Car Rental in Mallorca

Why rent a car in Mallorca?

One of Europe’s most popular beach destinations, the largest of the Balearic Islands has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the continent for decades. In addition to the sun, sea, waves, and all-inclusive resorts, the island also boasts fascinating local culture, interesting museums dedicated to some of its world-famous past inhabitants, and even some surprisingly dramatic mountains.

Top ways to enter Mallorca

• Palma Airport: Third busiest in Spain and number one in the Balearic Islands, Palma Airport host flights to and from countless destinations in Europe and is especially active during summers.
• By sea: It’s also possible to get to Mallorca by ferry from the mainland, specifically from the port of Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia, or Denia, or from the islands of Ibiza or Menorca.  You can then pick up a ride once you’ve arrived. You can get a rental car at Calvia Adriano Port or the town of Capdepera.

City facts

• Most local speak both Spanish and Mallorquin, the island’s own dialect that’s related to Catalan. English, French, German, and other languages are also well-known by many.
• Distinctly Mediterranean, Mallorca is warm during winters and hot in summers. Temperatures in July and August can reach 35 °C (95 °F).
• While Palma de Mallorca is the largest city and attracts the most visitors, it is not the whole of Mallorca. The island is actually made up of 53 municipalities. Driving across the whole island from east to west (or vice versa) can take up to two hours.

Top sights and activities

• Beaches of Mallorca. Quite obviously, the biggest tourist draw of Mallorca is the island’s beautiful coastline. In addition to swimming in the Mediterranean and soaking up the sun, there are great opportunities for doing water sports, spas, shoreline restaurants, and everything in between.  In the north, don't miss beaches such as Cala Varques, Cala Mesquida or Formentor. In the southwest, you can't miss Cala Mondragó, Calo des Moro, Cala Figuera or Cala Llombards, which are considered authentic paradises. In the south, the marvelous beaches of Es Trenc in Calvia are more famous. See this Spanish-language guide for more about the beaches of Mallorca.
• Castell de Bellver. The beautiful castle is built on a hill and offers great views of the island and the sea below. Inside, you can see classical sculptures and archaeological artifacts. he 14th-century circular castle, which is almost unique in the world, is just to the west of the city center of Palma.
• Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. There are always interesting new exhibitions, but the main attraction of this famous museum is the permanent collection which includes the artworks of Miró, Picasso, and Dalí. Visit the museum’s official website to learn more about opening hours and admission.
• Palma Cathedral. It is the true jewel of the island and its most emblematic monument. It is a 14th-century cathedral in the Levantine Gothic style. It is close to the port, and for instagramers, it will be a must — its impressive silhouette reflected in the water of the "Parc el Mar" is one of the most photographed images of the island. 

Traffic and parking

• Speed limits - 20 km/h on roads with a single carriageway and pavement platform, 30 km/h on roads with a single lane in each direction of traffic, 50 km/h (31mph) on roads with two or more lanes in each direction or in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car documentation and insurance always has to be inside a vehicle.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm travelling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

There is just one toll road in Mallorca, MA-11, that starts at Palma and goes north to the town of Sóller. You can also take the old MA110 that is free of charge and offers a more scenic route, but takes about 30 minutes longer to travel.

There are many toll roads in mainland Spain, called ‘carretera de peaje’ and Autopistas. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The payment method may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km by car. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Dragon Caves. Called Coves del Drach in the local dialect, the four caves are approximately 4km long and lead to the underground Martel Lake. This popular tourist attraction is on the east coast of Mallorca, about an hour’s drive from Palma. Inside, it is possible to take a boat ride while listening to a spectacular classical music concert on Lake Martel (one of the largest underwater lakes in Europe).
• Serra de Tramuntana. The mountain range along the northwestern coast of the island has many trails and lakes to explore. The highest accessible peak, Puig de Massanella, stands at 1,364 m (4,475 ft) and can be quite a challenge, but the views from the top are worth the effort. There are also some really nice mountain vistas for those who prefer to drive.
• Calvario Sanctuary. The town of Pollença, located in the north of Mallorca, hides a marvel in the form of a sanctuary at the top of the Calvario mountain. To get there, you must climb the 365 steps that take you up to the top, enjoying spectacular views of Pollença, the bay, and the Sierra de Tramontana.
• Alcudia. A lovely resort town, Alcudia is the main tourist hub of the relatively less explored north of Mallorca. The area has been inhabited since at least the Roman days, as testified by some remaining ruins, while the main cultural attraction is Alcudia’s well-preserved medieval old town. Meanwhile, some of Alcudia’s best beaches are north and west of the city center.
• S'Albufera National Park. The large salt marsh near the previously mentioned town of Alcudia is one of the most notable nature preserves in the Balearic Islands. There are more than ten hiking trails in the park -— if you follow them, you’ll be very likely to spot some of the wading bird species that live there. Located on the Bay of Alcudia, the national park is in the northeast of the island and can be reached from Palma in about 50 minutes.

