The Moorish lords of the island are said to have given the small town in this fertile valley surrounded by high mountains its name: Sóller - deriving from sulliar or suljer, which can either mean golden valley, golden shell, gold or shell.

The name Sóller, a town nestled in a fertile valley on the island of Mallorca (Majorca), has a beautiful etymology rooted in its history. It is widely believed to derive from the Arabic word "Suliar," which means "golden." This likely refers to the "Golden Valley" in which the town sits, so named because of the vast, lush orange and lemon groves that have defined the area's economy and landscape for centuries. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the export of these citrus fruits to France and other parts of Europe brought immense wealth to the town, which is still visible today in the stunning Modernista (Art Nouveau) architecture of its central buildings. Some local scholars also suggest the name might relate to the "golden" olive oil produced in the surrounding Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Regardless of the exact origin, the "golden" moniker perfectly suits this picturesque town, where the sun reflects off the surrounding limestone peaks and the citrus-scented air fills the valley. Today, the vintage wooden "Tren de Sóller" remains one of the most iconic ways for visitors to enter this historic "golden" enclave.