Mallorca, also known as Majorca, is the largest and most well-known of the Spanish Balearic Islands. Filled with stunning beaches, Spanish architecture, quaint mountain villages, and lively nightclubs, Mallorca has something for every kind of traveler. The island has served as inspiration for some of Spain’s most notable artists, and there is no end to the amount of breathtaking scenery you can experience. While it’s definitely worth spending a few hours relaxing on the beach and enjoying the gentle island breeze, there are so many sights to see in Mallorca that it would be a shame not to experience the island to its fullest potential.
Although Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, it’s still relatively small and easy to navigate. You can drive from the capital city of Palma in the south to the northernmost part of the island at Cap De Formentor in just about 4 hours. Along the way you’ll experience views that will make you feel like you’ve been transported into a postcard. With so much to see, the best way to experience all that the island has to offer is by renting a scooter.
This post will cover:
- Whether you should rent a scooter in Mallorca Island
- Where scooter rental is available on Mallorca Island
- The price of renting a scooter on Mallorca Island
- How to get an international driving permit
- The best places to go by scooter on Mallorca Island
Should I rent a scooter on Mallorca Island?
While some tourists worry about the safety of renting a motor scooter in a foreign country, there really is no better way to experience the plethora of incredible views on Mallorca Island. Compared to other countries where renting scooters is popular, driving in Spain is relatively safe and easy. Roads in Mallorca Island are well maintained, and drivers are typically respectful. You should, however, be wary while driving around the Palma and El Terreno areas at night, as these areas have the greatest concentration of nightclubs and thus present the greatest risk of running into an intoxicated driver.
When it comes to getting the most out of your trip to Mallorca, renting a scooter is an absolute must. You’ll have the freedom to move around the island at your own pace while exploring the meandering mountain roads. As you cruise through the streets of Mallorca, you’ll have no shortage of photo opportunities and beautiful views. If you’ve never ridden a scooter before, it’s best to drive especially slowly and cautiously. The relatively uncongested and well-maintained roads of Mallorca, however, will make it easy to get over the learning curve.
Where can you rent a scooter on Mallorca Island?
Finding a rental scooter in Mallorca is very easy. As soon as you land at Palma de Mallorca Airport, you’ll be presented with a wealth of options for scooter rental, allowing you to compare prices and find a vehicle that best suits you. If you’d rather wait until you arrive at your accommodation, you can also find plenty of scooter rental shops in the capital city of Palma. This is the center of all the action on Mallorca Island, where you’ll find a high concentration of hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and rental shops. There are also scooter rental shops to the west of Palma in the El Terreno and Cala Major areas, though they’re less frequent.
What is the price of scooter rental in Mallorca Island?
As Spain is among the more expensive countries in Europe to travel to, scooter rental prices in Mallorca aren’t particularly cheap. You can, however, find some good deals if you search around. In general, renting a 50cc or 125cc scooter in Mallorca for a day will cost you somewhere between €20 and €40. When renting your scooter, it’s important to pay attention to what is included in the price, as some rental shops have additional charges such as a helmet rental whereas others do not. It is illegal to ride a scooter without a helmet in Mallorca, so you’ll want to find a shop that includes helmets in their rental package.
If you only want to take a scooter out for a short while, there are some shops that offer per ride rentals that start as low as €3. However, with per ride rentals, you also have to be wary of additional charges that the shop might hit you with for riding over your time limit or not returning the scooter to the correct location.
If you’re planning an extended stay in Mallorca, it may be worth looking into a monthly scooter rental. While each shop has their own fee structure based on how many days you want to rent for, monthly rentals typically have far better rates compared to daily rates.
What is the process for getting an international driving permit?
While many travelers choose to forgo getting an international driving permit, it is technically a requirement for USA citizens to legally drive in Spain. While hopefully you won’t have to deal with law enforcement while driving around Mallorca on your scooter, it’s better to have the proper paperwork in the case that it does happen. USA citizens should obtain an international driving permit before arriving in Spain and should carry it along with their driver’s license from their home country at all times while driving in Spain.
If you wish to apply for an international driving permit for any foreign country, you can find the application here. The process typically takes about two weeks.
What are the best places to go by scooter on Mallorca Island?
Now that you know how to rent a scooter in Mallorca Island, check out some of these awesome activities you can do once you have your rental scooter:
- Now that you have your set of wheels, take a drive about 25 minutes to the west of Palma to Serra de Tramuntana. This stunning mountain range is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers incredible views of gorges and cliffs. Most of the area has roads winding through it, so you can easily navigate it on your rental scooter. However, it’s worth getting off your vehicle and climbing up to Mallorca’s highest peak, Puig Major.
- If you want to learn a bit about the history of Mallorca while also seeing some stunning Gothic architecture from the 14th century, the best place to do so is Castell de Bellver. Originally commissioned by James II of Aragon, the castle sits atop a wooded hill to the west of Palma and offers a 360-degree view of the capital city and the surrounding areas. There is a road that leads directly to the entrance of Castell Bellver from the city center of Palma, and it takes about 7 minutes to get there.
- The coasts of Mallorca Island are lined with stunning beaches, but for a more rustic beach lounging experience, drive about 45 minutes from Palma to the north side of the island to Playa de Muro. Here you’ll find pristine white sand and crystal clear waters, plus a bunch of scenic hiking trails that you can walk along if you get tired of sitting in the sun. The beach is full of vendors selling fresh fruits like coconuts, watermelons, and mangos. There’s often live music performers as well that further add to the relaxing ambience.
From beaches to mountains to vibrant culture, Mallorca Island has so much to offer, regardless of what your interests are. The best way to get the absolute most out of your trip to this incredible Spanish island is to rent a scooter and do some exploring!
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