Best Ways to Get Around Mallorca

Mallorca is a popular tourist destination due to its plethora of resort hotels, vibrant nightlife in Palma, and diverse landscapes – all packed into one island. However, one mistake people often make when visiting Mallorca is thinking it’s small, just because it’s an island, meaning that Mallorca car rental with ROIG is a popular service.

Is Mallorca a walkable island?

The reality is that Mallorca is 3,640 km², and runs almost 100 km from East to West. But, whilst the island itself is far from walkable, individual towns are. Palma, which is the largest town, has a center stretching around 1 km, with different neighborhoods branding off, such as Bons Aires and Son Dameto. It might be possible that you’re staying in a neighborhood a few kilometers away, but generally, 90% of the hotels are in the center district or in the bay adjacent to it.

If you’re getting an airport transfer to your hotel and aren’t looking for many excursions into rural areas, relying on your feet is very much possible in Mallorca. Plus, if you add a bike to your arsenal, you can explore far and wide – even up mountains – a lot more easily. Palma is becoming increasingly bike-friendly, too.

Car rental

Whilst some of the smaller towns and villages are even more walkable, getting there and going on day trips is most easily done by car. Palma airport is the main place to find a car rental firm, in which you can expect to pay anywhere from €16 upwards. Parking is usually available but costs and some of the older areas of Palma can be difficult to drive through with many one-way, narrow streets. However, a car rental is ideal for those looking for the freedom of driving to villages and rural areas.

Moped

Whilst it’s easier to get around with a moped due to it being smaller and easier to park, it’s a similar story to the car rental – it’s not needed when staying in Palma, or even other towns on the island, but can be good from getting between them. Plus, the cost drops to as low as €6 per day.

Public transport

Quite impressively, there is a bus network around most of the island. Of course, the schedules are tight, with few journeys and even less on the weekend. But, for €3, you can get an Intermodal Card and go from town to town relatively easily. There is no rail network on the island, unsurprisingly, but the bus network suffices for most.

Private transport

Another option is to use a taxi, as these are the most comfortable, direct way to get somewhere. You may pay around €12 for a 20-minute trip, but it can vary depending on the day and time.

Private buses are really common on package holidays, which can take you from the airport directly to the hotel. These are ideal for those staying in the city, and can even be done individually outside of a package holiday. They’re spacious and designed to be able to store your suitcases, unlike a public bus, and can be cheaper than a taxi.