Sóller is a village located on the northwest coast of Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands archipelago. Together with Port de Sóller and the neighbourhoods of L’Horta, Biniaraix, Estiradors, Ses Argiles and S’Alqueria des Comte, it makes up the municipal district of this valley. East, it borders the villages of Deià, Fornalutx and Bunyola.
It is a marvellous village, standing out from the rest of the villages on the island, nestled in a valley of its own:
- Beautiful mountains, with the Puig Major at 1436 metres as the highest point of the island.
- Two interesting beaches: Playa d’en Repic, a 10′ drive from the centre of Sóller, and Playa del Puerto de Sóller, separated by a few minutes on foot.
The name of Sóller comes from the Arabic ‘suliar’ meaning “golden bowl”.A very apt name to describe the flourishing and fertile orange valley which is surrounded by, The oranges that they began exporting in the past to France and which made the trade and economy of of this place beyond the borders of Spain.
Weather in Sóller today: weekly forecast
SóllerHistory of Sóller
The history of this town has a lot to tell, as well as the history of Mallorca in general.
There are records of Talayotic settlements in Muleta – an area at the mouth of Port de Sóller where the Cap Gros lighthouse is located – from 5200-2700 BC. Many of these remains can be seen in the Museum of Mallorca in Palma.
There are also records of a great battle fought in 1561 between Saracen corsairs that ended in a Sollerian victory. As a result of this battle, the Torre Picada was built in 1614 and 1623. and the Castillo del Puerto, and the town was fortified and walled. This great battle is still remembered year after year with the Firó and the Fira de Sóller.
Sóller experienced a period of emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries to Puerto Rico, France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
In 1912 a historic event took place that began to change the life and future of the town: the Palma de Mallorca Railway arrived, which meant opening up to the capital and the rest of the island, favouring and facilitating trade.
Another historic and very important event in 1997 was the drilling of the mountain and the creation of a tunnel that communicated with Palma. Until then there was only a winding road up and down the mountain, limiting the mobility of the population.
Crossing this tunnel was possible on payment of a fee that was different for residents of Sóller and the rest. This fee ceased to apply in 2018 and the tunnel crossing became free for everyone.
How to get to Sóller
Although it is possible to reach Sóller by public transport, frequencies are scarce and limited; and although it is true that in summer they improve, getting around the island by bus or train is still a slow way of getting around.
We know that during holidays, and even more so if they are short, time is short, and we also know that many of you like to travel at your own pace, stopping and restarting as you please.
For all these reasons, and if this is your case, we recommend that you get around Mallorca by car.
If you have arrived on the island by plane and do not have your own vehicle, you can use this car rental price comparator that we present below. Here you will find a list comparing the price between several companies and you will be able to choose the car that best suits your needs from the many options.
To get there by car you have to take the Ma-11, the national road that connects Palma de Mallorca with Sóller, and cross the tunnel or go up and down the mountain. You choose your adventure.
If you decide to go from Palma by public transport, you will have to take bus line 204. If you are not travelling from Palma de Mallorca and you are interested in more detailed information about how public transport works in Mallorca, we recommend that you consult this article. You will save time and money.
The option of arriving by taxi can be expensive depending on where you are at the time on the island, so we recommend that you always check the fares before you set off. Here you have all the information about how taxis work on the island.
Cycling in Sóller
You also have the option of cycling to Sóller, but you must bear in mind that you will not be able to cross the tunnel by bike because it is forbidden. You will have to cycle up the mountain before the valley that precedes Sóller and then ride down. It is advisable to be a regular cyclist, as the ascent of this route has gradients of up to 6%, which are difficult for untrained cyclists.
You could also get there by bike from the north of the island: Pollença, Alcudia, Lluc and the marshes of Gorg Blau and Cubér, crossing the Monnáber Tunnel to finally reach the valley.
What to see in Sóller
The fact that Sóller is the most complete village in Mallorca is not only because of its sea and amazing mountains, but also because of its history, art, culture and outdoor activities.
