Sóller is the town I always drove visitors to first. Whenever friends or family came to Mallorca, before the beach, before Palma, before anything else — I’d take them to Sóller. Because this mountain town in the Serra de Tramuntana has something that most of the island’s tourist spots have lost: it feels genuinely, unshakeably Mallorcan. The main square is still the centre of life here, the old wooden tram still rattles through the middle of it, and the cafés still serve the kind of freshly squeezed orange juice that makes you wonder what you’ve been drinking your whole life. In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Sóller Mallorca — from the cobblestoned old town to Port de Sóller’s horseshoe bay — plus where to eat, where to stay, and the day trips that make Sóller one of the best bases on the island.
This is Sóller Mallorca as someone who lived here knows it.
♥ Exploring the Tramuntana? Read our guide to the most beautiful villages in Mallorca for more hidden gems.
Quick Facts
- Location: Serra de Tramuntana, northwest Mallorca
- Distance from Palma: 30 km / 30 minutes through the tunnel (or 45 minutes via the scenic Ma-11 mountain road)
- Train from Palma: The historic Ferrocarril de Sóller runs from Palma’s Plaça d’Espanya — 1 hour, wooden carriages, spectacular mountain scenery
- Tram to Port de Sóller: Connects the town to the port in 20 minutes — the ride itself is half the fun
- Market day: Saturday (arrive early — parking is chaos)
- Best time to visit: April–June and September–October
Understanding Sóller: Town vs Port
Before anything else — Sóller Mallorca has two distinct parts, and understanding the difference will shape your visit.
Sóller town is the mountain village: the Plaça de la Constitució with its beautiful Sant Bartomeu church, narrow lanes lined with stone houses, galleries, cafés, the Saturday market, and the Jardines de Alfabia nearby. This is where the character lives.
Port de Sóller (Puerto de Sóller) is the coastal extension: a horseshoe-shaped bay with a sandy beach, a seafront promenade lined with restaurants, and a much more relaxed, beachy atmosphere. It’s 3 km downhill from the town, connected by the old red tram.
Most visitors see both in the same day — and you should too. But the energy is completely different, and knowing which one you’re heading to helps you plan. My honest advice: spend the morning in the town, eat lunch in the port, and swim in the afternoon. Or do it the other way around. Either works.
Things to Do in Sóller Town
Sit in the Plaça de la Constitució
This is the heart of Sóller and one of my favourite squares in all of Mallorca. The Sant Bartomeu church dominates one side — its Modernista facade was designed by a student of Gaudí, and it shows. On the other sides, cafés spill out onto the square, and every fifteen minutes the old red tram trundles through on its way to Port de Sóller, squeezing between the tables. Grab a seat, order a café con leche and a fresh orange juice (Sóller is famous for its citrus groves), and just watch. I’ve done this more times than I can count, and it never gets old.
Ride the Historic Train from Palma
The Ferrocarril de Sóller has been running since 1912 — a wooden-carriage train that crosses the Tramuntana mountains from Palma in about an hour. The route passes through tunnels, across viaducts, and past mountain villages with views that make everyone reach for their phone. It’s touristy, yes — but it’s also genuinely beautiful and one of the most iconic things to do in Sóller Mallorca. Book tickets online in advance during summer. One-way is around €25.
Wander the Old Town Streets
Beyond the main square, Sóller’s old town is a tangle of narrow lanes worth exploring. Stone houses with wooden shutters, hidden courtyards, small galleries, and tiny shops selling local olive oil and sobrassada. I always end up on Carrer de Sa Lluna — the main pedestrian street with the best boutiques and a few genuinely good cafés. It’s the kind of walking that doesn’t need a map, just curiosity and comfortable shoes.
Visit the Jardines de Alfabia
Just outside Sóller on the road to Palma, the Jardines de Alfabia are a Moorish-era garden estate that feels like stepping into another century. Fountains, pergolas, citrus trees, and a cool interior with painted ceilings. There’s a small café inside — perfect for an afternoon spritz in the shade. Allow 1-2 hours. One of the more peaceful things to do in Sóller Mallorca, especially on a hot afternoon.
Hit the Saturday Market
Sóller’s Saturday market fills the main square and surrounding streets with stalls selling fresh produce, olives, local cheese, artisan bread, honey, and handmade crafts. Arrive before 9 AM if you want to park (seriously — the town becomes gridlocked by 10). The market is a good way to experience Sóller as the locals do, not as a tourist attraction.
