Starting soon, tourists won’t be able to drive through the historic centre of Soller, Mallorca, as new "residents-only" traffic zones are introduced. The local council is creating these zones across 12 of the town’s busiest streets to reduce traffic and prioritise residents.
This means hire cars will no longer be allowed to enter Soller. Tourists are encouraged to park on the outskirts and either walk into town or use public transport. According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the council will trial low-emission zones later this month to help with congestion.
Pep Porcel, the councillor for mobility, said visitors arriving by car should leave their vehicles in newly set-up car parks near the Desvío road, reported the outlet. Soller, known for its citrus groves, traditional townhouses, and stunning mountain views, attracts many hikers and cyclists.
With around 14,000 residents, the town has long struggled with overcrowding and limited parking during peak season. A local group, SOS Sóller, voiced concerns in a town hall meeting last May, saying, “It's time to embrace a sustainable tourism model, to end overcrowding, prioritise residents and the environment. It's time to halt this situation.”
Vehicles registered to residents will still be allowed to drive through the low-emission zones, which include streets like Isabel II, Sant Jaume-Pere Serra, and others that connect to the Desvío road.
In 2023, the Balearic Islands were the second most popular region in Spain, attracting 14.4 million tourists. New car parks are being planned to meet demand, and a historic tram offers a car-free way to travel between Palma and Soller.
Soller isn’t the only place in Mallorca dealing with overtourism. Last summer, around 10,000 people protested in Palma against mass tourism, holding signs and models of planes, cruise ships, and private jets.
