Renting a car in Mallorca (Balearic Islands): Everything you need to know

Mallorca is a pretty picture. Imagine yourself driving along the island’s stunning coastal vistas — Mediterranean sun on your skin, wind in your hair, a promise of sangria at the end of a long day of beach hopping and sightseeing.

We spent a week on the island: Checked all the gorgeous beaches, mountain ranges, and even stopped by Rafa Nadal’s home town! However, all of these wouldn’t be possible without renting a car — you just can’t have that freedom and flexibility to explore the island using the public transportation.

Here’s our guide to renting a car in Mallorca in 2025 — we hope that this journey will be smooth sailing (or rather, driving) for you all the way, from deciding on the service to finally hitting the road.

Article contents

1. Should you rent a car in Mallorca?
2. Our breakdown of the renting process
   2.1. Step 1 — Choose the service
   2.2. Step 2 — Pick your ride
   2.3. Step 3 — Go through insurance & additional options
   2.4. Step 4 — Get the car
3. Things to keep in mind when renting a car in Mallorca
   3.1. Fuel prices
   3.2. Main traffic rules and regulations
   3.3. Fines
   3.4. Roads
   3.5. Parking in Mallorca
   3.6. Navigation
   3.7. Road trip planning
4. Decided against renting a car?..
5. Where to stay in Mallorca if you’ve rented a car

Should you rent a car in Mallorca?

Do you need a car in Mallorca? No guide on car hire on the island starts without singing praises to this independent mode of transportation. We were pretty skeptical of people saying that we absolutely must rent a car in Mallorca when we planned to travel here for the first time. After all, isn’t the island pretty small?

Turns out, it is a small island — if you start in Palma and drive north, you can cross it in under an hour. But still!

• Having a rented car here will be a gamechanger: There are so many hidden gems scattered around every secluded nook and cranny of Mallorca that are otherwise unreachable.

For adventurers like ourselves, missing out on driving Sa Calobra Serpentine’s “Knotted Tie” loop or reaching the famous Es Trenc beach meant the trip was completely useless — so we caved in, rented a car, and never went back on our decision!

Of course, we know that not everybody feels as strongly as we do and usually comes to a conclusion in a different manner. That is why we respectfully give you the more systemic and analytic take on the topic of renting a car in Mallorca!

Our breakdown of the renting process

Even if it looks easy, it is still vital to understand the system and potential pitfalls when researching how to rent a car in Mallorca.

Step 1 — Choose the service

They say no man is an island, so you would think an actual island, like Mallorca, would prove to be a very isolated, scarcely serviced location (with little to no rental companies actually covering the bases here). Well, you’d be wrong!

There are plenty of local companies for car rental in Mallorca (just look at the number of airport car rental offices here, it’ll blow your mind!), each with their own spin on the service.

It can be pretty hard navigating your way through the sea of tiny rental companies in a new country, so we advise you to follow our lead: Use online aggregators to make the process way easier and more seamless! There are, of course, a few of them as well:
(a consequence of capitalist society we live in; a myriad of choices)

• LocalRent (our go-to website)
• DiscoverCars
• RentalCars

One more reason to use the aggregators is kind of absurd, but we’re being serious about this: Prices on the rental agencies’ websites are ALWAYS significantly higher! Perhaps, they don’t want to bother themselves with customer service.

Which one is the best car rental in Mallorca? They all have pros and cons, and we have used all of them throughout our years spent on the road. However, we always come back to the first one in countries where it is present (the list, luckily, includes Spain, clad with a fleet of 1,000+ cars!).

What we particularly love about the LocalRent’s service is the opportunity to rent a car without a credit card and the filters: Apart from the usual pick-up/drop-off, rental dates, and car classes, you get other boxes that make the process of choosing a car that much easier. You can pick your rental based on gear box, deposit (we absolutely love their “No deposit” option, since the deposits can be a total nuisance!), year of manufacture, child booster seat, roof rack, etc. Pretty great stuff for people who love to plan things thoroughly!

Based on our personal review of the car rental process in Mallorca, we would go with LocalRent time and time again — the service has not let us down yet (knock on wood!).

