Last month we made our 3rd trip on the Soller train in 20 years and really enjoyed it. It's a lovely time of year to go and the citrus trees were full of oranges and lemons (what do they do with all the lemons?). We were actually surprised at how busy it was in April so if you are visiting in the next few weeks do give it a go - I should think it is heaving in the summer.
This is how we did it. We took the 9 am bus from PP to Palma. This only takes an hour and now arrives in the new bus station UNDERNEATH the Placa de Espana. This new station also houses the metro & trains to Manacor, Inca & Sa Pobla but NOT the Soller train. To find this you need to go up the escalator and out of the station. When you emerge you will see the Tourist Office on your left (they have a useful map of Palma among other info). On your right is the old mainline station - now a cafe. Turn right and cross over the first side road. In front of you, you will see a cast iron gate with Ferrocarril de Soller leading to a long building. Turn right, go down the side of this building and half-way down is the entrance to the ticket hall. We bought single tickets to Soller and joined the queue for the 10:50 train.
I'd forgotten how enjoyable the trip was in this lovely old fashioned train. It starts by chugging its way through the outskirts of Palma, then through the countryside and the Valley of Oranges (no need to guess why) via several tunnels as it makes its way through the Tramuntana mountain range. There are a few stops on the way, including a photo stop, and you can get on at any of these but I wouldn't advise it when it's very busy in the summer.
We arrived in Soller town at around 12. At this time of year there is only 1 tram an hour to the port so we spent our hour visiting the exhibitions of Miro paintings & Picasso ceramics (I adore these!) at the station and having fresh orange juice in the square. Even the orange trees outside the church square were full of fruit.
THe first tram stop is in front of the station and there was a massive crush as everyone tried to board it. Luckily we managed to get on. The tram takes around 30 mins and finally makes its away along the front at Puerto Soller to the tram station. The bus back to PP leaves at 3 so we just had enough time for a little wander and some pretty dire Pa Amb Olis in one of the cafes on the front (I think it was the Miramar - not recommended!).
We then had a few worried minutes trying to find the bus stop - it has moved since they part pedestrianised the front. It used to be on one of the quays near the tram stop. It is now at the end of C/ Eglesia. To find it, stand by the tram station with your back to the sea, turn right, walk along & you will find C/ eglesia on the left. The bus stop is at the end on the left-hand side. The Pto Pollensa bus (final destination Can Picafort) isn't listed there but it did arrive at 5 to 3 & left just before 3pm so make sure you get there early. The bus to PP takes 2 hours and takes the windy mountain road on the West side. It may stop at Lluc and Cala San Vicente depending on demand - it didn't that day - but was still a lovely ride & no-one needs to drive!
So all in all a lovely day out & still a great excursion.
. Only joking
