A wooden tram rattles through orange groves, turns a corner and suddenly the whole bay opens up in front of you. Few arrivals on the island feel this cinematic.
Port de Sóller is a small harbour town tucked into an almost perfectly round bay on the west coast of Mallorca. The Serra de Tramuntana rises straight behind it, so every walk along the seafront comes with mountain views on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. For centuries, it was simply the port of Sóller, the market town about 3 km inland. You’ll also see it written as Port de Soller, or Puerto de Sóller in Spanish. Today it’s one of the island’s best-loved places for slow holidays, sunset walks and boat trips along the wildest stretch of coast in the Balearic Islands.
In this article, you’ll find the best things to do in Port de Sóller, from the 1913 tram and the Cap Gros lighthouse to boat trips to Sa Calobra, easy hikes, local food and day trips into the mountains. There are also practical tips on getting there and where to stay.
💰 Aimia Hotel - An intimate harbourside hotel with a lovely outdoor pool and a well-equipped spa.
🏨 Hotel Esplendido - A four-star promenade hotel with the soul of a 1950s-style Mediterranean villa.
💎 Jumeirah Mallorca - A five-star clifftop resort with panoramic views over Port de Sóller bay and the Tramuntana.
Is Port de Sóller worth visiting?
Yes, and it’s worth more than a quick stop. Port de Sóller combines things that rarely come together on the island: a sheltered sandy beach, a lively promenade, a working harbour and direct access to the mountains. It’s also one of the very few places on the north-west coast where you’ll find sand rather than pebbles. Because the bay is closed off by two headlands, the water is usually calm and safe for children to swim in.
The atmosphere is relaxed rather than party-focused. You won’t find big clubs, but you will find seafood restaurants, cafés for people-watching and plenty of space on the promenade at sunset. It also makes an ideal base for exploring the Tramuntana mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, without driving every day.
Things to do in Port de Sóller - The highlights
Most of the things to do in Port de Sóller are within walking distance of each other. You can see the town itself in a day, but plan two or three days if you’d like a boat trip, a proper hike and a slow evening by the harbour.
Ride the vintage Sóller tram
The Tranvía de Sóller is the town’s best-known symbol. The tram line opened on 4 October 1913 and runs for just under 5 km between Sóller railway station and the marina in Port de Sóller. Some of the original wooden carriages are still in service. The ride takes about 20 minutes and passes through citrus groves before joining the seafront for the final stretch.
In the port, the tram stops along the promenade. The first stop is Sa Torre, close to the beach, and the line ends at Marysol, near the marina and the old fishing quarter. The open-sided summer carriages fill up fast in high season, so try an early-morning or late-afternoon ride. If you’re coming from Palma, the tram connects with the historic Tren de Sóller in Sóller.
Stroll the promenade and the old town
The seafront promenade curves around the bay for well over a kilometre. Walking from the beach at Repic to the old fishing quarter of Santa Catalina takes about 20 minutes. Along the way you’ll pass cafés, ice-cream parlours, small art galleries and restaurant terraces with sea views. Part of it is pedestrianised, and the tram runs right through the middle.
The old town of Port de Sóller is small, but it has real charm. Behind the harbour, narrow streets and staircases climb past former fishermen’s houses towards the Santa Catalina headland. It’s the most photogenic part of the port, especially in the soft light of late afternoon.
Spend a day at Port de Sóller beach
There are two beaches in the bay, separated only by the mouth of the Torrent Major stream. Platja d’en Repic on the southern side is the most popular, with a sandy seabed, shallow water and a family atmosphere. It’s the closest beach to the Sa Torre tram stop, about 100 metres away. Platja des Través runs towards the harbour, right alongside the tram line. It’s narrower and stonier, but it’s a great spot for watching the world go by.
Both beaches have sunbeds, showers and lifeguards in season, and the swimming area is marked with buoys. If you prefer wilder spots, the coves of Cala Deià and Cala Tuent are within easy reach by car or boat. Expect pebbles rather than sand, but the crystal-clear water makes up for it.
