Port de Sóller: beach, harbour and historic tram

An almost circular, sheltered bay with a sandy beach, two lighthouses and a tram that has run down from Sóller since 1913. The north-west coast's principal natural harbour.

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Port de Sóller

Location of Port de Sóller

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The essentials at a glance

Worth visiting for: A longer stay
Best for: Anyone wanting to arrive by historic tram
Best months: January–May, September–December
Time to allow: Half a day, or longer as a holiday base

Without a car: Hire car recommended
Parking: Difficult in season; arriving by tram is easier
Keep in mind: Anyone expecting peace in August
Access: Pushchairs: Very straightforward on the promenade · Wheelchairs: Promenade largely accessible; lighthouse routes are not

Seaside resort

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Wooden jetty between rows of white llaüts with tall masts in Port de Sóller harbour, backed by wooded hills.

Llaüts still lie beside quays once used to load oranges.

Black-and-white lighthouse on a rocky headland at Port de Sóller's entrance, with an old watchtower and deep blue sea.

A lighthouse on each headland marks the harbour entrance.

Pale sandy beach at Port de Sóller beside calm turquoise water, with hillside buildings and mountains beyond.

Gently shelving sand and sheltered water make this a good family beach.

Getting to know Port de Sóller

Does Port de Sóller suit your plans?

What to expect and what to know before you visit.

Who it suits

Anyone wanting to arrive by historic tram
Families — a sheltered bay and gently shelving beach
Walkers heading into the Tramuntana
Visitors wanting to experience Es Firó in May

Things to bear in mind

Anyone expecting peace in August
Drivers wanting easy parking
Visitors looking for an undiscovered village
Anyone wanting deep, crystal-clear water directly off the main beach

A glimpse of Port de Sóller

Ochre and pale waterfront houses at Port de Sóller, with sailing boats on turquoise water and the promenade in front.

More photographs of Port de Sóller →

Season guide for Port de Sóller

November Worth a visit

Very quiet Some places closed

Worth a visit Worth considering Less suitable Closed

Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December. Less suitable in August.

The bay

Port de Sóller’s bay is almost circular, enclosed by hills on both sides, with an entrance narrow enough to be easily missed from the sea. A lighthouse stands on each headland.

Its shelter made it the principal natural harbour on the north-west coast, handling the valley’s trade into the 20th century.

The cargo that passed through

The Sóller valley grew oranges and lemons. Reaching Palma by land meant crossing a mountain pass with fifty-seven bends, so much of the produce went by sea instead.

Trade was particularly strong with southern France, including Marseille, Sète and Nîmes. In the 19th century, families from the valley emigrated there, founded fruit and trading businesses and sent money home.

Their wealth helped pay for Sóller’s grand façades and the railway opened in 1912. French influence also left traces in the valley’s vocabulary.

Today you see yachts at the quay. A century ago, cargo sailing ships loaded here, carrying much of the valley’s prosperity with them.

A setting for films

The round bay, mountain backdrop, promenade and old tram make an appealing filming location.

German television productions regularly use the area, and Hotel Espléndido on the promenade has appeared in TV films. In October 2023, ZDF filmed here with Heino Ferch and Jessica Schwarz.

Autumn visitors may encounter lighting rigs on the quay or a temporarily closed section of promenade while a scene is filmed.

Sóller tram beneath old plane trees on a square, with green-shuttered houses behind. — Waiting beneath the plane trees for departure.

The tram

The tram has covered the five kilometres from Sóller since 1913, passing orange groves before following the promenade to the water.

It is useful transport as well as an attraction, and in season it makes a more relaxing arrival than searching for a parking space.

Orange Sóller tram on the waterfront tracks at Port de Sóller, with palms and the bay behind. — The tram ends beside the water, five kilometres from town on a line opened in 1913.

Es Firó

During the May celebrations, local people re-enact the pirate raid of 1561. Boats bring the raiders to the beach, defenders meet them and the streets fill with costumes.

It is worth seeing, but expect large crowds and slow progress through the village.

Es Firó participants dressed as Moorish raiders, carrying shields and flags on a wooden boat off Port de Sóller beach. — During Es Firó, the raiders arrive by boat, re-enacting the landing of 1561.

The beach

Sand, a gentle slope into the water and a sheltered bay make this a good choice for families.

The main beach’s water is not always crystal clear. Head towards the edges of the bay for clearer swimming spots.

Onwards by boat

Summer boats run to Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent, a relaxing way to visit without tackling the mountain roads.

When to visit

Choose March or October for a quieter visit, May for Es Firó, or January for the orange harvest in the valley.

