Port de Soller - Majorca - any tips?

[SwedishDeathCleaner]

Hello, we are looking at going to Port de Soller this summer. It would be myself, DH, DD19 and DS17. Looking for a place with a bit of history and walks for DH and me.

DD and DS will be happy if it's not too quiet, there are some good beaches to visit locally and a bit of sight-seeing (but not too much) - not really looking for clubs or bars.

Would people have any recommendations for things to see/do in the area? I can see that the beach there isn't incredible by Majorca standards but we don't mind if there are plenty of coves to visit locally and good boat trips.

There is the old rattling train/tram thing from port de soller, which goes uphill to Soller (old town) and also on to Palma, through the hills. My kids loved this, they would spend all day on it if they could. Both Soller and Palma are great for a mooch about.

We actually quite liked the beach in port de soller, as it was really shallow, clear water and lots of little boats in and out of the harbour which the kids loved watching. We did get a boat to another beach but I'm afraid I can't remember the details. There were loads of trips around the coast on boats to choose from (although this was pre covid)

Gosh sorry, I've just realised I've misread the ages of your children 🤦‍♀️

The train is still a great thing to do, the views were superb. I really recommend Palma, it's a much underrated city destination IMO. Loads to see and do, e.g. Cathedral, or people watching in cafes, that sort of thing!

We did an excursion involving several types of transport including the train mentioned above, a tram and a boat. Soller was very interesting. When we were there they were preparing for their annual (very non PC) reenactment of a battle between the islanders and Moorish pirates. Very much a thing for locals and not put on for tourists.

We also did a guided walk over the hill to another town. I think it was free but you tipped the guide.

There are lots of bike hire places. My husband hired a very high spec one and went out all day on it. I just got one with a basket and tootled round town by myself.

Thank you @mongoosebaby - I think my DC will also love those things - despite the age gap!

That sounds lovely - getting quite excited! The guided walk sounds ideal.

Are you hiring a car? So many lovely places to go but we had a car so not sure how easy it would all be otherwise.

Actually I've just realised that walk was in Port de Pollensa which was where we were staying.

Yes we'll definitely get a car.

We stayed in the most fabulous hotel in Soller - Hotel el Guia a few years ago the people there were lovely.

I think we ate in a restaurant called The Kingfisher at the port which was wonderful.

If you have a car, I would head up to Cap de Formentor at the top of Majorca. There is a gorgeous beach at Platja de Formentor, stunning views too. You can cycle up from Port de Pollensa if you are fit enough. We aren't, so got a boat over instead, and drove up for the views on a different day.

Ah, good. From memory, we visited:
Valldemossa (sp?)- gorgeous.
Deia - also lovely
Alcudia
Pollensa
Palma
The lighthouse at Formentor
Soller plus port
Sant Elm
Arta

I'd say all of the above were worth going to.

We stayed in Palma so only spent a day in Soller/Port de Soller but they were both lovely. I agree with PP that Palma is under-rated (although not been in summer, only out of season).

We didn't do the train as it was shut, but everyone says it's great. If you want an alternative, the express bus takes 40 min from Port de Soller to Palma, cost about 5 euros for two of us and was very easy (although there looked to be lots of underground car parks in Palma if you're driving).

I'd recommend the Palace of Almudaina in the middle of Palma - it's called a palace, but is more like a fort. We much preferred it to the cathedral.

Bellver Castle - 45 min walk from the middle of Palma
Sa Llotja is worth putting your head in (it's free and near the cathedral on the waterfront) - C15 guildhall, with amazing arches and turrets.

People-watching by the harbour is fun, as is looking at the yachts, both at Port de Soller and Palma (although definitely bigger/posher in Palma!)
I know you said you weren't fussed about bars, but sunset cocktails at the Sky Bar were great - amazing views: www.therooftopguide.com/rooftop-bars-in-palma/sky-bar-at-hotel-hostal-cuba.html. Or even worth going daytime for a drink and to look across the city.
For places to eat, especially slightly hipster cafes, this one was good and there are loads similar in the surrounding streets (slightly out of the old town but an easy walk). www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187463-d3807057-Reviews-El_Perrito_Coffee-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

As you can tell by the length of this post, I loved Mallorca - I'm envious of you!

Can't go wrong with Mallorca, all the above are excellent ideas.

Port d'Andratx was very nice and for a challenging drive, go down to Port des Canonge!

Its also nice to ditch the sat nav, get a map and go inland, the ma10 coastal road can get super busy in summer.

Loads of hill walks in and around where you are staying.

Its also a cycling mecca too!

We've been going for years and will be there again in May for 2 weeks.

Palma is lovely, Port De Soller is fab too. We walked through Deia but much preferred Valldemossa. From Port de Soller you can walk or get the tram up and down to Soller. Majorca is fantastic.

I too was going to suggest a trip on the small gauge train:
www.abc-mallorca.com/soller-train-mallorca/

We did it from Palma to Soller though. You can get a return trip, but from memory it would have taken all day, so we got a bus back to Palma which was quicker.

I recall Soller being lovely- stunning beach with clear water and lots of lovely cafes. If I return to Majorca, I'd likely stay there. The day we went, there was a small market which was interesting to poke around.

Thanks so much for the tips everyone - lots to take note of!

I'm really excited - have spent the whole weekend obsessively researching the island

Yes to the Kingfisher restaurant as someone above suggested!

Formentor was where they filmed parts of The Night Manager.

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