The surrounding area is the perfect place to lose yourself for a few days, meet up and continue your journey around the island. Therefore, we would like to list the most important sites, the most essential and the most relevant.
Even so, you don’t always have as much time as you would like to visit a place, so we suggest that if you do, you hire a “Free tour of Sóller”, a free guided tour. The guide will show you the town, its anecdotes and secrets in just two hours and will tell you absolutely everything you need to know about this charming village in Mallorca.
Plaça de la Constitució, the nerve centre of Sóller
The Plaza de la Constitución is the heart of Sóller, where everything happens. In this square you will find the Church of San Bartolomé, the Bank of Sóller, Can Bordils and the Town Hall; together with cafés, bars, shops and restaurants, the liveliest place as this is one of the most touristy and sought after squares in the whole of Mallorca.
One of the attractions to see in Sóller is the electric tram that crosses the Plaza de la Constitución, which starts a few metres before the square and runs for 5 kms to the Port de Sóller. It has remained virtually intact since it began operating in 1912.
Sant Bartomeu church
The Sant Bartomeu church de Sóller is a building constructed in the year 1236 which was born as a small gothic temple after the conquest of Mallorca by James I. This temple underwent a process of enlargement that culminated in the creation of the famous modernist front in the year 1904 which had Joan Rubio i BellverGaudí’s well-known disciple, as the person in charge of its realisation.
It combines different styles according to its part: its structure is baroque, the front is modernist and its bell tower is neo-gothic. It is the building that dominates the Plaza de la Costitución and can be seen from any part of the town, unless you are in one of its narrow streets.
It has an arched tower dating from 1912 with huge spires suspended over the rose window.
Bank of Sóller
The Bank of Sóller was built in 1912, and as a financial institution it was created at the end of the 19th century with the idea of capturing the capital that emigrants had amassed after their passage through Puerto Rico and France. It was also the work of the aforementioned artist, Joan Rubio i Bellver. It is a typically Art Nouveau building with a double gallery, a semicircular doorway and wrought iron windows.
It is one of the town’s emblematic buildings symbolising the town’s years of splendour and prosperity. It began as ‘Bank of Sóller’ and is now owned by Banco Santander.
Sóller Town Hall
Sóller Town Hall occupies a Baroque building designed by the architect Antonio Coll, another emblematic building with a large coat of arms of the municipality on the upper part of its front.
Carrer (street) de Sa Lluna
Sóller has many things to see and not to be missed, such as Sa Lluna street, its longest and most emblematic street, with modernist and regionalist style houses that replaced old medieval buildings at the beginning of the 20th century. The most important ones:
- No. 50 of Carrer de Sa Lluna, with irregular pieces that make up its wall, the semicircular doorway and the figure of the crescent moon in sandstone in bas-relief. It is a typical construction of popular architecture
- Can Prohom (no. 16), which is a 1758 Baroque civilian inn that was owned in the valley by the large agricultural landowners of the Serra de Tramuntana. The inns are a good way to understand how the wealthy sollericos of the time lived.
- Ca la Nena (no. 52).
- Can Bardí (no. 23), which is a house in the historicist style.
Carrer de Sa Lluna is the old medieval street and many commercial establishments open their doors here offering a variety of products as in the past.
This is the shopping street par excellence in Sóller, being a very lively street with a lot of life due to its proximity to the Plaza de la Constitución, as the beginning of Carrer Sa Lluna is on the northern corner of the Plaza de la Constitución.
Depending on the time of the year, the street is decorated with different motifs related to the festivity to be celebrated, for example, on the 24th of August, when the Nit de L’Art (Night of Art) is celebrated during Sant Bartolomé, and it is then that Sa Lluna Street is dressed up.
Just at the end of this street, where the village ends, is the old public washing place, before the endless and beautiful orange groves that reign in this valley.
Can Prunera
Located in the middle of Sa Lluna street is Can Prunera, a stately home built between 1909-1911 under the guidelines of French Art Nouveau that houses all the Modernist essence of this town, reflected in its façade, one of the most artistic and elaborate.
A visit to the site is a must if you like art, starting with the sinuous forms of the building imitating nature.