Walk to the Cap Gros lighthouse
The Cap Gros lighthouse stands on the western headland that closes the bay. It was built in 1859, and its tower rises 22 metres from a point about 120 metres above sea level. You can drive up a narrow, winding road, but walking is more fun. Start on the promenade or at the Sa Torre tram stop and follow the lane uphill for about 30-40 minutes.
From the top you get panoramic views over the whole bay, the town and the Serra de Tramuntana. The western side faces open sea, which makes it one of the best sunset spots on the island. Bring a jacket if you’re staying on after dark, as it can get windy on the headland.
Climb to the Torre Picada watchtower
On the opposite side of the bay, Torre Picada is a 17th-century watchtower, built in the wake of the 1561 pirate attack to warn the valley of raids by Barbary pirates. A walk of less than half an hour from the harbour takes you up through olive trees and pine forest to the foot of the tower.
The path is steep in places, but well marked. At the top, you’ll get spectacular views back over Port de Sóller and along the cliffs of the north coast. Set off early, as there’s little shade on the final section.
Visit the Museu de la Mar and Santa Catalina viewpoint
Above the old fishing quarter, the former Santa Catalina oratory (sometimes called the Santa Catalina monastery) now houses the Museu de la Mar. The small maritime museum opened in 2004 and tells the story of fishing, trade and emigration from Sóller. You’ll see boat models, historic photographs and recorded interviews with local fishermen.
Even if you don’t go inside, climb up to the viewpoint next to it. It looks straight out over the entrance to the bay and the open Mediterranean. In autumn, the oratory also hosts an annual classical music festival, with chamber concerts in a memorable setting.
Take a boat trip to Sa Calobra and Torrent de Pareis
Boat trips are one of the best things to do in Port de Sóller, because the coast to the north is almost impossible to reach by land. Regular boats leave the harbour for Sa Calobra, a journey of about an hour along sheer cliffs. At Sa Calobra you can walk to the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis, a gorge over 3 km long framed by towering limestone walls.
Faster speedboat tours also stop at Cala Tuent and let you swim in turquoise waters below the mountains. Departures depend on the season and the weather, so book your boat a day or two ahead in summer. Morning trips usually have calmer seas and fewer people in the cove.
Hike or cycle in the Tramuntana mountains
Port de Sóller is one of the main gateways to the Serra de Tramuntana. The long-distance GR 221 trail, known as the Ruta de Pedra en Sec (Dry Stone Route), passes close to the port. A popular day walk links Port de Sóller with Deià via the Muleta refuge and the Cap Gros lighthouse. It’s about 10 km long and follows terraces, olive groves and cliff paths with superb sea views.
Cyclists come for the roads too. The climb over the Coll de Sóller, with its long series of hairpins, is a classic, as is the road towards Fornalutx and Puig Major. The hairpin road down to Sa Calobra, built in 1932, is not for the faint-hearted. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for both hiking and cycling, as summer afternoons can be very hot.
Eat fresh fish by the harbour
Port de Sóller has always made its living from the sea, and fresh fish is still the star of most menus. Look out for the local red prawns, grilled fish of the day and seafood rice dishes served by the harbour. Many restaurants on the promenade have terraces facing the water, so lunch can easily turn into the main event of the day.
For a special evening, the two clifftop restaurants at the Jumeirah hotel, Es Fanals and the Cap Roig brasserie, are known for their views over the bay. Cap Roig is named after a local red fish. In town, finish with an orange or lemon ice cream. The Sóller valley is famous for its citrus fruits, and you’ll taste the difference.
Sóller - The nearby town in the valley of oranges
Don’t leave without visiting Sóller itself, the neighbouring town just inland. Its main square, Plaça de sa Constitució, is lined with cafés and dominated by the church of Sant Bartomeu. In the 19th century, the Sóller valley became a major exporter of olives and citrus fruits, and that wealth shows in its elegant modernist buildings. The Can Prunera museum is a good place to see this style up close.
On the road between the town and the port, you’ll find the Sóller Botanical Garden and the Balearic Museum of Natural Sciences (Museu Balear de Ciències Naturals). They make a calm, shady stop on a hot day. You can also walk from Sóller to the port through citrus groves in about 45-60 minutes and take the tram back.
Day trips from Port de Sóller
Port de Sóller is a great base for exploring the west coast of Mallorca. Within half an hour’s drive you’ll find some of the island’s loveliest places.
