Tren de Sóller
A time travel on board the Tren de Sóller
The Tren de Sóller is a jewel of railway engineering and a historic landmark of Mallorca. Since its inauguration in 1912, this train has offered locals and tourists a unique experience that combines spectacular scenery with a nostalgic journey back in time.
The history of the train in Mallorca is an open window through which we can see the beginning of the modernisation of the island's most spectacular form of transport at the end of the 19th century. But the history of the railway is undoubtedly the history of the oldest train still in operation.
Departing from the bustling city of Palma, with the rattle and creak of the rails as they leave the station, the first part of the journey passes through the suburbs of the capital, which will gradually give way to the meadows of Mallorca.
The train winds through the Tramuntana mountain range, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On its almost 28-kilometre, one-hour journey on a narrow-gauge railway that is rare nowadays, passengers witness breathtaking panoramic views, ancient viaducts and 13 tunnels that cut through the mountains, offering postcard-worthy scenery at every bend in the road.
Three convoys and six wooden carriages preserve the essence of the early 20th century. Each seat and window tells a story, transporting passengers not only to Sóller, but also to a bygone era of elegance and tranquillity, highlighting the essence of the company, which still retains most of its original elements.
Arriving in Sóller is the highlight of the trip. This picturesque town is famous for the mixture of elements from Baroque to Neo-Gothic, from the church of Sant Bartomeu to the Modernist buildings such as the Bank of Sóller or the Can Prunera manor house, which will not disappoint anyone who strolls through its streets.
For those looking for an even more complete experience, the Sóller tram offers a short but charming journey from the village to the port of Sóller. This tram, inaugurated in 1913, adds another layer of history and charm to the visit. Passengers will plunge through the narrow streets of the town and pass through the Plaça de la Constitució in the centre of Sóller before entering the tramway section that winds its way through gardens and private properties on both sides of the rails until it reaches the seashore.
All in all, the Tren de Sóller is not just a means of transport, but a sentimental journey through time and nature in Mallorca. It is an essential experience for those who wish to discover the island from a unique and endearing perspective.
