Are you in the mood for some art in Mallorca? In the north of the island, you’ll find a very special place that not everyone knows about! The Museo Sa Bassa Blanca is tucked away in the countryside near Alcúdia and is a great place to visit—not just for art lovers!
Tip: Combine your visit to the Museo Sa Bassa Blanca with a trip to Alcúdia’s Old Town! Here’s my guide to Alcúdia
Far from Palma: The Museo Sa Bassa Blanca
Even though Mallorca is just an island, there are more museums, galleries, and art exhibitions than you might expect. However, the larger museums tend to be located in Palma, such as Es Baluard, which features contemporary art and major temporary exhibitions. So I was all the more surprised when I first heard about the Museo Sa Bassa Blanca.
This special place is located in the very north of Mallorca, right in the middle of the La Victória Peninsula, and is so surrounded by dense forests that you’d hardly be able to find your way here on your own—were it not for the narrow, secluded road that winds its way from the small village of Mal Pas-Bonaire to this spot.
“Drive up to the line,” reads the small sign at the entrance, and just like that, as if by magic, the gate opens to another world: The Museo Sa Bassa Blanca is more of a total work of art than a museum.
Want more tips for Mallorca?
You’ll find plenty of articles and exciting places to visit on the island on my Mallorca page!
Hassan Fathy House with an exhibition and guided tour
The main building is named after its architect, Hassan Fathy, and houses a large portion of the collection belonging to the artist couple Yannick Vu and Ben Jakober, whose foundation is also responsible for the Museo Sa Bassa Blanca. Access is limited to private tours—and once inside, a small universe of art unfolds. Paintings, installations, photographs, and mementos from a life that has always, in one way or another, revolved around art.
Particularly striking is the high proportion of African art, which blends seamlessly with the Moorish style of the entire building. Originally an old Mallorcan country house, details such as tiles and windows were brought here from Andalusia and Morocco . Even a 15th-century Mudejar coffered ceiling found its way here, and it immediately reminded me of Marrakesh.
The view from one of the terraces across the lush inner courtyard (unfortunately not open to the public) out to the open sea is spectacular.
Aljub & Sokrates Room
Housed in a former underground water reservoir known as an “aljub” is the permanent exhibition “NINS,” a collection of approximately 150 portraits of children from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
In stark contrast to this is the Socrates Room, with its collection of contemporary art and other exhibits. You can visit both without a guided tour.
Sculpture Park & Rose Garden
Around the main building and the exhibition halls, you can explore the sculpture park and the rose garden. In the sculpture park, you’ll even find a few shaded picnic spots scattered throughout—you’re more than welcome to bring your own food and enjoy the atmosphere!
If you don’t have any picnic supplies with you, you can also take a culinary break at the museum’s café. Some of the ingredients for the dishes there even come from the museum’s own garden! Vegetables are actually grown right in the middle of the rose garden, which you can also check out.
Prices
You have several options when choosing a ticket: The least expensive ticket includes only admission to the sculpture park and the rose garden. There is a small surcharge for the Nins and Sokrates galleries.
You can buy tickets in advance here*
The main house can only be visited as part of a one-hour private tour, which you can book on site.
Up to 20 people can participate in the tour, though there is no minimum group size. Spontaneous tours are also possible; there’s always someone available to give a tour of the house—this level of spontaneity, along with the possibility of a truly private tour in a small group or even on your own, more than makes up for the higher price.
Advertising / *affiliate link
My personal tip: Start by buying just the basic admission ticket online for the park and the galleries, and then see once you’re there whether you’d like to visit the main house as well or if the rest of the grounds are enough to keep you busy.
Tips for the Area Around Alcúdia
I’d probably set aside a few hours for the Museo Sa Bassa Blanca. If you’re coming from another part of Mallorca, you should spend the rest of the day in the Alcúdia area —there’s so much to see here!
Here are a few ideas for other places you can visit in the area:
- Playa de Alcanada (locals love to have picnics here under the shade of the pine trees)
- Ermita de la Victoria (a former hermitage surrounded by several beautiful secluded beaches and a popular hiking destination)
- Port d’Alcúdia, with its lively promenade
- Alcúdia’s Old Town, with its ancient city walls and archaeological excavations
- Playa de Muro (one of the island’s most beautiful beaches)
- S’Albufera National Park
The best way to get around here is really by car: You can find affordable rental cars here*.
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