A day in … · Tramuntana
A day in Sóller: wooden train, orange valley and sunset at the harbour
Last checked: October 2026
A day trip from Palma, planned hour by hour: through the mountains on the 1912 railway, coffee beneath Joan Rubió's church façade, orange ice cream at the market, the tram to the sea – and back in good time.
Quick answer
Is a day trip to Sóller worth it?
Yes – Sóller works well as a day trip without a hire car. The historic train takes around an hour from Plaça d'Espanya in Palma, and the tram takes you on to Port de Sóller in about 15 minutes. Budget €30 for the return train, €40 including the tram (as of autumn 2026). Important: the last train back leaves in the early evening – if you want the sunset at the harbour, take the bus.
- Getting there
- Ferrocarril de Sóller from Palma (Plaça d'Espanya), approx. 1 hr; alternatively bus TIB 204 through the tunnel
- Time needed
- a full day, ideally 09:00–20:00
- Costs
- return train €30, combined train + tram €40, single tram €10 (adults, as of autumn 2026)
- Best time
- February to June and September to November; start early in summer
- Without a car
- very doable – everything is within walking distance or by tram
- If it rains
- Can Prunera, the market hall, Jardí Botànic with museum
The day plan
Sóller in one day – how it works
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Departure on the “Red Lightning”
The small station is opposite Plaça d'Espanya. Single tickets are only sold at the counter; combined tickets with the tram are also available online. Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure – the midday trains are the busiest. The line runs through orange and olive groves and through more than a dozen tunnels over the Serra d'Alfàbia.
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Arrive and take a look around
The station is just a few steps above the centre. From the platform, head downhill towards the main square – the lanes with their green shutters set the tone for the day.
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Café con leche beneath Modernisme façades
The square is the valley's living room. The church of Sant Bartomeu was given its Art Nouveau façade by Joan Rubió, a pupil of Gaudí; right next to it stands the Bank of Sóller, which he also designed. From the terraces you can watch the tram roll right across the square.
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Can Prunera and the shopping street
A few metres further on is Can Prunera, a fully preserved Art Nouveau villa with a 20th-century art collection – allow around an hour. Afterwards, stroll along Carrer de sa Lluna: small shops, ceramics, espadrilles, delicatessen. At no. 70 you will find the garden café Miga de Nube with a studio for hand-painted objects (daily 09:00–18:00), and further along at no. 79 the small fashion boutique Casa Bel.
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Orange ice cream at the market
Opposite the market hall, the ice cream maker Sa Fàbrica de Gelats (Fet a Sóller) has been producing sorbets from the valley's oranges and lemons since 1994 – plus flavours such as ensaïmada or coca de patata. On Saturdays there is also a weekly market around the church. In the market hall itself there are tapas at lunchtime. A second ice cream address is Mister McCoy’s on the station square (Plaça d'Espanya 12), with flavours that change daily.
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Lunch: menú del día
Around the Plaça and in the side streets, many restaurants offer a good-value set menu at lunchtime. If you would rather eat with a sea view, wait until you reach the harbour – the promenade there is lined with one restaurant after another.
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By tram to the sea
The open wooden tram from 1913 runs from the station across the main square for around five kilometres to Port de Sóller, taking about 15 minutes. Single €10, included in the combined ticket. Tip: get on at the stop by the station – that is where your chances of a seat are best.
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Swimming in the horseshoe bay
The almost enclosed bay is calm and the water is usually smooth. Platja d'en Repic is the largest beach in the bay; Platja des Través is right by the harbour. If you would rather be out on the water: excursion boats to Sa Calobra depart from here.
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Sundowner at the lighthouse
From the harbour, the road on the west side of the bay leads up to the Cap Gros lighthouse – around two kilometres, steep in places. At the top you look out over the bay and the open sea to the west. If you want to keep walking: the circular route over Cap Gros is just under 12 kilometres long.
