| Port de Sóller |
| Mallorca Towns |
 Port de Sóller is a village (although twentieth century development has made it quite large) and the port of the town of Sóller. It is now very much a tourist resort curving around a picturesque natural harbour; this is one of few safe havens for sailors seeking refuge on the north coast of Mallorca, and the spectacular nature of the bay is best appreciated by taking a boat trip from the port. Along with the village of Fornalutx and the hamlet of Biniaraix they combine to form Sóller. The combined population is around 12,000. A tramway linking Sóller to the port, runs alongside the beach. The tram is used by hundreds of tourists every day, most of whom come to the Valley of Sóller by train from Palma de Mallorca and cannot resist a vist to this stunning port. The resort consists of restaurants and bars but is quiet and away from the heavy tourist areas elsewhere on the island. There are a few large holiday hotels such as Hotel Eden and the Hotel Splendid located on the road that runs around the bay. The Splendid is now the Esplendido and has undergone major refurbishment. The hotels offer accommodation in a peaceful and relaxing resort within a spectacular setting. In the cooler months when the the height of the season calms down the hotels of Port de Sóller fill up with visitors who come to enjoy walking trips in the area. Two lighthouses sit on the headlands on either side of the bay, La Badia de Sóller, and development on the east headland has been prevented by this land's use as training ground by the Spanish Army. The beach is being recovered in sand for summer 2009, as in its present state it is rather muddy and inhospitable, although clean. The bay, and the estuary of the river which comes to an end here, attract little egrets, Muscovy ducks, huge flocks of herring gulls, Greylag geese, mallard ducks and hybrids between the latter two species. The diversity of breeds in the duck and goose population suggests that most of these are escapees from captivity. If you are driving it is possible to reach the lighthouse of El Far del Cap Gros, from which you can enjoy stunning views along the coast, via a road that leads off to the left before reaching Port de Sóller. Shortly after entering Port de Sóller, on the left you´ll find the beach of Platja d´en Repic, which has a lovely wide promenade. On the right, where the tram makes its first stop, is the 16th century fort of Torre de l´Alcaid (also known as Castell del Port), built to protect the coast from pirate attacks, as was the watchtower of Torre Picada above the cliffs on the right-hand side of the bay. On the shoreline is the fishing port and the district of Santa Catalina, a unique spot where fishermen used to live. This zone includes the Oratory of Sant Ramon de Penyafort, a rectangular building with a barrel-vault roof, constructed in the 17th century. At the end of the street of Carrer de Santa Catalina is the small Oratory of Santa Catalina, built in the 13th century, and La Miranda de Santa Catalina, a great spot for taking in spectacular views over the coastline of Sóller. The sandy beach of La Platja d´en Repic,located on the left-hand side of the bay, is 300 m long and 30 m wide. It is away from the centre of the town and its pedestrian-only promenade helps to create a very relaxed atmosphere. Nevertheless it is not without some very important amenities, when on holiday, such as bars, restaurants, lifeguards, shops, sun loungers and parasols for hire. The beach of La Platja d´es Través runs along the central part of Port de Sóller as far as the port, where the tram station is located. Another lovely sandy beach which is 700 m long and 25 m wide and again with all of the important amenities bars, restaurants, lifeguards, shops, sun loungers and parasols for hire. There is also a regular bus service links the resort to Palma. |