Most popular cars

• The most popular rental cars in the Balearic Islands are the Ford Fiesta, the Fiat Panda, and the Nissan Qashqai. The most popular car types are economy, mini and compact.
• The most popular rental car in the Balearic Islands is the Ford Fiesta, but travelers also tend to pick the Fiat Panda and the Nissan Qashqai.

Further destinations

• Formentera, Ibiza, and Menorca. While not all rental car providers will let you pick up a rental car in Mallorca and then take it to one of the other Balearic Islands, you can take a ferry to each one of them, pick up a rental car there, and find out that, albeit smaller, they are just fascinating to explore.
• Barcelona: Easily reached by ferry from Mallorca, Barcelona is a world-class destination in terms of culture, entertainment, and cuisine. Home to the Basilica of Sagrada Familia and other Antoni Gaudí architecture, the equally iconic FC Barcelona, historical quarters, and some of the best nightlife in Europe, it never runs out of ways to entertain you. Many rental car companies permit one-way rentals to Barcelona, but you should also find out if the ferry company allows taking the vehicle along (alternatively, you can drop off one car in Mallorca and pick up another one after arriving in Barcelona).
  
• Catalonia. As awesome as Barcelona is, the region of Catalonia is so much more than just its largest city. Home to some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches including the wild Costa Brava region, ancient cities like Tarragona, beautiful countryside, and the impressive Catalan Pyrenees, the region is a jewel to explore.
  
• Valencian Community. Another destination that can be reached by ferry, the Valencian region is best known for its capital after which it is named. The third-largest city in Spain, it is home to the impressive City of Arts and Sciences, many festivals, and historic sites. The rest of the region is also a fascinating place, not least for its ancient monasteries, scenic beaches, and protected nature areas.

Car rental prices in Mallorca

• Small cars - from €13 per day
• Medium cars - from €15 per day
• Large cars - from €19 per day
• SUVs - from €16 per day
• Station wagons - from €31 per day
• Convertibles - from €31 per day
• Vans - from €26 per day
• Premium cars - from €31 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Below, you'll find reviews about traveling to Mallorca from customers who booked their rental car through us. Here's a summary of some of the most frequent tips they mentioned:

1. Explore Scenic Locations:

   • Visit beautiful spots like Cala sa nau and the Parc Natural de la Peninsula de Llevant for coastal mountain walks: "Visited Cala sa nau which is very close and is one of the most beautiful calas in Mallorca" and "Drove to parc natural de la peninsula de Llevant which is great for beautiful coastal mountain walks."

2. Enjoy Local Markets and Towns:

   • Explore local markets like Santanyi and charming towns such as Port de Soller and Fornalutx: "Santanyi market is a nice way to spend a morning" and "Port de Soller, which is such a beautiful town" and "Fornalutx, a beautiful mountain town with quaint cobble streets."

3. Engage in Outdoor Activities:

   • Mallorca is great for cycling and hiking: "Mallorca is great for cycling" and "There is breathtaking walks and crystal clear water to snorkel in at the island also."

4. Relax and Enjoy the Atmosphere:

   • Enjoy the relaxed and calm atmosphere in places like Port de Soller with its amazing Mallorquin restaurants: "Amazing Mallorquin restaurants all along the sea front and much more calm relaxed atmosphere."

and issues to watch out for:

1. Parking Limitations:

• Parking can be limited in popular market areas, so plan to arrive early: "Santanyi market is a nice way to spend a morning, just make sure you go early as parking is limited."

2. Challenging Roads:

• Some roads, especially in mountainous areas, can be challenging and not for the faint-hearted: "The roads are certainly not for the faint-hearted."

3. Tourist Crowds:

• Popular destinations can be crowded, impacting the experience: "Northern Mallorca is Maui on steroids-but affordable."

There are many ways to get a good car rental deal in Mallorca:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Mallorca is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 59% cheaper than the yearly average and 75% cheaper than renting a car in July.