LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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WHERE TO STAY ON THE DRY STONE ROUTE (GR221) IN MALLORCA.

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When planning your daily stages on the Dry Stone Route in Mallorca, one of the biggest decisions is where to stay. Many walkers don’t realise the route passes through such a variety of beautiful villages, or that there are multiple ways to plan each day depending on where you want to finish.

In this guide, I’ll set out all the main places to stay along the GR221, along with distances from Port d’Andratx to help you plan your stages more accurately.

What types of accommodation are available on the GR221?

The GR221 passes through some of the most popular villages in the Tramuntana mountains and begins and ends in scenic coastal towns, so there’s no shortage of places to stay.

Broadly, there are five types of accommodation along the route.

Firstly, there are refuges. These are run by the Mallorcan council and are best thought of as municipal mountain huts. They are simple, with dormitory-style rooms, but comfortable and affordable. Some are located in villages, while others sit in more remote mountain settings.

Secondly, there are hotels, mostly found in villages and towns. These offer the most flexibility for walkers who prefer private rooms.

You’ll also find apartments and Airbnbs in both villages and rural areas, along with a small number of private hostels aimed at hikers, such as the Sa Fita Backpackers Hostel in Esporles.

Finally, some walkers choose to camp. There is only one formal campsite on the route, located in Lluc, and we noticed campers were also allowed to stay in the grounds of Tossals Verds refuge. Otherwise, camping is wild, following leave no trace principles. It’s worth noting that wild camping is not technically legal in Mallorca, although most walkers don’t seem to encounter issues.

This guide focuses on refuges and private accommodation along the route, rather than camping.

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Port d’Andratx

Distance from Port d’Andratx: The start of the route, 0km.

What to expect: Port d’Andratx is a lively marina town and the official starting point of the GR221. Expect a relaxed but upscale coastal atmosphere, with yachts, waterfront restaurants and a steady buzz of activity, especially in peak season.

Accommodation options:

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Sant Elm

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 5.8miles/9.3km

What to expect: Sant Elm feels like a lovely hidden gem. It’s a quiet seaside village with crystal-clear waters and stunning views of Sa Dragonera island. The pace here is slow and peaceful, and we loved staying here after our first day of hiking.

Accommodation options:

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Finca Ses Fontanelles

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 14.5mi/ 23.5km

What to expect: A private hostel option, this refuge can be found in-between Sant Elm and Estellencs, offering a useful way to split up this day of walking.

Accommodation options: Finca Ses Fontanelles (book well in advance, this place is popular).

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Estellencs

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 26.5mi / 42.5km

What to expect: Estellencs is a small, authentic mountain village. It has a quiet, timeless feel, with narrow streets, stone houses and lovely views down to the coast. It’s far less touristy than some later stops, so expect a peaceful evening and some fabulous places to eat. Bar sa Tanca is well worth a visit – fantastic pasta dishes and tiramisu.

Accommodation options:

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Banyalbufar

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 30.5mi/ 49km

What to expect: Famous for its terraced hillsides and sea views, Banyalbufar is one of the most scenic villages on the route. Most walkers pass through here and don’t stay, which may be a missed opportunity. It’s a great option if you want to split up the long day between Estellencs and Esporles.

Accommodation options:

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Esporles

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 35mi / 56.5km

What to expect: Esporles marks a transition from coastal mountain villages to a more inland, lived-in town. It’s larger and more practical, with shops, cafés and a local feel. We loved the tree lined streets and the vibe – lots of hikers and cyclists.

Accommodation options:

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Valldemossa

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 41mi/66km

What to expect: Valldemossa is one of the most famous and picturesque villages in Mallorca, known for its cobbled streets, stone houses and cultural history. Expect more visitors here, especially during the day. Staying overnight lets you enjoy its charm once the crowds thin out.

Accommodation options:

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Deià

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 50mi / 80.5km

What to expect: Deià is a stunning and slightly bohemian village set dramatically between mountains and sea. Expect beautiful views, elegant surroundings and a more upscale vibe compared to other stops on the route.

In Deià you can stay in the Refuge Can Boi, or private accommodation.

Tip: Don’t leave it to chance, the refuge normally fills up in advance and accommodation in this village is expensive last minute.

Accommodation options:

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Refugi Muleta

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 57mi/92km

What to expect: Muleta is a more remote and peaceful stop near the coast, and the home of the Muleta refuge. Expect beautiful sea views and a smaller refuge. We loved our stay here.

Route considerations: The refuge is a 15 minute walk into Port de Soller. If you plan to spend the day at the beach, you can follow the GR221 trails directly to Port de Soller, then walk along the road to the refuge when you’re ready to check in.

Accommodation options:

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Port de Soller

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 59mi / 95km

What to expect: Port de Sóller was one of the best surprises for us, we hadn’t expected it to be so beautiful. A horse-shoe bay with calm waters and a lively promenade. It is well worth a visit.

Route considerations: If you don’t plan to stay at the Refugi Muleta, you can follow trail signs to walk directly to Port de Soller.

Accommodation options:

You can find our detailed guide to visiting Sóller and Port Sóller here.

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Sóller

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 62mi/98km

What to expect: Sóller is a vibrant town in a valley, surrounded by citrus trees and mountains. It’s one of the larger hubs on the GR221, with plenty of restaurants, shops and transport links. Expect a lively atmosphere, a beautiful central square, and a great place to take a rest day if needed.

Route considerations: You can follow trail signs to walk directly to Sóller, rather than hitting Port de Soller on route – ideal if you want to cut distance.

Accommodation options:

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Refugi Tossals Verds

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 73.5mi / 118km

What to expect: This is one of the most remote and rugged stops on the GR221. Surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, Tossals Verds offers a true hiking experience. We loved our stay here, we just wished we could have stayed another night!

Accommodation options:

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Lluc

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 82.5mi / 132.5km

What to expect: Lluc is a unique stop centred around the historic monastery, making it feel quite different from the other villages.

Accommodation options:

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Refugi Son Amer

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 83mi/133.5km

What to expect: Located in a quieter, more rural setting, Son Amer is 1km from Lluc and offers a calm and restful environment surrounded by forest. A lovely refuge with fantastic gardens and facilities.

Accommodation options:

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Pollença

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 94.5mi / 152km

What to expect: Pollença is a charming and historic town with a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. Expect attractive squares, lovely wine bars and a mix of hikers and holidaymakers.

Accommodation options:

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Port de Pollença

Distance from Port d’Andratx: 99mi / 159km

What to expect: The official (or alternative) end point for many walkers, Port de Pollença offers a satisfying finish by the sea. Expect a laid-back resort feel, a long beachfront promenade and a sense of accomplishment as you complete the GR221.

You can find our detailed guide to the best things to do in this town here.

Accommodation options:

You can find our detailed guide to visiting Port de Pollença here.

More GR221 guides

• Packing for the GR221
• FAQs guide
• Refuges on the GR221
• Our nine day itinerary

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Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.

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