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Alternative to the lighthouse: Nautilus
The Nautilus restaurant (Carrer de Llebeig 1) has sat on the cliff above the harbour entrance since 1972. It serves three- or five-course menus, including vegetarian ones. In summer the sun sinks into the sea from here; in winter it sets more behind the coast. Open Wednesday to Sunday, booking recommended.
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Back to Palma
Depending on the season, the last train from Sóller leaves in the early evening (at the latest around 19:30) – check the timetable in the morning. If you stay for the sunset, take bus TIB 204 from Port de Sóller via Sóller and the tunnel back to Palma.
Costs
How much does the Sóller trip cost?
| Ticket (adults) | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Train Palma – Sóller single | €23 | station counter only |
| Train Palma – Sóller return | €30 | cheaper than two singles |
| Combined train + tram return | €40 | can be booked online |
| Tram Sóller – Port de Sóller single | €10 | the bus is cheaper |
| Train Palma – Bunyola single | €11 | part of the line |
Check the details
Prices and timetables change with the seasons. As of autumn 2026 according to the operator's price board. The official website trendesoller.com is always authoritative.
Variations
Adapting the day
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With children
Children usually enjoy the train and tram the most. During the day, choose the calm Platja d'en Repic rather than the lighthouse; plan in an ice cream at the market as a reward.
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For walkers
From Sóller a paved path leads in around an hour to Fornalutx, a mountain village with stone houses and painted roof tiles. Return by bus or along the same path.
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If it rains
Can Prunera, the market hall and the Jardí Botànic with the natural history museum (on the edge of town towards the harbour) will carry you through a wet day too.
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Experience the oranges
At the organic Ecovinyassa plantation on the way to Fornalutx, you walk through the orange groves on your own (around two hours, juice and snack included). Open Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri 10:00–15:00, by reservation only; adults €22, children aged 4–12 €10. Closed from November to January.
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Pool day in the mountains
The boutique hotel Ca’s Xorc on the road to Deià sells a day pass for the pool and relaxation area during the season (11:00–19:00, €55 per person, aged 16 and over). The hotel closes for the winter.
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By car
The tunnel makes the drive short, but parking in the centre is scarce. Use the car parks on the edge of town and walk in – or park at the harbour and take the tram into town. On the way along the Ma-11, at km 17, you will find the Jardins d’Alfàbia, historic gardens with watercourses (€10, mid-February to 31 October). Already at km 12.2 you can visit the Island Council's Raixa estate: terraced gardens, pools and a monumental outdoor staircase (Tue–Sat 10:00–15:00, free admission, parking at the house). On the way back towards Deià, the Hotel Corazón at km 56.7 also serves non-residents (winter break until the end of March).
In winter
From November to February, some addresses on this plan are closed: the Jardins d’Alfàbia (until mid-February), Ecovinyassa (until the end of January), Ca’s Xorc and the Hotel Corazón. The railway also pauses in winter for maintenance. The town, the market and the harbour work all year round.
FAQ
Questions about the day trip to Sóller
How long does the train journey from Palma to Sóller take?
Around an hour for 27 kilometres. The tram from Sóller to Port de Sóller takes about another 15 minutes.
Is the combined ticket with the tram worth it?
If you definitely want to go to the harbour, yes: the return train (€30) plus two tram journeys (€10 each) cost €50 separately, the combined ticket €40.
When does the last train back to Palma leave?
Depending on the season, in the early evening, at the latest around 19:30 from Sóller. For later return journeys, take bus TIB 204.
Does the train run all year?
No. The railway pauses in winter for maintenance; the 2026 season began on 1 February. The tram usually runs in winter as well – check in advance.
Can you do Sóller and Port de Sóller in one day?
Yes, easily. Morning in the town, afternoon at the harbour – that is exactly how this day plan is structured.
Read more
More about Sóller and the Tramuntana
Image credits: Bay of Port de Sóller: photo Vicenç Salvador Torres Guerola, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons