Best Road Trips in Mallorca (+ Renting a Car in Mallorca Guide)

Best Road Trips in Mallorca

Mallorca is a pretty big island (3,640 km²), so it may be a challenge to see it all. It all depends on how much time you have here. I will say, though, that it will be easy to cover a lot of ground if you rent a car here for a week!

🚗 TOP TIP 🚗 We always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.

1. Palma > Drach Caves

The island’s biggest city, Palma, is an absolute must-see. It’s one of our favorite small cities in Europe, and honestly, we could imagine ourselves living here (it’s got a great vibe!)

Start your day in Palma, wandering the narrow streets with a coffee. We loved Cafésphère on Plaza de la Pescateria as the coffee was so good (and strong).

With our takeout coffee in hand, we headed for Mercat de L’Olivar. It is located between Plaça de Espanya and Carrer Sant Miquel. This traditional Spanish market is a good spot to get a glimpse into the daily lives of Mallorcans. It’s a hive of activity and the stalls here sell mostly food products (fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, etc).

After checking out the market, we passed by one of the most photogenic stores in Palma – English Fine Books on Carrer d’En Morei. It gave off Harry Potter vibes (it reminded me of Diagon Alley). I just had to go inside to snap some photos.

Then, make a beeline for the Cathedral of Mallorca. It’s without a doubt one of the most popular places to visit in all of Mallorca. And it’s in fact one of the tallest cathedrals in Europe.

This stunning Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral took hundreds of years to build. It boasts a 44-meter-tall nave that’s the second-tallest in the world. However, the most famous part of the cathedral is the choir stalls, which were actually designed and partly built by none other than Antony Gaudí. However, he never got to finish it as he abandoned the job after an argument with a contractor.

Tickets for the Cathedral of Mallorca are €25 per person. Or if you love guided tours (we do!), you can book this guided tour of Palma city which includes admission to the Cathedral – it’s a bargain at €28 per person. The guided tour of the city is 45 minutes long, and the guided tour of the cathedral is also 45 minutes. So all in that’s 90 minutes.

Drach Caves:

The Drach Caves are a series of four interconnected, breathtakingly beautiful caves around an hour’s drive from Palma. They are located in the town of Porto Cristo. This series of caves extends to around 4 km long, and sections of the cave are as deep as 25 meters.

On a visit to the Drach Caves, you’ll witness massive stalactites and stalagmites and see bright blue underground lakes. To see the inside of the cave, you need to book a tour which you can do online on their website or in person on the day. A tour of the Drach Caves typically lasts around one hour. However, we were in the caves for an hour and 15 minutes, but I think this is because it was such a busy tour, so it took us longer to get through the caves.

A big part of the tour is the concert, which takes place in the underground amphitheater – this features classical musicians in boats and lasts around 15 minutes.

💡 FYI, you can book a guided tour to the Drach Caves. These tours include return transfers to your hotel (anywhere on the island) and often a tour of a nearby pearl factory, too.

2. Soller > Valdemossa > Deia

Soller is one of the most beautiful towns in Majorca, located around a 40-minute drive from Palma.

We spent half a day in this gorgeous town, and some of our favorite things to do there were to catch the historic tram to Port de Soller and check out the Museum of Modernism. From Port de Soller, you can hop on a boat to Sa Calobra. The journey is an hour long and oh-so scenic.

I loved wandering Soller’s charming streets, despite how busy they were, and I actually could imagine myself living here. FYI, we visited Soller in the afternoon, so my recommendation is to visit in the morning when the streets will be quieter. Some other noteworthy places in the town are the iconic Church of Saint Bartomeu – you can’t miss it as it’s in the main square and the Jardí Botànic, a beautiful botanical garden showcasing native Balearic flora.

Valldemossa:

Another stunning Mallorcan gem is Valldemossa, a hilltop town nestled at the base of the Tramuntana mountains. And it’s only a 40-minute drive from Soller.

Valldemossa is best known for being one of the most photogenic spots on the island, with its cobblestone streets adorned with blooming flowers and traditional stone houses.

Some of the best things to do here include hiking the 4-hour-long El Teix hike and shopping at the famed Sunday market.

We started our time here by exploring the Royal Charterhouse, a former monastery that once hosted the famous composer Frédéric Chopin and writer George Sand. The beautiful gardens and quaint museum here offer a fascinating insight into their time in Valldemossa.

