Easter in Sóller: four days of tradition in the Tramuntana

Visiting the Sóller valley is a wonderful experience that lets you discover the real Mediterranean, its traditions and its emblematic landscapes, surrounded by the majestic Serra de Tramuntana. Among many other things, that makes it an ideal destination at any time of year. There are, however, particular dates on which visiting this valley of orange groves becomes an even fuller and more special experience. Dates such as the one we suggest today: Easter week. One of the most traditional times of the year, when you can make the most of the food of the season, the culture and the most representative traditions.

Day 1. Maundy Thursday: Port de Sóller and the evening procession

The most special Holy Week events begin on Maundy Thursday in Port de Sóller. You can get there from the Alcázar Hotel Sóller on the century-old tram, enjoying a charming ride between orange groves, traditional houses and views that gradually open onto the Mediterranean. Once in Port de Sóller, head for Santa Catalina, the picturesque fishermen’s quarter, and go up, before the religious events begin, to the Santa Catalina viewpoint, from which you can take in privileged views of the bay and the Mediterranean. Here you can also visit the Museu de la Mar, housed in the viewpoint itself. It offers a tour of the local history of the valley and its port, setting out the relationship between its people and the sea over the last 250 years. After visiting the most authentic part of the port, head back towards the centre to take in its atmosphere, the traditional Thursday market, and enjoy the seafront promenade, its views and an aperitif before stopping for lunch at Airecel Restaurant, a place to enjoy creative Mediterranean cooking in a very particular way. In the afternoon the mood begins to change as the brotherhoods prepare for the evening’s events, giving you a first taste of the Holy Week tradition in Port de Sóller with celebrations such as the Sant Sopar, held in the port’s parish church at 19:00. The same service is also held at 20:00 in the Parish of Sant Bartomeu in Sóller. Afterwards, take the tram back to Sóller for the main Maundy Thursday events: the Sant Crist procession. We suggest standing near the church steps so you can see the processional floats and the tableaux much better.

Day 2. Good Friday: a walk and a culinary tradition

As you will know, Sóller is the starting point for many walking routes, and so today we suggest a very special one closely bound up with Holy Week: the walk to the Ses Tres Creus viewpoint. Set off directly from the Alcázar Hotel towards the Plaça dels Estiradors and carry on climbing towards the municipal cemetery, which offers magnificent views of the valley. From there, follow the GR-221 signs to Ses Tres Creus. You will get there in under 30 minutes, reaching the summit of the Puig d’en Barrera, the place where, according to legend, the “Sagrades Formes” were hidden during the attack by Turkish corsairs in 1561. There you can see the monument to the Sacred Heart known as “Ses Tres Creus”, built in the 1940s and to this day still unfinished.

On the way back to the centre at this time of year, the thing to do is stop at one of the traditional bakeries to try the typical Easter products such as “panades” or “rubiols”.

In the afternoon you can attend the Davallament at the Parish of Sant Bartomeu, followed by the Good Friday procession, one of the most moving moments of Holy Week in Sóller.

Day 3. Market Saturday: crespells and rubiols

On Saturdays Sóller holds its traditional market, an essential date for getting into the local atmosphere. It is right beside the Alcázar Hotel, so you can step straight into a market full of fresh produce, local specialities and Mallorcan crafts that fill the streets with colour and a festive mood.

After the market, we suggest stopping at one of the traditional bakeries to try the sweets typical of these dates: “crespells”, made with flour, lard, olive oil, sugar, egg yolk and citrus aromas such as lemon or orange, and shaped as stars, hearts or flowers; and “rubiols”, also sweet, crescent-shaped and filled with pumpkin jam, curd cheese, chocolate or custard, one of the most special traditions of the Mallorcan Easter.

In the afternoon, we suggest a walk through the historic centre or relaxing on one of the terraces in the Plaça de Sa Constitució before attending one of the most special events of the day: the Easter Vigil, held at 20:30 in the parish church of Sant Bartomeu.

Day 4. Easter Sunday: El Encuentro

On this last day we suggest an early start to experience one of the oldest and most moving traditions in Sóller at first hand: El Encuentro, the procession in which Jesus and the Virgin Mary meet after the Resurrection. Religious or not, we recommend not missing it, as it is a unique moment that happens only once a year in the town. Walk to the Plaça Constitució to be there at around 08:40 and find a good spot from which to watch the procession. We suggest standing around the edge of s’Alameda, opposite the church, where one of the most special moments takes place.

Little by little the square fills with people until the silence gives way to the start of El Encuentro, accompanied by the Sóller valley town band. It is a short act, about 20 minutes, but full of emotion and tradition. The day is rounded off with the Easter concert by the Sóller Town Band, a perfect chance to carry on enjoying the festive atmosphere in the heart of the town.

After El Encuentro, you might choose to discover one of our neighbouring villages, such as Fornalutx, considered one of the loveliest villages in Spain. A perfect plan for an unhurried walk, for discovering corners full of history and for ending your Easter break in the Sóller valley with the calm and the most genuine beauty of Mallorca. If you are staying at the Alcázar Hotel Sóller and would like more information about Holy Week in Sóller, do ask our reception team, who will be delighted to answer any questions.