Mallorca (not Majorca!) is one of the most gorgeous and romantic locations we’ve ever seen, with charming towns, azure ocean, and majestic mountains. It’s the ideal location for couples who enjoy adventure, couples who want to relax on the beach with a cocktail, or couples who want a little bit of everything!
The greatest way to explore all that this Spanish island has to offer in terms of adventure, beauty, and romance is to hire a vehicle in Mallorca and then drive around, which is exactly what we did for over a week. It’s a fantastic way for couples to make the most of their vacation!
We will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know to enjoy an amazing Mallorcan driving trip, as well as things we wish we knew before we had ours!
Here’s a video I made on day one before we received a rental vehicle from the bus so you can see how small the roads are, how close the cars pass, and some of the breathtaking scenery in store for you!
The “Too Long Didn’t Read” Essential Driving Information In Mallorca
This is a lengthy post because I want you to feel more secure about driving around Mallorca than we did since we only learned as we went. If you don’t have time to read the full essay, these are the top ten things to remember when driving in Mallorca:
- You drive on the right side of the road and pass on the left, much as in the United States.
It is forbidden to drive while wearing flip-flops, so prepare appropriately. - While locals are accustomed to tourists driving slowly, they might become irritated, and tailing and overtaking are prevalent. You’ll be alright if you drive defensively.
- Cyclists are quite prevalent, particularly on mountain roads. Slow down while approaching blind bends.
- You must be 18 to drive a car and 21 to rent one, and you must have a valid credit card.
- The roads are fairly tiny, and the Ma-10 is perched on the edge of a massive cliff, so you want the smallest automobile possible.
- The number to dial in the event of an accident is 112.
- When driving, you MUST show your rental agreement on your windscreen. We do recommend covering it when you park so you don’t yell “I’m A TOURIST, STEAL MY STUFF!”
- The speed limit on highways is 120 km/h, whereas in other regions it ranges from 30 to 90 km/h. 30-50 km/h is often allocated for metropolitan areas.
- There are a LOT of speed bumps and roundabouts (and they don’t have signals in them).
Is Driving Safe in Mallorca? Is it simple?
We always want to be honest with you, so we’ll be honest: we didn’t enjoy driving in Mallorca. Driving in Mallorca isn’t difficult per se, but the roads are considerably different from what we’re accustomed to in the US.
While it didn’t seem like we were going to die the entire time, driving around the mountain ranges and alongside a large cliff with very little barrier to plunging into the ocean and going around hairpin corners was a little unnerving.
Best Driving Locations in Mallorca
Overall, the roads are in decent condition, and several important routes seem similar to driving in the United States.
You will be completely safe if you stay on the main routes outside of the mountains, such as the Ma-1 or Ma-19. It’s quite flat and simple to navigate.
Mallorca’s Worst Driving Spots
On the other hand, once you enter the Serra de Tramuntana, things turn risky. There are hairpin twists and incredibly narrow roads on the brink of cliffs. This is especially true on the Ma-10, the island’s most perilous route, which leads up to Valdemossa, Deià, and Soller.
If you continue a little farther to Sa Calobra, where the MA-10 becomes the Ma-2141, this is known as the “Snake Road” and may be rather perilous, but it is a must-do for some visitors to the island!
Peak Tourist Season vs. Shoulder Season Driving
Driving during the peak tourist season, which runs from June to August, is also very different from driving at other times. Tourists swarm to Mallorca during these months, and there are many more automobiles on the road.
Because more individuals on the road don’t know how to traverse the roadways, driving becomes slower and a little more dangerous. If you can visit Mallorca in the spring or autumn, you will have an easier time driving.
Everything You Need to Know About Driving in Mallorca
Now that we’ve cleared everything up, let’s delve into all of the basic regulations and restrictions governing driving in Mallorca, since driving about will allow you to experience everything that makes Mallorca worth visiting!
Driving Requirements in Mallorca (Spain)
Driving requirements in Mallorca are the same as in the rest of Spain and most of Europe:
To drive in Mallorca, you must be 18 years old, although many vehicle rental businesses need you to be 21 or older, otherwise, they may charge a “young driver fee.” A valid driver’s license from your own country is also required. You will also need a legitimate form of identification, which most rental vehicle businesses need to be your passport. Finally, to hire an automobile, you must have a valid credit card.