Things to Do in Port de Sóller
Swim at the Beach
Port de Sóller’s bay is one of the prettiest on the island — a wide crescent of sand with calm, shallow water that’s perfect for swimming. The beach gets busy in summer, but the water is clean and the mountain backdrop is gorgeous. Sunbed rentals are around €10–€15 per day. For quieter spots, walk to the far ends of the bay — the northern end (toward the lighthouse) is less crowded and more local. These outer corners of Port de Sóller are what I love most — the tourists thin out and it’s just you, the water, and the mountains.
Walk the Promenade
The seafront promenade stretches around the bay and is lined with restaurants, ice cream shops, and the occasional street musician. It’s a lovely evening walk — especially as the sun drops behind the mountains and the bay turns golden. The tram line runs alongside, so you’ll hear it clanking past every twenty minutes. Walk all the way to the lighthouse at the far end for the best sunset view.
Take a Boat Trip
From the port, you can catch boat excursions along the coast — typically toward Sa Calobra and the Torrent de Pareis gorge. The boat ride itself is spectacular, hugging the Tramuntana cliffs. Departures are usually in the morning, around €20–€30 per person. If you’d rather DIY, small motorboat rentals are available at the harbour.
Best Restaurants in Sóller Mallorca
The restaurant scene in Sóller Mallorca punches above its weight for a town this size. Whether you’re in the mountain town or down at the port, you’ll eat well — just know that the port restaurants lean seafood-heavy while the town restaurants tend toward traditional Mallorcan.
Restaurants In Sóller Town | Mallorca
- Ca’n Pintxo — My go-to for tapas in the town. The pa amb oli is proper (thick-cut tomato, village olive oil, sometimes topped with jamón or cheese), and they do excellent patatas bravas. Small, busy, book ahead.
- Luna 36 — On Carrer de Sa Lluna, this spot has a beautiful courtyard and a menu that mixes Mallorcan staples with Mediterranean influences. Good wine list, friendly service.
- Sa Fàbrica de Gelats — Sóller’s legendary ice cream shop, using local oranges and lemons. Queue inevitable, worth it.
Restaurants In Port de Sóller | Mallorca
- Es Través — Seafront, solid grilled white fish, pa amb oli as a starter, local wine. This is where I’d take someone who wanted the classic Port de Sóller lunch: feet practically in the sand, fish that was in the water that morning.
- Agapanto — Higher-end dining with a terrace overlooking the bay. Good for a special dinner. The seafood is excellent and the desserts are worth the extra course.
- Randemar — Perched above the bay with panoramic views. Mediterranean menu with Mallorcan touches. One of the best restaurants in Sóller Mallorca for a sunset dinner.
For my broader island picks, read our best restaurants guides across Mallorca.
Day Trips from Sóller
Sóller’s location makes it the perfect base for exploring the Tramuntana coast. Here are the ones I’d prioritise:
Deià — 20 minutes north along the Ma-10. Read our full Deià guide for the details, but the short version: stunning village, Cala Deià beach, Ca’s Patro March restaurant. Pair it with Sóller for a perfect Tramuntana day.
Fornalutx — 10 minutes from Sóller, often called one of the prettiest villages in Spain. You can hike there from Sóller via Biniaraix — about 5 km through orange groves and dry-stone terraces. The walk is one of the best things to do in Sóller Mallorca that doesn’t involve sitting down.
♥ Browse our favourite Tramuntana hikes on AllTrails and download routes before you go.
Sa Calobra — 30 minutes to the start of the famous winding road, then another 30 minutes of hairpin bends down to the beach. Spectacular driving (or terrifying, depending on your comfort level with one-lane mountain roads). Go before 11 AM to avoid the tour buses.
Valldemossa — 25 minutes south. The Carthusian monastery where Chopin stayed, plus a village that’s almost as photogenic as Sóller. Read our Valldemossa guide for the full details.
Palma — Catch the historic train back to the capital (1 hour). Explore the cathedral, the old town, and the seafront before returning.
♥ Need a car? We always book through SunnyCars for full coverage and no excess.
