Soller on Mallorca - Day Trip on the Tren de Soller

Soller is one of those day trips that should be on every visit to Mallorca. The small town in the northwest sits in a wide valley full of lemon and orange groves, framed by the peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana. If you're after a relaxed but culturally rich day, you'll find everything here in a compact space: a historic old town, the famous narrow-gauge Tren de Soller, a picturesque harbour bay, and small restaurants serving traditional Mallorcan cooking. This guide explains how to plan your day trip to Soller, which highlights you shouldn't miss, and where the main tourist crowds tend not to go.

Why Soller is Worth It

Soller has managed to keep an authentic feel. While places like Palma or Alcudia are heavily shaped by mass tourism, Soller still has a sense of the original Mallorca. The town has lived from its citrus groves since the 17th century, and much of its trade and prosperity shows in the grand townhouses around the Placa Constitucio.

The surrounding landscape is dominated by the spectacular Serra de Tramuntana, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. If you want to explore the region further, our guide to leisure and sport on Mallorca has plenty of detail. The combination of mountains, sea, historic town centre, and productive farmland makes Soller one of the most varied spots on the island.

Getting there is also straightforward. From Palma you can arrive by the historic train, by car, or by scheduled bus. A full day is enough to take in the main highlights at a relaxed pace.

The Tren de Soller - the Legendary Train Ride

The Tren de Soller has been running since 1912 and today operates almost unchanged between Palma and Soller. The journey takes just over an hour and covers 27 kilometres through orange groves, olive plantations, tunnels, and over viaducts. The most impressive stretch comes just before Soller, when the train crosses the valley from above and offers a sweeping panoramic view.

Official timetables and current prices are on the official Tren de Soller website. A one-way ticket costs around 25 EUR per person; a return is slightly cheaper per journey. If you'd rather skip the train, the TIB scheduled bus is significantly cheaper. More on public transport is in our guide to public transport on Mallorca.

Soller Old Town - Sights in the Valley

In Soller itself, the highlights worth visiting are:

• The Sant Bartomeu church on the Placa Constitucio, whose facade was designed by Joan Rubio, a student of Gaudi
• The Banco de Soller next door, also by Rubio, with a striking Modernista Art Nouveau style
• The Museu de la Mar, small but carefully put together, with insights into the maritime history of the region
• The Mercat Municipal, ideal for a stop with local cheese, olives, and fresh oranges
• Can Prunera Museum, a Modernista townhouse with an impressive garden and rotating exhibitions

The historic centre is compact enough to explore entirely on foot. Plan around two to three hours for the old town. Many cafes on the Placa serve freshly squeezed orange juice from local fruit, which is simply part of the Soller experience.

Port de Soller - Bay, Beach, and the Tramvia

From Soller's town centre, the historic tram - the Tramvia - takes about twenty minutes down to the sea. The open, bright red carriages run right through the streets and stop at several stations. The terminus is right on the Port de Soller promenade.

The bay at Port de Soller is almost perfectly circular, sheltered from the wind, and popular with sailors as a result. The sandy beach is not the most dramatic on Mallorca, but it slopes gently into the water and works well for families. Along the promenade you'll find plenty of restaurants serving fresh fish and homemade paella. Anyone interested in sustainable fishing can learn more through the Blue Fish programme of the Balearics, which highlights local fishing methods and recipes.

Beyond the beach, a walk to the lighthouse - Far del Cap Gros - is well worth it. Sitting above the bay, it offers one of the finest views on the northwest coast. On a clear day you can see as far as Deia and Banyalbufar.

Activities Around Soller

If you want more than just town and beach, there's plenty to do around Soller. Guided boat trips to the Sa Calobra bay or the Torrent de Pareis are a popular choice, departing from Port de Soller. The route follows steep rock faces and ends at one of the most spectacular gorges on the island.

Walkers will find routes for all levels nearby. The gentle path to Biniaraix along its cobbled lanes takes about an hour. More ambitious is the ascent through the Barranc de Biniaraix, which continues upward towards L'Ofre with rewarding views along the way.

A few options for activities:

• Boat trip from Port de Soller to Sa Calobra, around 35 EUR per person
• Walk to Biniaraix, easy, about 1 hour
• Kayak and SUP rental directly in the bay, from 15 EUR per hour
• Visit to a local olive mill or orange plantation with tasting
• Day trip to Deia or Valldemossa by rental car, only about 30 minutes away

For opening hours and seasonal offerings, the official Balearic tourism website has a reliable overview.

Practical Tips for Your Soller Day Trip

The best time to visit Soller is April to June and September to October. In high summer the valley can get very hot, particularly at midday. In the shoulder season the old town and harbour are far less crowded, yet the cafes and restaurants are still open.

Things to bring and plan for:

• Sturdy shoes if you plan to walk around the old town or along the bay
• Water bottle, sunscreen, and a light hat
• Cash for smaller shops, car parks, and entrance fees
• A ticket for the Tren de Soller, booked online or at Palma station
• Time for a long lunch break - Mallorcans take their midday rest seriously

If you want to use Soller as a base for several days, there are some lovely small hotels and fincas in the area, often at lower prices than in Palma. A rental car makes sense if you also want to explore the surrounding villages of Fornalutx, Biniaraix, or Deia. Tips on getting around are in our guide to public transport on Mallorca and our guide to leisure and sport on Mallorca.

Summary

Soller is the ideal day trip if you want to combine mountain views, cultural history, and the sea in a single outing. The Tren de Soller ride alone is worth the trip, the historic old town with its Gaudi-inspired facades offers great photo opportunities at every turn, and the relaxed harbour with its fish restaurants rounds off the day perfectly. Plan for at least six to eight hours, book the train in advance, and use the Tramvia between town and port. That way your Soller day trip brings together the best of what Mallorca has to offer.