Towns & Villages in Soller — 3 of Our Favourites

The charming little village of Fornalutx has a magical quality to it. So much so that, in 1983, it was awarded by the Promotion of Tourism of Mallorca's Silver Plate ‘for the defense and maintenance of the town’. 

If you aren’t staying here, it’s well worth visiting the town for a couple of hours just to walk up and down the stone steps, explore its charming lanes filled with potted plants and admire the pretty citrus groves.

Not only does Fornalutx claim a superlative mountain backdrop but the number of sought-after walking trails and cycle routes on its doorstep makes the village a top destination for hikers and bikers to base themselves. For a more laid-back experience, its cafés offer terraces with views of olive and orange groves scaling right up to the pine-clad foothills of Puig Major (Mallorca’s highest mountain).

Being a small village you will notice there is a mixture of locals, expats and tourists out and about. There are a few shops dotted around the village selling some traditional arts and crafts which, whilst tastefully done, seem to be tailored more for the tourists visiting the area. The bakery, on the other hand, is a part of the village’s authentic Mallorcan charm, servicing the residents in the area. There’s also a couple of delightful little restaurants on hand.

A typical old Mediterranean town, Sóller is made up of narrow streets lined with traditional style residential townhouses with the famous green Mallorcan shutters. The main square, Plaça Constitució, has plenty of cafés where you can enjoy a freshly made drink, and every Saturday the area comes alive when the local market takes place. Culture vultures come from far and wide to visit Sóller for its rich history, the beautiful architecture and museums. It's also a town that hosts many traditional Mallorcan fairs and festivals throughout the year.

Sóller lies a couple of miles inland from its port, Port de Sóller. There is a vintage tram that runs from the town to the port, which is one of the most famous attractions for tourists in the area. It’s also really easy to travel between Sóller and Palma, thanks to a vintage train, dating back to 1912, that connects the two and travels several times throughout the day. The train journey is an experience in itself as it passes through some wonderfully scenic countryside.

In recent years, a few stylish boutique hotels have opened in the area, making Sóller a trendy holiday destination amongst some of the islands most affluent visitors. Although it’s worth knowing that the town remains very much Spanish in terms of its full-time residents and there are very few expats living here year-round, which is perhaps part of its appeal.

Tucked at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana, Port de Sóller was once hard to reach before the tunnel to Sóller opened in the 1990s. On the flip side it has managed to avoid the overdevelopment seen in other coastal parts of Mallorca during the 70s and 80s, retaining its traditional charm. 

The bay is lined with a sandy beach and a pedestrianised promenade where you can wander past cafés, restaurants and shops with the occasional hotel tucked in. The place still feels like a working fishing harbour at its heart and you’ll find plenty of seafood on the local menus. At the same time, new places have added a fresh touch with stylish restaurants and cocktail bars popping up in recent years. A luxury hotel on the hill above the bay has helped bring more attention to the area and the seafront has had a tasteful makeover. 

Just a short trip inland takes you to Sóller itself, a charming town that still celebrates Mallorca’s heritage. You’ll find rustic stone buildings, a lively Saturday market and lovely little art galleries. The vintage tram ride between the two is a gentle journey through lemon and olive groves and is a lovely way to take in the landscape.