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Car hire in Mallorca at the lowest prices

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The Spanish island of Mallorca has gained enormous popularity with people of all ages in the past years. Mallorca should not be dismissed as a place notorious for mass tourism or suitable only for young party-goers. Mallorca is a place of utmost beauty with diverse landscape ranging from small coves with crystal blue or emerald water and long sandy beaches to the hilly mainland dotted with historic villages which have preserved a touch of mystery to present day.

Opt for a rental car for complete freedom in exploring this fantastic island. This is the most affordable way of getting to know the many facets of Mallorca, including not only relaxing beaches but also quaint villages at the heart of the island. Check out what others have to say about their Auto Europe car rental experience in the Mallorca car hire reviews section of our website.

How is the traffic in Mallorca?

Drivers who enjoy mountainous and coastal roads with lots of curves and spectacular vistas will be pleasantly surprised by the island. Driving in Mallorca is relatively safe as long as you adhere to the rules.

In Mallorca, just like in Spain, you drive on the right side of the road. In Spain, the correct thing to do is use the outside lane regardless of direction. Please have this in mind when driving in Mallorca.

It is also important to remember to always have your driving licence, ID, and insurance documents with you. If you violate any of the driving regulations, you will either pay for the fine on the spot or a penalty notice will be forwarded, and the money will be taken from your credit card by the car rental supplier. All passengers in the car must have their seatbelts fastened during the ride.

Increase in traffic on the island is always evident during the high season. Be particularly careful when driving your car rental in Mallorca in summer months. Another important factor to pay attention to is roundabouts. Here is the overview of speed limits on Mallorcan roads given in kilometres per hour:

• Cities and other urban areas 50 km/h
• Motorways 120 km/h
• Minor roads 90 km/h
• Main roads 100 km/h

Where can I park my car hire in Mallorca?

Depending on the season and place, parking in Mallorca can be either a breeze or a tad more difficult. Popular beaches and Palma de Mallorca downtown can be a bit tricky to find a free spot in high season.

Sometimes you will be able to find parking for free, while, at times, parking is paid. Pay attention to the colour of the lines on the road. Yellow lines on the side of the road indicate forbidden parking. Blue lines mean that parking is allowed but also paid. You will need to find a ticketing machine, buy a ticket, and display it on a visible place in the car. If you violate parking regulations and park your car where it is not allowed, it will not only incur a penalty but your car will also be towed away.

Mallorca Airport

Palma de Mallorca Airport, known as Son Sant Joan Airport, is situated five miles to the east from the biggest city on the island, Palma de Mallorca. With its four terminals, this is the third biggest airport in Spain, right after Madrid and Barcelona, and one of the busiest in Europe in the summer. The airport serves domestic and international flights all year-round. A large number of European airlines, including the low-cost ones, fly to and from Palma, with an increased flight volume over summer months.

Palma de Mallorca Airport
IATA: PMI
Website: www.aena.es/en/palma-mallorca-airport/
Address: 07611 Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
Telephone: +34 902 40 47 04

What to do in Mallorca

Mallorca can be a party island or a tranquility oasis; it can be whatever you make it on your holiday. Obviously, you will not want to miss the beaches in the summer. However, the island is an all-year-round destination and offers much more than beaches and partying. We have a few tips ready:

• Drach Caves: Already known in the Middle Ages, but rediscovered in the late-19th century, the Drach Caves (Cuevas del Drach) comprise four large caves and several others extending to a depth of 25 metres and 2.5 miles in length. Located at Porto Cristo on the island's idyllic east coast, the caves offer a wide-ranging visitor experience including a classical music concert and a boat trip across Lake Martel.


• Bike Tour of Palma de Mallorca: Book a bike tour of the city and get to know more about Palma's history and heritage. You will get a bike and a local tour guide who will lead you through the Old Town and the harbour. On the way, you will see many historical buildings including Palma Cathedral and famous basilicas. This tour will let you soak in the local history and tradition like no other. Opt for a morning or afternoon tour at your own convenience.


• Tapas Night in Palma: Spend an evening or, why not, the whole night exploring tapas bars in Palma. You can book an organised tour and go down your own "Ruta Martiana" road, a tradition where you have a free drink with each tapas, or do some research and have your own little tour of tapas bars. The best ones are those frequented by locals.


• Liquor Making: Have you ever heard of Hierbas? This is a typical Mallorcan alcoholic drinks made with freshly picked herbs. Find a tour online and book it for a unique experience. Not only will you learn how to make Hierba, you will also get immersed in the life of the locals. The four-hour workshop takes place in one of the villages in the UNESCO protected range of Tramuntana Mountains. Your host will accompany you on a short hiking tour in the mountains where you will pick up fresh herbs for the liquor. Once back in the village, you will prepare the liquor according to your taste. You can modify the original mixture and customize the drink to your own liking. The bonus part - a light dinner with the host and your bottle of Hierbas to take home.


• Wine Tasting: You are welcome to choose one of the many organised winery tours to get to know more about the art of wine making in Mallorca. Of course, this involves tasting, too, so please leave your car rental safely parked at your hotel.


• Son Amar Show: Son Amar is a captivating show with many styles of dancing, acrobatics and lasers. There is also a dinner included. We recommend buying the VIP seat tickets as they offer the best view and the best menu.

