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The best destinations
The island of Mallorca has a spectacular, varied landscape and one of the best ways to explore its majesty is by road! Narrow roads snake their way through the dramatic Tramuntana Mountains, along the island’s long diverse coastline and across the charming, but often overlooked interior. While you can quickly and easily make your way via the motorway from Palma to the other side of the island, there is so much more to be seen along the smaller country roads! Below you will find three of our favourite road trips, each an ideal daytrip with some of the best places to visit in Mallorca.
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Driving in the Tramuntana
Stops: Palma – Valldemossa – Deià - Sòller
Our first route begins in Palma, Mallorca’s vibrant capital. If you are not staying in the city make sure to start your road trip early and take a few hours to explore the Old Town and sample some of the delicious local produce on offer at the many markets! Then take the MA-1110 in the direction of Valldemossa and wind your way across the countryside. The journey takes just 30 minutes and you will soon spot the hilltop village of Valldemossa in the distance, with its sandstone houses cascading down the slope. Make sure to stop for some pictures with the Tramuntanas in the background! Valldemossa is one of the prettiest villages on the island and is a great place for a wander.
From Valldemossa take the coastal road MA-10 to Deià and enjoy spectacular views of the coast, as you make your way along the face of the Tramuntanas. There are plenty of lookout stops along the way to make the most of the unforgettable views! Deià is another stunning village that sits in a valley surrounded by mountains and is 10 km from Valldemossa. Make sure to leave time to explore this lovely village where novelist Robert Grave made his home. You can visit his house and transport yourself into another world as you explore this peaceful Balearic paradise.
If you can tear yourself away, continue on the MA-10 to Sòller. The road from Deià makes its way through olive and almond groves, down into the bountiful valley where Sòller sits surrounded by its citrus groves. The town has some impressive Art Nouveau or Modernismo architecture and a wonderful green leafy square to enjoy a drink or dinner. From here you can continue on the MA-10 to the pretty Port de Sòller and eventually Pollença or head back to Palma.
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Valldemossa
Stops: Pollença – Port de Pollença – Alcudia – Playas de Muro – Can Picafort
Route number 2 begins in the historic town of Pollença. It is well worth spending a few hours exploring this charming town with its leafy squares and bohemian feel. Take time to explore the many galleries, have a coffee on the Placa Major and brave the 365 stairs of the Calvari pilgrim climb for unforgettable views of the Tramuntanas and surrounding countryside. If you can tear yourself away, hit the road (MA-2200) and drive 7 km to Port de Pollença. Here you can enjoy a relaxing stroll along the promenade and take in the wonderful views of the Formentor Peninsula.
Once you have taken your fill of the views, re-join the MA-2200 and head along the Badia de Pollença to Alcudia. With the azure blue sea to your left and rolling fields and mountains to your right, this is a highlight of the route! It is 10 km to Alcudia and takes just 20 minutes. When you reach Alcudia find a spot to park and head to the centre. Alcudia is a beautiful and ancient town with Roman ruins, gigantic medieval walls and peaceful narrow streets full of impressive mansions, cafes and plazas. It is a lovely town to simply wander around! You can mount the medieval walls for an overview of the town, watch the world go by from one of the many cafes or check out one of the great museums.
From Alcudia take the MA-12 along the Badia d’Alcudia and its many popular beaches and make a stop at the Parc Natural de s’Albufera. This protected landscape is a haven for 303 species of bird and can be explored along several trails on foot or even by bike. Entrance is free but you will need to get a permit from the visitor centre. If you need to relax after your expedition into the park, make your way back down the MA-12 and stop at the beach of Playa de Muro or Can Picafort. Both offer white sands and beautiful turquoise waters and make for an ideal end to your tour of the island’s eastern flank!
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Streets of Alcudia
Stops: Cala Pi – Es Trenc – Colonia de Sant Jordi – Caló des Moro - Cala Llombards – Santanyi – Mondragó Natural Park
This route will take you along some of the most spectacular beaches on the island, so make sure to grab a towel and have a camera handy! Our first stop is 40 minutes from Palma in the south of the is and along the MA-19, then MA-6015. Cala Pi is a gorgeous stretch of beach just 50 m in length but deep inside a natural harbour with rocky outcrops each side and pine trees down to the water. To reach it you will need to descent 150 steep steps but the beach at the bottom is more than worth the effort for its white sands and clear turquoise waters. The beach has no facilities giving it an authentic non-commercial feel, far removed from other parts of the island. Spend an hour or so here then re-join the MA-6014 and take the MA-6040 to Es Trenc.
Es Trenc is one of the most beautiful beaches on Mallorca and is the perfect spot for some snorkelling in its pristine shallow waters. The beach feels unspoiled and is surrounded by the Es Salobrar salt marsh with its rich plants and wildlife. The Ses Covetes part of the beach is popular with nudists. If you have yet to have lunch the nearby Colonia de Sant Jordi is a great place to stop. Head to the harbour front and sample some delicious tapas with views of the Illa de Cabrera. You can also catch a ferry to the Illa, which is a national park, and explore this uninhabited paradise.
After lunch you can either head straight to Santanyi and then Mondragó Natural Park or stop off at Caló des Moro and Cala Llombards along the way. Caló des Moro is another small stunning beach with dramatic cliffs and pines. Again the hike down to it is worth the effort as you will be rewarded with a beautiful setting, especially in the quieter season. The nearby Cala Llombards is an equally spectacular cove surrounded by rough cliffs and has a peaceful, authentic feel with calm waters lapping on the white sand. Once you are ready to head back to civilisation take the MA-6100 to attractive Santanyi with its quaint churches and popular market stalls (Wednesdays and Saturdays). It is a nice place to stop for a coffee and a wander before heading east to the Mondragó Natural Park. The park encompasses rocky coves, dramatic cliffs, wetlands and agriculture and is the ideal location for a spot of birdwatching, hiking or visiting more spectacular beaches! Cala Mondragó and S’Amarador are two of our favourite beaches, their sands protected by rocky outcrops and aromatic pines.
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Caló des Moro ​
We highly recommend that you hire a car for the duration of your trip, as you will get much more out of your trip! However, if you just want to hire a car for a day or two, the routes above will ensure you enjoy an authentic Mallorca experience. If you don’t want a car for the whole trip, you will need a transfer from the airport. There are plenty of options, but our favourite is Mallorca Taxi. This website allows you to book taxis and bus transfers from Palma de Mallorca Airport quickly and easily online. Depending on the size of your group you can choose a private transfer from a regular taxi, wheelchair friendly vehicles, MPV minivans, minibus or coach. It takes just 5 minutes to book and changes and transfers can be made free of charge.
Hit the road in Mallorca and make the most of all the wonderful scenery and unforgettable locations that this jewel of an island has to offer.