Mallorca Island Trip: Train, Tram & Boat – Review & Tips

Mallorca, that sparkling gem of an island, very much calls to people with promises of warm sunshine, crystal water, and eye-catching scenery. While lounging on the beaches definitely is nice, is that not exploring the island a bit more your thing? Did you know that one of the neatest ways to take in Mallorca’s beauty doesn’t actually involve a car at all? Instead, it’s a charming combo of a vintage train, a clickety-clack tram, and a smooth boat trip! So, too, it’s something I did, and very much am I now sharing what I learned, with the intent of convincing you to maybe try it too!

Setting Off: The Palma to Sóller Train

The starting point for this adventure is Palma, the island’s energetic capital city. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, involves finding the Ferrocarril de Sóller train station, which, interestingly enough, is just next door to the main train hub. Even before you actually hop aboard, that whole station has that “step back in time” thing going on. I mean, that’s neat, is it not?

As the train pulls out, waving “bye-bye” to Palma, the scenery, that starts morphing almost immediately. We’re not talking cityscapes anymore, instead we have rolling hills dotted with those olive trees, citrus orchards so bursting with life and the occasional glimpses of charming stone farmhouses. Is that very countryside at its finest or what? So the train itself has a charm factor that’s completely off the charts. Think polished wood, those brass fixtures, and that rhythmic clatter on the tracks that kind of whisks you back to an earlier age.

That train likes its time, though, to be perfectly truthful. The ride goes to a bit more than an hour, so it’s pretty much just kick back, settle in, and soak up those views. I would say, it’s the very journey more than necessarily the destination when it comes to this part of that adventure.

Sóller Town: A Tranquil Stop

Eventually, the train trundles right into Sóller, that is quite a delightful small town kind of hidden in a valley. It just calls for a wander! Picture like your classic Mediterranean square, you know? With cafes buzzing with locals having a chat and just taking it easy, is that it? And don’t even get me started about that aroma of fresh pastries drifting from the bakeries! I tell you what, resist at your own peril!

You might be finding your stomach doing a loud growl by this point. That square has a bunch of different restaurants, so picking somewhere for lunch should be nice and simple. I settled on this little spot offering classic Mallorcan fare, and that so-called tumbet (that is basically a veggie bake similar to ratatouille), it really did hit the spot. Bellissimo!

After having had lunch, stroll around that church, Sant Bartomeu, is it not? Maybe poke around that art museum, if that’s what floats your boat. However, the next leg of that little excursion is soon waiting.

Trundling Along: Sóller to Port de Sóller by Tram

Getting from Sóller town all the way to Port de Sóller is by the charming tram, something of a “must-do”. I would say that station sits conveniently right smack dab in the main square. Believe me when I tell you, hearing that clanging bell as that tram gets closer, is that not part of the whole old-time experience?

As that tram starts rumbling towards that port, we’re seeing scenes playing out right out of a movie! So what do I mean? We pass through the citrus groves, almost practically close enough for you to pluck a lemon. Then we get glimpses of just pretty villas, each one very screaming “Mediterranean charm”. And, oh yes, snippets of coastline as you draw nearer and nearer to that port. Basically, just keep your camera out, how’s that?

This bit is short, only approximately 15 or 20 mins, so, too, do not get too comfortable before we find ourselves arriving right in that heart of Port de Sóller. This is a gorgeous horseshoe-shaped bay absolutely ready to knock your socks off.

Port de Sóller: A Coastal Delight

That port absolutely has it all: views for miles, water as clear as crystal, and the mountains looking like they’re just diving into that sea. Maybe go stroll that promenade. It really is just what one does around here, you know?

As it happens, maybe the plan of attack consists of sinking those toes right into that sandy beach, having a cheeky gelato, or even watching those boats bob on the ocean! All those options feel pretty good.

Very tempting might it be to just lounge about in this port for all eternity. The final part of that day looms: it involves a scenic boat trip hugging those coastline back towards Palma.

Setting Sail: Boat Trip Back to Palma

Now that there’s options here, regarding selecting your boat trip, running every which way along that coast! Look at schedules and consider your starting point, how’s that? That ride usually involves a few of your nearby coastal beauty spots.

Sailing across that shimmering Med gives you, that perspective change from being right in those action, to having, is it not?, everything unfolding before you in a panorama.

Very much do those waves rock gently while you reflect regarding a really busy day exploring Mallorca in style. Then, drawing close to Palma, we’re seeing that skyline emerge again, very showing off how lovely Palma can be.

A Few Thoughts, And Other Stuff Worth Considering

• Timings: The journey to and from that Sóller trip should be planned because each bit is timed to coordinate with all the others.
• Tickets: One thing you must not do, really, involves figuring out buying individual tickets for all those segments. Those combination tickets may or may not really save you money and often smooth that planning just that small bit more.
• Snacks and Water: If that is your bag, come along with things that can be eaten to keep that tummy satisfied. We have plenty of opportunities to grab items while visiting, but, anyway, just know what will happen.
• Comfortable Shoes: Just to rehash this detail a bit, so bring nice comfortable sneakers/footwear, as a little walking is something you might wish to do while wandering from port to town, etc.
• Weather Check: Look at conditions before committing, since bad rain could severely hamper such ventures on tram, train and by boat!

What I took away?

• Is this trip really like those theme-park attractions, giving you a flavor for Mallorca? Oh yes, yet a little bit organic; some fresh and new bits, and some bits looking a little tired. Overall? Excellent.
• Be sure to find places offering those cuisine experiences where possible!
• The people seemed extremely easy-going everywhere. Smiles make a difference!
• Try going right at the beginning or near end of a specific “season”. High heat definitely throws a different variable into the visit.

The Mallorca island trip really puts that conventional “rental car” routine on ice and basically shows you the island in a slightly different guise. The charm involving old railways combines alongside some seaside towns; it pretty much proves this island is so worthy of your bucket list.

Maybe go, you won’t regret it!

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