Lluc Voyage Tips and guide

Santuari de Lluc is a pilgrimage destination in Serra de Tramuntana, the mountain range along the northwest coast of Mallorca. It's also a stop-over for secular hikers on the mountain trails, and the monastery-basilica has become encrusted by a hotel, restaurants and souvenir shops. It has a residential school for choirboys, but that's not open to the public. In 2023 the resident population was all of 22.

A shrine existed here in the time of the Romans, who called it Lucus after a sacred grove near Rome. From 1229 AD the Moors were ousted from Mallorca by James I of Aragon, and the new overlords were determined to stamp a Christian identity on the island; this area was awarded to the Knights Templar. In 1250 a shepherd boy (conveniently called Lucas or Lluc) found a small statue of the Virgin Mary by the stream here; his parents were Moorish converts to Christianity. In legend he took it to the parish church at Escorca, but overnight it disappeared and returned to where it was found. This wonder was repeated twice, so they build a shrine to house it on the original spot. Over the years this grew into a chapel then a hermitage, monastery and basilica, and became a lucrative pilgrimage centre.

The Virgin must have got restless again, because the original statue somehow disappeared from history, and what pilgrims venerate now is Flemish, a 61 cm sandstone icon donated in 1520. She's painted black, as is common in 14th / 15th century icons, and known locally as La Moreneta. She was restored in 1884.

39°49′23″N 2°53′2″E

Map of Lluc

By road from Palma city or airport take Ma-13 to Inca then Ma-2130 north for 15 km.

Ma-10 twists and turns along the mountain ridge: Sóller is 20 km west and Pollença 18 km east.

Inca has trains every 20 min from Palma, and buses from the city and airport. Change at Inca for TIB Bus 312 four times a day, which starts in Muro and takes 30 min to Lluc.

Bus 231 follows the ridge road four times a day from Sóller to Escorca, Lluc, Pollença and Alcúdia.

All the sights and visitor amenities are within a short walk.

The site is free, but motorists have to pay for all-day parking, €8 in 2025.

• 39.8229172.8844441 Basílica de la Mare de Déu de Lluc. This was built in Renaissance style from 1622, and expanded in the early 20th century in Gaudí's Neo-Baroque. It's a cruciform basilica with a barrel vault over the central nave and three chapels on either side. The Virgin statue is in a chapel behind the main altar. (updated Oct 2025)
• Museum next to the basilica covers prehistory and history plus religious art. It's open daily 10:00-18:00.
• Botanic gardens north side of the basilica are open 24 hours.
• 39.82362.8982 The Camel is a rock formation 500 m east.

• Ruta de Pedra (GR221) is an eight day hiking trail through the mountains from Andratx via Sóller and Lluc to Port de Pollença.
• Puig Roig (1003 m) and Puig Caragoler are a 7 hour return hike from Lluc.
• Torente de Pareis is a canyon descending steeply from Escorca to the sea. Now think about the getting back.

Souvenirs are available. For food and similar practical supplies, stock up at the supermarkets in Inca.

• Ca s'Amitger is a restaurant within the complex, open Sa-Th 08:30-21:30, F 08:30-17:00.
• Sa Fonda de Lluc is the restaurant within the sanctuary hotel.
• Es Guix is 500 m south of the complex, open W-M 11:30-17:30.
• Ca'n Gallet is another 500 m south, at the junction of Ma-10 and Ma-2130 from Inca. It's open W-Su 09:00-16:00.

Restaurants serve alcohol.

• Santuari Hotel within the monastery complex was once the monk's cells, and remains similarly spartan.
• Font Coberta campsite is 200 m south of the complex. No fires permitted in summer, so you can't cook.
• Marjanor Ibanat campsite is 500 m east of the complex.
• Pixarells campsite is 3 km north along Ma-10 towards Pollença.

As of Oct 2025, Lluc and its approach roads have 4G from all Spanish carriers, though with many dead spots. 5G has not yet reached town.

• Inca has a baroque church and a museum of shoe-making.
• Sóller is a very touristy town near the coast, best known for its heritage train and tram.
• Pollença has a well-preserved old centre. Port de Pollença is the modern beach resort nearby.