In August, train tickets can sell out, traffic queues at the tunnel and parking becomes difficult.

Photographs

Port de Sóller in Mallorca

Bows of traditional wooden boats with ropes at Port de Sóller quay, backed by palms and buildings. — **Port de Sóller**Wood, ropes and PM registration markings on locally registered boats.

Port de Sóller promenade with a restaurant under awnings, pedestrians and boats, with mountains beyond. — **Port de Sóller**Allow around twenty minutes to follow the promenade halfway around the bay.

Broad sandy beach at Port de Sóller with promenade palms, bathers and a wooded hillside behind. — **Port de Sóller**Palms at the edge and a hill behind. The village has always had limited room to grow.

Busy Port de Sóller marina with motorboats, hillside houses and pines. — **Port de Sóller**Yachts use the shelter that once served trading ships.

Wooden Sóller tram travelling along a paved street between houses and plane trees, with pedestrians nearby. — **Port de Sóller**In town, the tram passes between the houses. Pedestrians need to keep clear of the tracks.

Front of orange Sóller tram number 23, with the driver at the window. — **Port de Sóller**Tram 23. These vehicles are older than most of their passengers.

Sóller tram travelling between tall palms beside the promenade, with hillside houses behind. — **Port de Sóller**Between palms and promenade on the final bend towards the terminus.

View from a Sóller tram carriage along tracks running beside the road between town and port. — **Port de Sóller**For much of the journey, the tracks run alongside the road.

Passengers looking through open windows of a Sóller tram carriage, with reeds and tracks alongside. — **Port de Sóller**Open windows are part of the tram journey's appeal.

Es Firó participants dressed as Christian defenders with flags and sabres on Port de Sóller beach. — **Port de Sóller**The defenders prepare on shore. Local people play both sides.

Costumed participants staging a fight on the sand during Es Firó, with sabres, drums and flags. — **Port de Sóller**A staged battle on the beach, with sand getting everywhere.

Dense crowd of costumed participants on Port de Sóller beach during Es Firó, with hillside buildings behind. — **Port de Sóller**Moving through the crowds takes patience on festival day.

Close portrait of an Es Firó participant with dark face paint, a headscarf and a long pipe. — **Port de Sóller**Elaborate costumes are kept and passed on over the years.

Two Es Firó participants with prop guns, headscarves and dark face paint, standing before buildings and a hillside. — **Port de Sóller**Waiting between scenes. The celebrations last all day.

Portrait of an Es Firó participant with a black-and-white headscarf, dark face paint and a prop weapon over his shoulder against blue sky. — **Port de Sóller**Local participants take part while visitors watch.

Costumed Es Firó participant with a necklace, headwear and raised arm among other participants. — **Port de Sóller**The drumming carries through the village. You hear the celebrations before you see them.

How much time do you have?

Things to do in Port de Sóller

Three hours

Arrive by tram, walk around the bay and spend time on the beach.

Half a day

Add a climb to the Cap Gros lighthouse for views over the bay and coast.

A full day

Combine the port with Sóller, Fornalutx and Biniaraix, or take a boat to Sa Calobra.

On a rainy day

Partly suitable. Restaurants are an option, but the bay is the main attraction.

Practical details

Parking: Difficult in season; arriving by tram is easier
Public transport: Tram from Sóller; buses from Palma through the tunnel
Time to allow: Half a day, or longer as a holiday base
Good to know: Summer boats run to Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent, a relaxing way to reach them. The tram runs regularly and is useful transport as well as an attraction.
Bus: Tram from Sóller; buses from Palma through the road tunnel
Shops and services: Supermarkets: Several in the village · Pharmacy: In the village · Medical care: In Sóller · Cash machines: Several · Fuel: In Sóller
Access: Level promenade and beach approaches; uphill routes to the lighthouses · Pushchairs: Very straightforward on the promenade · Wheelchairs: Promenade largely accessible; lighthouse routes are not · Dogs: Not allowed on the beach in season
What you will not find: Plenty of parking spaces · High-summer peace · Crystal-clear water off the main beach · An undiscovered village atmosphere
Coordinates: 39.7961,2.6947 Google Maps Apple Maps

Within reach

Places to visit

Nearby

A long pergola at Jardins d’Alfàbia with stone columns and balustrades spraying fine jets of water across the path.

Jardins d'Alfàbia 8 km south (straight-line distance)

At the foot of the Sóller pass, this garden has irrigation rooted in Moorish times. Palm groves, a pergola with …

White circular pavilion with columns and a dome on a terrace high above the deep blue sea at Son Marroig, with the steep Tramuntana coast behind.