Where to Stay in Sóller Mallorca
In the town (for village atmosphere): Hotel Ca’l Bisbe — beautiful boutique hotel steps from the main square with a pool and excellent restaurant. Thinking of traveling to Soller but hoping to find a hotel under the radar? If that’s the case, Los Geranios is your place. This small family owned 4 star hotel is located at Platja d’en Repic. Hotel L’Avenida — stylish, well-located, with a rooftop terrace. For a splurge: Gran Hotel Sóller — the grand old hotel on the main square.
In Port de Sóller (for beach proximity): Jumeirah Port Sóller Hotel & Spa — the luxury benchmark, perched on the cliffs above the bay with infinity pool and sunset views. Hotel Eden — mid-range, seafront, solid value. Es Port Hotel — historic building, great pool, walking distance to the beach.
Rural finca option: Ca’s Xorc — agriturismo in the hills between Sóller and Deià. Olive groves, mountain views, total silence. Not walking distance to anything, but that’s the point.
♥ For more Mallorca stays, explore our luxury family villas or our accommodation guides. why not pack your bags and discover the charm of this beautiful town for yourself?
Practical Tips
Parking: The single biggest headache in Sóller Mallorca. The town centre is tiny and street parking fills up by 9 AM, especially on Saturdays (market day). Use the car park at the top of town near the tunnel exit, or park at your hotel. In Port de Sóller, parking is easier but still limited in summer.
The tunnel vs the scenic road: You can reach Sóller from Palma via the Sóller tunnel (fast, €5 toll) or the old Ma-11 mountain road (slow, free, beautiful). My advice: take the scenic road one way and the tunnel the other. The mountain road has hairpin bends and viewpoints that make it one of the best drives on the island.
Overtourism note: Sóller gets busy, especially in July–August and on Saturdays. If possible, visit midweek in shoulder season (May, June, September, October). Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest times.
FAQ — Things to Do in Sóller Mallorca
Sit in the Plaça de la Constitució and watch the tram go past, ride the historic train from Palma, explore the old town lanes, hike to Fornalutx, swim at Port de Sóller’s beach, and eat pa amb oli at Ca’n Pintxo. The best things to do in Sóller Mallorca combine mountain village atmosphere with coastal relaxation.
Absolutely. Port de Sóller has a beautiful horseshoe bay with a sandy beach, a seafront promenade, and excellent seafood restaurants. It’s 3 km from Sóller town and connected by the old red tram. Visit both — they complement each other perfectly.
Ca’n Pintxo (tapas in town), Randemar (sunset dinner at the port), Agapanto (special occasion seafood), and Es Través (classic Port de Sóller seafood lunch). The restaurants in Sóller Mallorca range from casual tapas to refined Mediterranean.
Drive through the tunnel (30 minutes, €5 toll), take the scenic Ma-11 mountain road (45 minutes, free), or catch the historic Ferrocarril de Sóller train (1 hour, ~€25, unforgettable). The train is the most special option and one of the top things to do in Sóller Mallorca.
Yes — Sóller Mallorca is perfectly positioned for the Tramuntana coast. Deià, Fornalutx, Valldemossa, and Sa Calobra are all within 30 minutes. You can also catch the train to Palma for a day trip. It’s one of the best bases on the island if you want mountains and coast.
On the Move | Sóller Mallorca
Sóller is the town that made me understand why people fall in love with the Tramuntana. It’s not the flashiest place on Mallorca — there are no beach clubs, no designer boutiques, no Instagram-famous infinity pools. What it has is a town square that feels like the centre of the world, a tram that belongs in a film, and a port where you can eat grilled white fish with your toes practically in the sand. Every time I brought someone here, they said the same thing: “Why didn’t you bring me here sooner?” This is slow travel at its most natural — no itinerary pressure, just mountains, sea, and long lunches. I hope this guide helps you find your own version of Sóller.
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Hi, I’m Lisa, the Dutch blogger behind Dutchbloggeronthemove — a luxury slow travel platform built on the belief that the best journeys happen at a pace that lets you actually remember them.
She has lived in Mallorca for over three years, visited Lake Garda 35+ times since childhood, and spent years exploring South Africa’s wine regions until she knew them the way locals do. She travels with her partner and her Labrador Buddy, and she still returns to her favourite destinations four or more times a year — because one visit is never enough to write about a place honestly.
Everything published here starts from personal experience. That’s the only kind worth reading. ♥
