Palma to Sóller, Mallorca: Exploring the City and Historic Train
Palma and Sóller are two lovely places to explore in Mallorca, each offering something a little different. Palma has its historic streets, Mediterranean atmosphere and impressive architecture, while Sóller has a more traditional feel, surrounded by the scenery of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
One of the highlights of our trip was taking the historic train from Palma to Sóller. Known as the Tren de Sóller, this traditional railway journey made travelling between the two places an experience in itself. It was a lovely way to see more of Mallorca while enjoying a change of scenery along the way.
Exploring Palma, Mallorca
Palma is a great city to explore on foot, with a mixture of historic buildings, narrow streets, little squares and busy shopping areas. There is plenty to see as you wander around, and I always enjoy taking the time to look at the details rather than rushing from one place to another.
The city has a distinctive Mediterranean feel, with warm colours, traditional architecture and plenty of outdoor cafés. You can spend time exploring the old streets, stopping for a drink or simply enjoying the atmosphere.
I particularly enjoy photographing places like Palma because there is so much variety. One street might catch your eye because of its buildings, while another might have interesting colours, balconies or little details that make it worth stopping for a photograph.
It is the sort of place where you can happily spend a few hours wandering around, discovering different corners of the city as you go.
Taking the Historic Tren de Sóller
One of the experiences we were looking forward to was taking the historic train from Palma to Sóller. The Tren de Sóller, also known as the Ferrocarril de Sóller, first opened in 1912 and is famous for its traditional wooden carriages and scenic route through Mallorca.
The railway takes you away from the city and towards the Serra de Tramuntana, passing through the Mallorcan countryside along the way. The changing scenery makes the journey particularly enjoyable, with views of rural landscapes and the mountains as you travel towards Sóller.
There is something quite special about travelling on a historic train. It feels different from a modern journey, and there is time to sit back, look out of the windows and enjoy the experience rather than thinking only about reaching your destination.
For us, the train journey was an important part of the day rather than simply a way to get from Palma to Sóller. It gave us the chance to see another side of Mallorca and made the trip feel a little more memorable.
If you are planning a similar visit, it is worth checking the official Tren de Sóller website for current timetables and ticket information before travelling.
Discovering Sóller
Arriving in Sóller felt like a change of pace after spending time in Palma. The town is surrounded by the Tramuntana mountains and is known for its traditional streets, historic buildings and citrus-growing heritage.
One of the things I liked about Sóller was its setting. The surrounding mountains give the town a distinctive backdrop, while the centre has a relaxed atmosphere that makes it enjoyable to explore on foot.
There is plenty to notice as you walk around, from the architecture and balconies to the smaller streets branching away from the main square. It is a lovely place to take your time and enjoy the surroundings.
I always find that exploring a town on foot is one of the best ways to get a feel for it. You notice little details that you might otherwise miss, and there is always the chance of finding an interesting view or a spot that catches your attention.
The Streets and Architecture of Sóller
Sóller has a traditional Mallorcan character, with attractive buildings, stone details and streets that are enjoyable to wander through. The architecture gives the town plenty of personality, and the mountain scenery adds to its appeal.
For anyone who enjoys photography, there are lots of details to look out for. Balconies, doorways, shutters and the colours of the buildings all help give the streets their character.
I like taking photographs of these smaller details just as much as wider views. They often capture something about a place that makes it different from anywhere else.
Rather than rushing between attractions, Sóller is somewhere you can explore at your own pace, stopping whenever something catches your eye.
Taking Photographs Around Mallorca
Photography is always a big part of our trips, and Mallorca offered plenty of different scenery to enjoy. Palma and Sóller have quite different atmospheres, which made visiting both on the same day particularly interesting.
In Palma, there are the historic streets, architecture and lively city scenes. In Sóller, the traditional town centre and surrounding mountains provide a different backdrop.
The train journey adds another dimension to the experience, with the scenery changing as you leave the city behind and travel towards the mountains.
I enjoy looking back through photographs after a trip because they bring back memories of the places we visited and the moments along the way. Sometimes it is a particular view, a building or a detail in a street that brings the whole experience back.
Making a Day Trip from Palma to Soller
Combining Palma and Soller made for a varied day in Mallorca. We could enjoy the city, take the historic train through the countryside and then spend time exploring a traditional town surrounded by mountains.
If you are staying in Palma, the train offers a different way to experience the island without needing to drive. You can also look into the connecting tram between Soller and Port de Sóller if you would like to visit the harbour during your trip.
It is worth checking the train and tram schedules in advance, especially if you want to fit both the town and the port into one day. Planning ahead gives you more time to explore without feeling rushed.
For me, the appeal of a day like this is the variety. You get to experience the atmosphere of Palma, enjoy a scenic railway journey and discover another part of Mallorca, all within the same trip.
Why I Enjoyed Visiting Palma and Sóller
What made this trip enjoyable was the combination of different experiences. Palma offered the atmosphere of a Mediterranean city, while Soller gave us the chance to explore somewhere smaller and more traditional.
The Tren de Soller was a highlight because the journey itself was such a memorable part of the day. Travelling through the countryside towards the mountains was a lovely way to see more of Mallorca.
I also enjoyed having so many different things to photograph. From the streets and buildings of Palma to the scenery along the railway and the character of Soller, there was plenty to take in.
Check out our digitally enhanced photography print of a Spanish street bicycle taken from Soller streets.
Sometimes the best trips are the ones where you have a mixture of places to explore and enough time to enjoy each one. This was a lovely way to experience a little more of Mallorca without trying to fit too much into one day.
Bringing Memories of Mallorca Home
One of the reasons I enjoy travel photography is that it gives me a way to remember the places we visit long after a trip has ended.
A photograph can bring back the atmosphere of a city, the colours of a traditional street or the scenery from a train journey. It is often the smaller details that make a place memorable.
Some of the places I visit also inspire the travel photography prints I create for Travel Whispers. I like the idea that a photograph can become a lasting reminder of somewhere you have explored or a place you would love to visit one day.
For me, travel photography is about more than just taking pictures. It is about remembering the places, experiences and little moments that make a trip special.
And travelling from Palma to Soller on the historic Tren de Soller was certainly one of those experiences worth remembering.
check out our digitally enhanced photography print of Soller Marina
