From Palma to Sóller

08/12/2019

AIDA Western Mediterranean (arrival)

Since our flight didn't take off until 5:10 p.m., we had plenty of time in the morning to pack and took a train to Frankfurt Airport shortly after 12:00 p.m. It was bitterly cold at the train station in Frankfurt and a storm was approaching. The first cool day in a long time. It was the second summer of the century in a row. The takeoff and the first part of the flight were accordingly turbulent and very uncomfortable.

Upon arrival in Palma de Mallorca, we took a taxi to our hotel Paladin, located on the outskirts of the old town. Our fellow travelers were already waiting for us, and because it was very late, we immediately set off towards the city center. The restaurants were crowded and we had to look a bit to find a place outdoors.

The first evening in the Mediterranean climate, sitting outside, eating tapas and drinking a spritz.... the holiday has begun.

07/13/2019

After breakfast, we strolled through Palma from the hotel to the train station, from where the over 100-year-old 'Red Lightning' is supposed to take us to Sóller on a romantic railway line. We took the first train at 10:00 a.m. to avoid the crowds. A good decision. The compartments were already quite full 15 minutes before departure.

The journey took us past olive, almond, and citrus fruit trees through the beautiful landscape. The route up to the Tramuntana mountain leads through 13 tunnels, which have not lost their charm as historical buildings.

The pace on the 25 km long route is very leisurely, and stepping out onto the intermediate platforms of the carriages is an experience.

The train stops at the Mirador del Pujol d for a 10-minute photo stop.

We reached the station of Sóller after one hour. Here, at least for us, it continued with the historic open wooden tram, which took us to Port de Sóller in 15 minutes. Unfortunately, we missed the weekly market in Sóller, which only takes place in the morning.

First, we enjoyed Port de Sóller from a café, which is located near the marina and offers a beautiful view of the large bay.

After a walk on the beach and a swim in the sea, we took the tram back to the picturesque town of Sóller. Lined with numerous bars and cafes, the market square is a bustling center of the town. We sat down to linger, ate tapas, and drank wine.

Not without having visited the nearby St. Bartholomew Church, we started our way back.

Sóller Station

You already have to decide on a return time when buying the train ticket, otherwise, a seat is not guaranteed. That was not the case. The train was full, even though the barrier closed after reaching the maximum number of passengers. It is advisable to jostle a bit when boarding, otherwise, you might not get a seat.

From the station, we walked through the old town to the cathedral. Unfortunately, we found it closed. Entrance is not allowed during the service. So we strolled through the nearby streets and enjoyed the view of the AIDA Nova anchored in the bay. Sleep deficit and tired feet led us back to the hotel via Parc de la Mar. The planned evening walk that was supposed to take us to the illuminated landmarks did not happen, and we had a final drink in the inviting hotel bar.

07/14/2019

After a late and generous breakfast, we left our hotel and took a public bus to the port. The way from the bus stop to the pier was more strenuous with suitcases than we expected. The sun did the rest. The advantage of our individual arrival was that we didn't have to queue up with a whole busload of people at the check-in counter. We were quick and arrived at the ship before our official boarding time. Since the cabins were not ready yet, we had a snack and relaxed on deck. The plan to visit the cathedral again was abandoned by half of the group with an 'oh no', while the others once again stood in front of closed doors, it was Sunday and there was a church service.

In the evening, we enjoyed the beautiful view of the illuminated cathedral during departure and got goosebumps from the departure music - the journey begins.

Conclusion: Traveling to Mallorca airport on our own was worth it in terms of price. With the price difference, we were able to finance two nights in a mid-range hotel. We found the journey less stressful. Choosing a hotel in the old town is recommended if you want to explore the city. Public buses go to the beaches and also to S'Arenal.

Exploring part of the island with the nostalgic train is definitely recommended for Mallorca newcomers. We could easily have spent another day to see more or to have a day at the beach. The route in the western Mediterranean has so many interesting places that swimming falls a bit short.

Cost: Taxi airport-hotel €25.00, combination ticket Palma-Sóller-Port de Sóller round trip €32.00, bus ticket hotel-port €1.50 with a 10-trip card, taxi port-airport €20.00