Sóller
Sóller town is in the north-west of Mallorca, just a few miles inland from the coast and around 20 miles/ 33km from Palma Airport. By car or taxi, the journey from the airport to Sóller will take around 35 minutes.
The town of Sóller is much loved with tourists and many of those arrive on the vintage train from Palma. The narrow streets of the old town with the mountains in the background are great for a relaxing stroll. The many cafes and tapas bars invite you to stay for a snack and a drink while soaking up the atmosphere, the fresh air and the sunshine.
While there are many plazas with cafes throughout Sóller, Plaza de la Constitución is the best-known and the most atmospheric by far. Visitors can relax in the square or take a coffee amid mature trees and old buildings, such as the town hall and the impressive architecture of the Sant Bartomeu church. This, together with the fairytale-like quality of the tram curving its way past the tables and pedestrians, makes a visit to the square an unforgettable experience.
Unsurprisingly, Sóller town and its port have made it to the top 20 of the 2023 European travel destinations, as nominated by the users of the website “European Best Destinations”.
Sóller Port
Port de Sóller, the harbour town, is a 10-minute drive (5km) from Sóller by car or taxi. The journey takes a little longer on the tram. Both the port and the town are set against the backdrop of Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountains. The highest peak, Puig Mayor, reaches 1,445m/4740ft in height.
Sóller Port stretches around a naturally formed bell-shaped bay. The harbour is at the north end of the bay and the port is centered there. There are two slightly wider beaches at each end of the resort. A thin strip of beach lines the middle of the bay and links the two beaches and the marina to the north.
Due to the shape of the bay, the sea is sheltered here, so that you rarely encounter big waves. This, coupled with the fairly shallow descend into the water, makes Port de Sóller a great location for families with children. There are also many beach- and water-activities on offer.
The tracks for the vintage tram that runs between Sóller town and its harbour reach Port de Sóller at the southern end of the bay. From there, the tramline follows the promenade along the water’s edge and heads towards the marina. The tooting of the tram’s horn will become a familiar sound to anyone staying in this picturesque resort.
One of the great things about Port de Sóller is the one-mile-long spacious promenade that edges around the entire bay. This presents spectacular panoramas of the bay from every vantage point, which on a calm day at dawn or dusk can be unbelievably tranquil. The promenade has plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants, scattered here and there, all the way around.
It’s about a 20-minute walk from one end to the other end of the promenade. If you venture 100m or so further along the street continuing to the south of the bay, you will be rewarded with a raised view of the whole bay and the port. The northern end of the bay has a mirador, which can be reached after a relatively short ascend. This features breathtaking views over the harbour and the resort. Walking on just a little further, you can admire the steep cliffs dropping off into the deep blue Meditarranean Sea, while enjoying the refreshing sea-breeze. The mirador is also home to a museum – please see Museu de la Mar below.
Things to do in Sóller & Port de Sóller
Vintage train and tram
Even if you have hired a car, it is worth taking the vintage tram that connects Sóller town with the port. The tram along with the vintage train that runs from Sóller to Palma, have become symbols of Sóller and a ride on both is one of the must-do experiences when you are staying in the area.
The tram can be picked up at either the port or Sóller town, or at one of the various stops along the route. If you take the tram from Sóller town, it will wind its way through the narrow streets and plazas out into a valley alongside the main road to the port. On route, there are wonderful views of the mountains and surrounding countryside, including fields of orange trees. The tram has been aptly nicknamed the ‘Orange Blossom Express’. The price for an adult is €7 one way, which can be paid on the tram.
A ride on the old-fashioned train with mahogany and brass carriages that connects Sóller with the capital city Palma takes around 1 hour. The journey leads through the stunning scenery of the Tramuntana mountains. Trains depart around 5 to 6 times every day in the summer and a one-way ticket is €18.00. Please also see our page “Trains in Mallorca”.
Museums of Sóller
Sóller has a number of museums that are worth seeing. The Natural Science Museum is one. There is also a connected botanical garden which has a range of flora from the Canary and Balearic islands. The focus of the museum is on zoology, geology, fossils and botany.