Best day trips with my car rental in Mallorca

The Sollér Railway

When you land in Palma de Mallorca and need to travel to a resort on the east or north coast, you can choose not only car hire in Mallorca, but also an unusual or, least to say, unexpected means of transport. The old-style train, which runs along narrow three-foot gauge tracks, connects Palma and Sóller. On this pretty scenic journey, you will be taken one hundred years back in time. Expect to see the real Mallorca and fantastic landscapes on the way.

Cap Formentor

Probably the most fascinating place of all on the island, remarkable for its superb position and spectacular vistas, Cap Formentor will leave you astonished for a long time. The limestone cliffs, blue waves crashing against the rocks, and the vast blue are more beautiful than any postcard. Driving up to this northernmost point of the island is known to be scary so please be extra careful. We recommend spending the whole day at the Formentor beach and visiting Cap Formentor at dusk for an extra outburst of colours.

Capdepera Castle

Built in the 14th century to protect the local population from pirates, Capdepera Castle is ideal for a close-up encounter with the local history. The fortress sits on top of a hill with its ancient walls forming a huge triangle. Take a walk around this old walled city and enjoy the superb views. When the weather is good, you can also see the island of Menorca from the castle! The place is great for families with children as well as adults. If you happen to be visiting during one of the festivals, you will be able to indulge in the rich local food offer and great live entertainment. Wednesdays are known as market days in Capdepera. Visit on Wednesday and experience the real Mallorcan flair at the market. To round the day off, drive to the neighbouring resort Cala Ratjada for a swim!

Mondragó Natural Park

Nature at its best, pine trees, dramatic cliffs and crystal clear sea water describe the Mondragó National Park better than anything else. The park is located in Santanyi, near Cala d'Or and is only a 10-minute drive from Portocolom. Besides the lovely sandy beaches, it is well known as a nature reserve for migratory birds. Don't worry about parking your car since there is plenty of free parking around the park. As restaurants here tend to be on the higher side, plan a whole day picnic and bring your own food for the day.

Sanctuaries: Lluc and Sant Salvador

Sant Salvador, near the east coast, is only 50 minutes' drive from Palma. An ancient monastery, perched on top of a hill amidst Mallorcan plains, is a landmark itself, with two imposing monuments; a huge stone cross and a figure of Christ who stretches out his hand as a sign of blessing. The famous pilgrimage site overlooks Felanitx from 1640 feet above the sea level. The monastery was founded in the 14th century and the last monks left in 1992. You can enjoy beautiful views from the top and see much of southwest Mallorca. Drive up northwest until you reach Lluc, a beautiful sanctuary which offers accommodation far from the party scene. You will be surrounded by the Tramuntana Mountains, dried river beds, and a Botanic Garden. Spend the night amidst unspoilt nature in the simply decorated rooms, have a hearty breakfast in the morning and head back to your hotel, or, even better, one of the nearby beaches.

Beaches

With so many fantastic beaches, choosing only a few is quite demanding but it is doable. There are bus routes to take you from Palma to many parts of the island. However, to see the hidden coves, hamlets and awesome beaches, you are better off with a rental car. For the Caribbean feel, head to Alcudia, where you can enjoy a long stretch of white soft sand and palm trees as a backdrop. Other lovely sandy beaches can be found in S'Arenal, and Portal Nous also known as Cala Bendinat on the west coast. A little gem, still not extremely overcrowded and polluted with mass tourism, is Cala Gat in Cala Ratjada. It is relatively small and resembles a cove with rocky cliffs ideal for jumping into the sea and crystal clear water just made for snorkeling. The whole east coast is full of hidden coves which can be reached with tourist boats every day.

Geographic Information & History

Mallorca is the largest island of the Balearic Islands archipelago which is located east of Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea. Much like other Balearic Islands - such as Ibiza, Formentera or Menorca - it is a very popular tourist destination. Capital of both the island and the Balearic archipelago, Palma is a major port city and the perfect base from which to make the most of your rent a car in Mallorca. The island lures visitors with its sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and perfect weather. It boasts a Mediterranean climate and enjoys mild winters and hot summers, with temperatures reaching 30°C.

Much like other Mediterranean islands, Mallorca saw many conquerors throughout its long history. There is historic evidence about the island having been off the main trading route with Ibiza being the major trading centre back in the day, as well as references to Mallorcan's minor role in the Punic wars. Piracy was thriving in the archipelago and Romans decided to put an end on it. They conquered and settled Mallorca in 123 BC. However, this did not put an end on the everlasting conflicts and invasion attempts of Vandals, Byantines and Muslims. In the ninth century, Mallorca was annexed to the Muslim Emirate of Cordoba. Although the role of Romans in the island's history is undisputable, Moors' tradition has left deep traces in the local language (Mallorquin), customs and native cuisine.

As a revenge for plundering their boats, the Catalan king Jaume 1 resorted to force, conquered the island and annexed it to his kingdom of Aragon. The island was given to his younger son under whose reign Mallorca literally flourished. Considering Mallorca too independent, Catalans decided to take Mallorca back and consequently to unite the Balearic Islands with the Kingdom of Spain.

Despite being an island, all events in European history had great repercussions on Mallorca, including numerous wars, the plague and political structures. The island grew to be highly conservative and religious which started to change only after tourism emerged with all its novelty in the '70s.

How to get around Mallorca

Besides railway and underground lines in Palma, there is also a bus network with extensive bus service connecting most of the towns and cities on the island. Most tourist resorts can be reached by public buses but to reach smaller beaches off the beaten track you will need a car. The official Mallorca public transportation site provides you with fares and timetables for all means of transport on the island.

Useful links

Tourist Guide Mallorca