You must also have your vehicle registration paperwork and show your rental agreement on your car windscreen while driving to warn the officers. You may remove it when parked, but don’t forget to replace it!
Do You Require An International Driving Permit (IDP)?
To drive in Mallorca and Spain, Americans must have an International Drivers Permit. This is in addition to your US driver’s license and passport. The rental car business may not ask to see your IDP, but this is unlawful, so keep one on hand just in case.
PRO SUGGESTION In the United States, obtaining an International Drivers Permit is simple, quick, and inexpensive. We normally obtain ours at any BCAA shop before going on vacation. They cost roughly USD 20, and you must provide two passport-sized pictures to obtain the IDP in the United States. Even if you are unsure whether you want to drive in Mallorca, obtain an IDP.
If you are from the EU, you do not need an International Drivers Permit for your Mallorca road trip and may simply use your ordinary license.
Mallorca Speeding Penalties
If you are a non-Spanish resident and you are caught speeding in Mallorca, you will most likely have to pay your fine on the spot. Your rental vehicle business will be contacted if you are caught speeding on a camera rather than by a civil guard.
Fines can vary from €100 to €600, depending on how much you exceed the speed limit.
In Mallorca, which side of the road do you drive on?
You drive on the right side of the road in Mallorca. There are several single-lane roads on the island, so remember to keep to the right while giving way.
General Traffic Regulations
The general driving rules in Mallorca are similar to those in the United States:
- A seatbelt is required.
- You are not permitted to use a cell phone while driving.
- Overtaking is only possible from the left.
- Slower traffic should remain in the correct lane.
- When driving, no flip-flops are permitted.
Driving While Intoxicated
Drinking is unavoidable when on vacation in Spain, and the legal limit for driving in Mallorca and Spain is 0.05%. Driving under the influence is a serious offense in all nations, thus we advocate avoiding drinking at all if you are driving. You also want to have your wits about you on the windy roadways.
Insurance is required.
Driving in Spain necessitates having limitless third-party liability insurance.
Highway Conditions
We found the roads in Mallorca to be in good shape, with well-delineated lanes. Of course, as you go into the mountains, things become a little dangerous, but if you travel during the summer, you shouldn’t have any issues with road conditions.
Highway Signs
The traffic signs in Mallorca aren’t much different from what we’re used to, which confused us a little. Here are some pain road indicators to look out for:
The speed restrictions are displayed on circular signs with a number and a red border.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SPEED LIMITS ARE IN KILOMETRES PER HOUR, NOT MILES.
- Brown signs indicate points of interest.
- Other signs, such as roundabouts, no passing zones, and prohibited U-turns, are self-explanatory.
- Sometimes traffic lights are placed in unusual places, such as on a pole directly alongside your automobile rather than in the air in front of you. Look to your side if you can’t see your light!
Here is a graphic I created with some of the traffic signs you should and should not be aware of to drive safely and confidently in Mallorca!
Roundabouts
Mallorca adores roundabouts, particularly on major routes. It is not unusual to come across a roundabout on a roadway. We found them to be a little more chaotic than American roundabouts since no one signals when they exit the roundabout as we do here.
So, be cautious and enter the roundabout cautiously, yielding and moving slowly. As I have stated, drive defensively and you will be OK.
Speed Limitations
One of the most crucial things for us Americans to know is that speed limits are in kilometers, not miles. Your car’s speedometer should be in kilometers, so ideally, no maths is required.
In terms of real speed restrictions, highways have a maximum of 120km/hr, whereas all other locations have limits ranging from 30km/hr to 90km/hr. 30-50 km/h is often allocated for metropolitan areas.
Tolls
There are no toll roads in Mallorca! Yay!
Driving in Specific Locations
Driving in Palma de Mallorca
Driving in Palma de Mallorca’s city could only described as chaotic. This was our least favorite driving location since traffic was nearly always packed and things might get nasty.
Driving Outside The Mountains On The Mainland
The roads are totally fine once you leave Palma and drive around the island outside of the North Mountain region. They are peaceful, serene, and lovely. This was our favorite driving location.
Driving Through The Villages
While not frightening, driving through the little towns will expose you to many tight roads and speed bumps. Mallorca is obsessed with roundabouts and speed bumps.
