself.
You should book early and way in advance, as the sanctuary belongs to the very popular places for hikers and bikers and often fully booked, especially in summer!
⇨ Check rates and avaiability here
How to get to Lluc
Travel time to the monastery of Lluc from Palma de Mallorca by cais less than an hour. Take the MA-13 highway to Inca and then the MA2130 and many hairpin bends to Lluc. From Alcúdia’s beaches the Sanctuary is only a 30 minute drive away.
For overnight guests to the monastery, the parking fee is €4.00 per night. The price for day visitors is €6.00 per car.
My tip: If you don’t mind a few minutes’ walk, you can also use the free parking lot of the Refugi Son Amer on the Ma-10 at km 19.5!
If you are in Mallorca without a car, you can reach Lluc as well by bus. If you are visiting Mallorca in winter, there is only the connection from Palma. Take the 302 to Inca and change there into Bus 312.
In summer Lluc is additonally connected to Port de Soller / Soller, Alcudia and Port de Pollenca / Pollenca via Bus 231.
FAQ’s
What is the altitude of Lluc?
The Monastery of Lluc is located 525 meters above sea level in the Tramuntana mountain range, 34 kilometers northeast of the island’s capital, Palma de Mallorca.
What are the Lluc monastery opening times?
Opening times for the sanctuary in summer are from 10.00am to 6.00pm. Winter opening times are from 10.00am to 17.00pm.
When does the choir sing in Lluc Monastery?
The former boys’ choir “Blauets de Lluc”, with origins in the 13th century, can be heard daily at 13:15 (including weekends and holidays) in the Lluc monastery. Originally 6 boys in the 16th century, the famous choir now consists of forty boys and girls.
Conclusion: Is Lluc monestary worth visiting
There is lots to see and lots do to in and around the oldest and most venerated Marian monastery in the Balearic Islands. It holds significant cultural and spiritual value as a pilgrimage site, with a history that dates back to the 13th century.
Additionally, its location offers the opportunity to explore the surrounding natural beauty, with numerous hiking trails of breathtaking views of the Mallorcan landscape.
At the latest when you are on site, you will understand why this spiritual place is definitely worth a visit.
