Palma - Sóller

DURATION
All day, including the breaks.
Total distance travelled: 72,9 km
Partial: Palma - Valldemossa 20 km
Valldemossa- Deià 18,6 km
Deià- Sóller 10,4 km
Sóller- Palma 23,9 km

We will leave Palma in direction Valldemossa, located approximately 18 km away from the city, in a leafy valley of the Tramuntana mountain range that is covered by an abundant vegetation. The village of Valldemossa is well-known for the Cartoixa (1838-1839), where Frederic Chopin and George Sand lived. Nevertheless, the historic, cultural heritage of the Cartoixa is worthwhile visiting.

The bell tower of the Cartoixa (Carthusian monastery) can be seen from anywhere within the village. The bell tower is decorated with beautiful green glazed tiles. Upon arrival at Valldemossa we will find plenty of public parkings where to park the car, since the most of the village has to be visited by foot. We will head towards the square where the Cartoixa is located. The chapel of the Cartoixa features frescos by Miguel Bayen. Nowadays, the cloister is the venue of the famous Chopin Festival, that is being celebrated during the summer. The Chopin Festival features several popular works by the internationally well-known musician. The Cartoixa is the place where the pleyel piano, that the Polish musician brought from Paris, is kept. Remember to visit the monks' pharmacy, that dates back to the XVIIth, century as well as the cell of the Prior, that has now been turned into a museum and a library. At the square itself you will be able to visit the Palace of King Sanç as well as the house of the beatified Saint Catalina Tomàs, the only Majorcan Saint. Valldemossa is also the place where the "Costa Nord" cultural centre (https://www.costanord.com) is located. The cultural centre "Costa Nord" has been created by the actor Michael Douglas as a cultural centre and is located in the Tramuntana mountain range. It features the works by the Archduke Lluís Salvador and is worthwhile a visit.

If you have not yet left the village, this is the best time to try Valldemossa's famous potato pastry (coca de patata) or have a coffee in any of the cafés in the village.

We now go back to the car to continue our trip towards Deià. The route offers a beautiful view of the landscape, like the olive trees and the sea. Just before arriving to Deià we will find Son Marroig on our way. Son Marroig was owned by the Archduke Lluís Salvador of Austria and can be visited. This is the time to make a short break and enjoy the spectacular view from the cliff, one of the most beautiful panoramic views you will be able to see in Mallorca. From Son Marroig you will also be able to see Sa Foradada, a rock with a big hole, perforated by the wind and the waves. If you wish, you can access it by walking down a small path; this excursion will take approximately two hours at a calm pace.

We continue our trip by driving along the same road until reaching Deià, a small village with a population of approximately 600 inhabitants. Parking at Deià is quite hard, so you will have to be patient. The village is build on the slope of the hill. The houses made out of stone and tiles remind us of the past. Robert Graves chose Deià as his place of residence and he is buried in the romantic church cemetery. Nowadays, Deià is the choice of numerous artists and painters, who have chosen this little village as their place of residence. Should you visit Deià during the spring or the fall, don't miss the little rocky beach. The little beach is just 2 km away by foot from the village and you will be rewarded by its crystal clear water. Even though it is not a sandy beach, it is certainly a worthwhile experience having a swim there.

It is almost noontime and we head towards Sóller, approximately 12 km away from Deià. https://www.sollernet.com/ Sóller is located in a valley that is covered by orange trees. It is a prosperous city with beautiful manor-houses and palaces built by the immigrants that arrived from France. Let us visit the city's square, where we will be able to find the tourism office. This is where we will be given a map of the village and the harbour. The parish church, that was built in the XVth and XVIth century, is located on the square too. The church façade was rebuilt in the year 1912 by the modernist architect Juan Rubió, one of Gaudí's disciples. The museum of natural sciences and the Botanic Gardens are highly interesting. https://www.sollernet.com/jardi/

If you have parked your car, we now suggest you take the tram. The tram will cover a distance of 4 km, travelling through the valley until reaching the harbour. The Soller harbour is the only harbour that exists within the Tramuntana mountain range and it is here where most hotels and hostels of the area are located. The sea avenue and the cafés invite you to spend a lovely afternoon in the harbour. You can travel back to Palma by using the tunnel that is the link between Sóller and Palma (toll), or either by using the traditional Sóller road.

ALTERNATIVE. 1. You may choose to make the trip in the other direction. In this case, we suggest you take the train from Palma to Sóller (the timetable is available on this website, in the section "transports on the island"); from Sóller, take the tram until you reach the harbour and get off at the last stop. This is where you will be able to find the quay with the boats offering trips to Calobra and Cala Tuent, a small beach that is a real wonder of nature. On the trip back, you can either choose to take a bus to Deià and Valldemossa (please check the timetable on this website, in the section "transports on the island") or to travel back to Palma.

ALTERNATIVE 2. Once you have arrived in Sóller, it is worth taking a stroll until reaching the villages Biniaraix and Fornalutx and, in case you wish, walk along the Camí del Barranc at Biniaraix.

In case you choose to do the excursion by travelling on the public bus or train, please check the timetable on the following websites:

https://tib.caib.es  The website of the Transport Department of the Balearic Islands. You may also request further information by calling the following phone number: 971 17 77 77
www.trendesoller.com  The website of the Train of Soller. You may also request further information by calling the Train Station at the Plaça d' Espanya:  971 752 051

OPENING HOURS

• CARTOIXA OF VALLDEMOSSA
  Tel. 971 612 106
  Opening hours: From March until October, open between 9:30 hours and 18:00 hours
            From November until February, open from 9:30 hours until 16:30 hours
            Sundays from 10:00 hours until 13:00 hours
• PALACE OF KING SANÇ (VALLDEMOSSA)
  Tel. 971 612 106
  Opening hours: From March until October, open between 9:30 hours and 18:00 hours
            From November until February, open between 9:30 hours and 16:30 hours
            Sundays from 10:00 hours until 13:00 hours
• MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF VALLDEMOSSA
  Tel. 971 612 106
  Opening hours: from March until October, open between 9:30 hours and 18:00 hours
            From November until February open between 9:30 hours and 16:30 hours
            Sundays from 10:00 hours until 13:00 hours
• SON MARROIG
  Tel. 971 639 158
  Carretera de Valldemossa
  Opening hours: from April until September, open between 9:30 hours and 14:00 hours and from 15:00 hours until 19:00 hours
            From October to March open between 9:30 hours and 14:00 hours and from 15:00 hours until 17:30 hours
            Closed on Sundays
• MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF THE BALEARICS (SÓLLER)
  Botanic Garden. Tel.: 971 634 064
  Opening hours: From Tuesday to Saturday open between 10:00 hours and 18:00 hours.
            On Sundays open from 10:00 hours and 14:00 hours
            Closed on Mondays