Car Hire Palma de Mallorca Airport

Palma is Mallorca’s main city and its spiritual heart. But its glorious streets only tell part of the story.

This is an island of shifting landscapes, which makes driving here a real treat. Hug the coasts in your hire car, passing through pretty villages with aquamarine sea to one side, or drift inland and find mountains and hills studded with tiny towns, monasteries and stunning views.

As part of Spain, you’ll need to drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. Speed limits are typically 50km/h in towns and built-up areas, 90km/h on major rural roads and 120km/h on motorways (though there are only a few in Mallorca). Seatbelts must be worn at all times, and you can’t use a mobile phone while driving.

The airport is to the east of Palma, about a 20-minute drive along the Ma-19. You’ll get your first glimpse of the sea as you head in. If you’re staying on the outskirts and want to avoid the centre, take the Ma-20, known as Via Cintura, which acts as a ring-road for the part of Palma that isn’t fringed by the sea.

There’s ample parking in Palma, with one of the best options the four car parks on the outskirts of the city that charge a daily maximum of €5. There’s also underground and on-street parking closer to the centre, but at a higher price.

If your destination is outside Palma, you’ll find it easy to reach your resort – as you can drive around the entire island in a day.

The Ma-15 cuts across Mallorca and takes you to popular east coast resorts, such as Cala Millor and Capdepera. The MA-13 goes north-east, perfect for Alcudia and Can Picafort.

For the north, the Ma-11 heads to Port de Soller. This route used to have a toll tunnel, but as of 2017 the whole of Mallorca is now toll-free.

Palma is home to half the island’s population, with the rest dotted around the coasts and villages inland. This makes it a lively, energetic place, with squares full of locals, a genuine buzz and authentic places to eat.

Outside of the city, the resorts and beaches differ in style and atmosphere, but they all have one thing in common – that divine sea caressing the shore.

Prime Palma

Even if you’re staying elsewhere, spend at least a day in Palma and tick off its main sights. It’s hard to miss the majestic cathedral – La Seu – built on the site of an old mosque from the early days of the 14^th century, before it was finished in the 17^th century.

As a result, there’s a mixture of architectural styles inside and out, adding up to a stunning and impressive structure. Head inside for wonderfully ornate decoration, including contributions by Modernista master Antoni Gaudi.

Just opposite is another building that went from Moorish to Mallorcan when the Spanish claimed the island. The Palau de l’Almudaina is full of extravagant rooms and flourishes, and remains an official royal residence today.

Less royal, but just as lovely, is the Palau March, once home to the March family and now a museum full of huge collections of art and books. Inside, there’s a rich array of paintings by surrealist Salvador Dali, while outsides sculptures from Rodin, Hepworth and Henry Moore stand proudly in the sun.

Captivating cuisine

Combining traditional classics with cutting-edge flavour, Palma is one of the finest cities in all the Mediterranean when it comes to food.

Marc Fosh has helped transform the culinary scene here, and his eponymous restaurant is a cool and unpretentious place with a Michelin star.

His former protégé, Adrian Quetglas, also runs a Michelin-starred restaurant in the city, offering local dishes and those with roots in London, Moscow and Paris.

But Mallorca is a place that thrives on its tasty snacks and democratic dining too. You’ll find plenty of traditional tapas bars and international eateries across Palma.

Land of sand 

There are miles and miles of beaches to discover in Mallorca, and no matter which direction you strike out in, you’ll find a stretch to suit you.

It could be in a major resort, lined with restaurants and shops, or a quiet cove, unspoiled and full of natural beauty.

Palma has its own beach, close to the cathedral, but for alternative places to worship the sun call in at Playa de Alcudia or Playa Oratori de Portals. The latter is at the resort of Puerto Portals, and is a blue flag beach with great snorkelling opportunities and a lively beachfront full of entertainment.

Hire a car from Palma de Mallorca Airport and explore whichever corner of the island you wish, whether you prefer to stick to the towns and cities or head to the quiet coves and stunning rural landscapes.