The Maze Site near Es Port des Canonge
The Maze Site is an archaeological attraction near Es Port des Canonge on Mallorca’s west coast. However, the English name can easily be misleading: it refers neither to a recreational maze nor to the geological Port-des-Canonge-Formation. Anyone looking for the site should therefore always include “Es Port des Canonge” in the search. The available descriptions do not provide enough reliable information to draw conclusions about when the site was created, its original function, or its individual structures. For that very reason, The Maze Site is better suited as a deliberate stop for travelers interested in archaeology than as a conventionally presented attraction with an extensive exhibition and a fixed visitor route.
The appeal of the excursion comes primarily from its combination with the remote coastal landscape. Es Port des Canonge lies between wooded slopes and a rocky bay; even the winding approach makes the visit markedly different from a quick detour to an attraction beside a main road. When planning, it is important to consider the drive to the coastal village first and check the final section to the archaeological site separately.
Getting There and Parking
From Palma Airport
From Palma Airport, the documented route initially follows the Ma-20 and then the Ma-1110. Es Port des Canonge is 31 road kilometers away, and the drive takes around 45 minutes. These details explicitly cover only the journey to the village, not directly to The Maze Site. An up-to-date map should therefore be used before departure to locate the archaeological site precisely and check the final section. The estimated driving time may seem relatively generous for a route of this length, but it reflects the location on the mountainous west coast: after the fast roads around Palma, the approach becomes considerably more winding. The section toward the coast in particular requires more attention than an ordinary cross-country drive. Anyone traveling this route for the first time should therefore not plan based on the distance alone.
From Palma
From central Palma, the route follows the Ma-1110. Es Port des Canonge is 26 road kilometers away, with a driving time of around 49 minutes. Here too, the measurement refers to the coastal village. It does not indicate that The Maze Site lies directly beside the through road, nor does it replace navigation for the final section. The longer driving time despite the shorter distance explains why the visit is not well suited to a rushed stopover: the approach leads through the mountainous hinterland and ends at a small coastal settlement. Narrow and winding sections are part of the journey, so oncoming traffic and local signs require due attention.
The Final Section and Parking
No confirmed dedicated parking facility is documented for The Maze Site itself. It therefore makes sense to navigate to Es Port des Canonge first and park only where signs and road markings permit. Access routes, narrow roadsides, and private property should be kept clear. As the stated driving times apply only as far as the village, additional time must be allowed for orientation and for walking from a suitable parking place to the site. The listed bus stops are near Ermita de la Trinitat and in Valldemossa, but this does not establish a direct bus connection to The Maze Site. Anyone visiting without a car should check the entire route, including the final section, in advance.
Bus lines to The Maze Site at a glance
| Line | Route | Departures/day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 203 | Valldemossa / Deià | 136 | 06:47 | 22:34 |
From the official GTFS feeds (TIB/SFM), no real-time data. The figures cover all stops in the town; weekend and holiday services differ — check with the operator before travelling.
Getting there by bus
Ermita de la Trinitat 2 (63011) · 1.1 km as the crow flies
- 203Valldemossa / Deià · Daily
Ermita de la Trinitat 1 (63003) · 1.3 km as the crow flies
- 203Valldemossa / Deià · Daily
Valldemossa 2 (63001) · 1.7 km as the crow flies
- 203Valldemossa / Deià · Daily
Valldemossa 1 (63002) · 1.7 km as the crow flies
- 203Valldemossa / Deià · Daily
Timetable data: official GTFS feeds (TIB/EMT), no real-time — check with the operator before travelling.
Nearby
Es Port des Canonge
Beyond the final bends, the road opens not onto a large holiday resort but onto a small coastal settlement with the character of an old fishing harbor. Es Port des Canonge lies beneath the slopes of the Serra de Tramuntana and is shaped by cliffs, woodland, and the sea. This secluded setting is precisely what gives the excursion its character: The Maze Site is not located in an urban museum district but in a landscape where the journey, the coastal village, and the archaeological destination belong together. The village is therefore well suited to a quiet break before or after looking for the site. Instead of numerous urban attractions, the scene is defined by small streets, the bay, and the steeply rising surroundings. Anyone traveling here solely for a quickly photographed subject underestimates the journey; those who see the coastal village as part of the excursion make far better use of the long trip.
Platja des Port des Canonge
The local bay has a pebble-and-rock beach and is considered relatively peaceful. It is not a broad sandy beach with uninterrupted tourist infrastructure, but a small stretch of coast where boats, stony ground, and the surrounding slopes shape the atmosphere. This makes it a natural addition to the archaeological detour, although it does not automatically turn the excursion into a classic beach day. In suitable weather, this is an excellent place to appreciate the setting of Es Port des Canonge: the sea lies directly in front of the village, while the wooded heights begin behind it. Anyone who spends only a short time at the site itself will find a second focus for the excursion at the bay, offering a completely different landscape.
Banyalbufar and the West Coast
Banyalbufar can also be included in a drive along this section of the coast. The village is known for its hillside setting and views over the sea, but because of the winding roads, this combination should not be overloaded with too many additional destinations. A few carefully chosen stops are better suited to the character of the route. The area particularly appeals to travelers who want to combine archaeology with a drive through the Serra de Tramuntana and time by the sea. The Maze Site alone is neither a documented major museum nor a theme park. As a destination within a leisurely planned west-coast excursion, however, the visit gains a clear and meaningful context.
Local insider tips
Include the Place Name in Your Search
When navigating, always use “The Maze Site, Es Port des Canonge.” The name alone may lead to a recreational maze or unrelated results; the Port-des-Canonge-Formation is also a different subject.
Do Not Underestimate the Distance
The 26 road kilometers from Palma take around 49 minutes, while the 31 kilometers from the airport take around 45 minutes. The winding approach to the coast explains why the journey takes considerably longer than the distance might suggest.
Combine It with the Bay
The drive is more worthwhile as a combined excursion to The Maze Site and Es Port des Canonge. After the archaeological stop, the small pebble-and-rock beach provides a scenic contrast.