Distances on Mallorca are short but average speeds are low. Palma to Alcúdia is 55 kilometres on the Ma-13 motorway, just under an hour. The mountain road Ma-10 across the Serra de Tramuntana covers a similar distance but takes two and a half hours even without stops. Plan accordingly.
Two days: the Serra de Tramuntana
The northwestern mountains are the main reason to have a car on Mallorca. The Valldemossa — Deià — Sóller run takes half a day but deserves a full one. The turn-off to Sa Calobra is thirteen kilometres of hairpins including the famous knot where the road crosses over itself; set off before nine, later you will meet nothing but coaches. The Mirador Es Colomer viewpoint and the Lluc monastery sit on the same axis.
One day: the north and Cap de Formentor
Pollença and Alcúdia both have old towns worth a stroll, with the island's longest beach between them. A warning about Cap de Formentor: in high season, roughly June to September, the road is closed to private cars during the day and a shuttle bus runs from Port de Pollença. Either set off very early or plan on the bus — fines for driving through during the restriction are steep.
Two days: the south and east
The south is flat and calm: the white sand of Es Trenc, the salt pans near Ses Salines and the town of Santanyí with its Saturday market. The east coast is a chain of narrow coves — Cala Figuera, Cala Mondragó — plus the Coves del Drac caves with their underground lake. Buy cave tickets online; in summer the queue on site can run to an hour.
You do not need a car in Palma, and in the centre it means fighting for parking. If you are staying in the city itself, it makes sense to take the car only for the three or four days you spend touring. Tell us your dates and where you are staying and we will prepare options with both airport and city pick-up. We reply within 48 hours and the enquiry is non-binding.
