Wondering whether it’s necessary to rent a car in Mallorca? Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of any road trip experience on the island – plus some extra tips!

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All You Need To Know About Renting a Car in Mallorca

Renting a Car in Mallorca: Is It Worth It?

Mallorca is one of the most iconic Spanish islands and a popular destination for family holidays in Spain. As the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca offers everything you need for a perfect vacation – breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, paradise beaches, and stunning landmarks.

To truly experience the island, renting a car in Mallorca is highly recommended. While it’s not absolutely necessary, I’ve visited the island both with and without a car, and I always prefer having one. Exploring Mallorca by car allows you to enjoy the island at your own pace, plan scenic drives, and uncover hidden local gems.

Reasons to rent a car in Mallorca

It’s no secret that Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital, struggles with over-tourism during the peak season. Public transportation doesn’t always meet the needs of international visitors, especially those trying to explore beyond the city.

During one of my recent Mediterranean cruises, we had a stop at the port of Mallorca and planned a quick day trip to Valldemossa, one of the most charming small towns in Spain.

To my surprise, nearly all the taxi drivers refused to take us there, choosing instead to stay around the city center – until we finally found one kind lady who agreed to drive us. I’ve never experienced anything like that anywhere else in Spain. Honestly, I’m not even sure if their refusal was legal (though who wants to deal with that kind of drama while on vacation?!). On the way back from Valldemossa to Palma, we couldn’t find a single taxi, so we ended up taking the bus. It didn’t come right away, so we spent another 40 minutes just waiting around.

Ever since that Valldemossa incident, I’ve been extra cautious about relying on public transport during summer trips in Mallorca. This is why renting a car in Mallorca eliminates all that unnecessary hassle. It gives you the flexibility to stay anywhere on the island and the freedom to explore at your own pace – no waiting, no stress, just adventure.

Renting a Car in Mallorca: Best Companies & Prices

There are many international companies offering car rental services in Mallorca – Rentalcars, Localrent, QEEQ, GetRentacar, Expedia, and AutoEurope.

The platform I personally use and enjoy is Discovercars: it’s one of the highest customer-rated comparison sites on the market, where you can find more than 700 suppliers. It is especially handy for evaluating all the options before renting a car in Mallorca, as well as discovering the best deals from both international and local car rental suppliers.

Tips for Renting a car in Mallorca: An Ultimate Checklist

• Compare prices and find the best deals via DiscoverCars.
• Book your car in Mallorca at least a few months in advance to ensure availability (during the peak summer season, all car rentals in Mallorca are in high demand).
• Consider purchasing full coverage insurance to avoid even minor damages (especially if you’re planning to drive in the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains).
• Inspect every exterior surface and the interior of your car thoroughly. Make sure any scratches or dents are noted—this is important to avoid being charged for damage that wasn’t your fault. Be sure to take your own photos or videos of any pre-existing damage.
• Check the fuel policy. Full-to-full is usually the best option to avoid extra charges.
• Inform yourself about local traffic laws. If it’s your first time driving in Spain, I recommend getting the Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide.
• Keep the rental company’s contact details handy for roadside assistance or any queries.
• Some rural Mallorca roads can be narrow and winding. Drive extra cautiously, especially across the Serra de Tramuntana.
• Call 112 for emergencies in Spain.
• Parking: Keep in mind that touristy beaches may have limited spots in summer. Parking spaces marked with white lines are free of charge, while blue lines indicate paid parking (usually up to 2 hours). Yellow lines mean parking is not allowed.
• While I always use a car GPS or Google Maps, you might want to download offline maps for driving across the mountains of Mallorca.

Planning a Road Trip in Mallorca

If you’re planning a trip to Mallorca, be sure to check out all of my travel stories under the hashtag #BalearicIslands. Traveling across Mallorca by car also gives you the flexibility to reach the island’s ports and hop on a ferry to Ibiza or Menorca – a great addition to any Mallorca itinerary!