Additional reasons to choose this service:

• No hidden costs/fees; you will see the end total with all the price breakdowns before finalizing the process;
• You will pay around 15-20% upfront, and the rest upon car pick-up;
• The basic (TPL) insurance is already included in the price (as per Spain’s government instructions, every car should have the basic coverage before it hits the road);
• Friendly and timely customer service that will help if you ever have a question or a problem with your rental.

One important thing to keep in mind is choosing the service as early on in the planning process as possible. If you count on renting a car in Mallorca (particularly one of the cheaper rental cars in Mallorca and not some left over convertible), do it well in advance. High season brings tons of travelers to the island, and most of them, like you, appreciate freedom of movement — make sure you will be one of the lucky ones with four wheels this summer in Mallorca!

Step 2 — Pick your ride

Before we scare you away with all the price breakdowns, learn this: It really doesn’t matter that much which car you choose, so breathe out and relax.

• An important (but not at all necessary) tip for renting a car in Mallorca to keep in mind would be this: A smaller car will be much easier to maneuver on narrow winding mountain roads and much easier to park, especially in towns that don’t have that many parking spaces available.

Smaller cars are usually cheaper as well! And it’s not like you will be doing much off-roading: Most of the island roads are well-paved, with little to no bumps; thus leaving no need for a giant Range Rover or a similar 4 wheel drive car to travel around Mallorca.

We chose Ford Focus — and that’s what we got in the office. What we didn’t expect, though, is that its mileage would be… 3 kilometers! A brand-new (and plastic-y smelled) car for €60 a day.

Price comparison

Because of the many moving parts that go into counting the total amount you’ll pay for a car on the island, it’s hard to give harsh numbers on car hire prices in Mallorca. However, we can give you the starting amounts that you can then add your requirements and needs and count accordingly. Or better yet, go straight to the LocalRent website and play around with filters yourself — that way, you’ll get a much clearer image of the money situation you’re in for.

Things that can affect the prices for a rental car in Mallorca (or anywhere else):

• Car class and brand
• Gear box — manual gear box will be cheaper than automatic transmission, that’s a given
• Car’s age and mileage — new cars can be expected to be more costly than old ones, though, from our experience, not by a whole lot
• Pick-up and drop-off location — if both occasions happen in the same office, your total will be significantly lower
• Rent duration — the longer you plan on having the car, the cheaper it will be per day
• Tourist season — high season prices can double and even triple! To hire a vehicle in Mallorca in May this year, you have to pay anywhere from €30, and soon after in June (when the tourist season is already in full swing) the amount jumps up to €45

You can expect to pay no less than (prices are given for 3-day rentals): €40 a day for an economy class car; €50 a day for a standard class car; €70 a day for an SUV.

We will not divulge much about other car classes since they are not very cost-effective. If you like to be flashy, you know the privilege comes with a hefty price tag!

Step 3 — Go through insurance, deposit & additional options

Choosing a car is one thing; it’s a whole another ordeal to work out additional costs! Insurance, of course, is at the top of that list and one of the more important things to know before you rent a car in Mallorca.

As we’ve mentioned before, TPL (Third Party Liability Insurance) is already included into your rental agreement free of charge. But what are the other options you can choose?

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) — basic insurance that doesn’t cover glass and wheels. If you damage the car, you lose your deposit, but additional costs are covered by the insurance company.
• Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) — more premium insurance option that covers the entire car and lessens the risk of you going bankrupt significantly (in some cases completely) should something happen to the vehicle. Still requires a deposit.
• Full Coverage — the crème de la crème of insurance plans, you will not pay a dime out of pocket should your four-wheeled friend suffer an accident, even a hit-and-run (if you were hit that is). Usually no deposit is required, since you’re paying big bucks for the insurance itself!

Personally, we advise getting Full Coverage — you wouldn’t believe how freeing it is driving around not worrying about tiny dents and scratches that can lead to a loss of the deposit in the end!

However, any extra insurance means extra expenses. If the car is new (and the owner isn’t greedy), you might get lucky and full coverage would be included in the price, like it was in our case. But usually, this one and SCDW vary from €10 to €30 per day on top of the total amount.

Side note: Use the “full coverage” filter on LocalRent to see if there are any cars that go with this plan for free.