Driving Through the Mountains
The Serra Tramuntana Mountain Range is to the north and northwest of Mallorca, with the Ma-10 (described above) serving as the major road across them.
The Ma-10 is twisting and a little dangerous, so take it slowly and give room to buses going around hairpin corners.
One unexpected benefit of mountain driving was that there was one lane in each way; these are not just one-lane roads. The lanes are also well-marked, which makes it less frightening.
Mallorca Car Rental
Renting a Car Requires Insurance
To hire a car in Mallorca, you must have unlimited third-party liability insurance, which is included in the rental fee.
We recommend acquiring a credit card with secondary insurance, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, so you don’t have to purchase full coverage while renting a car.
Where Can I Rent a Car?
The airport in Palma, PMI, is the finest place to hire a car in Mallorca. This is the most convenient option because you will need to fly into this airport, pick up your car, and drive into town right away.
If you don’t want to rent in PMI, you may hire a vehicle at Palma Beach or any of the other main beach communities on the island.
We hired a car from Click and Rent through Discover Cars, and even though it was outside the airport, there was a shuttle, and the transaction was seamless and straightforward. We felt comfortable renting there because the employees spoke English.
If it makes you feel better, there are other well-known rental firms like Sixt, National, Alamo, and Enterprise.
What Kind of Car Should I Rent?
One thing you will notice in Europe is that manual cars are WAY MORE POPULAR than automatic automobiles, thus the bulk of rental cars will be manual. We did, however, come upon an automated vehicle.
When renting a car in Mallorca, we recommend getting an automatic if feasible, even if you are used to driving a manual and are confident with it. You want to make driving on the mountain roads as simple and stress-free as possible.
Car Rental Costs
We discovered that renting a car in Mallorca was far more reasonable than we anticipated! Keep in mind that automobile rental fees vary depending on the season – renting a car in the summer will be significantly more expensive than in the winter!
The typical cost of renting a car in Mallorca is usually approximately $15-USD 60 per day, with the cheapest months being January through March.
The Cash Deposits
If you opt out of full coverage with the rental company directly (even if you purchased it from a third party), they will want you to provide a credit card for hold costs if you damage the car.
You should be aware that hold costs might be rather high. It cost us $1000! You get this back if you return the automobile in excellent functioning order! Just make sure to verify your credit card thereafter to ensure that it has been returned.
NOTE: If you end up adding full coverage with the rental car company directly, they will not require you to perform the hold.
Picking Up and Returning Your Rental Car
The process of picking up and returning your rental automobile is rather simple. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind for the best possible experience:
- We enjoy renting automobiles at the airport since they are often open during the same hours that flights are available.
- If you hire a car outside of the airport, bear in mind that it may be closed during certain hours. Check that this will not interfere with your flight time.
- Dropping off your rental car may be in a different place than picking it up, so always double-check with the provider before picking it up.
Is it necessary to book a rental car ahead of time?
We did not reserve a rental car ahead of time; we did it on the day of. We visited Mallorca, however, during the shoulder season, when there were fewer people hiring automobiles.
We recommend hiring a car ahead of time if you are traveling during the hectic Summer season. If you are traveling during the shoulder season, you should be OK waiting if you are unsure whether or not to hire a car in Mallorca.
What If You Get a Ticket While Driving a Rental Car?
If you receive a rental vehicle ticket, you will be responsible for paying it, most likely straight away if it is issued by a police officer.
If you get a ticket from a camera, it might take months for the rental vehicle business to report it, and then they will transfer it to you to pay.
What Happens If You Have An Accident In A Rental Car?
If you are involved in an accident, dial 112 for assistance.
This is why Google is recommended. We utilize this phone service provider since we have mobile coverage in practically every country on the planet! This guarantees that you have service (and safety) while traveling without wifi. Since we moved from Sprint, we’ve been infatuated with it!
If you contact emergency services, please be sure to notify your Mallorca rental vehicle company as well.
Tips We Wish We Had Known Before Renting a Car in Mallorca
While renting a car in Mallorca is simple, there are a few things we wish we had known before we did it:
- When you pick up your automobile, take photographs of EVERYTHING – inside, exterior, top, bottom, and so on. Driving on Mallorca’s steep roads means scrapes and scratches are typical, and you don’t want to be fined for something you didn’t do.
