If your holiday to Mallorca needs to include more than just endless lazy days relaxing on the beach then the island has plenty to offer those willing to explore the island. Mallorca has dramatic coastal scenery but inland the Tramuntana mountains provide a completely different geography. Almost one hundred years ago a railway line was built to link the capital Palma with the town of Soller in the north west of the island. The purpose of the 27 kilometer line was to ease the commercial development of the Soller area as previously the only way to reach the capital was the long journey over difficult mountain terrain.

After leaving Palma and travelling across the plains to the north of the city the old wooden carriages start to tackle the moutains that appear to block their path. Seemingly endless twists, turns and tunnels, thirteen of them in total, allow the train to continue its steady progress. The longest tunnel, through the Sierra de Alfabia, is almost 3 kilometers in length and took 4 years to build back in 1908.

A return trip starting from either Palma or Soller currently costs 17 euros, but travellers can also purchase one-way tickets or take only part of the journey to the town of Bunyola.

The journey normally takes an hour with around 7 departures per day, although there is also the option of taking the Panoramic special which halts for 15 minutes at Mirador Pujol d'en Banya allowing passengers to take in the amazing views at that point of the journey.

The arrival station is in Soller, not the port area that many visitors may expect, however a tram service completes the distance of 4.7 km between the two for a small additional charge. The trams that run on this line are also vintage and well worth experiencing on the extra journey. (picture by Cayetano)