Deia:

Next door to Soller is the hilltop village of Deia – it’s under a 20-minute drive between the two towns, so it makes sense to visit them both on the same day. The best way to spend your afternoon in this fairy tale-esque village is to take it easy and wander the quaint streets with a coffee. If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a big coffee fan and try to have at least one coffee out per day. In Deia, we loved the coffee at Cafe Social!

For the best view of Deia, head to the ‘Mirador’ – you can see the Google Maps location here.

Art lovers should pay a visit to the Robert Graves House, where the famous poet lived and worked. It’s now a museum dedicated to his life. And if you have time this afternoon, be sure to head to Cala Deià, a small pebble beach nearby.

3. Cala S’Almonia > Cala D’Or > Calo des Moro

Another epic road trip to take in Mallorca is to hit up all the best beaches in one day.

One of the prettiest swim spots in Mallorca is Cala S’Almonia Beach, which is set in a rocky cove and surrounded by cute boat houses. This beach is around an hour’s drive from Palma. The water here is so calm and warm (at least it was in September when we visited). It reminded me of swimming in a swimming pool; it was that calm.

A smaller beach next door to this is Calo des Moro, which is equally as pretty but a little harder to reach. As you must walk from the car park, down a steep dirt track to reach this wow-worthy beach. As you can see from the photo above it really is a slice of paradise.

The largest resort close to these beaches is Cala D’Or, which is super-popular with overseas tourists (especially families). The marina here is packed with fancy yachts and makes a great spot for a chill evening walk or grabbing a bite at one of the seafood joints right by the water. History buffs will love checking out Santueri Castle for killer views and a peek into the island’s past.

4. Magaluf > Portal Vells > Playa de Camp de Mar

Start this road trip in the popular resort of Magaluf on the Western coast of the island. This is a well-known party spot in Mallorca, and at night, Magaluf transforms into a lively nightlife spot! It’s also popular with families, as you can visit the Western Water Park or enjoy kart racing here.

From Magaluf, you can easily reach Portal Vells in your rental car. This is a very family-friendly beach that is on the Southwest of the island (around 6 km from Magaluf). It has fine golden sand, rocky areas, and turquoise water. But, it’s quite small (just 30 meters long), so to grab a good spot on the sand here we recommend arriving before 11 am.

Next, head for, Playa de Camp de Mar is a more upmarket beach and it’s also located on the Southwest of the island. The water here is lovely and calm, and there’s a famous restaurant called La Illeta, which is located on a tiny island offshore. It can be accessed via a footbridge. There are plenty of sun loungers which you can rent, and there’s also a small playground for the little ones.

5. Cala Ratjada > Cala Mesquita > Sa Coma

Cala Ratjada is one of our favorite parts of the island. We’re thinking of staying here the next time we visit the island. Cala Ratjada has a bohemian vibe, and it felt very safe. It’s renowned for its stunning beaches, such as Cala Agulla and Son Moll, both of which boast turquoise waters and golden sand.

The coastal walkway to the harbor is lined with lots of restaurants and Cafes. We stopped off for a coffee in S’Amforia Trattoria, we were gutted that we weren’t hungry at the time as the food looked delicious. We then walked the whole pedestrian walkway to the harbor and up into the town area.

Cala Mesquida, which is around 6 km from Cala Ratjada, is definitely worth driving to, too. I’d read that it was one of the most beautiful bays on the island, and I wasn’t wrong. The waves were quite big when we visited, and I could see why it’s one of the best surf spots on the island.

Sa Coma:

Sa Coma is a little off the beaten path, and it’s less busy than the more popular resorts like Cala D’or or Magaluf. The beach here (Platja de Sa Coma) is a long, white sandy beach. So, it never feels crowded.

We recommend taking a stroll along the picturesque promenade that connects Sa Coma with the neighboring resort of Cala Millor in the morning. It’s around an hour’s walk each way and offers stunning sea views and a big choice of cafes and restaurants to stop off for a coffee or some food.

While here, you could visit the nearby Talaiot de na Pol, an ancient archaeological site that provides insight into Mallorca’s prehistoric past. Or if you’re here with young kids the Safari Zoo is a must-see. You can drive through the park (either in your own car or take the safari train) to see exotic animals up close.

Renting a Car in Mallorca

Is it worth renting a car in Mallorca?

Yes, it is 100% worth renting a car in Mallorca. And although it’s an additional expense, you will be able to go wherever you want, whenever you want, without being constrained by a timetable. Like you would if you were to do a guided tour.

