Car rental in Palma de Mallorca: tips, prices, routes

Are you going to Majorca for a road trip of a few days? Here are our tips for renting a car in Palma de Mallorca!

The largest island in the Balearic Islands sometimes suffers from a tenacious prejudice. Indeed, this archipelago of the Western Mediterranean has the reputation of it to be only a land of concrete buildings for mass tourism. So much to say from the beginning, it’s not true! Of course, Palma de Mallorca, the capital, has seen large hotel complexes disfiguring its coastline but, fortunately, it has many other things to offer. Gothic cathedral erected on the seafront with a choir reconfigured by Gaudí, the Castell de Bellver and the charming old town are witnesses to an exceptional historical heritage.

To visit it but without forgetting the hinterland, it is better to rent a car in Palma de Mallorca, under pain of not being able to discover much. The rest of the island declines in idyllic coves. Villages perched in stone, hiking trails among olive trees and limestone cliffs await you and promise an unforgettable stay.

Are you convinced? Follow our tips to rent a car in Palma de Mallorca to explore the island!

Where to rent a car in Palma de Mallorca?

At the airport

After Madrid and Barcelona ? Sant Joan International Airport is the third airport in Spain. Due to the number of passengers on the island, especially in the summer, you will have no difficulty finding a rental car in Palma de Mallorca. The big rental agencies have a counter in the arrival hall.

In town

As the island is very touristic, you will find, especially on the seafront, many agencies to rent cars in Palma de Mallorca. It should be noted, however, that the vast majority are local agencies, large companies preferring a counter at the airport.

Itineraries in Mallorca by car: some ideas of road-trips!

The main advantage of the island of Majorca is to be able to discover it both on short stays and on longer stays. Its second strong point is to offer a beautiful variety of landscapes that are not likely to disappoint you as long as you choose the season to go. Here are some ideas of roads to explore after renting a car in Palma de Mallorca.

First route

If your heart swings between sea and mountains, well, it’s perfect, go west, direction the Serra de Tramuntana! It is a mountainous mountain range that runs along the west coast and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Take the direction of Andratx to get on the MA-10, the coastal road and follow your instinct to choose your stops. Many points of view, sometimes even old towers of guets only wait for you.
• Valldemossa and Deia are villages that are worth a look, the first attracts a lot of tourists because it was attended by Chopin and George Sand.
• If a vintage tram ride tells you, take a step in Soller or go explore the beautiful villages of Biniareix and Fornalutx where you can hike among fig trees, almond trees, olive trees.
• Continue your road on the famous and very busy Sa Calobra road! Depending on the time you have, stop to enjoy the cries dug between the limestone cliffs and gently head towards the exceptional views of the Cape of Formentor.

Second route

Would you like to discover the rural Mallorca? This route is for you!

• After renting your car in Palma de Mallorca, go to the center of the island in the direction of Binissalem and its vineyards.
• Continue to the north by stopping walks among almond trees and olive fields. You can then take a break in the village of Camairi before going to visit the beautiful coves Campanet.
• To see one of the most beautiful markets on the island, it is in Sineu that it goes down to the east.
• Make a stop in the villages Petra and Montuïri, among the most charming in the hinterland but visit absolutely between the two, in San Joan, the residence of Els Calderers. It is an ethnographic museum where you can discover the way of life of the rural bourgeoisie of the island in a mansion of the eighteenth century.

Third route

Finally, the east of the island is also worth a visit, provided that some seaside resorts are too concrete and frequented.

• Start with the northeast with the beautiful medieval villages of Artà and Capdepera with their castles and ramparts.
• In the north of Cala Ratjada, you can discover some pretty coves like Cala Torta. You can also visit the Natural Park of the Peninsula of Llevant before descending south.
• Make a stop at the charming village of Felanitx to climb to the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador and see the Castell de Santueri which is a former Moorish bastion.
• Continue your itinerary along the coast to return to Palma, the port of Porto Colom does not lack charm in the evening and La crique Calo des Moro is very pretty.

For a long stay, combine while taking the time to stop in the South and North.

How to compare and book your rental car online?

The island is a very popular tourist destination so you have to take it in advance to rent a car in Palma de Mallorca. Take the time compare prices on a site such as Rentalcars , for example, that will allow you to make your choice according to the criteria that are important to you.

You will find offers from all major agencies. Some local agencies , like Hiper Rent a Car who is a specialist in the Balearic Islands, also have good press, others, much less, so get to know. Generally speaking, beware of companies too low-cost , too attractive prices can sometimes book bad surprises.

How much does a rental car cost in Palma de Mallorca?

• For a day: prices start around 25 € for renters recommended by travellers.
• For a week: you can rent a car in Palma de Mallorca from 75 €.

Once again, beware of exceptional prices outside the reality of the market.

Driving to Palma de Mallorca: the traffic rules to know

To begin with, note that your rental car should not leave the island, you will not be able to take the ferry to visit Minorque for example.

The traffic rules are the same as in Spain and the roads are well renovated with highways. However, attention should be paid to the villages where roads can be very narrow, idem for the very winding mountain roads. Be alert with the tourist buses on the road to Sa Calobra!

Our tips for your car rental in Palma de Mallorca?

Rent a car in Palma de Mallorca: what conditions do you need?

We must have at least 21 years with a valid license for more than a year to rent an economic car and more than 25 years for others. Always check because some agencies can charge extra costs for young drivers.

On the other hand, you must have one credit card and no debit under penalty of having to pay an extra or worse deposit, to see your reservation cancelled. The word "credit" must be clearly entered on your card.

Limited or unlimited mileage?

The island is not huge, but it is always best to take unlimited mileage to avoid calculating each of your trips and avoiding unpleasant surprises.

Do you need insurance to rent a car in Palma de Mallorca?

The tyres are not covered in the basic insurance offered by the rental agencies. These offer, in general, additional guarantees at a certain cost. Make the comparisons and find out about the guarantees offered on your bank card. In all cases, be assured !

Where to park in Palma de Mallorca?

In the city you can park in underground parking otherwise parking areas with parking meters exist but keep in mind that the more you approach the center, the more expensive. Some free, but very sought-after places can still be found near the port or in the district of Santa Catalina among others.

It should be noted that on the coast, in high season, all parking spaces are paid .