Fornalutx and Biniaraix
Fornalutx is a stone village with narrow streets, green shutters and terraces of olive trees. It’s often named among the prettiest villages in Spain. Biniaraix, a tiny hamlet closer to Sóller, is the starting point of a famous walk up the Barranc de Biniaraix gorge.
Deià and Cala Deià
Deià is a village of honey-coloured houses on a hillside above the sea, long loved by writers and artists. Below it, the small pebble cove of Cala Deià has a couple of fish restaurants and very clear water. On the road towards Valldemossa, the country estate of Son Marroig has superb views of the Sa Foradada rock.
Valldemossa and the Mirador de ses Barques
Further south, Valldemossa is known for its Carthusian monastery and cobbled streets. Heading north instead, stop at the Mirador de ses Barques. This lookout above the bay gives you one of the best views of Port de Sóller and its horseshoe shape. The MA-10 mountain road is best explored by car, so consider car hire for a day or two.
Festivals and events in Port de Sóller
The biggest event of the year is Es Firó. It takes place in mid-May, on the Monday of the Sóller fair, and commemorates 11 May 1561. On that day, the people of Sóller fought off an attack by Turkish and Algerian pirates. The battle is re-enacted on the beaches of the port, including Platja d’en Repic, and then in the centre of Sóller. Thousands of locals dress up as pirates or peasants, and the crack of blanks being fired fills the whole valley.
In autumn, chamber concerts return to the Santa Catalina oratory for the annual classical music festival. Around 16 July, fishermen honour the Verge del Carme with a boat procession around the bay. On 24 August, Sóller celebrates its patron saint, Sant Bartomeu, with music and events. Rooms sell out early around Es Firó, so plan ahead if you want to see it.
How do you get to Port de Sóller?
The most memorable way to get to Port de Sóller from Palma is on the Tren de Sóller. The wooden train has run since 1912 and takes about an hour from Plaça d’Espanya, crossing the mountains through a series of tunnels. In Sóller, you simply change to the tram for the last stretch to the sea.
If you’re driving, the Sóller tunnel, opened in 1997, makes the journey much easier. The drive from Palma or the airport takes around 40 minutes. Public buses also link Palma with Port de Sóller via Sóller, and in summer there are direct buses from other resorts such as Alcúdia. Parking in the port is limited in high season, so arrive early or use the car parks on the edge of town.
Where to stay - Sóller or Port de Sóller?
Stay in Port de Sóller if you want the beach, sea views and sunset walks on your doorstep. Choose Sóller if you prefer a lively small town with cafés, shops and a more local feel, plus easy access to the train. The two are only a short tram ride apart, so you can’t really go wrong.
As well as hotels, there are plenty of holiday rentals, from flats on the promenade to villas in the surrounding area. In July and August, prices rise, and the best places go quickly, so book your accommodation well in advance.
See available stays in Port de Sóller
Hotels in Port de Sóller
Port de Sóller has a good range of hotels for a town of its size, from intimate places by the harbour to a five-star resort on the cliffs. Here are three options for different budgets and travel styles.
💰 Aimia Hotel
An intimate hotel just behind the harbour, a short walk from the beach and the tram stops. Stylish rooms look out over the bay or the mountains, and there’s an attractive outdoor pool and a well-equipped spa. Staff are known for being friendly and helpful. It’s a great choice if you want comfort and a central location without paying resort prices.
🏨 Hotel Esplendido
A four-star hotel right on the promenade, with contemporary interiors and a design that nods to the 1950s. It has two infinity pools overlooking the bay, a spa and a seafood restaurant. The tram stops practically at the door, and the beach is a few minutes away. It suits couples and anyone after character, a view of the bay and the buzz of the seafront.
💎 Jumeirah Mallorca
A five-star clifftop resort on the Cap Roig headland, with sweeping views over the bay and the Serra de Tramuntana. Three restaurants, including Es Fanals and the Cap Roig brasserie, serve Mediterranean and Asian menus. There’s an infinity pool, pool bars and a large spa with a hammam. A shuttle bus takes you down to the port. It’s ideal for a luxury stay or a special occasion.
