car hire palma de mallorca
Pick up your hire car in Palma de Mallorca airport and head for the Spanish island's best-kept secret. Book car hire palma airport now
the 60-second guide to Palma de Mallorca
in its own head
"Our cathedral's bigger than yours. We've probably got more tapas bars, restaurants and chic shops than you, too. So there."
but more realistically
Palma's cathedral probably is bigger than yours - it's 121 metres long and 55 metres wide - and if you avoid some of the more excessive tourist traps there are indeed great restaurants and shops.
the vibe
Sophisticated, which will be a surprise if you've stumbled on Palma during a holiday in neighbouring Magaluf. Slip on your sunglasses, sip some wine and watch the yachts sail by.
the natives
Palma's residents enjoy the good things in life: long lunches in the sun, long nights in the bars and a restorative morning in a boutique store. It'd be rude not to join them.
the weather
It's hot and dry in the summer months but a sea breeze ensures you won't boil while shopping. In autumn you may need a raincoat - make sure it's designer.
the local speciality
If you fancy something sweet for breakfast, tuck into an ensaimada, a traditional pastry unique to Mallorca that dates back to the 17th century.
the celebrity
The Spanish royal family moor up regularly in the city's harbour.
did you know?
Antoni Gaudi, the man behind much of Barcelona's most impressive architecture gave the interior of Palma's cathedral an overhaul in the early 20th century.
they say
"Palma is Mallorca's cultural centre, outstanding for its historic old town and excellent night life." - Spanish Tourist Board
5 to see in town...
- 1. Banys Arabs
- 2. Museo de Arte Espanol Contemporaneo
- 3: La Seu Cathedral
- 4: Paseo Maritimo
- 5: Avinguda Jaime III
Tucked away in the winding streets of the medieval quarter, this 10th-century bathhouse is the only remaining example of Moorish architecture in Palma, dating back to the time when the city was an Arab settlement.
where to park?
Head for the underground car park at Parc de la Mar, in front of the cathedral. It's a public car park, open 24 hours and the cheapest in town at €1.30 an hour and less than €10 a day.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Banys Arabs
- 2. Museo de Arte Espanol Contemporaneo
- 3: La Seu Cathedral
- 4: Paseo Maritimo
- 5: Avinguda Jaime III
This place houses pieces by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro and Salvador Dali. Not a bad selection of artists to spend some time with.
where to park?
The museum is located in a pedestrian area, and you can only reach it on foot. Just leave your hire car in the nearby public car park on Calle de la Volta de la Merce.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Banys Arabs
- 2. Museo de Arte Espanol Contemporaneo
- 3: La Seu Cathedral
- 4: Paseo Maritimo
- 5: Avinguda Jaime III
You can't really miss it. Palma's cathedral is enormous and looms over the harbour, providing an impressive vista for those quaffing champers on their yachts - shame yours is the inflatable dinghy.
where to park?
The underground car park at Parc de la Mar is right in front of the cathedral. It can fill up at peak times, but there's another one not too far away at Plaza de l'Olivar. It costs €1.60 an hour.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Banys Arabs
- 2. Museo de Arte Espanol Contemporaneo
- 3: La Seu Cathedral
- 4: Paseo Maritimo
- 5: Avinguda Jaime III
This palm-lined seafront promenade is the place to head for if your holiday isn't complete without a night of clubbing.
where to park?
You can park in the street for free if you're prepared to spend a little time finding a parking spot. Otherwise, there's a car park in the port, a little bit further around the bay.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Banys Arabs
- 2. Museo de Arte Espanol Contemporaneo
- 3: La Seu Cathedral
- 4: Paseo Maritimo
- 5: Avinguda Jaime III
This is the place to shop until you drop - or until you've cleared your bank account and maxed all your credit cards.
where to park?
There's an underground car park on the nearby Passeig Mallorca - so you won't have far to walk back to your car when you're laden down with bags after a shopping spree.
and 4 to drive to...
Just an hour away from Palma, Puerto Pollensa is a small harbour town with a beach that is boutique rather than brash.
how to get there?
Head out of Palma on the Ma-13 then join the Ma-2200, which takes you all the way to Puerto Pollensa, about 40 miles from Palma.
and 4 to drive to...
This wetland park in the north of Mallorca is great for birdwatchers and those looking to work off those tapas with a spot of hiking or biking.
how to get there?
Take the Ma-13 out of Palma then look out for signs as you approach the east coast of the island. The park is about 40 miles from Palma.
and 4 to drive to...
It translates as the 'Caves of the Dragon' but don't worry, fire-breathing reptiles haven't been spotted for years, so you can admire the stalactites and stalagmites in peace.
how to get there?
Head west from Palma on the Ma-15 for around 35 miles, before joining the Ma-4014. The caves are just over an hour's drive from Palma.
and 4 to drive to...
Mountains and the sea are two of Mother Nature's best inventions and those clever Mallorcans have only gone and put the pretty town of Soller right next to both.
how to get there?
Soller is just 30 minutes drive north of Palma - just follow the Ma-11.
ask a Palma de Mallorca cabbie!
Local taxi driver Rogelio Garcia on car hire in Palma de Mallorca: "Palma is a quiet city so it's not common to find yourself in a traffic jam. It is fairly easy to drive around and if you pay attention to the signs, they'll direct you to the tourist hotspots. I would avoid driving near schools between 4pm and 5pm as it can get a bit crowded with parents picking up their children. Avinguda Jaime III is a bit crowded when the shops are open - in the afternoon on weekdays and all day on Saturdays."