I will add that we found the car rental prices in Mallorca to be pretty reasonable – we paid around 120 euros for a week. We booked our car rental here through Discover Cars. And they’re who we always use, to be honest.

What do I need to rent a car in Mallorca?

The most important thing you will need if renting a vehicle in Mallorca is a valid driver’s license. No company will allow you to do so without one.

And if you’re driver’s license is in a language other than English or Spanish, you might want to get an international driver’s license to make the rental process easier. Although many rental companies accept foreign driver’s licenses without it.

Drivers typically need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Mallorca, though some companies might require a minimum age of 25. Young drivers under 25 may incur a surcharge.

Each company has different terms and conditions, so you should be fully aware of them. Additionally, you will also need a valid credit card in your name. Rental companies will want to keep a credit card on file as a holding deposit.

If you have a debit card, you will be charged a holding fee. Please note that some companies do not accept a debit card.

Also, because renting a car in Mallorca is incredibly popular, you WILL NEED to book your rental car in advance. Our rental car company told us that availability is extremely limited during the tourist season (from June to September).

How much does it cost to rent a car in Mallorca?

On average, you might expect to pay anywhere from €20 to €60 per day for a standard economy car. During peak tourist seasons, such as the summer months, prices may be higher due to increased demand. Additionally, costs can increase if you want additional services like insurance coverage, GPS, or child seats.

And as I said earlier, it’s a good idea to book in advance and compare prices from different rental agencies to nab the best deal. That’s why I love Discover Cars because it’s a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget.

How to drive in Mallorca?

Just like in the U.S. and most of Europe, they drive on the right-hand side in Mallorca.

Overall, I would say that it’s fairly easy to drive in Mallorca as the roads here, from what we saw, were in great condition. The roads here vary from well-maintained highways (like the Ma-1 motorway, which connects Palma with Andratx, and the Ma-13 motorway, linking Palma with Inca and Sa Pobla) to narrow, winding mountain routes, especially in the Serra de Tramuntana, which may involve navigating tight corners and sharing space with cyclists.

We drove all of the above-listed road trips, and had no problems – I will say that driving through towns like Soller and Valdemossa was narrow and busy, so we chose to park on the outskirts and walk in to avoid navigating the tight and busy roads.

It’s also important to note that parking in busy areas, such as Palma and many of the beaches, can be challenging, especially during peak tourist season.

Renting a smaller, more maneuverable car is advisable, as it will help you handle the tight turns and limited parking spaces more easily.

Where to Stay in Mallorca

We spent a week at the Protur Safari Resort in Sa Coma and loved it! It’s so family-friendly, the staff is very helpful, and there are loads of facilities. I counted 5 swimming pools, including a fab kid’s pool with a mini water park. There are also 4 additional restaurants that you can choose to dine in, besides the buffet restaurant. An Italian, an Asia, a Tex-Mex, and an Indian restaurant. We dined at all of them (but we couldn’t get a booking at the Indian) and were impressed by all of them.

Our room (the family room) was spacious with a large balcony overlooking the main pool and a small kitchenette. Overall, I’d highly recommend this hotel for families visiting Mallorca. We paid around €200 per night, all-inclusive!

Some other great hotels in Mallorca include:

Hotel in Palma:

We highly recommend Helios Mallorca in nearby Can Pastillo. It scores an impressive 9/10 on booking.com and offers guests an indoor and outdoor pool. As well as other fun facilities like a mini golf course. It’s located next to Palma Aquarium, and so as you can guess, it’s very popular with families. We stayed here when we spent a day in Palma recently and really rate it. It’s very reasonably priced for Palma, too – with rates at €125 per night.

Hotel in Cala d’Or:

We loved Hotel d’Or this 3-star hotel is just 8 minutes from the beach. It’s a smaller hotel with a lovely outdoor pool. The rooms here are light-filled and spacious. Rooms start from €110 a night.

Hotel in Cala Ratjada:

For a couple’s escape, Petit Hotel Ses Rotges is the perfect choice in Cale Ratjada. It’s an adults-only hotel that’s set 500 meters from San Moll Beach. And the rooms are set within a restored 18th-century mansion with stunning gardens. The rooms are luxuriously rustic and feature a balcony (many overlook the lush gardens).

Thanks for Reading!

In short, renting a car in Mallorca is a great way to see this popular island. With limited public transport to the island’s remote spots, having your own wheels lets you explore at your own pace and check out places away from the usual tourist track.

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Last Updated on September 17, 2025 by snaphappytravel