The Sóller Valley and the surrounding mountains are a perfect fit for families drawn to mountains, citrus groves and postcard-worthy villages rather than beach hopping. It’s a part of the island built around good food, walkable towns and slower days, with enough variety to settle in without feeling cut off.
Sóller itself is a lived-in year-round town of pretty stone streets and café-lined squares, with plenty of excuses to stop for local ice cream or a glass of fresh orange juice. The old wooden tram rattles through the valley, past orange and lemon groves, down to Port de Sóller, a long-time family favourite for its calm beach, flat promenade and solid line-up of waterfront restaurants. It still feels local and relaxed, though noticeably touristy and very busy from spring through summer.
Nearby villages such as Fornalutx, Deià and Valldemossa add to the appeal as day trips or quieter villa bases, but work best for families comfortable with hilly drives and the occasional steep drop-off.
The Sóller area at a glance
This part of the island works best when you choose the right base. Each place offers a slightly different version of family life in the mountains.
Sóller town suits families who like café culture, markets and evening strolls, with good transport links, town playgrounds and easy access to walking routes.
Port de Sóller is the most straightforward option with kids, thanks to its horseshoe-shaped beach, pushchair-friendly promenade and concentration of super restaurants right by the water.
Fornalutx is compact and very pretty, best as a day trip or a villa-with-pool base for families comfortable with steps and slopes.
Deià is quieter and more adult-leaning, with a villa-led feel and fewer facilities close together, appealing to families prioritising views and privacy over convenience.
Back towards Palma, Valldemossa is stunningly set, with much-photographed streets and a handful of charming boutique hotels. It’s ideal for a family wander and lunch, but for most works best as a day trip with kids.
Best Beaches
Port de Sóller Beach is the main, and only, sandy option in the area. It’s protected and predictable, with calm water that works well for younger children. The sea isn’t the clearest for snorkelling – especially by late summer, but it works well for paddling, pedalos and straightforward beach days, with cafés, toilets, parking and the tram all close by.
For something more rugged, Cala Deià swaps sand for stones and rewards good timing. The water is clear and suits snorkelling with older kids, especially before lunch by the sea, though space is limited and parking can be tricky in high season.
Families keen to explore more beaches along the coast are best to plan a boat trip with a skipper. Cala Tuent and Sa Calobra are both dramatic and memorable, and far easier to reach by sea from Port de Sóller than by road.
Parent Perks
One of the main advantages of the Sóller area for family holidays is how easy days feel once you’re there:
- Port de Sóller’s promenade dining, where you can sit with a coffee or glass of wine while kids scooter, wander or play nearby
- Markets and local produce, especially Sóller’s Saturday market, which fits neatly into a morning out without needing much planning
- Scenery that’s always present, from citrus groves and olive terraces to sunset views over the bay
- Straightforward beach days, with parking, facilities and shade close to the sand in the port
Family Fun
The Sóller Train and wooden tram are a genuine highlight, linking Palma, Sóller and the port in a way that feels like part of the day out rather than just getting from A to B.
The surrounding hills suit families who enjoy walking, with routes like the Barranc de Biniaraix and shorter valley paths near Sóller working well with most active kids, particularly outside peak summer.
And then there’s the ice cream scene. Sóller is known for it, with locally made flavours using citrus from the valley. The Sóller Flip is a must try!
Eating Out with Kids
Port de Sóller is one of the easiest places on the island to eat out with children. Restaurants line the promenade, tables sit close to the sand, and sundowners can be enjoyed from your lounge chair while the kids still play nearby on the sand.
There’s a mix of Mediterranean, tapas, pizza and more eclectic options, most with menus that work across ages and suit both long lunches with sandy feet and easy promenade dinners. All with space for kids to play nearby while you eat.
In Sóller town, you’ll find some very good places to eat, from more traditional favourites to a handful of cooler, contemporary openings. The tram runs late enough to get you there for dinner, though you’ll need to hop in a taxi back afterwards.
Deià Fornalutx and Valldemossa also have a small but super mix of restaurants, and in the latter two, work well for a pre or post meal wander.
Where to Stay
Accommodation across the Sóller and Tramuntana area ranges from small boutique hotels in town to luxury villa stays tucked into the surrounding hills. There are a couple of larger, family-friendly hotel options with kids’ clubs and facilities, but for space, slower days and easier logistics, most families do best staying close to Sóller or Port de Sóller.
Port de Sóller works best for families who want beach access, flat walking and restaurants close together, with everything easily done on foot or by tram. Sóller town suits those who prefer a more local base, with markets, cafés and strong transport links.
For peaceful villa stays, Fornalutx, Deià and Valldemossa suit families after space, views and evenings that wind down early, though all involve hills and a reliance on a rental car.
Practical Information
Best time to visit:
Spring and autumn are perfect for hiking and exploring without the summer crowds. Summer brings a lot more visitors, but it’s a great time for beach days and boat trips. Don’t miss Sóller’s Festa de Sa Fira i Sa Taronja in May, celebrating the region’s famous oranges.
Getting there:
Around 40 minutes by car from Palma airport.
Transport: The train and tram connect Sóller to Palma and the port. there is also a TIB bus. A car isn’t essential if you’re staying centrally, but it helps for visiting villages like Deià and Fornalutx.
Final Thoughts
Best suited for
Families looking for a scenic base with a strong sense of place, good food and easy day-trip options. It works particularly well with pushchairs, thanks to Port de Sóller’s flat promenade, straightforward beach access and small playgrounds near the port.
Both Sóller town and the port are very popular with international visitors in summer. If a more local, Mallorcan feel matters to you, this area comes into its own in the shoulder seasons and winter months.
Not ideal for
Families set on cove-hopping or spending every day on long sandy beaches. The area has charm and calm swimming, but fewer beach options than elsewhere on the island. It’s also not geared towards nightlife, theme parks or large, kid-focused attractions.