Deposits can be a real pain: In most of Europe, the amount required for a deposit that gets frozen on your card starts at €1,000! The downside to having so much money not in a “liquid” state per se is the time it can take to get it back — it usually takes a few days but can last weeks. We had an incident of waiting an entire month for our deposit that was frozen on our card, which was very inconvenient, to put it lightly.

You can lower the amount of your deposit by choosing more insurance coverage: If you have the bare minimum insured, you will be expected to leave big money as a retainer, — the logic’s there, but it doesn’t mean we like it! Let us tell you, the combo of full coverage and no deposit made the whole renting ordeal a total breeze, leaving us stress-free and even energized for the days of driving ahead.

So, to break it down:

• If you don’t want to pay for full coverage, be ready to leave a €1,000 deposit on your credit card. In this case, make sure to check the car thoroughly upon pick-up (more on this later).
• If you want to get your deposit back faster, choose the cash option wherever applicable. That way, you’ll get your money back upon car return and not have to worry about waiting weeks for it to materialize on your card.
• If you want to keep your sanity intact (and not provoke additional anxiety), choose the full coverage insurance and get the reduced deposit amount or a “No Deposit” option!

Step 4 — Get the car

If you’re planning on renting a car in Mallorca, you can expect the pick up to be at the Palma de Mallorca Airport — most of the rental offices are confined to one general location in the terminal, so they’re pretty easy to find!

Now that you know the “where”, it’s time to figure out the “when”. A taxi to the airport will cost you around €30 one-way, so it would be pretty cost-effective to arrange car pick-up for the time of your arrival to Mallorca.

Come prepared with all the necessary documents and cash/card. To rent a car in Mallorca, you must have:

• A valid driver’s license;
• A valid credit card (unless you chose “cash only” option);
• An ID.

A little more insight into necessary requirements.

If you’re from the EU, then you can drive with your regular driver’s license. If you’re from a country outside the European Union, then you must acquire an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in Mallorca.

While the official driving age in Spain is 18, the minimum age you have to be to rent a car in Mallorca is 21 years old. The minimum driving experience is two years. You can incur additional charges if you’re under 25 or over a certain age (we believe that 70 is where things start to get tricky).

There’s also a must-do list of things to keep in mind when picking up your new rental:

• Check the car thoroughly! That means take pictures (ideally, a walk-through video even) of all the damages that are present on the car. You might want to specify them in the agreement as well. Take your time, this step is vital! The thing is, when people get a car with full coverage, they are not particularly careful when driving it: Dents and scratches might find their way to the car’s body. Rental company workers don’t bother checking the car after such clients, since they will not get any money out of them. So, they wait for a person with basic insurance to pile all the damages onto — do not let it be you!
• Check the fuel levels. Most car rental companies abide by full-to-full policies: You are expected to return the car with exactly the same amount of gas (usually a full tank, hence the name) as you got it. If you weren’t able to get gas before dropping off the car, you will be charged for the amount of fuel you’ve used up.

Things to keep in mind when renting a car in Mallorca

Congrats, you’re finally in the driver’s seat! It’s time to hit the ground running on exploring Mallorca’s magnificent sights. But first, let’s look into the main things (more like a general vibe) you need to know about driving in Mallorca. We’ll cover fines, parking, and the like.

Fuel prices

If you do decide to rent a car in Mallorca, you must know the extra expenses you’ll be taking on, with the primary source of your spending coming from filling up the tank.

American travelers beware: The gas in Mallorca is not “surprisingly cheap”! You’re just seeing the price for a liter, not a gallon. Keep this fact in mind.

Cost of gas in Mallorca:

• Gas — €1,56 per liter
• Diesel — €1,49 per liter

It’s always a good idea to fuel up in advance, especially if you’re planning on driving into the mountains or some remote location on the island. You don’t want to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, with only wild goats and sympathetic geckos there to help you!

Main traffic rules and regulations

✔️ In Mallorca (and Spain in general), they drive on the right side of the road. Sorry, Brits and Aussies, you will now have to experience firsthand what the rest of the world feels when they arrive on your soil!

✔️ You cannot use your phone while driving, unless you have a hands-free system. Keep your eyes off the screen and on the road, duh!

