Introduction
The largest of the Balearic Islands off the Catalonian coast, Mallorca is a place where holidaymakers from all over Europe come in order to soak up the sun and relax on its pristine beaches. Many head to Palma de Mallorca, the island’s principal city where many of the hotels, bars and restaurants are, while away from Palma, there’s plenty to explore for adventurous types. Mallorca’s coastline ranges from the fine sands that lie on Palma to jagged mountainsides which provide walkers with an interesting place to walk and go sightseeing. Meanwhile, despite being away from the Spanish mainland, Mallorca is a vibrant, cosmopolitan place where the busy nightlife contrasts greatly with the peaceful daytime.
Ideal car
Economy
Although the roads are good in Mallorca, you do need to be wary of some of the rural routes, which can be hard to navigate in a larger car. Something small and nippy is fine away from the motorways.
Driving in Mallorca
Road Driving Side
Urban Speed Limit
Rural Speed Limit
Motorway Speed Limit
Important things to note
Despite being a small island of around 800,000 people, there is a motorway network on Mallorca that makes driving between the major towns and cities easier than anticipated.
There are no direct road links to other Balearic Islands, but planes to and from Ibiza and mainland Spain are available.
There are four tourist offices in Palma. They’re at Parc de les Estacions, Passeig des Born 27, Placa de la Reina 2 and Palma de Mallorca Airport.
Highlights & Hotspots
The Paseo Maritimo, which spans the port of Palma, is a good place to spend a night out. Many of the city’s bars, restaurants and nightclubs are based here, while the view of the nearby Cathedral makes for an exciting, awe-inspiring backdrop as you sip on sangria.
The Catedral de Mallorca and Museo Catedralicio in Palma’s historic centre are both worth a look too. Close to the beach, the cathedral is great for walking around, while the museum reveals plenty about the island’s rich history.
If travelling with the family, Aqualand near the Arenal Motorway is worth visiting. Waterslides, pools and more are here if you like the idea of some waterborne family fun. It’s open from May to October every year and is very popular.
Placa del Mercat, home to an ornate church and various art nouveau buildings, is a good place to go shopping for unique Balearic goods. It’s also a quiet place to relax if you want to get away from the beach during the height of summer.
Airport Information
Palma de Mallorca Airport is Spain’s third largest, taking in more than 20 million passengers a year. Five miles east of Palma de Mallorca, it has one terminal building split into four separate modules – A, B, C and D.
To get to and from the airport by car, it’s easy to access via the Autovia Autopista de Levante, which goes to and from Palma. It’s also known as the Ma-19 Autovia.