A classic Mallorcan day trip combining two of the most beautiful Tramuntana mountain villages. Start at Valldemossa to see the Chopin monastery, then take the scenic Ma-10 road or the vintage train to Sóller and its port.
The Valldemossa and Sóller circuit from Palma is the most celebrated day trip on Mallorca, threading through the UNESCO World Heritage Serra de Tramuntana mountain range via two of its finest villages. Valldemossa lies 17km north of Palma, reachable in 25 minutes by car or around 40 minutes on bus line 210 from Plaça d'Espanya; Sóller lies 35km from Palma and is served by both the Ma-10 mountain road and the antique Ferrocarril de Sóller railway, running since 1912. Valldemossa is the natural first stop. The village's stone streets climb a steep hillside to the Real Cartuja de Valldemossa — a former Carthusian monastery where composer Frédéric Chopin spent the winter of 1838–39 with writer George Sand. The monastery complex houses Chopin's Pleyel piano, original manuscripts, a functioning 18th-century printing press, and period-furnished monks' cells. Entry costs around €10–11 per adult. The village's pastry shops sell coca de patata, a sweet potato bread unique to Valldemossa and worth picking up before departing. From Valldemossa the Ma-10 road climbs across the Tramuntana ridge and descends through terraced olive groves to Sóller, offering some of Mallorca's most dramatic scenery. The alternative from Palma is the Ferrocarril de Sóller vintage wooden train, departing from Palma's Plaça d'Espanya station and arriving in Sóller in one hour via a 19th-century tunnel and a series of stone viaducts; return tickets cost €26. The Plaça Constitució in Sóller, flanked by the Modernista church of Sant Bartomeu, is the focal point of a prosperous market town surrounded by citrus groves that have supplied Mallorca for centuries. From Sóller station, a vintage electric tram (€8 return) descends 5km to Port de Sóller — a horseshoe harbour with calm water and a string of fish restaurants specialising in grilled fresh fish and arròs brut, the thick Mallorcan rice and vegetable stew. The afternoon suits a swim at Port de Sóller's sheltered beach or a walk on the coastal path northward toward Cala Tuent. Return trains to Palma depart Sóller station in the early evening.
Highlights
- Real Cartuja monastery, Valldemossa
- Antique Palma-Sóller railway
- Port de Sóller seafood lunch
- Sóller orange groves
Tips for visiting
- Book Palma–Sóller train tickets online at least a day ahead in spring and summer; the vintage wooden carriages have limited capacity and popular morning trains sell out.
- Visit Valldemossa first by car or bus, then take the train from Palma to Sóller, to avoid backtracking through the mountains.
- Arrive at the Real Cartuja de Valldemossa at opening time (09:30) to see the monks' cells before coach groups arrive from around 10:30.
- The tram between Sóller and Port de Sóller runs every 30 minutes; the downhill walk through citrus groves (about 50 minutes) is a pleasant alternative if time and weather allow.
- Port de Sóller beach is sheltered and calm — suitable for swimming even in early season when Atlantic-facing beaches remain rough.
When to visit
April to June and September to October offer the most comfortable conditions — warm enough for swimming at Port de Sóller and uncrowded train carriages. July and August are busier but all services run at maximum frequency and the Tramuntana mountain scenery is at its most lush.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pre-book the Palma to Sóller train?
Booking online at least a day ahead is strongly recommended from April to October. The vintage wooden train has limited capacity and morning services on weekends and public holidays sell out well in advance.
Is it possible to visit both Valldemossa and Sóller without a car?
Yes. Bus line 210 connects Palma with Valldemossa, and the Ferrocarril de Sóller vintage railway links Palma directly to Sóller. The two villages are not directly connected by public transport, so visitors without a car typically approach each destination from Palma separately.
What is the Real Cartuja de Valldemossa?
The Real Cartuja is a former Carthusian monastery founded in the 14th century, later rented as private apartments. Frédéric Chopin and George Sand lived here in the winter of 1838–39. Today it operates as a museum displaying Chopin's piano, manuscripts, an 18th-century printing press, and period-furnished cells. Entry costs around €10–11 per adult.
How far is Port de Sóller from Sóller village?
Port de Sóller is about 5km from Sóller town centre, connected by a vintage electric tram that runs every 30 minutes and costs €8 return. The downhill walk through citrus groves takes roughly 50–60 minutes for those who prefer to stroll.
What food is the Sóller area known for?
Sóller is famous for its orange and lemon groves, producing fresh juice, marmalade, and locally made orange liqueur sold throughout the town. Port de Sóller's waterfront restaurants specialise in grilled fresh fish and arròs brut, a traditional Mallorcan rice and vegetable stew.