"Red Blitz" returns: Tren de Sóller runs again from Monday

"Red Blitz" returns: Tren de Sóller runs again from Monday

On Monday, February 2, the red carriages will roll again from Palma toward the Tramuntana. The first departure is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. — so anyone who loves the sound of the rails, the gentle clatter and the familiar whistle can look forward to an early trip into the mountains. The long-established service had been in a scheduled winter break since November 24, according to El Tren de Sóller entra en pausa invernal — últimas circulaciones este fin de semana; during that time technicians carried out an annual inspection of carriages and tracks and made necessary repairs described in Tren y tranvía de Sóller entran en pausa invernal – trabajos en las vías hasta febrero.

Why this matters

The Tren de Sóller is more than a tourist train: for many Mallorcans it is a piece of everyday life, for others an opportunity to draw visitors into the narrow, insular world of the Serra de Tramuntana. When the first rays of February sun make the orange groves on the slopes glow and the air still carries a hint of salt and chimney smoke, a ride on the 'Red Blitz' is almost a ritual. Cafés in Sóller, small bakeries and market vendors notice this when guests leave the station and stroll toward the Plaça or the Port.

Practical: A return trip costs 30 euros per person; tickets are still available at the stations in Palma and Sóller. Those bringing larger groups or wishing to travel on specific days should allow extra time at the station ticket offices — higher demand is expected on the first weekend after the season starts.

A day-trip tip for readers

My invaluable tip: walk to the station (Plaça d'Espanya) early in Palma, grab a cup of coffee from the kiosk, listen to the clatter of the carriages and simply take a seat on board. In Sóller, a relaxed walk through the streets, a visit to the small shop with regional products and — if the weather cooperates — a short tram ride to the harbor are worthwhile. The combination of train, market scents, sea view at the Port and the calm mountain air can be almost meditative on some February days.

What the start of the season means for Mallorca

The resumption of train service is also a signal for the island: the tourist season doesn't only start in April; it begins in stages. Local businesses, from cafés to small hotels, welcome every journey that brings people into the valleys. At the same time, the rail connection is a sustainable means of transport: instead of driving through narrow mountain roads, visitors board the train and let the landscape pass by. That spares nerves, the air and sometimes parking spaces in small towns.

Anyone looking for exact departure times and fare details can find the official timetables on the Tren de Sóller website or ask directly at the ticket offices in Palma and Sóller. On site the conductors are happy to help with advice on the best seat choices for photo stops or for connections to the tram to Port de Sóller.

A small, positive conclusion

It's nice when familiar things return: the red dash of color in Palma's cityscape, the slow journey through citrus groves and olive trees, the softly rumbling locomotive. For a short outing or a slowed-down day, the Tren de Sóller is a reliable option. So: don't forget your jacket, have your camera ready and arrive early enough — the train leaves Palma on Monday at 10:30 and brings this small piece of island tradition back to the rails.