Son Marroig 8 km south-west (straight-line distance)

Archduke Ludwig Salvator's country estate above the west coast, with a white marble pavilion on the edge — the …

A Gothic arcade with slender stone columns in Miramar’s garden, covered with red leaves and flowers.

Monestir de Miramar 10 km south-west (straight-line distance)

Ramon Llull founded a school for Eastern languages here in 1276. Six hundred years later, Archduke Ludwig Salvator …

The turquoise-green Gorg Blau reservoir between wooded Tramuntana slopes, with bare limestone peaks beneath a blue sky.

Gorg Blau 11 km east (straight-line distance)

Mallorca’s largest reservoir sits in the heart of the Tramuntana beside the MA-10. Swimming is forbidden, there’s …

Raixa's manor house behind an orange grove and tall cypresses, with the wooded Serra de Tramuntana slopes beyond.

Raixa 13 km south (straight-line distance)

A country estate near Bunyola, transformed by an 18th-century cardinal into an Italian-style villa. A terraced …

A wide view from Santa Llúcia across Mancor de la Vall's rooftops and the wooded plain towards mountains on the horizon.

Santuari de Santa Llúcia 16 km east (straight-line distance)

A pilgrimage church on a rocky ledge above Mancor de la Vall, documented since 1275. The terrace looks across much …

Lluc's Baroque church façade, clock and bell gable framed by a dark stone archway.

Santuari de Lluc 17 km east (straight-line distance)

Mallorca's spiritual centre, a sanctuary at 525 metres in the heart of the Tramuntana, with guest rooms, a …

La Granja’s pale manor house and loggia surrounded by dense trees and hillside gardens in the Serra de Tramuntana.

La Granja 18 km south-west (straight-line distance)

A historic country estate near Esporles, with a manor house and gardens. Public access hasn’t been confirmed, so …

Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.

Where to swim nearby

Beaches and swimming nearby

Mouth of the Torrent de Pareis between two high cliffs opening onto the sea, with swimmers on the shingle and an excursion boat beyond.

Sa Calobra 11 km north-east (straight-line distance)

A shingle cove at the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis, reached by a winding road completed in 1932 that is almost …

Looking down the cliffs to the tiny settlement of Port de Valldemossa, with stone houses, boat slipways and deep-blue sea.

Port de Valldemossa 12 km south-west (straight-line distance)

A tiny fishing settlement beneath the cliffs, reached by six kilometres of tight hairpin bends. A few stone houses …

Explore from here

Sóller 4 km Fornalutx 4 km Deià 7 km Sa Calobra 11 km

Your questions answered

Your questions about Port de Sóller

How do I get from Sóller to the port?

Take the tram, running since 1913. Its five-kilometre route passes orange groves and follows the promenade. It runs regularly and provides practical transport as well as a scenic ride.

What is Es Firó?

Part of Sóller's May celebrations, re-enacting the pirate raid of 1561. Costumed participants land by boat and stage battles on the beach. It is a memorable spectacle, with very large crowds.

What is the beach like?

Sandy and gently shelving inside a sheltered bay, making it good for families. The main beach's water is not always crystal clear; try the edges of the bay for clearer swimming spots.

Can I get to Sa Calobra from here?

Boats run to Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent in summer. They offer a relaxing alternative to the winding mountain road.

Why did this harbour become so important?

Its almost circular bay and narrow entrance provide shelter on a rugged coastline with few natural harbours. Until the 20th century, it handled much of the valley's trade.

Practical questions

When is the best time to visit Port de Sóller?

Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. Orange harvest in the valley. The bay is quiet, with some restaurants open.

Is Port de Sóller worth visiting in July and August?

July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. Heat builds up in the valley and the harbour is busy from midday. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very crowded. Train tickets can sell out, traffic queues at the tunnel and car parks fill.

How far is Port de Sóller from Palma airport?

About 45 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 45 minutes by car. Drive from Palma through the tunnel to Sóller, then five kilometres down to the port, or take the tram. Parking is difficult in season, so the tram is the more relaxing option.

Do I need a hire car for Port de Sóller?

A car is useful Tram from Sóller; buses from Palma through the road tunnel

Where can I park in Port de Sóller?

Difficult in season; arriving by tram is easier

Can you swim at Port de Sóller?

There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.

Can I visit Port de Sóller with a pushchair or wheelchair?

Level promenade and beach approaches; uphill routes to the lighthouses Pushchairs: Very straightforward on the promenade Wheelchairs: Promenade largely accessible; lighthouse routes are not

Are dogs allowed at Port de Sóller?

Not allowed on the beach in season

Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.