Mallorca’s historic railway has been travelling through wild and romantic landscapes since 1912
Palma de Mallorca, the lively capital of the Balearic Islands, combines historical beauty and Mediterranean flair. The old town impresses with its winding alleyways, Gothic architecture and impressive landmarks such as La Seu Cathedral. With numerous restaurants, boutiques and beaches, Palma offers a perfect blend of culture, relaxation and urban charm. A special attraction is Palma’s small historic railway station. A permanently maintained historic railway has been running from here to Sóller, 27 km away, since 1912.
Extensive construction work from 1907
Extensive construction work on the line from Palma to charming Sóller began in 1907.
The difficulties while the construction works on the historic railway line from Palma to Sóller took around five years and was completed in 1912. The aim was to better connect the somewhat isolated town of Sóller with Palma, as the mountains of the lovely Serra de Tramuntana made access very difficult. The line, which is a popular tourist attraction today, was a masterpiece of engineering at the time and provided an important economic link for Sóller.
Hero for the island: Engineer José María Mayol
The construction of the railway line from Palma to Sóller was led by the Mallorcan engineer José María Mayol. The line was opened in 1912 and is considered a technical masterpiece of its time. Mayol and his team had the challenge of overcoming the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana, which they mastered by building a total of 13 tunnels and several viaducts. This complex construction made the connection between Palma and Sóller possible for the first time without detours and laid the foundation for the railway’s current popularity among tourists.
Mallorca’s iconic railway
Mallorca’s legendary train from Palma to Sóller has been one of the island’s top attractions for decades. Since 1912, the nostalgic railway line has connected the capital Palma with the picturesque village of Sóller. The journey takes travelers through breathtaking landscapes, including olive groves and lemon plantations, as well as through 13 tunnels in the Serra de Tramuntana.
Railway line delights holidaymakers from all over the world day after day
The charming, wooden carriages make the one-hour journey an unforgettable journey back in time to Mallorca’s past and a special experience for tourists. Vmax 40km/h. This railway line has a high safety record, probably due to its well-preserved historical infrastructure and careful operation.
Safe is safe
The historic train from Palma to Sóller uses locomotives and carriages dating back to the founding of the line around 1912. Thanks to good maintenance and care, there has never been a serious accident or incident in the decades of operation.
The trains consist of charming, carefully restored wooden carriages, which are known for their nostalgic design. The narrow-gauge railway line, which runs for 27 kilometres, is now powered by electric locomotives, some of which date back to the early 1920s. These locomotives and carriages have been painstakingly restored to their original condition, making the train a special experience for technology and railway enthusiasts.
Why is the small town of Sóller so popular?
The historic railway station welcomes visitors with a magnificent backdrop
Sóller, a picturesque village on Mallorca, impresses with its charming old town and the surrounding Tramuntana mountain landscape. Highlights include the main square with the impressive Sant Bartomeu church and the historic tram to the harbour of Port de Sóller. The valley, known as the ‘Valley of Oranges’, is also an inviting place for walks and tastings of local produce. The town also includes the harbour of Sóller, which is also beautifully situated.
Tramway from 1913 from Sóller to the harbour:
From here, you can take the – also historic – tram to the harbour of Sóller. It rumbles comfortably at around 15km/h from Sóller station to the beautifully situated harbour of Sóller. When the sun suddenly shines on the bay, holidaymakers can already collect some great impressions. Passers-by stop, mobile phones are pulled out. This historic tram is certainly another fantastic reason to feel at home here.
Overnight tip for Sóller:
The Miramar Hotel, which opened in 1954, is located in the harbour of Sóller. It is located right next to the marina and the historic tram stop in Sóller harbour. It has been popular with regular customers from all over the world for decades. With 39 well-renovated rooms, good cuisine and a great location on the little-used waterfront road, this hotel is the ideal place to stay for visitors to the harbour
