The Tren de Sóller to Palma de Mallorca was built in 1911 and inaugurated in 1912. Sóller was a prospering town then, thriving on a brisk trade in oranges and lemons. Whilst most citrus fruits left for France via boat from Port de Sóller, the affluent citizens of Sóller had to find a more comfortable way to reach Palma to show off their sudden wealth.

The Sóller train has been meandering its 27 km long way through the Tramuntana mountains for nearly 100 years now, past olive groves and orange orchards. Since 1929, the locomotive has been powered by electricity. Today, the journey makes for a joyous trip into the past. 

This railway has become a successful tourist attraction. Sóller is certainly worth a visit and the Mallorcan landscape is definitely worth the journey. Parents with young children particularly enjoy the ride in the train’s original wooden carriages. In Sóller there is an onward connection by tram to Port de Sóller.

Annoyingly, fares have more than doubled since the Euro was introduced, but there you are.

The photo was taken in Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: April 11th, 2008. The time was 15:06:25.