The Most Scenic Drives of Mallorca

Serra de Tramuntana

The mountain range of Serra Tramuntana is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful natural settings in Mallorca. The views from Cap de Formentor are known for some of the most unforgettable cliffs in Spain. Plus, there are many charming villages you can visit along the way such as Soller, Escorca, Pollenca, Valldemossa, Deia, and Fornalutx.

Driving Itineraries in Serra de Tramuntana

Here are a few scenic mountain drives to enjoy in Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca by car:

• Palma – Valldemossa – Andratx – Palma
• Palma – Valldemossa – Deia – Soller – Palma
• Palma – Cap De Formentor – Palma
• Viewpoints of Mallorca:  Far des Cap Gros – Mirador des Gorg Blau – Cap Formentor
• Road MA-2141 and Nus de sa Corbata (called “the snake” by locals for a reason)

The coast of Mallorca

Another way to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Mallorca is to drive along the coast. This is something I would not recommend during the peak season since you will pass by the beaches (which are quite busy in summer). However, coastal areas are nice if visiting Mallorca during the low season:

• MA-6014 from S’Arenal to Sa Ràpita
• MA-12 from Alcúdia to Manacor

Mallorca Without a Car: Can You Still See It All?

Many travelers visit Mallorca without a car, and I’ve experienced the island this way a few times myself. One visit was a relaxing weekend getaway, where I simply wanted to enjoy a nice hotel and a good book. The other two visits were during Mediterranean cruises, where Mallorca was one of the stops.

So yes, you can definitely enjoy the island without a car. In that case, I recommend basing yourself in Palma or Alcudia, as these areas are well-connected and offer more organized tours to help you explore the rest of the island without your own vehicle. However, I doubt you’ll be able to see everything and make the most of your trip. No-car vacations in Mallorca are ideal for travelers seeking a relaxing hotel getaway and beach holiday.

So, in my opinion, this approach will always limit how much of the island you actually see. For those who love exploring at their own pace and making the most of every destination, renting a car in Mallorca is the best option.

Mallorca Driving Tips

I’ve always found it relatively easy to drive in Mallorca, especially outside of the peak summer months of July and August. It’s true that some roads in the Sierra de Tramuntana have curves and elevation changes, but this is only in that part of the island. The driving culture in Mallorca is generally relaxed, though in urban areas, drivers can sometimes be impatient with tourists (but my personal experiences have always been positive).

• Keep the following things handy in case you need them:
  • Insurance papers
  • Driver’s License / International Driver’s License (IDL)
  • Passport
  • At least one reflective vest
  • A credit card, some cash and coins for tolls or parking
• Every passenger in the vehicle is required to wear a seatbelt (the police are very strict about this rule in Spain).
• Before starting the car, make sure your phone is set up hands-free, with music or navigation prepared in advance (headphones are not permitted).
• For street parking, be sure to look for blue lines on the pavement, which signify paid parking zones (common in larger cities or popular tourist spots). Find the nearest payment kiosk, pay for the duration you need (typically between 30 minutes and 2 hours), and display the ticket on your dashboard.
• Be cautious of anyone signaling you or pointing at your car, attempting to get you to pull over. While this scam hasn’t happened to anyone I know in Mallorca, it did occur to my friends in Costa Brava.
• If you ever need to pull over and exit your vehicle, make sure to wear the reflective vest you’ve kept in the car before stepping out – it’s required by Spanish law.
• If it’s your first time driving in Spain or even Europe and you want to feel extra confident and prepared, you can purchase the full Tripiamo Spain Driving Guide to learn about all the road signs in Spain and any unique driving rules.
• Remember that random police checks for drunk driving are legal in Spain, and the fines can be steep. I know locals in Spain who even buy a small breathalyzer test on Amazon, especially since the traditional almuerzo, a mid-morning snack, often involves either a carajillo or vino con gaseosa. It’s easy to miss the limit and get into trouble, as the legal alcohol limit is only 0.25 mg per liter of air on a breath test, and 0.05% for a blood test.
  
  

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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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