- If you don’t have Googlefi, consider obtaining a GPS gadget for your car so you don’t get lost. The last thing you want is to be driving the Ma-10 in the middle of the night and have no idea where you are.
- Only the primary driver is covered. If you want the other person in your pair to drive occasionally, notify the rental vehicle provider ahead of time.
Parking on the island of Mallorca
Parking in Mallorca, particularly in the main city of Palma, can be difficult owing to traffic congestion. The parking restrictions themselves are rather simple and are color-coded:
- Parking is free in white zones.
- Blue zones denote paid parking.
- Parking is not permitted in yellow zones.
Street parking sometimes requires special permits, and street parking is notoriously difficult to come by. We recommend parking in a public garage. We loved parking at Palma’s SABA parking garage because it is right in the city center and accessible to many places.
IMPORTANT: While the parking garage made parking easy, it was not as inexpensive as we had hoped. Parking in a garage will cost you roughly $35 per day.
Many of the tiny communities have free public parking areas. If you do have to park in a paid lot, make sure you have some change on you. While they normally accept credit cards, we discovered that the credit card feature was frequently faulty.
Purchasing Gas in Mallorca
When you pick up your rental automobile, double-check if it runs on gasoline (gasoline) or diesel (gasoil).
How to Go About It
When filling up at a service (gas station), remember that the green pump is for petrol and the black pump is for diesel. However, there is generally always a petrol station staff there, so the simplest solution is to simply tell them to fill up the car or you. This guarantees that you don’t do it wrong and wreck the automobile!
Petrol Prices
Keep in mind that petrol prices in Europe appear lower than in the United States because they are quoted per liter rather than per gallon. However, once converted, it is MUCH more costly. You should anticipate paying about $1.70 per liter, or almost $7 per gallon!
Tips for Driving in Mallorca Based on Our Own Experience
Here are a few driving tips we picked up while driving around Mallorca:
- Rent a compact automobile to squeeze into tight spaces and handle the narrow roads.
- As previously said, parking is not inexpensive if you want to park in garages for convenience.
- Cycling is really popular in the mountains, and they are always coming around the curves, so you must pay attention and go even slower than you think.
- Turn signals appear to be a suggestion.
- Stop signs can be placed in unusual locations, so glance about if you can’t see them immediately in front of you!
Making the Most of Your Driving Experience – Travel Tips
Most Beautiful Drive
The Ma-10 along the coast from Palma to Port de Soller is one of the most picturesque routes to travel. If you’re okay with curving roads down the edge of cliffs, you won’t want to miss the vistas of the Mediterranean in the background of the mountains!
If you’re looking for a little more fun, the Sa Calobra Road (MA-2141) is nicknamed as the “snake road” due to its hairpin twists. We urge that you only do this if you are a very competent driver who is used to driving in the mountains.
Visit the Most Beautiful Villages
Mallorca has a seemingly endless number of picturesque villages. Our favorites, however, were:
- Valdemossa
- Santanyí
- Deià
Soller was also lovely, but much more touristic and less mystical and romantic than the other three villages mentioned! Here is a map showing these four cities and the route that connects them – Santany is better done on its day because it is apart from the other three villages.
Is a Car Necessary in Mallorca?
So, do you need a car to enjoy Mallorca to the fullest? Here’s the solution:
YES if you are staying in Mallorca for more than three days, want to see everything the island has to offer, or want to do more than just relax at the beach and visit sights outside of the main city. There are numerous sites to visit with a car that is more difficult to get without one!
No, if you only want to relax by the beach or are only staying for a day or two on the island. Then you may just take a different mode of transportation from the Palma airport into the city and stay there.
Conclusion
We’ve finally arrived at the finish, guys! Driving and hiring a car in Mallorca is not difficult if you know the ins and outs and are aware of some of the more dangerous routes so that they do not surprise you.
When deciding how many days to spend in Mallorca, we strongly recommend hiring a car if possible, as it will allow you to truly appreciate the island’s diversity, from the magnificent, lush, green mountains to the turquoise-blue waters and the charming villages.
We hope that this Driving and Car Rental in Mallorca tutorial has fully equipped you for a road trip in Mallorca!
