Torre del Verger

Torre del Verger is a 16th-century watchtower above the cliffs of Banyalbufar, on Mallorca's rugged west coast, standing right on the edge of the Serra de Tramuntana.

How do you get to Torre del Verger?

The tower sits on the C-710, the coastal road linking Banyalbufar and Estellencs, near kilometre marker 88.6. It's one of the most recognisable landmarks along this winding, scenic route down the island's west coast, and many drivers and cyclists pull over here simply because the stone tower silhouetted against the sea is impossible to miss. The spot fits naturally into a longer drive or walk connecting Banyalbufar, Estellencs and Valldemossa.

What will you see there?

The structure itself is a small, round defensive tower built from local stone, perched on a rocky outcrop above the water. The surrounding lookout is known as the Mirador de ses Ànimes, offering wide views over the Tramuntana cliffs and the open sea. The tower has recently been restored by the Consell de Mallorca together with the Banyalbufar town council, so both the structure and its immediate surroundings are in good condition today.

The tower's history

Torre del Verger was built in February 1579, part of a chain of coastal watchtowers Mallorca put up in response to frequent raids by pirates from North Africa and vessels of the Ottoman Empire. Similar towers went up all along the island's coastline during the same period, forming a continuous network of lookout points guarding the coastal settlements.

A link in the signal chain

The tower worked as a relay station in one of the most important smoke-and-fire signal networks on the Tramuntana coast. It received signals from the Sa Pòpia tower on the island of Sa Dragonera and passed them onward to the towers of Trinidad in Valldemossa, Pedrissa in Deià, and Pedrapicada at the port of Sóller. Smoke by day and fire by night let warnings of danger travel quickly across long stretches of coastline, without anyone having to ride the distance in person.

When should you visit?

The viewpoint is open year-round, and the light is best early in the morning or just before sunset, when it sharpens the contrast between the rock and the sea. Archduke Luis Salvador, the 19th-century scholar closely associated with Mallorca, considered the view from here among the finest on the island — a reputation that has lasted and still draws visitors today. It's worth timing a visit to avoid the busiest midday traffic on the C-710, when most tour groups pass through.

Frequently asked questions

When was Torre del Verger built? It was built in February 1579, part of the 16th-century network of coastal defence towers along Mallorca built against pirate raids.

What was the tower used for? It relayed warning signals — smoke by day, fire by night — connecting the tower on Sa Dragonera with towers in Valldemossa, Deià and the port of Sóller.

How do you get to Torre del Verger? It sits on the C-710 road between Banyalbufar and Estellencs, near kilometre 88.6.

What can you see from the viewpoint? Wide views over the cliffs of the Serra de Tramuntana and the open sea — a panorama Archduke Luis Salvador rated among the best on Mallorca.