SOLLER BEACH AND PORT

For centuries a natural harbour for pirates and sailors, Soller port is five minutes’ drive away with many restaurants and sandy beaches. Day boats go up the coast to Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent, and there are a number of boat rental places for you to explore the coast independently.

Soller town has a colourful square with famous modernistic architecture inspired by Gaudi. There are many goods shops, restaurants and cafes from which to soak in the Mediterranean lifestyle.

The charming mountain villages of Fornalutz, often referred to as the ‘Prettiest village in Spain’ and Biniarix with their stone buildings and red tiled roofs are a short drive away through the finest orange groves on Mallorca. Walkers will particularly enjoy the views across the valley from many of the well marked hillside paths.

The more adventurous traveller can drive from Soller up the winding mountain road above the North West coast to Cala Tuent, Sa Calobra, the Lluc monastery and on to Formentor, Pollensa and Alcudia.

A fifteen minute drive in the opposite direction is Deya, voted the most beautiful village in Mallorca with strong literary, musical and artistic connections and buzzing with cafes and restaurants.  Robert Graves’ house is now a museum dedicated to his life and works.  Deya’s picturesque swimming cove (Cala Deya) was recently made famous by appearing in the television adaptation of John Le Carre’s “The Night Manager”.

Further along is Valldemossa, a picturesque town with an outstanding monastery nestled in an evergreen valley at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains. The Polish composer, George Chopin stayed with George Sand in 1838 and 1839 calling it ‘the most beautiful place in the world’.  The piano on which Chopin composed the ‘Raindrops Prelude’ is on view.

Palma is Mallorca’s vibrant capital, just 45 minutes away from C’an Rupit, is often compared with Barcelona;  stylish yet intimate and lively all year round. Wander round Palma’s old town or along the sea-front promenade.

On the north  of the island you have the famous Port Pollensa  where you can find further beaches and restaurants.

For more information on things to see in Majorca, see www.abc-mallorca.com