Mallorca Travel: The Beautiful Town of Soller on a Busy Saturday Morning Market Day

Spain - one of my favourite countries.... One destination I have wanted to explore for a long time is the beautiful island of Mallorca. So from May 20 to 31, 2009 I had the opportunity to get to know a good portion of this special Mediterranean island.

Popular as a package tourism destination since the 1960s, I was more interested in Mallorca's natural and cultural treasures which can be found away from the massive hotel developments that dominate some parts of the coastline. My favourite area of the island became the north: the rugged, relatively untouched Serra de Tramuntana mountain chain that runs along the islands north coast from east to west.

With my little rental car I was able to get into the tiniest villages and I ended up visiting virtually every major settlement on the Costa Nord. My favourite spot become Soller, a popular tourist town in the heart of the Tramuntana region, which has long been famous for its citrus plantations and its position among Mallorca's highest mountains. The Puig Major reaches an altitude of 1,445 metres (over 4700 feet) and Soller is embedded in a wide valley surrounded by majestic mountains. Soller is also the final terminal of the Palma to Soller vintage electric train. In addition, Soller is connected with a historic streetcar to the harbour town of Port de Soller which lies about 4 km away.

Some of my other favourites included Pollenca and Cap Formentor on the east side of the island; Banyalbufar and Sa Calobra on the steep, picturesque northern coast; Sant Elm, on the extreme western side of the island, a village that offers a great view of Sa Dragonera, the Dragon's Island; and Valdemossa, a very pretty village just a few kilometres inland from the coast, in the northern mountain area. Other country excursions included Inca, Mallorca's leather manufacturing town; Alaro, a gorgeous little mountain town; and various towns on the western side of the island, such as Puigpunyent, Galilea, Andratz and Calvia.

I also explored the eastern and southern coastlines of the island, including the historic walled city of Alcudia, the impressive medieval castles of Arta and Capdepera, and the scenic coves of Cala Rajada and Porto Cristo. Of course, a few visits to the capital of Palma de Mallorca were also part of my program. I thoroughly enjoyed the old downtown with its narrow alleyways and cobble-stoned streets. La Seu, the imposing Gothic Cathedral, is simply breathtaking, and I had the good fortune to be inside the church when there was an organ concert.

Palma has so many beautiful sights, which include the Palau de l'Almudaina, the Consolat de Mar, the gorgeous Parc de la Mar on the waterfront, and the round Gothic Castell de Bellver, which dates back to the early 1300s. For me Mallorca turned out to be a dream destination that offers near perfect weather, amazing landscapes, great recreational opportunities on land and at sea, and fabulous history and culture. I am sure I will make it back there again...

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Mallorca
• Spain
• Palma de Mallorca
• Mediterranean island
• Soller
• Puig
• Pollenca
• Formentor
• electric train

[TheDudleyDave]

We are going to Mallorca in October 2011 and staying at Cala Major, I really like your travel videos and find them very interesting. Can't wait to be there, keep up the good work!

[travelandtransitions]

@TheDudleyDave: Thanks for the lovely comments and how I envy you for your upcoming trip to Mallorca. It's truly one of the most beautiful spots in Southern Europe! Please visit my website, the section "My Travel Stories and Photos" for an entire article collection about Mallorca - you might find it helpful in planning your trip. All the best!

[JRGMallorca]

@dancemaniaa95 Dont worry, you are going to stay there at night. But you can do a lot of "small trips", one day to Sa Calobra, for example, or another to "Sa Dragonera". Little excursions you will enjoy. The NORMAL temperature in Summer (June - August) is around 28-35ºC, in September-October 18-25. The highest temperature is now, final July and August. I also recommend go to traditional villages and see how we are. We are very different than spaniards. Go Valldemossa or Fornalutx. Enjoy!

[dancemaniaa95]

@JRGMallorca Thanks JRG, unfortunately I'm already booked in at Cala Major so too late to change now. I know what you mean about Cala Major I have checked it out on Google earth and it looks a bit run down, we hopefully won't be spending much time there hoping to get into the city quite a bit and up to Soller. What is the evening temperature like in october?

[JRGMallorca]

@TheDudleyDave Im from Mallorca, Cala Major is not a great place to stay in, is very turistic and old place. I recommend you stay in Colonia de Sant Jordi, in Andratx, Soller or Palma City.

Cala Major is like "El Arenal" or "Palmanova" with a lot of kebab and pizza restaurants, old fashioned buildings and traffic. Is a place which was great 40 years ago, now, i recommend you the places I wrote before.

I hope you enjoy our island. Try visiting Formentera or Menorca too, awesome.

[Stokedish]

I love Mallorca! Soller is so nice, but Palma is great too! Personally, I think Valldemossa is the best.