Can Prunera is made up of different floors, the first two of which are a clear example of modernist decoration and interior design, conserving the original furniture. The basement has different rooms: oil tank, kitchen, laundry room and well. The dining room and former storerooms are now the rooms dedicated to the local painter Juli Ramis and in the garden there is a sculpture exhibition.
At Can Prunera, a collection of artistic works on loan from the favourite son of Sóller, Pere Serra, including pieces of incalculable artistic value by artists such as Miró, Tolousse-Lautrec, Paul Klee, Fernand Léger and Maurice Vlaminck; and by many painters from Mallorca or related to the island, such as Santiago Rusiñol, Joaquim Mir, Joan Fuster, Eliseu Meifrén, Ritch Miller, Juli Ramis and Miquel Barceló are exposed.
The Prunera family was one of the families that became rich after emigrating to Puerto Rico and France.
Sóller Botanical Garden and Natural Science Museum
The The Botanical Garden of Sóller is a modernist mansion that was fitted out as a science museum in 1985 and opened its doors to the public in 1992 as a centre to conserve, research and transmit knowledge about the native flora of the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and other Mediterranean islands.
It also houses some temporary and permanent exhibition rooms related to the zoology, botany and geology of the island of Mallorca.
They have guided tours, space rental, shop and workshops, and a very didactic and interesting website where you will have very detailed information about the whole Balearic ecosystem.
Sóller orange trees in Ecovinyassa
Ecovinyassa is an orchard in Sóller of more than 18000m² dedicated exclusively to the cultivation of orange trees. It is in a privileged location at the foot of the Sierra de Alfabia mountain range, with a natural environment and a microclimate typical of this part of the island. If you visit it, you will have spectacular views that are difficult to explain and that we recommend you not to miss. There you can buy orange and lemon marmalades, orange blossom infusions or candied orange peel.
Sóller Municipal Market
Its construction was designed by the architect Francesc Cerdó and inaugurated in 1952 in Sóller. It is a polygonal building with several openings and entrances with an exterior porticoed porch. If you come to this wonderful town and you like architecture in general, you should not miss it.
Sóller street market and shopping
As we have already mentioned, Sóller is a very appropriate place for shopping given its number of establishments and variety. Here you can find traditional Mallorcan knitted embroidery, handmade shoes, wooden handicrafts and ceramics.
Mallorca’s street markets are a tourist attraction and one of the most sought-after activities on the island. Sóller was not to be outdone and also has its own market which is held on Saturday mornings with fresh local produce.
If you can’t make it to the Saturday market, you can buy local products in the shop “Fet a Sóller“, a shop selling local gastronomic products. They have both physical and online shops.
If you like ice cream, we recommend you to visit the Sa Fàbrica de Gelats ice cream parlour. Guess what the star flavour is: orange!
Museum Casal de Cultura de Sóller
It is located on Carrer del Mar in Sóller and is a family house with garden built in 1740. It is mainly devoted to ethnology. It will only take you half an hour to visit and is well worth it.
Sóller Train Station
It is the former fortified possession of Can Mayol in Sóller, now belonging to the Tren de l’Art Foundation, which houses the Miró and Picasso Ceràmiques rooms, two permanent exhibitions with original works by these two artists.
Admission is free.
Sóller Train
The excursion on the Sóller train will be one of the moments you will remember forever, as it is a very unique experience. You will ride on a wooden train that was inaugurated in 1912 and that connects with Palma, giving you the pleasant sensation of travelling back in time.
The Sóller train leaves from Palma de Mallorca, very close to the Parc de les Estacions, so if you are thinking of visiting Sóller from Palma de Mallorca, there is no better way to make this journey than by travelling on this train.
You’ll enjoy stunning views and pure nature crossing the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana. If you want to live this experience you can live it to the fullest with this guided tour that we recommend.
If you are in Palma, you will be picked up from your hotel and dropped off again at the end of the excursion. This excursion includes a boat trip to Sa Calobra, which in our opinion is one of the must-see places in Mallorca, as you will be able to see the famous Torrent de Pareis.
