Establiments · Cycling
The Carretera d'Esporles is one of the most-ridden corridors on Mallorca. Three routes, and where to refuel.
Anyone who has ridden in Mallorca knows the Carretera d'Esporles. It's the natural climb out of Palma toward the Tramuntana — the warm-up before Esporles, Valldemossa, Banyalbufar, and every col in the range. Establiments sits exactly on that corridor: about twenty minutes' riding from Palma centre, the first place to catch your breath before the real gradients start.
That's why so many bikes pass the front door of Es Muntant. And why — after years of watching sweaty groups roll in for a daily menu and a refill of bidons — we've made a clear recommendation: if you climb the sierra and come down hungry, this is a good place to stop.
The most-photographed loop on the island. Out of Palma along Avenida d'Andrea Doria, gentle climb to Establiments on the MA-1100, sustained climb through olive groves to Esporles, then the final ramp to Valldemossa. Back the same way, or — if the legs are still there — down to Banyalbufar and along the coast to Andratx. Moderate traffic, decent tarmac.
For riders with serious legs. Up through Esporles, across to Puigpunyent, attack on the Coll des Grau, descent past the Galatzó back to Establiments. One of the better paint-to-traffic ratios in the whole sierra. Bring food — between Esporles and home there's not much.
For quiet mornings or for riders who want kilometres without a fight. Out toward Son Sardina, across the old Son Berga finca, back along secondary roads. Under two hours, leaves time for a long lunch.
We don't run a separate "cyclist's menu" — we run the regular menu and a daily lunch menu Wednesday to Saturday, and recommend things based on what you've ridden. After a hard morning — Galatzó, Puig Major, Sa Calobra — the daily menu (a starter of soup or pulses, a protein main, a dessert) puts you back together better than any energy bar. After a shorter spin, the variat mallorquí (eight traditional tapas on one plate) or a frito mallorquín with lamb does the job.
For groups, a heads-up the day before helps — if there are six or more of you, ordering the arroz brut, paella mixta, or paella negra in advance saves the 25 minutes the rice needs. Bike rack out front, water for bidons, kitchen open until 16:00 (grill until 16:30).