What does the average tourist manage to see on the main of the Balearic Islands? The sea, beaches, modern hotels in Mallorca, a few nearby attractions ... Meanwhile, a completely different life flows nearby: olive leaves rustle, oranges absorb the sun's heat, and purebred pigs roam the pastures and oak groves — the future jamon. And interestingly, all this can be seen without leaving the main tourist routes. The old train Palma — Soller passes through such places.
The city of Soller (or Sóller, the name Sóller is read differently) was cut off from the capital of Mallorca by a mountain range a hundred years ago. At the same time, the most delicious citrus fruits ripened here, and there was an active maritime trade. In 1912, a narrow-gauge railway was built, along which a steam locomotive set off, pulling several wooden wagons. This train runs between cities today; only an electric locomotive drags it. But the wagons kept the old ones, and despite the solid service life, they look great.
The vintage train from Palma to Sóller is a favourite with the children. They stick their noses to the panoramic windows of the carriages so they don't miss a single detail. And there's plenty to see, not even counting the picturesque villages and orange orchards. The railway track winds down a serpentine mountain path dives through a tunnel and onto a narrow bridge — an adventure breathtaking to behold. On the way, the train stops in Buñola, near which another Mallorcan attraction, the Alfabia Gardens, can be found. There is also a stop at the viewpoint in the mountains.
The train to Soller is not the only way to travel back in time. In the town itself, there is a vintage tram that was launched in 1913. It connects Soller with the port. The tram used to carry people and freight is called the Orange Express.
You can return to Palma-de Mallorca by the same train or by bus. It's a very popular excursion, and the trains are never empty.