There is also another excursion that also departs from Palma de Mallorca, arrives in Sóller and travels by bus to the Lluc Monastery and later to Formentor. A very complete and beautifully excursion.
What to do in Sóller and its surroundings
Excursion around Sóller
Hiking in Mallorca in the surroundings of Sóller is possible and is a unique opportunity to be in contact with one of the most impressive natural environments.
There are many trails that take you to places where you can enjoy incredible views, some ending at nearby coves and beaches and others a little further away by car, such as Cala Tuent.
It can be less kilometres if you walk along the edge of beautiful cliffs such as those of Sa Costera, a route that starts at the Mirador de Ses Barques.
A shorter but no less beautiful excursion is to visit the church of Sa Capelleta de Santa María del Olivar.
Another very famous excursion, perhaps the most famous, is that of the Barranco de Biniaraix. It starts in the village of Biniaraix, which we explain below.
Route GR-221 or ruta de piedra en sec
But the most important hiking route in Mallorca is the GR-221 or Pedra en sec. This route is a mythical route of 283 km and 8 stages that crosses the Sierra deTramuntana.
At the end of each stage there is a shelter that will serve as a refreshments and rest. Villages can also be used for this purpose if you are unable to book at the official GR-221 refuges for whatever reason.
After completing this route in its entirety, the towns of Andratx and Pollensa will be completely united. The Pedra en sec route crosses Sóller and is the start or end of one of the stages of this GR-221, which is why it has a refuge: the La Muleta refuge.
On the website of Consell de Mallorca you can check the availability of the refuges and make reservations.
You can download here the complete guide of all the stages of Pedra en sec or GR-221.
Cycling in Sóller and the Serra de Tramuntana mountains
The cycling and cyclotourism are booming in Sóller and all over Mallorca so that Serra de Tramuntanathe mountain system that defends Mallorca from the strong Tramuntana winds coming from France and declared World Heritage in 2011is a good challenge for amateur and professional cyclists from the island and abroad.
A number of professional cycling teams, mostly Germans, choose Mallorca as a cycling touristic destination and with each passing year there is an increasing number of visitors looking to practise this sport on the island.
Mallorca is becoming interesting for cycling:
- For its beautiful landscapes, which make your training more enjoyable.
- Because of the steep slopes of the Sierra de Tramuntana, such as those of Sa Calobra, which will help you prepare for the season.
- In order to avoid the freezing temperatures of northern Europe in winter.
- For the perfect organisation and care of the cycling routes that will make you feel at ease practising the sport you love.
If you are one of those cyclists interested in this bicycle tourism in Mallorca, you will find a lot of specialised bicycle shops where to buy accessories for your bike, equipment, have a workshop if you need to fix something and many even have a equipment and bicycle rental service with pick-up and drop-off in various parts of the island.
It goes without saying that there are specialised cycling hotels that have everything a cyclist in preparation might need.
Accommodation for cyclists in Mallorca
Below we have made a selection of some specialised hotels for cyclists that may be of interest to you and with various locations around the island so that you can choose the option that most interests you:
- Hotel VIVA Blue & SPA (Playa de Muro)
- PortBlue Club Pollentia Resort & SPA (Alcudia)
- Bahía de Alcudia Hotel & SPA
- Hoposa Hotel & Apartaments Villaconcha (Puerto de Pollensa)
- Sheraton Mallorca Arabella (Palma de Mallorca)
- Hotel Son Caliu Spa Oasis (Palmanova)
For these reasons Mallorca is considered to be a paradise par excellence for cycling and cycle tourism, figures that are growing exponentially year after year, reaching 200,000 cyclists a year.
Where to eat in Sóller
In Sóller you will discover the Mallorcan gastronomy that is well worth enjoying, as you will find local Mallorcan food and dishes that, due to the use of ingredients that can only be found or are created here.
Travel gastronomy tops the internet searches as a topic of interest because for many people the culinary customs of the place they are in are very important.
There are gastronomic trips as such, i.e. there are people who travel just to taste the local dishes and food. We belong to the group of people who, when we travel, usually try almost all the typical foods and if we don’t try them all, it is due to lack of time.
