PORT SOLLER
A perfect horse shoe bay surrounded on three sides by the Tramuntana mountain range make the Port of Soller a unique place.
The only beach of any size on the North West side of Mallorca is to be found here.....along with a beautiful marina, numerous restaurants, five star hotels and never-ending breathtaking views.
Its the place for a family holiday, a sojourn for a Hollywood star, a place to launch your new business, or to sit, relax, revel in the fine food on offer and listen to the gentle sway of the ocean...
The Port is reached by road through the Soller Tunnel from Palma, by mountain road from Valldemossa and Deya and by sea for thousands of others. Not forgetting the introduction that many people have to the seaside playground of Soller by its TRAM. The tram is now 100 years old and celebrated its centenary in 2013. A magnificent party was held in its honour as a major tourist attraction and a local means of transport. The tram is an emblematic image of the Port and can be found on advertising hoardings worldwide. Many people who have yet to discover the Soller Valley know all about our tram from advertising and television programmes.
The Port of Soller has two lighthouses and looks out to sea in all respects. It has a fishing fleet and the sight of the boats returning with the circling seagulls waiting to pick up the discarded fish is a daily routine. The ice lorries wait at the quayside to rush the Soller prawns and the days catch off to Palma. The canny shopper can still get near enough to buy fish straight from the boat and go home to cook the freshest fish possible. The Fishermen's end of the Port is known as Santa Catalina and contains the oldest houses and neighbourhood of the Port of Soller. The Museum of the Sea is in this zone as is the old church Art Gallery. Both these buildings are used for the summer and winter concerts that the Port of Soller is so proud of. The tradition of music is dear to the heart of the people and the fishermen’s laments of the 'Haveneres'is especially venerated.
The tram terminates at the Santa Catalina end of the Port of Soller and the boat begins. The tourist boats taking people to Sa Colobra and its gorge is a favourite trip of visitors and locals alike. The boat is often used by walkers getting to Sa Colobra or Cala Tuent to start their climbs and mountain walks back to Soller or on towards Lluch. The fleet of tourist boats are our friends and bring in the Three Kings at Christmas to start one of the many fiestas and parades that happen year round in the Port of Soller. The boats have been operating these services for many years and are continually adding new additions to the fleet. In 2013 a Taxi Boat service was introduced for walkers needing to get direct to Cala Tuent and also the sunset cruises became a feature of the latest itinerary.
The beaches have been improved in recent year and now stretch almost the whole way round the bay. New sand and major work was undertaken to give the beach in front of The Esplendido life. The fine sand was imported from Albercete and is a fine cool sand very different to the Repic and Es Traves beaches. This work was done at the same time as the board-walk was created by the sea (tiled walk actually but board-walk in concept). The Tram line had to be re sited while this work was going on to make sure that walkers had an uninterrupted view of the sea. In the past the tram used to run right alongside the seafront obscuring the view. Many years of planning and much money has been spent creating the Port of Soller that we enjoy today.
The beach life of the summer consists of sun bathing, swimming, playing sand and beach games with the children, sandcastles and good old fashioned relaxation. There are a few pedalos and canoes about but no fun fairs, amusement arcades or theme parks. The daytimes in the summer are gently done and the resort has no plans to change its concept. Everything is available here if you know where to look. Companies hire yachts for the day or week, deep sea diving or fishing in one of the finest tuna fishing areas of the Mediterranean is undertaken by those that want a challenge.
The beach life of the winter is much the same except that there are many more organised walks, climbs and hikes for those who want a combination of beach and activity holidays. Cycling is big business in the Tramuntana and cyclists are our valued off season visitors. For those that prefer a little help with their wheels traditional white Vespa scooters are on hire for the ultimate ride round the mountains of our Valley.
At night the fine restaurants of the Port of Soller offer their own brand of hospitality with excellent food including those locally caught prawns on offer. There are bars with music and some hotels have entertainment. This is a class location and our regular and new visitors soon understand the world they have arrived in. The Port of Soller is a working village that welcomes visitors and does everything to give them a gentle, relaxed stay. The repeat business speaks for itself and it is acknowledged that people who come to the Port of Soller always return – many to buy holiday homes and some to relocate completely. The Port of Soller weaves its magic and all of a sudden this is the only place you want to be.