✔️ Mallorca has zero tolerance policy on drunk driving: It is a very serious offence. If you have over 0.5 grams per liter of blood, you are in deep trouble.

✔️ Mind the speed limits: 120km/h on motorways, 90km/h on regular roads, usually outside the city, and 50km/h or less (look for the circular signs with a red border and a number) in the city/more built-up areas.

✔️ Looking out for speed limit signs will not only make you a nice and law-abiding driver in Mallorca, but it will also save you money! How? Well, there are plenty of speed cameras scattered all around the island’s roads — some stationary, some mobile (the latter ones are moved by Civil Guard cars, so you never know where exactly they’ll spring up next). Ma-13 motorway has the most speed cameras, so do not go all Fast & Furious while driving on this road.

✔️ If you’re traveling with a child, remember that kids under 135 centimeters in height cannot sit in the front, and should be properly restrained in the car seat (or a booster, depending on the kid’s size) fitted in the back of the car.

✔️ When driving around in a rental, you’re expected to have the following documents on you: Your ID, your driver’s license (with IDP, if you fall under the category of people that need it), and a copy of your rental agreement (that includes insurance).

Fines

Fines in Mallorca are strictly enforced, and with vigor. If you got caught breaking the law by one of the Civil Guard guys, you will be expected to pay the fine on the spot (especially if you’re a non-Spanish resident; locals can delay the inevitable a little). However, speed cameras are a different story: If you get on their radar with a malfeasance, the rental company will be notified and you will get the unwanted letter in the mail.

The fines here are usually hefty, and the offences range from reasonable to somewhat weird decisions (in the summer, you can get fined for driving barefoot/in flip-flops, if the officer decides that doing so messes with your driving abilities).

The main violations that can lead to fines in Mallorca are the following:

• Speeding — fines range from €100 to €600, usually corresponding €100 for every 10km/h you go over the limit;
• Using a mobile device while driving — a €200 fine;
• Not wearing a seatbelt (or having your child improperly restrained) — a €200 fine;
• Exceeding the alcohol limit (the most serious offence) — you can get fined anywhere from €500 to €1,000. Depending on the severity of the situation, you can get your license revoked, or even face potential jail time;
• Not stopping at a red light — a €200 fine;
• Improper parking — fines start at “humble” €80 and rise depending on a situation.

Some travelers can be seduced by the idea of not paying the fine when you receive it weeks later in the mail; we found some sources saying that “if you don’t plan to come back to Spain, then throw the fine away”. We do not agree with the advice: First, it’s morally not right. Secondly, it doesn’t work like that! The fines don’t get waived off in Mallorca, so the authorities will find a way to reach you: Your rental company will be issued the charge, and they, in turn, will find you and demand the money. So, do the right thing and pay your dues — or even better, follow the rules and drive around Mallorca with a clear conscience.

Side note: If you pay early (in the first 20 days of getting a fine or so), you can get a 50% discount on the amount of your fee.

Roads

Is driving in Mallorca easy? When you think about the question from the point of view of road quality, then we would say it is — main motorways here are in good condition, with clearly marked lanes. Things get trickier (but not worse, per se) when you go into the mountain range — the backbone of Mallorca, the Serra de Tramuntana — roads become narrower, but they are still manageable to drive on, even for not very experienced drivers (that’s when smaller cars can shine — you can maneuver two tiny cars with greater ease on a serpentine road; a statement that could not be made for two larger cars).

There are no toll roads in Mallorca anymore. The Sóller Tunnel — what was essentially the only section of the road with a toll in Mallorca — now can be accessed free of charge (and has been, for the past few years).

Watch out for cyclists! Professional athletes and amateurs from all over the world come to Mallorca to ride their bikes on the scenic and challenging roads — and that means plenty of opportunities for unfortunate car/bike accidents. Keep your eyes peeled at all times (same goes for animals crossing the road; but that goes without saying for every location you drive in).

Overall, local drivers are pretty relaxed: They let you change lanes and rarely honk at you. It must be all the siestas they’re taking, or the general Mediterranean laid-back attitude, but we found driving on the island to be a pretty pleasurable activity.