Poc a poc,(step by step), as it’s said on the island.
Cas Carreter is one of the oldest restaurants which serves traditional food in Sóller. It is an old carriage house founded in 1914, located in the centre of town and is the oldest restaurant in the village with an interesting quality-price ratio.
Cas Carreter’s cuisine combines traditional dishes with avant-garde Mediterranean food prepared with the utmost care and delicacy in a warm, family atmosphere. Are you up for it? You can find them here.
If you want to eat one of the most outstanding dishes ever cooked; the best stuffed artichokes in Mallorca, you can do it in this restaurant-hotel called Hotel el Guía de Sóller.
Béns d’Avall
If you are in Soller or anywhere else on the island and you feel like visiting one of the best restaurants in Mallorca, Béns d’Avall is undoubtedly one of the best options for you.
It has one Michelin star and “2 Soles” from the Guía Repsol. Béns d’Avall offers a cuisine with ingredients from the Balearic farmlands grown by themselves, with dishes that reflect the richness and culinary variety of the cultures that have left their mark and heritage on Mallorca over the course of its history.
Béns d’Avall is a unique restaurant with a privileged location in front of the sea where you will enjoy all kinds of luxuries and details that will make your gastronomic experience reach another dimension.
Outdoor activities in and around Sóller
In the surroundings of Sóller there is the possibility of doing activities with organised excursions. Our recommendation? Discover the wonders of Mallorca such as Sa Calobra and the Torrent de Pareis on a boat trip starting in Port de Sóller.
Puerto de Sóller
Port de Sóller is the extension of the town of Sóller that embraces the sea. The Port of Sóller is only 6 km away by car, but if you want to go for a walk, it is also possible as there is an uninterrupted pavement for pedestrians.
You will arrive at a beautiful fishing port, which is also the final destination of the tramway we told you about earlier, and where traditional llaüts are moored alongside impressive yachts.
A perfect plan could be a dinner with a wonderful sunset in the background, a plan that is very easy to fulfil as there are numerous restaurants where to eat in Port de Sóller, all of them along the harbour itself.
One of those restaurants with the best views to watch the sunset in Port de Sóller is Bar Nautilus very close to the spectacular Hotel Jumeirah, one of the best hotels in Mallorca. You will be just above the Cap Gros lighthouse, at the height of the mouth, with a spectacular sunset right in front of you.
Beaches near Sóller
Playa d’en Repic
Playa d’en Repic is the first beach you come across when you arrive at Port de Sóller. It is a white sandy beach with crystal clear water very close to the town centre.
To get to Repic beach by car, follow the signs and avoid taking the Port tunnel, as this will divert you from your destination.
The d’en Repic beach is also halfway to the Cap Gros lighthouse. If you like lighthouses and would like to visit the other lighthouse in Port de Sóller, the Faro de Sa Creu, we warn you that you cannot visit it as it belongs to the Demarcación de Costas de las Islas Baleares and access to its premises is limited.
Walking along the promenade you will reach the other beach, the beach of Port de Sóller.
Puerto de Sóller beach
We recommend the 45′ walk to the Port. As you leave Sóller behind you will see the imposing Barranco de Biniaraix ravine and the entire Puig Major mountain range on the outskirts of the island. Espectacular.
A pleasant and beautiful walk to one of the most picturesque places in Mallorca, with a wonderful beach in excellent condition considering the number of boats moored in the harbour.
Es Canyeret or Llucalcari Beach
Only 9.2 km by car from the Port of Sóller is the beach of Llucalcari, which is an all-stone beach, typical of the Serra de Tramuntana. There is no sand and its soils are made of stones as well. However, this does not detract from the beauty of the beach and its surroundings.
It is a nudist beach and you will even have the possibility to take mud baths, which are said to be medicinal. Please note that we ourselves have neither checked nor tested it.
It does not have a parking area, so you will have to leave your car in the village of Llucalcari in a place where parking is allowed, taking care not to disturb passers-by or cars, as fines are frequent in this place. From there until you reach the Cala de Llucalcari you can walk 20 minutes along a stone path through pines and olive trees.
