Puerto de Soller

What a delightful resort! Puerto de Sóller makes you feel you’re in the Italian Riviera rather than on Majorcas west coast!

Surrounded by mountains - it has all the symbols associated with holidays by the sea; a sweep of golden sand, a lighthouse, a pretty port area which has now been modernised and is home to trendy eateries and a classy marina. Add to that it also has its very own old fashioned trams which take holidaymakers on a scenic trip up the hill to the main town of Sóller.

And it’s on the up. Trendy hotels are opening up here, it has some excellent restaurants and the once busy beachside road has been diverted to create a lovely pedestrianised ‘paseo’ that runs from the old port area, past the marina and around the sandy horseshoe bay.

Puerto de Sóller is a popular place for families and older couples wanting a more relaxed holiday with quality eateries and access to good transport. The buses, from Sóller, and boat trips from the harbour help you explore this fascinating area whilst the tram turns into a train at Sóller station and continues on up through the mountains and over to Palma City. In winter these transport links and its close proximity to hiking trails makes it a great base for walkers and cyclists.

A short, scenic tram ride away is Sóller, the town to which Puerto de Sóller is attached. Full of narrow cobbled streets, friendly locals, a marvellous square lined with bustling little cafes and dominated by an imposing Cathedral and a regular Saturday market Sóller has much to offer a day-tripper or holidaymaker.

This is very much a local town with its busy indoor market, ice cream parlour and characterful ‘local’ bars much cheaper than the touristy ones in the square. But here’s the surprise – it also has an art gallery where you can see items by Picasso and Miro, a 5* hotel where you can enjoy lunch at the rooftop bistro or take afternoon tea on the terrace, botanical gardens with interesting species of plants and a couple of upmarket deli’s – with all this it is becoming a very popular town to stay at in its own right.

Spotlight tip: Walk down the main shopping street (Calle La Luna) until you see Cals Panerers street on your left-hand side. Turn into it and continue along walking past the pretty cottages (don’t worry, this is a street even though you’re on a small path walking past front doors!).

Eventually (after 10 min.) you will come to a tiny bridge over the stream (Torrent de Binaraix) and to your right you will see an old stone built outdoor laundry still used today. Go over the bridge and follow the narrow path all the way round until you come back over the stream on a larger bridge. Turn right and walk back into the town.

PS: If you turn left and carry on down the road and across the cross road you will enjoy a lovely walk to Binaraix a small hamlet of stone cottages built on a small hill (15 min.).