PUERTO de SOLLER
Area: Majorca
Country: Spain


Location:
Halfway along NW coast. 22 miles N of Palma, partly through tunnel. 2» miles NW of Soller old town. 27 miles N of airport.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Website:
http://www.a-soller.es

Position:
Semicircular bay, enclosed by two headlands, each with lighthouse. Hills rise on all sides. Fairly flat agricultural plain, with orchards, extends inland to old town of Soller, with route between served by road and tram.

Description:
This compact fairly modern port village comprises a pretty fishing harbour and a marina for pleasure craft, all set in an amphitheatre of mountains. It is a pleasant, relaxed resort of mainly low-rise buildings, although continued development of the higher slopes is beginning to threaten its serenity. The port area boasts a few older, local-style buildings, while the narrow lanes which meander uphill from here lead to areas of mainly private development. There is a ­-mile beachside promenade at small Repic Beach, on the other side of the bay to the harbour, and the main seafront road is lined with shops, restaurants and hotels along a 1,200-yard stretch. This road is shared with the trams which ferry tourists back and forth from the port to Soller old town and is prone to congestion, especially around the harbour where tour buses disgorge visitors for boat trips.

Suitability:
Popular with middle-aged couples, those interested in walking and scenery, and anyone looking for a quiet, low-key holiday. Beaches are small with limited appeal and there's little for children to do, so not really for families or sun worshippers.

Accommodation:
Many small hotels, mostly of 2- and 3-star rating, offering in most cases comfortable accommodation without being luxurious. Few apartments.

Shopping:
"Central" area near harbour offers range of essentials, together with the usual souvenir shops. Leather, Lladro porcelain, pearls and pottery can also be found. More choice in Soller, which has full range of small-town stores, including some interesting old-fashioned outlets.

Beach:
Small beach to one side of harbour comprises narrow 300-yard strip of (none too clean) sand, augmented in places with imported material; gives way to shingle before petering out. Repic Beach, on opposite side of the bay, has just ­ mile of sand and shingle and slopes at water's edge.

Entertainments:
Daytime: boat trips to various coves; numerous hiking trails in surrounding mountains; water sports including windsurfing and sailing; pedallo hire; botanical gardens in Soller. Nightlife: one or two music bars and a disco, augmented by some music laid on by hotels.

Eating:
Variety of small restaurants offering local cuisine, international food, pizza and Chinese. One well-known fast-food restaurant.

Public-transport:
More or less half-hourly tram to Soller. Scenic narrow-gauge railway from Soller to Palma 5_6 times per day. Frequent bus to Palma. Car and bike rental.

Local-excursions:
Half day: Soller and its Saturday market; picture-postcard villages of Biniaraix and Fornalutx. Full day: Cove of Sa Calobra by serpentine road or boat; mountain villages of Deya and Valldemosa; monastery of Lluc; Palma.