SOLLER

Around 10km north from Deia, and 3km inland, the 13th century town of Soller sits in a fertile bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains. The town, which has a population of 12,000, made its great wealth from exporting oranges and lemons, and the valley overflows with citrus groves, terraces of olive trees and vines.
With a backdrop of the 1445m Puig Mayor mountain, the town which oozes charm, character and picture postcard views at every turn.

The Port de Soller, a pretty wide bay with beaches and restaurants, is most idyllically visited by tram, a beautiful 3km journey along the waterside. Palma is also easily accessible by public transport, as Soller is the starting point of the world famous Soller-Palma railway which still uses antique steam trains.

This valley, and the surrounding Tramuntana mountains, are a popular choice for people who love walking, nature, ecotourism and a peaceful spot away from the tourist crowds.

Properties in Soller tend to be either apartments or townhouses. Prices start at around 160,000 euros for a compact two-bedroom apartment, or there are new apartments in converted houses from around 200,000 euros. A townhouse with three bedrooms on three floors costs from 265,000 euros.

Soller’s narrow streets are also home to some deceptively huge and stunningly converted country houses, likely to cost anything from one million euros upwards.

Until recently, Port del Soller had very reasonably priced apartments, but plans to drive traffic through a tunnel making the promenade pedestrianised has seen prices rise rapidly. The plans to transform the waterfront make this a good place for investors, however. Villas in the hills overlooking the bay cost upwards of 600,000 euros.

In nearby Fornalutx, an exquisite village often described as the most beautiful in Spain, most properties are stone houses. You can find the most basic mountain ‘olivars’ – one-room stone cottages - in need of conversion from just 115,000 euros. More typically you will find beautifully-restored townhouses from around 485,000 euros up to around one million euros.