This bright, airy, one bedroom apartment with a balcony has wonderful views of Sóller port and the Tramuntana mountains in the distance. Whether you're looking for somewhere special for a romantic getaway, a place full of local colour, charm and character, or simply a base from which to explore the island on foot or in a car, this apartment could be your home from home for a week, a month, or perhaps even longer.
"When we opened the shutters last Sunday morning to the glorious view, the sunshine and the swifts, it was pure heaven. We had an incredible holiday in your lovely flat which seems to have everything" GC, Shropshire, June 06
There are many apartments to rent in the Port of Sóller but there are two reasons why this one is special.
The first is the old adage about "location, location and location". The apartment is located in a quiet residential street in the atmospheric Santa Catalina district of the old port, just one row back from the water's edge, with spectacular views. This is the original part of the port and almost all of the properties here are lived in by Mallorquins. You feel part of the community here, rather than just another tenant in yet another modern apartment block. The apartment itself is the top floor of a two storey house, which was built in 1901. Steps immediately beside the house lead down to the harbour front - you are less than 100 metres from the fishing boats and pleasure boats that you can see from the apartment.
The second reason to consider this apartment is the apartment itself. Completely and stylishly renovated in October 2004 and just over 40 square metres in size, it consists of a double bedroom with a kingsize bed (which can be converted into twin beds, if you prefer), a brand new kitchen with a granite worktop and breakfast bar and a light and airy living and dining area with fantastic views. The bathroom consists of a walk-in shower, basin and WC, all new as part of the renovation. There is air conditioning and heating. French windows lead out onto a balcony with views of the harbour.
The apartment is ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway, or for anyone wanting to explore the beautiful northwest coast of Mallorca: the impressive town of Sóller, the villages of Fornalutx and Deia and the historic town of Valldemossa are all nearby.
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The Port of Sóller is very much a working harbour. Fishermen lay their nets out on the harbour front and there is a fishermen's bar and a place to buy fish at wholesale prices within two minutes walk of the apartment. All of this adds to the authentic feel of the area, and gives it local colour. Sóller has always had a close relationship with France - Louis XIV demanded that the oranges he ate at Versailles came from here - and the Santa Catalina quarter has a similar character to many small fishing villages in the south of France: narrow streets, higgledy-piggledy houses, a sense of pirates and fishermens' tales. You are a world away from the purpose-built apartment blocks and tourist shops and restaurants.
Very close to the apartment is the old fishermen's chapel, at present being converted. This dates back to the thirteenth century, when the area was resettled following the expulsion of the Moors, and at the top of the hill, five minutes walk away, is a maritime museum, perched on the cliffs at the mouth of the harbour.
Within three minutes walk of the apartment there are two small but excellent supermarkets and five restaurants. Within five minutes walk you are in the centre of the port itself, from where you can take the tram into Sóller and boats to Sa Calobra. Banks, restaurants, chemists, souvenir shops, patisseries are all within a five minute walk.
In the winter, the Port of Sóller offers an excellent base for walking, and exploring the island. In the summer, the port has a long sandy beach, clean and safe water for swimming, and boats of all sizes to rent, from pedalos to yachts. There is a dive operation in the port, and boats run regularly to La Calobra and Torrent de Pareis.
Public transport is excellent and taxis are relatively inexpensive, so a car is not necessary, but public carparking is available on the waterfront. Trams go into Sóller every thirty minutes, and the famous Sóller to Palma train runs regularly throughout the day. There is also an excellent bus service to Palma and to Valdemossa.