Villages near Sóller
Fornalutx
Fornalutx is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and only a short distance from Sóller. We do not say so ourselves, but rather the award that the ‘most beautiful villages in Spain’ receive every year, and Fornalutx, on its own merits, currently holds it together with two other villages in Mallorca: Alcudia and Pollensa.
Its beauty lies in the naturalness of the construction of its village, all made of stone, the natural enclave and its surroundings, where Puig Major, the highest point of the island, begins to show itself.
Located in the foothills of the mountains and protected by them, Fornalutx seems to be sheltered from any adverse weather except the winter cold due to its location at an altitude of 540 metres.
Sunsets in Mallorca are simply spectacular and from Fornalutx even more so with that orange light that bathes any corner where the sun’s rays can reach. If you are photographing in Mallorca, you will realise that in few places will you find such perfect light for photography as you will find in Mallorca during the ‘golden hour‘ at sunset.
Biniaraix
Biniaraix is an old farmhouse of Arab origin that belongs to the municipality of Sóller and is only 1.8 km from the centre (10 minutes by car or 20 minutes on foot). It has a very similar aesthetic to Fornalutx, but this village is even smaller.
It is also the start of one of the most interesting and beautiful routes you can do in Mallorca: the Barranco de Biniaraix.
The Biniaraix Ravine, listed as a Cultural Asset, has a stone staircase that follows the course of a river. This staircase is one of the best examples of pedra en sec construction typology (stone without mortar or cement) that can be found in Mallorca.
This stairway climbs up the ravine to the Gorg Blau and Cúber reservoirs.
L’Ofre is the mountain to the right of the marshes, as you finish climbing the ravine. It has a summit in the shape of a steep triangle and is bare of vegetation, which makes it unmistakable. It is one of the 54 mountains in Mallorca that exceed 1000 metres, reaching a height of 1091 metres.
In this aerial video made with a drone you can see the most beautiful and interesting parts of this route.
Where to stay in Sóller
Searching for and finding accommodation in Sóller will not be complicated as there is a supply that matches the demand. However, you may find prices for accommodation a bit higher than usual as the town is a very touristy place and is a bit more expensive than usual.
Do you want to know which are the best hotels in Sóller? Here is our selection:
Do you want more options? Enter your dates in the search engine and choose from the many accommodation options available in this town:
Booking.comFestivities and patron saint festivals
Sóller has an extensive calendar of festivities:
- San Antonio: 17st January
- San Sebastián: 20th January
- Carnival: February-March
- Easter: March-April
- Firó i Fira of Sóller: 2nd weekend in May. These festivities are the most important festivities celebrated here and recreate the village’s victory over the Saracens on 11 May 1561.
- San Juan: 24st June
- Festivities of San Pedro: 29st June
- Fiestas of L’Horta: July
- Fiestas dels ‘Estiradors’ i ‘El Celler’: July
- Biniaraix Festivities: 15st August
- Sant Bartolome Patron Saint’s Day: 24st August
Firó i Fira de Sóller
Firó i Fira de Sóller has 2 very different parts:
- The Fira de Sóller, or Fair, which is held on the 2nd Sunday in May with a market made by local craftsmen where local products from the valley are exhibited, as well as a
part of agriculture and indigenous livestock. - Firó de Sóller which is held on the Monday following the Fira. This is the festival par excellence and therefore a festival that has been taken care of and pampered by the participating collectives for months. This is the site of the aforementioned battle that ended, after three battles without truce, with the victory of the ‘sollericos’ against the Saracens in the Plaza de Sóller. It is a festival that is characterised by being very noisy, with firecrackers and fireplaces, and where pride in this festival is evident and manifest in the local people’s passion for remembering the resistance and subsequent victory in the battle fought centuries ago.
As you can see, this town and its surroundings have a lot to offer, will you include Sóller in your list of towns to visit in Mallorca? Tell us about it! And if you have anything to contribute to this post we’re all eyes, we’d love to read you!
