The town of Soller is situated near the north west coast of Mallorca, some 3km inland from its coastal port of Puerto Soller. It is set in a large valley famous for its orange groves and terraces of ancient olive trees, and is the gateway to the Tramuntana mountains. Also located in the valley are the village of Fornalutx and the hamlets of Biniaraix and Binibassi.
The valley and its surrounding mountain range draws visitors from all over the world who are looking to experience one of the last remaining parts of Mallorca that offers natural, undeveloped landscape to explore at leisure.
The village of Soller is 35km north west of the capital Palma, and the Son Sant Joan International airport.
Getting from the airport to Soller used to be a nightmare, with the isolation of the region by the mountains once making for one of the longest transfer times on the island. However a tunnel blasted through the mountains in 2006 means it is now a mere 40-minute drive from Palma airport to Soller.
Another way to reach Soller is by ferry from a number of Spanish ports including Barcelona, Ibiza, Denia and Valencia. Ferries arrive into the port of Palma, and from there you can catch a transfer to Soller by bus or taxi.
Soller shares the same climate as the rest of Mallorca which is pretty much perfect for holidaymakers, with little rain and average temperatures staying below 30 degrees – even in mid-summer.
The weather remains nice in the spring and autumn and even in winter temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees, though rain is more likely at this time of year.
Many of the visitors to Soller use the town as a convenient base to explore the Tramuntana mountains that surround the resort. Also popular for day trips are the two villages of Fornalutx and Biniaraix, which are both around 4km from the centre of Soller’s old town. The villages are almost entirely untouched by tourism and offer a glimpse of an authentic Mallorcan way of life that is hard to come by on the island.
Back in Soller, the focus of the resort is the picturesque Plaça Constitució, which boasts cafés, plane trees and a pretty fountain. Adjacent to the square is the spectacular church of Sant Bartomeu. The tram passes through the Plaça on its way to and from the main station, which has been restored to incorporate a museum of the famous painters Picasso and Joan Miro.
Port de Soller, with its attractive harbour, bars, cafes and restaurants, two beaches and a lighthouse, is well worth the 3km journey from the village. There's some great scuba diving to be had here, and a good range of shops.
Indeed, in terms of shopping facilities, Soller has a reasonable selection for everyday essentials and the old town is home to a number of quaint town shops. One store that’s worth a visit is Fet a Soller, located in the main train station building, offering an array of ecologically-friendly goods and products.
Soller is also the home of The Balearic Museum of Natural Sciences, which is housed in the former mansion house 'el Camp d'en Prohom' and dates back to around the turn of the 20th Century. Additionally, located in what used to be the garden of the mansion is a modern, botanical garden.
An excellent restaurant in Soller is Agapanto, which has an idyllic seafront setting, and offers traditional Mediterranean-Mallorcan cousine.
Also in July, the International Folklore Festival of Soller – Sa Mostra – takes place. Founded in 1980, the event lasts for a week, and comprises of group performances as well as cultural interchanges with the public. Groups from across the world come to take part in this internationally renowned event.
Also in August, a week-long event known as the Fiesta of Sant Bartomeu takes place. In addition to typical parades and concerts, over the past few years a group called "Esclatabutzes" have organised an impressive fire show.