Visit Soller
Soller is situated on the island of Majorca (Mallorca) in the Balearic Islands. It is about a half hour drive from Palma-de-Mallorca airport and is set in the hills amid orange groves and olive trees.
Soller is one of the highlights of Mallorca and Port-de-Soller three miles down the road is one of the most popular resorts on the island. We based ourselves in Soller on a recent trip to Mallorca and couldn't have chosen better!
Explore Soller
The main square of Soller, the Plaza Constitucion is dominated by its quirky church, the 14th century church of Sant Bartomeu, and it is also full of lovely little cafés. There are also orange trees and plane trees and a fountain in the centre.
Next to the church is the remarkable Modernista Banco de Soller which was built in 1912 and has ironwork by Joan Rubio i Bellver, a Catalan architect who was a follower of Anton Gaudi. The belltower of the church was also designed by Joan Rubio and is built in neo Gothic style.
Narrow winding lanes surround the square, all full of charm and houses with a rather bourgeois air. These were once the homes of the rich fruit merchants. Most were built in the 18th and 19th centuries.
There are several Modernist buildings in Soller including the Banco de Soller and also the Can Prunera Museu Modernista. This is a modernista mansion thought to have possibly been designed by Joan Rubio as well as the bank and bell tower but there is no evidence to prove this.
The museum houses works by modern artists of the 19th and 20th centuries including Joan Miro and Paul Klee.
Not only does Soller have its beautiful wooden trams crossing the centre (travelling between Soller and Port-de-Soller) it also has an old fashioned railway line with wooden carriages. The station is just behind the main square. Inside the train station is a small Modern Art Museum with paintings by Joan Miro.
If you can, do the 28 km journey from Palma-de-Mallorca to Soller on the historic railway line - the Ferrocarril de Soller. Sit in the beautiful vintage carriages decorated in mahogany and brass and enjoy the wonderful scenery during the hour long ride.
The Soller Railway trip is a little bit pricey but is very enjoyable and the old-fashioned wooden carriages and the gorgeous views combine to make this a memorable trip. This could be classed as one of Europe's top 10 railway trips.
Soller has an excellent botanic garden on the edge of town filled with Mediterranean plant species. In the garden is a Modernist mansion which is home to Soller's Natural Science Museum, the El Museu Balear de Ciències Naturals.
Soller makes an excellent base if you are interested in walking and cycling. Booking a villa or a finca (rural farmhouse) allows you to enjoy the resort of Soller and enjoy the tranquility of the countryside at the same time.
Port-de-Soller
To get to the Port of Soller from Soller there is a charming tram linking the two. Charming though quite pricey and so if you are visiting as a family you will find a taxi is cheaper. The taxi journey is a fixed price and pretty reasonable too. There is also a regular bus service between Soller and Port-de-Soller.
The Port-de-Soller is a thriving resort with a gorgeous bay surrounded by the rocky coastline. It is full of restaurants and bars many of which are on the seafront. Swimming in the bay is good, especially near the pedestrianised area and the beaches are lovely sandy beaches.
Fortunately due to the rocky nature of the coastline here it has not been possible to build too much here and as a result Soller Port has escaped the excesses of mass-tourism.
Places to visit nearby
On the outskirts of Soller is the Sa Capelleta vella, a tiny temple with a Gaudiesque interior. It is on the GR221 between Soller and Fornalutx. From the temple you also get great views of Soller and the valley.
Take the fabulous coast road to Deia. Robert Graves moved here in 1929 and died here in 1985. His grave is in the local cemetery.
The mountain range behind the town and Port-de-Soller is the fabulous 'Serra de Tramuntana' range. This has UNESCO World Heritage status for its physical and cultural signigicance.
Don't miss the beautiful mountain village of Lluc, one of the highlights of Majorca.
Nearby Fornalutx is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Balearic Islands guide.
Map of Soller and places to visit
Soller places to visit
Fornalutx
Fornalutx is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages of Spain. It occupies an idyllic spot surrounded by mountains.
Fornalutx guide
Port-de-Soller
Port-de-Soller is a lovely seaside town set on a stunning bay surrounded by mountains on the north coast of Mallorca.
Port-de-Soller guide
Deia
Deià was once the home of Robert Graves and his grave is here. Deia is one of the most beautiful villages of Spain.
Deia guide
Valldemossa
Valldemossa is a hill town with a monastery where George Sand and Frederic Chopin once stayed.
Valldemossa guide
Lluc
Lluc is a remote village in the mountains of the sierra Tramuntana and Mallorca's most important place of pilgrimage.
Lluc guide
Palma Cathedral
Palma Cathedral is a stunning 14th century Gothic cathedral in Palma-de-Mallorca. It occupies a dramatic position above the Parc de la Mar and the seafront.
Palma Cathedral guide...or see all our recommended places to visit in Balearic Islands