However, they’re not always lawful. Turn signals are merely a suggestion for locals (we only saw tourists use them), which is not a catastrophic thing, if it weren’t for the roundabouts! They can be stressful enough on their own, and add to that not knowing what the cars around you are going to do and you get pure nightmare fuel!

And do not underestimate the driving times. Narrow congested roads (particularly in high season), paired with distractions and trouble finding parking (the Achilles heel of every popular tourist destination) will double your ETA, if not triple. Take it easy and don’t plan too much for one day!

Parking in Mallorca

Parking in Mallorca is a pretty straight-forward affair; just pay attention to three main colors: White, blue, and yellow.

• Parking spaces marked with white lines — you can park here free of charge. This is a rare sight in bigger cities, but you can come across such a jackpot when you go further into Mallorca’s rugged interior.
• Parking spaces marked with blue lines — you can park here if you pay and for a limited time only. Such spaces usually come together with parking signs and parking meters: Each one will give you the particular details about leaving your car here. Note that some of the blue zones have FREE HOURS on weekdays from 2:30pm to 4:30pm (siesta time!). Keep coins on you all the time in case there wouldn’t be contactless option.
• Parking spaces marked with yellow lines — you cannot park here.

Parking in the city of Palma de Mallorca can be tricky; there are few street parking options (and they are very limited, unable to meet the demand). However, multiple car parks (mostly underground garages; some of them so big they have multiple stories) save the issue! They are mostly paid, of course, but in Palma, it’s better to pay and have a peace of mind that your car won’t be towed.

Our experience: We parked in close proximity to the center of Palma — at Parking Mallorca garage near Parc de Sa Feixina for €2,5 per hour. Street parking, for comparison, costs €1–€2 per hour.

Outside the city, near the beaches and other island landmarks, the parking issue is simpler. At the beach, for example, you’re usually expected to pay for the whole day (the prices also range due to the location’s popularity, with €10 being the cut-off). A lot of destinations have free parking though: It’s not all euros and parking tickets after all.

Our experience: On our way to Calo del Moro beach we found a parking spot at Carrer des Calo des Moro street (right near the start of the trail) — super busy but free!

Navigation

We found that Google Maps work just fine on the island: There wasn’t a time this navigation system has led us to a dead end or something of similar nature. You should download an offline map just in case! Maps.me is what we usually use as backup when cell service fails.

Of course, you will have to upgrade your cell plan/get an E-SIM card before traveling to Mallorca. There’s a myriad of choices online, but we personally use Airalo — their entire process is very easy to follow, with all the necessary points and questions covered.

Road trip planning

The main reason why you should rent a car in Mallorca is the ability to explore its legendary sights scattered all around the island. The itinerary for your Mallorcan getaway is a topic for another time, but we can’t leave you high and dry! These are the places and things you must see/experience when on the island, particularly when you decide to rent a car in Mallorca:

Scenic drives — the most efficient way to see the island:

• Ma-10 (Andratx to Port de Sóller) — arguably the most varied and exciting drive in Mallorca; this stretch of the road is zigzagging through the spectacular Tramuntana mountains (UNESCO Heritage Site, btw!), dipping down to historical little villages of Deiá and Valdemossa (the self-proclaimed axis of Mallorcan renewed artistic crowd) and then going up and over the mountain passes.
• Ma-2141 (Sa Calobra Serpentine) — without a doubt, the most scenic drive in Mallorca: This short strip of the road (13km total) is often referred to as the “Snake”, as it snakes through the mountains and down into the valley. You might’ve seen the pictures of the Sa Calobra Serpentine online — the winding road, with insane turns that include the “Knotted Tie” loop (one of the crazier things we’ve seen) is a sight and an adventure in and of itself!
• Ma-2210 (Pollença to Cap de Formentor) — a great stretch of the road in the north of Mallorca; the hairpin turns and head-boggling sea views are vertigo-inducing, but in the best way possible. You can pop into the Old Town of Alcúdia on the way back and get your Medieval fix after a full day of driving!

