1/10 See the port by Segway
One for the teenagers, perhaps. Take a guided tour of the port and the town dalek-style. It’s a fun and more or less effortless way to get to the lighthouse in the port, or to wander through the olive groves. Don’t worry, it only takes a minute to get the knack of it.
More info: The strange two-wheelers can be hired, along with a guide at Tramuntana Segway. Tel: 971 63 27 99.
2/10 Wander up Moon Street
Carrer de sa Lluna is a narrow pedestrian street just off Constitution Square in Soller town. There is a great bakery – Patisseria Frau – at the top end, and there are lots of interesting shops, cafés and alleyways all the way down.
You can buy local textiles at Can Oliver (No.25a), Majorcan ceramics at Can Toni Reia (No.27), toys at Sa Baldufa(No.51), children’s clothes at Cofeccions Canals (No.35), and crafts and jewellery at ArteArtesania (No.43).
What better way to while away an afternoon?
3/10 Buy some ‘Spanish slippers’
You will see simple sheepskin slippers on sale everywhere. They are warm and amazingly comfortable – good for kids, and excellent presents for people back in chilly Britain.
Mallorca is great for shoes: the Camper brand, which makes dozens of children’s designs, has a factory outlet in the town of Inca on the Poligono Industrial on Ctra Palma Alcudia, just off Junction 27 of the Ma-13.
4/10 Visit the mountains
The village of Deia, high in the mountains, is an enjoyable bus-ride away from Soller. The road twists and turns as it climbs, and presents spectacular views over the bays and inlets of the north coast. Deia itself is a pretty village. The writer Robert Graves lived here for many years and his house is a fine museum, full of his personal possessions. Treat yourself to tea in the fabulous La Residencia hotel before you head home.
5/10 Tuck into a sundae on the square
Ice-cream is how children know they’re on holiday. The best place to treat them is at Giovanni L, on the corner where the tram leaves the square. The small sundaes are huge; the large ones are unfathomable – and there are lots of enticing flavours to choose from.
6/10 Ride the honey-coloured train to Palma
If you didn’t come to Soller on the Ferrocarril de Soller, the amber-coloured train, then you should make a day trip to the capital just for the ride. The old carriages are a treat, and the route will take you first through the mountains, and then across a broad flat flat plain of where you will see portly pigs rooting about in the olive groves. A truly memorable family day out.
Price: Trains run from 7am to 8.30pm and a return ticket costs €19.50 for an adult.
7/10 Get out on the water
In the port, at Tramuntana Tours, you can charter a sailing boat to take your family along the Mallorca’s high and rugged coastline Try Tramuntana Tours, at Paseo de Traves 12, from €42 per person for 4 hours).
Price: The same company organise fishing trips in season (from €135 per person), or sea kayaking from the town of Pollensa, further along the coast to the east (€40 per person).
8/10 Play detective in Fornalutx
Fornalutx is a little village known for the strange symbols painted on many of the tiled rooftops. Pick up a leaflet showing where the best ones are, and take your children on a hunt round the village. Then come back and sit in the tiny but incredibly beautiful town square.
9/10 Drink in the view from Jumeirah’s Sunset Bar
Even if you are not staying at the Jumeirah, it is worth visiting one evening just for the view from its terrace. The Sunset bar looks down the great bowl-shaped configuration of Soller harbour and the encircling mountains. It is beautiful at dusk. Children are welcome in the Sunset bar until 9pm – after which it is an adults-only zone.
10/10 Marvel at Can Prunera
It is called the Museum of Modernism, but don’t let that deter you or your children. This splendid art nouveau mansion is sure to capture their imagination. It is a fabulous home, full of interesting things. Children will be fascinated by the slightly creepy collection of antique china dolls; parents will be intrigued by the strange, Picasso-like works of Juli Ramis, exhibited in the basement.
Price: Museum tickets cost €5 for adults and children under 12 go free.