Jardines de Alfàbia

Jardines de Alfàbia is a historic estate in Bunyola, at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range on Mallorca, combining a garden, a former manor house and a 12th-century oil mill. It is one of the oldest and most recognisable garden estates on the island, reflecting centuries of the region's history.

Where does the estate come from?

The roots of Jardines de Alfàbia go back to the Arab period, when a Moorish farmstead already stood on this site. Its known owner was Ben Abet, a Muslim vizier. After the Christian conquest of Mallorca by Jaume I, the estate was not destroyed or abandoned — Ben Abet reached an agreement with the new rulers, allowing the property to survive the change of power and continue developing. In the 18th century, two noble Mallorcan families united their lineages, which led to the estate's expansion and gave it a more monumental character. Much of today's decoration and artistic layout dates from this period.

What can visitors see in the gardens?

The gardens of Alfàbia blend three gardening traditions — Moorish, Italian and English. The terraced layout is planted with palm trees and citrus groves, complemented by numerous water features typical of Arab garden design, in which water served both an aesthetic and a symbolic role. The most recognisable feature of the estate is a pergola supported by 72 columns and fitted with 24 stone water jets, forming a distinctive, rhythmic water display that has become one of the hallmarks of Jardines de Alfàbia.

What can be found inside the manor house?

The manor house, whose origins date back to the 12th century, today functions as a small museum. Visitors can see historical furnishings and a valuable library that has survived through successive generations of the estate's owners. The grounds also preserve an old oil mill, showcasing traditional, historical methods of oil production — a testament to the estate's agricultural character before it became a tourist destination.

Why is Jardines de Alfàbia worth visiting?

This is a place where garden architecture, history and local agricultural tradition meet in a single location. The estate's layered history — from an Arab farmstead, through a noble residence, to today's garden open to visitors — makes a walk through Alfàbia both a lesson in Mallorca's history and an opportunity to see one of the island's most distinctive Mediterranean gardens.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Jardines de Alfàbia located? In Bunyola, at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana on Mallorca.

How old is the estate? Its roots go back to the Arab period, and the manor house dates from the 12th century; the gardens gained their current, more monumental form in the 18th century.

What is the most distinctive feature of the gardens? A pergola with 72 columns and 24 stone water jets, creating a unique water display.

Is there anything to see beyond the garden itself? Yes — the manor house functions as a museum with historical furnishings and a library, and the grounds preserve an old oil mill.