The Museu del Casal de Cultura. As the name suggests, this museum shares Sóller’s past culture though its historic relics and antiques. The museum is located in the town centre in an old 18th-century manor house.
The art gallery, Can Prunera is an interesting viewing place to visit in Sóller. The gallery is not far from the Plaza de la Constitución (main square) and is housed in a stylish early 20th-century building with a modernist facade, a pretty stairwell and attractive floor tiles. It has various artists on display, including Picasso, Miró and Matisse amongst others.
Museu de la Mar is a maritime museum showing how the history of Sóller is linked to the Mediterranean. It is housed in an old thirteenth century chapel, the Oratorio, which overlooks the port of Sóller. Besides the amazing views, there are some highly interesting displays to see featuring pirates, invasions and the local fishing history.
Sóller Botanical Gardens
The Sóller Botanical Garden was founded in 1985 and opened to the public in 1992. It serves as a centre for conservation, research and learning about the Mediterranean flora, with a special focus on the flora of the Balearics. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. The gardens are closed on Sundays and bank holidays. Ticket prices are € 8 per adult. Children under 6 are free.
Contact
Tel. (+34) 971 63 40 14
Ctra. Palma-Port de Sóller, Km 30,5
Apartado de Correos 44
07100 Sóller (Illes Balears) Spain
https://jardibotanicdesoller.org/es/
Boat trips and water sports
Boat trips start from the port of Sóller and information about the various trips or mini charters are on display by the marina. The boat trip from Sóller to the beautiful Sa Calobra is very popular. The trip includes a stop a Cala Tuent and trip time is 1 hour 15 minutes.
Along the beach, you will find several places where you can hire kayaks or paddle boards. The calm waters in the sheltered bay are ideal for beginners. The more experienced or adventurous may prefer to leave the bay and explore the deeper waters along the rugged cliffs along the coast.
Market
The local market in the centre of Sóller town takes place on Saturday mornings. It starts around 8am and closes by 1pm. It stretches from the covered market hall all the way up to the main square, including a lot of side streets.
Places of Interest in Sóller and Surroundings
Plaza de la Constitución
This is the historic centre of Sóller town. There are a number of cafes, bars and restaurants to enjoy in this thirteenth-century square. Dominating the Plaza is the impressive architecture of the Sant Bartomeu (Saint Bartholomew) church. The baroque church structure which dates from the seventeenth century was renovated in 1904 by an ex-student of Gaudi, who gave the church a modernist facade.
Mountain villages
These villages haven’t been overly modernized and are a good example of a traditional Mallorcan way of life, from an era long passed. Two of these, Fornalutx and Biniaraix, are within a 4km/2.5miles radius from Sóller, and therefore within walking distance. Despite their proximity, it’s a fairly challenging uphill walk, which should only be attempted if you’ve got sufficient stamina and which is not receommended during the mid-day heat.
Tramuntana Mountains
The mountainous area around Sóller, the ‘Serra de Tramuntana’ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is very popular with those who enjoy walking in nature or who fancy a peaceful break from crowded tourist places. Hikers have a wide choice of trails to choose from, including coastal walks. The best walking times are autumn and spring, as the summers can get extremely hot.
The tallest mountain in Mallorca is the Puig Mayor, with an altitude of 1,445m/4740ft. Sadly, this peak is a military area and therefore closed off to the public. Therefore, the highest reachable peak in Mallorca is the 1,364m/4475ft high adjacent Puig de Massanella.
Sóller’s mountain cycle tracks & roads
Many cyclists are drawn to this part of Mallorca due to the challenge and beauty offered by the mountain tracks and roads. The gradients include many hairpin bends and are similar to those found on the Tour de France. In the high summer, much pleasure can be had riding in the evening, when the roads release the day’s stored energy and cycling seems like gliding through a warm blanket of air.
See here for information on airport transfers to Sóller and Port de Sóller.