I’m going on a vacation in April to Cala d’ or and will be renting a car from PMI airport. Is it difficult to drive on the island? Do people drive crazy there (in comparision to New York drivers)? I’m renting an automatic and I normally drive on the right side of the road
Hi Nick,
I own a house in Cala Dor and regularly drive from the airport. If your car rental is at the airport, you merely leave the airport and follow the signs for Santanyi – do be careful – at one point you have to make sure that you dont miss the slipway that you need to take a left exit from – its quite soon after you leave the airport complex. There is a new fast road most of the way from the airport to Cala Dor, and you bypass all of the main towns such as Llucmajor and Campos. Driving is relatively ok – its not as crazy as New York or even places like the South of France and Italy. Around Cala Dor its really easy but if you go into Palma you do need take extra care. If you want to travel around the island to places like Soller, you go to Palma and take the Via Centura, the ring road. You need to take extra care when leaving and joining fast busy roads such as this. Some of the roads on the North and West of the island are a bit scary – narrow and twisty -but with really amazing views. Overall I think you will have no problems – hopefully we dont bump into each other literally as I will be there in April too. The roads will not be too busy as it isnt the peak of the tourist season.
Hope you like Cala Dor and Mallorca as much as I do!
5 Responses to “Is it difficult to drive a car on Palma de Mallorca?”
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If you’re used to driving on the right you won’t notice the difference. went there last year and I’m used to driving on the left in UK. It wasn’t a problem. Just watch out for roundabouts, I know you guys don’t have many over there. Great Island…….so much to see.Make sure you get away from the tourist traps.
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I wouldn’t say it is difficult. I never had bigger problems there. But there are some bad drivers out there who drive very strange on the highway/motorway.
In the city centre of Palma it’s often not easy to get a parking space. But no problems in the other towns.
And obey the traffic signs, especially as a foreigner. I am unlucky, there seems to be always a police man hiding nearby when I don’t completely stop at a Stop sign.
I am more afraid of being run over by a drunken driver when I cross the street in a tourist area.
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Drove around half the island by bike, scooter, motor-cycle, car.
It’s okay to drive in Spain. Mallorca is easy compared to the mainland. I actually find the standard of driving here no worse than anywhere else. There is less aggression on the roads compared to the UK. Having said that, driving in big cities is very daunting if you are not used to it.
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It’s not England. They drive on the right side of the road, too.
No, not compared to New York city…you’ll be fine. Of course, one begs the question WHY BOTHER RENTING A CAR????! You probably will find that it is much more expensive to park, and to drive it than it is worth! I wouldn’t even bother…just take a cab to the hotel and use public transportation. Much simpler!
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Did it. Regretted it!
Hi Nick,
I own a house in Cala Dor and regularly drive from the airport. If your car rental is at the airport, you merely leave the airport and follow the signs for Santanyi – do be careful – at one point you have to make sure that you dont miss the slipway that you need to take a left exit from – its quite soon after you leave the airport complex. There is a new fast road most of the way from the airport to Cala Dor, and you bypass all of the main towns such as Llucmajor and Campos. Driving is relatively ok – its not as crazy as New York or even places like the South of France and Italy. Around Cala Dor its really easy but if you go into Palma you do need take extra care. If you want to travel around the island to places like Soller, you go to Palma and take the Via Centura, the ring road. You need to take extra care when leaving and joining fast busy roads such as this. Some of the roads on the North and West of the island are a bit scary – narrow and twisty -but with really amazing views. Overall I think you will have no problems – hopefully we dont bump into each other literally as I will be there in April too. The roads will not be too busy as it isnt the peak of the tourist season.
Hope you like Cala Dor and Mallorca as much as I do!
References :
personal experience