Soller (Mallorca) is a municipality in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains , above which rises the highest mountain on the island - Puig Mayor. Here is the city of Soller, and the city, called the Port de Soller, with the resort is the latter. However, attention deserves both, and they are located quite close to each other.
From Palma to Soller
The city is located 35 km from Palma de Mallorca. How to get to Soller? You can do it faster or more formally. It will be faster on a rented car (on the highway MA-11, you can choose whether to use a paid tunnel or go for free mountain serpentine) or on a municipal bus.
A longer, but more romantic trip is by train on an old train . The Palma-Soller train departs from the end points six times a day. The road, which was built at the beginning of the century in record time (its necessity was caused by the fact that Soller is practically cut off from the rest of the island by mountains), passes through a very picturesque area - from the windows of the car you can admire the fruit groves, forests, mountain landscapes. By the way, the train itself is also a historical sight: the cars of the beginning of the century have completely preserved their original interior.
The train departs from the station in Palma (it is near the Plaza of Spain). If you sit on the left side, then you will get more pleasure from the views that open from the window.
From the train you can go and not at the final stop, but, for example, in Bunyola, and walk to the gardens of Alfabia.
Sóller
The town is in a valley surrounded by numerous orange and lemon groves. The irrigation systems here were created by the Arabs. It is the orange groves that he owes his name - in Arabic Sulyar means "golden valley". The whole valley is a favorite holiday destination for those who prefer ecotourism.
One of the attractions of the city of Soller is ice cream, which you can buy in the store opposite the market.
There are other places of interest here. For example, the main square of the city is the Constitution Square, where the Soller bank, built in the Art Nouveau style, and the city church are located. There are many fountains and cafes on the square with open terraces.
The church of St. Bartholomew is a building of the middle of the 13th century. She underwent reorganization several times. The main part refers to the baroque style of the 17th and 18th centuries, while the facade is designed in the style of "modern", and the upper church refers to the neo-Gothic style.
Special attention should be paid to the narrow streets of the town, where pots with flowers are directly along the pavement.
Soller offers its visitors a whole network of tourist mountain routes, many of which pass along the paths laid by local coal miners. Routes vary in duration. If you are not too experienced tourist - you will approach the route Cami del Rost, designed for 2-3 hours. It starts across the road from the gas station on the outskirts of the city, and leads to the village of Deya, passing through the manors S'Heretat, Ca'n Prohom and Son Coll.
Another attraction of Soller is the international folklore festival, held here since 1980 annually. It is held in July.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden de Soller is located on the outskirts of the city. Jardi Botanic de Soller is small - its area is about a hectare. In the garden are the plants of Mallorca and other islands of the Mediterranean Sea. The garden was opened in 1992. It is conditionally divided into 3 zones: plants of the Balearic Islands, wild flora of other islands and ethnobotany. In the garden there are many small water reservoirs, where various aquatic plants bloom. Back in the garden is the Museum of Balearic Natural Sciences. Visit to the garden together with the museum will take you about 2 hours.
The ticket costs 5 euros.
From Soller to Soller: "Orange Express"
If you want to continue traveling on a retro transport - depart from Soller to Port Soller (they are located about 5 km apart).
From the city of Soller to the port you can reach the retro tram 5 E. The road will take you about half an hour. The path is not very noticeable - it passes by private houses and less often occurring tangerine and orange groves.
The tram is called "Orange Express" - and thanks to the color of the tram itself, and mainly - due to the fact that it was this transport that traders sent oranges to the port.
The cost of the trip is 5 euros, and the ticket is purchased directly from the conductor. There are "orange expresses" every half hour.
Port Sóller is a commercial, fishing and naval port. Its depth is 4-5 meters. It has 226 berths. The bay in which the port is located is almost circular. From the port you can go for a walk and visit the coves, which can only be accessed from the sea. And you can go by ship to Palma de Mallorca.
This is an ancient "pirate" place. More about this you will learn by visiting the Maritime Museum.
Port Solier prefers the older public - mainly thanks to the presence of walking routes for walks and the absolute tranquility prevailing here: there is no shopping and no nightlife here. But here you can immerse yourself in absolute relaxation and how to relax. And if you want entertainment - from here it is easy to get to Palma or other more "active" resorts.