Beaches and (coves) — Mallorca is mostly a beach destination after all! The truth is, every strip of fine white sand and turquoise water that you’ll stumble upon on the island will be magical, so get yourself off the itinerary planning hook here! However, it’s still a good idea to keep the “heavy hitters” in mind:

• Calo des Moro — located in the south of the island near Santanyí, this is the most popular beach day destination in Mallorca. This is a true paradise with water so clear you can see every little thing below the surface!
• Cala Varques — a beautiful beach on the Mallorcan east coast. The powdery soft white sand and unspoiled nature make it the must-see destination for tourists coming to the island.
• Cala Deià — a “rockier” cove that impresses the visitors with its raw beauty. The mountain-forward location explains the terrain and adds an air of grandeur to the small water opening.
• Cala Llombards — gorgeous location with plenty of photo-ops: Towering cliffs, glistening pearl-white sand, cerulean water, tiny fishermen huts lining the shore, — your camera roll will be full by the time you dip your toes in the water!
• Es Trenc — usually referred to as the “virgin” beach, Es Trenc in the south of Mallorca sports zero infrastructure! It’s a great location to play out Blue Lagoon and Robinson Crusoe-like scenarios in your head (if it weren’t for a bunch of other beachgoers that appreciate untouched white sand and crystal clear water). There’s a salt production spot right nearby, which adds a flair of uniqueness to the location.

Other unmissable spots — the island isn’t all about beaches and serpentine roads (though there’s nothing wrong if your stay here is centered around these things); Mallorca has so much more to offer to both an average tourist and a seasoned traveler in search of something new and exciting:

• Catedral-Basílica de Santa María, Palma — also known as La Seu Cathedral, this stunning work of 13th century Gothic architecture is a sight to behold!
• Jardines de Alfabia — set in the Tramuntana mountain range, this historical house and gardens combo is a great destination for a day outing.
• Barranc de Biniaraix — speaking of mountains, this is the most popular hiking route in Mallorca: You will see a deep gorge/canyon, walk through olive tree orchards, and get to know the island’s nature as intimately as possible!
• Drach Caves — one of the top tourist attractions in Mallorca; it is a series of caves (four in total) that hide an underwater lake, stalactites and stalagmites, and even semiprecious agates (!) in their dark interior.
• Cap de Formentor — the aforementioned northernmost tip of Mallorca; this windy point is grand in the sense of its finality. Great panoramas are a nice addition to the feeling as well!

Even if you’re not that big on trip planning and like to go with a flow, it’s still a good idea to do the bare minimum and put the places that spoke to you most into Google Maps. That way, once you’ve got your rental in Mallorca and you turn the keys in the ignition, you know in which direction to drive and what will wait for you once you get there!

Decided against renting a car?

Mallorca has a very well-developed public transport system, at least by island standards: There are plenty of regular intercity buses, there’s a train and even a single metro line! At times (specifically in low tourist season), it can be nice to take a train up to Sóller and enjoy looking out the window onto mountain views.

However, high season’s demand ruins the magic of getting around Mallorca by public transport: Crowds and increased waiting times will do that to you! This is why we’re such big proponents of renting a car in Mallorca — increased level of comfort is what vacation is all about!

However, we cannot overstate that you CAN go the public transport route, especially if you’re not particularly fussy. Or, if you’re staying in Palma and not planning to explore remote parts of the island.

Of course, when the need to see some tourist landmark arises, you cannot go wrong with going the “tour” route — and this is where GetYourGuide comes into play!

Sounds intriguing? Look at their offerings:

• 5-Hour Catamaran Cruise
• Island Tour with Boat, Tram & Train from the South
• Alcudia or Can Picafort: Sunrise Dolphin-Watching Cruise
• From Cala Figuera: Boat Tour to Cala Marmols & Caló de Moro

But still… pros and cons of renting a car in Mallorca

Pros:

+ freedom and flexibility. You can explore Mallorca at your own pace, no matter how “out there” your itinerary is. You can reach the best beaches in Mallorca and drive the most scenic routes on the island all with the comfort of your own car (peek the end of the article for a more in-depth rundown for your itinerary)!

+ convenience. You can have all the necessary stuff you need inside your car, without having to lug huge bags on your back all day long.

+ weather control! Well, not really, but having a little space where you can turn on AC and sit for a while is a blessing in high season in Mallorca.

