Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza

Things to see in Mallorca

Port de Soller

Port of Soller is a wonderful little village situated in one of Mallorca's most beautiful horseshoe harbours. Surrounded by the Tramuntana mountains, this town has the best of both worlds - magnificent mountain scenery and a sea view to boot.

It has not been over-developed in the past and this fact is being taken advantage of now by attempts to turn it into a sophisticated holiday destination.

The Jumeirah Group have opened a super-luxury hotel on the hills above Port de Soller, which promises to be one of the most luxurious places to stay in Europe, let alone Mallorca. As a result, the town is undergoing a bit of facelift, with the sea-front being redeveloped, and the tram line that runs to the inland town of Soller being re-routed.

Hotels in Port de Soller
 

The Hotel Es Port is a fine choice for those wishing to experience a 17th century mansion set in beautiful gardens and only a stones throw away from the sea. All mod-cons, spa, outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts are available. A more contemporary experience awaits you at the Hotel Aimia, which has a more boutique feel to it, aswell as a spa and fitness room. Many of the bedrooms have sea views.

The Esplendido Hotel is situated right on the beach promenade and offers retro styled bedrooms in a boutique hotel environment. Set further back from the harbour lies Soller Garden which offers individual bungalows set in gardens which may appeal to families on a budget.

The Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa is now open and promises to be one of the most luxurious hotels on the Island.

Restaurants in Port de Soller
 

A popular restaurant on the promenade behind Repic Beach is Es Canyis which offers sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant dining room or on it's terrace overlooking the bay. A few doors along you'll find Restaurante Es Passeig which also serves creative and modern Mediterranean dishes.

Agapanto is almost an institution in the Port de Soller. Lying at the end of Repic Beach, it serves refined local cuisine in pretty surroundings with great views of the port. Further out of the Port towards the southern lighthouse is Es Faro (Cap Gros de Moleta, +34 971 631 406). The views back to the bay are unsurpassed - try the local (enormous) prawns if your wallet can stretch that far.

Randemar, in the middle of the promenade, offers more of a chill-out cool vibe, with a bright & contemporary interior, and an Ibiza-esque cocktail terrace and bar. The food ranges from tapas to pizza and grilled local meats - vegetarians are also catered for. Nautilus is more of a bar/ bistro than a restaurant, but its situation high on the cliffs above the port affords wonderful sunset views. Come for a cocktail on the terrace and watch the sun go down.

The promenade is lined with plenty of other family-freindly restaurants, and all serve up reasonable Mallorcan cuisine, pizza & pastas. One of the best rated is Es Raco des Port, a typical family run Mallorcan restaurant near the harbour.

Things to Do in Port de Soller
 

Port de Soller has the only beach of any note along the entire north west coast - there are actually two - Es Traves is the longest but Playa d'en Repic is the nicest. Both beaches are fairly narrow (at around 10 metres) but the seas is calm and shallow. The original sand was quite muddy but it has been supplemented by gravelly sand from the surrounding area to make it more user-friendly. You can hire sun loungers and canoes on the beach.

Behind the beach lies a promenade and the tram line. The promenade is lined with cafes and are popular throughout the day to take refreshments and admire the views. The tram takes you along the beach front and then back up to Soller and is a tourist attraction in itself as well as being a handy mode of transport. Vintage cars from the turn of the 20th century are still in use. Our webcam of the Port de Soller sometimes catches the tram as it tootles by!

Shopping is fairly limited to touristy gift shops and convennience stores. The Port does not have a weekly market, but there is a great market every Saturday up in Soller (take the tram!). The Soller Marine Museum (Oratory of Santa Caterina d'Alexandria) relates information about the role of fishing and the sea to visitors.

The harbour lies in the northern part of the bay and is busy with every type of boat, from fishing vesels to luxury yachts and pleasure cruisers. Port de Soller is the starting point for several boat trips along the coast; the trip to the beauty spot of Sa Calobra is one of the few to run throughout the year. Sailing up or down the coast affords marvellous views of the Tramuntana mountain range and are highly recommended. There are many hidden coves along the coast line, great for snorkelling or diving, or for a spot of private sunbathing. Charter a yacht to get the most out of exploring the coast. Octopus Diving can help you out with diving equipment and excursions.

Port de Soller is also a good base for walks and hiking. A climb of less than an hour brings you to Cap Gros lighthouse for panoramic views of the bay and the mountains behind; a longer path, through rock gardens and olive groves, connects with an old mule track from Deia to Soller. Walks further afield into the Tramuntana mountains are plentiful - to get the most of the area, hire a guide or join an organised hike.