+ time efficiency. You will not be wasting precious vacation time on waiting for the bus — you can just go out there and drive at a moment’s notice.

+ driving in Mallorca is generally a breeze. The main roads are nice and fellow drivers are friendly.
+ more accommodation options unlocked.

+ costs. If you take into the account prices for taxis and other private transfers, renting a car in Mallorca is a pretty cheap ordeal (that is, if you get a lot of transfer rides over the course of your stay here).

Cons:

— traffic. Hotspot tourist attractions see a lot of traffic in high season, so expect increased wait times.

— parking challenges. Narrow streets and overflow of tourists means spending half an hour on finding a parking spot (on a good day!). Plus, the extra cost of parking garages is a nuisance for everyday travel spending.

— driving in some parts of Mallorca can be tricky. Both mountain areas and old villages have the narrowest of roads that are harder to maneuver in, especially for an unexperienced driver. Not impossible, just harder and requires more vigilant focus!

— local drivers are pretty laidback. Isn’t it a good thing? Not really, when they fail to use a turn signal once again when entering/exiting a roundabout. Drove us crazy!

— costs. During peak tourist season, the costs of rental cars in Mallorca rise up significantly, which leads to a big chunk of your travel budget being eaten up by transportation alone.

— unnecessary money spending. If you don’t have many places to visit in Mallorca in your itinerary and would rather spend your time on the island lying on the beach nearest to your hotel (one of the more leisurely things to do in Mallorca by the way) then spending a hundred euros on a car seems like a poor financial decision.

For us personally, pro column points far outweigh the cons: We believe that Mallorca has so much more to offer to travelers who rent a car here — it is the best way to get around the island, exploring the lay of this fairytale-esque land.

Where to stay in Mallorca

While it can feel pretty overwhelming (especially for a first-time visitor) to try and pinpoint the exact location for your Mallorcan stay, we can give you a few places you can look into, feel out the general vibe, and go from there.

Alcúdia

Located on the opposite side of Mallorca from Palma, Alcúdia might seem like a destination too far removed and hard to get to, even with a car. This sentiment is obviously wrong — a giant motorway guarantees you will spend no more than 50 minutes inside the car driving from one of these iconic locations to another. The historical Old Town of Alcúdia is a reason enough to stay close; add to that the beautiful Port Alcúdia, with its stunning beach and views of the bay, and you’re all set for a fantastic time! Out of our list, this is the closest location to the iconic Cap de Formentor — the northernmost point of Mallorca (great place to watch the sunset).

• 3* Fonda Llabres Boutique (from €90 a day) — a charming boutique hotel with central location; provides free public parking at a location nearby (no reservation needed)
• 3* Alcudia Beach Apartments (from €85 a day) — a clean and humble aparthotel close to the bay equipped with a pool and a gym; provides free public parking at a location nearby

Calvià

The historic town hidden in the foothills of Serra de Tramuntana is a mere 20-minute drive from the capital of the island and its most lively hub — Palma. The authentically rustic location is landlocked, but the entire municipality of Calvià does have some iconic beachfront destinations (the next village on our list is no exception). The town of Calvià itself, however, is no dusty and boring historical monument — the place is always bursting with life! Thanks to its location, outdoor and hiking enthusiasts flock to the mountain foothills like moths to a flame. Staying here means more languid and serene days while still living within close proximity to all the best Mallorca has to offer.

• 4* Agroturismo Son Boronat (from €240 a day) — a charming hotel set on a sprawling country estate in a tranquil location off the beaten path; free public parking available on-site

Portals Nous

Moving even closer back to the general area of Palma, Portals Nous is a tiny but mighty beach town situated right on the outskirts of the capital city (only 10 kilometers separate the two). It’s very popular with holidaymakers — a lot of international jet set have their second homes here, and there’s no shortage of plain old tourists like ourselves — the gorgeous natural setting paired with exciting leisure opportunities equals fun all around! If you came to Mallorca for a beach-centric vacation and want to get as much out of it as possible (even without having to drive to other iconic beaches on the island), Portals Nous is a place for you!

• 4* Tacande Portals (from €150 per day) — our personal pick of a hotel for our latest getaway in Mallorca: It hit all the necessary boxes! Nice and light rooms, charming decor, scrumptious breakfasts, amazing service, — do we need to go on? There’s free public parking right outside the hotel
• 4* Leonardo Boutique Hotel Mallorca Port Portals (from €80 per day) — a great modern adult-only hotel within a comfortable walking distance from the beach; there’s a free public car park just outside the hotel

Deiá/Valdemossa

Both extremely whimsical and picturesque locations that have been a well-kept secret amongst the creative types/celebrities for years (both David Bowie and Beyonce have spent their summers here at one point in their lives). Located in the northwestern part of the island, these towns are surrounded on all sides by unspoiled nature: The towering mountains and proximity to the coast create a setting perfect for a tranquil getaway. Staying here means driving on narrow winding roads whenever you want to get away to other tourist spots in Mallorca, but we assure you — if you drive carefully enough (watch out for those hairpin turns), you will have the time of your life on these stunning roads! Even though the villages are set closer to Palma compared to the aforementioned Alcúdia, it will take you the same 45 minutes to drive from them to the capital — you’re not on a giant motorway anymore!

• 4* Es Moli (Deiá; from €150 a day) — a gorgeous medieval mansion perched on a hilltop; a giant garden, panoramic sea views, and excellent cuisine choices are a guarantee! Free public parking is available on-site
• 3* Ca’s Papà (Valdemossa; from €125 a day) — a charming boutique hotel that expertly mixes up its traditional setting and a more contemporary feel; there are two parking lots nearby

Santanyí

Situated in an entirely different area from what we’ve covered here, Santanyí is a gem of a place for those seeking a very beach-centric vacation. Located in the southeast of the island, the town that is all about slow living comes alive with buzzing tourists as soon as the weather permits a first beach day of the year. This is where all the greatest Mallorcan beaches and coves (calas, as they’re called here) are congregated in highest proportion — which is exactly why you should consider staying in Santanyí for your next summer holiday. That way, you’ll get to call first dibs on the best beach spots before all the Palma commuters have even hit the ground running.

• 5* Can Ferrereta (from €315 a day) — a luxury getaway that is absolutely worth the crazy amount of money you’ll be dropping on your stay here — even a private parking spot (which is a rarity on the island, as you might’ve gathered by now) will set you back €32 (!) per day. Still, the experience of staying in this both authentic and incredibly chic country hotel is one for the books!

Hotels with parking for rental cars in Palma

The city’s central neighborhoods are pretty expensive, hotel-wise (and other things-wise, let’s be honest). However, you have the upper hand — a rented car means that you can stay as far away from the historic center as possible (with accommodation prices getting progressively lower as you move away), while still getting to witness all the essential Palma happenings at a moment’s notice.

Side note: Very few hotels have on-site parking in Mallorca (and especially in Palma), but we tried to find you the best deals possible so that both you and your rental could have a great time!

• 2* Hotel Abelay (from €90 a day) — amazing family-run hotel with spick-and-span rooms and top-notch service. Private parking is available on-site, and it costs €10 per day.
• 3* Hotel Zurbarán Palma (from €90 a day) — set within a short walk from the old quarter of Palma de Mallorca, this tranquil hotel is the epitome of comfortable living. Private parking is available at a location nearby, and it costs €11 per day.
• 4* Bordoy Continental Palma (from €100 per day) — with a stunning facade straight out of a Wes Anderson film, this hotel is the definition of classy (so much so that the usual tourist attire of jeans and t-shirts can look very out of place inside the lobby). However, the warm welcome of the staff is reason enough to forget the style dissonance and stay here! Private parking is available on-site for €15 a day.
• 4* Isla Mallorca & Spa (from €100 a day) — a modern hotel with a great spa center; where it lacks in authenticity of Mediterranean design, it makes up for (in heaps) in services! Free public parking is available right outside the hotel; if the spaces are all taken (a possibility, though rare), there’s a private parking garage in the area (it will cost €24 per day).

We hope that our guide on renting a car in Mallorca has helped you better understand the process and potential pitfalls that come with it. If you feel like sharing your car renting experience in Mallorca (which service you chose, what type of car, insurance coverage, all the deets), please leave your comment in the section down below. Drive safe and Adéu!