How to Get Around Mallorca: Complete Guide

One of the most common questions from travelers is: how to get around Mallorca? The island offers many options – from renting a car for total freedom to using public transport, taxis, Uber, organized excursions, or even boats to reach hidden beaches.

As Mallorca locals at Click Mallorca, we know the advantages and limitations of each option. In this guide, we’ll explain the best ways to move around the island, with practical tips to help you choose the transport option that best fits your trip.

And if you’re wondering how to visit Mallorca’s beaches without a car, we’ll also cover that: many of the most beautiful coves are best accessed by boat, and our excursions make it easy to enjoy them without worrying about parking or narrow roads.

Quick Overview: Transport in Mallorca

Here are your main options to get around Mallorca:

– 🚗 Car rental → most flexible way to explore the whole island.
– 🚌 Public transport (TIB & EMT) → intercity and urban buses, train, and metro.
– 🚐 Organized excursions → hassle-free tours and transfers to top sights.
– 🚖 Taxis & private transfers → convenient for direct routes.
– 🚖 Uber → available in Mallorca since 2024.
– 🚤 Boat trips & excursions → best way to reach hidden coves.

💡 Local TOP TIP: If you don’t rent a car, combine public transport with excursions or boat trips for the easiest experience.

Getting Around by Car Rental

Renting a car is the most flexible way to explore Mallorca. You can discover remote villages, visit several beaches in one day, and plan your itinerary with total freedom.

Pros of renting a car in Mallorca:

• Full freedom to explore at your own pace.
• Access to beaches and villages poorly connected by bus.
• Flexibility to combine mountains, coast, and culture in one day.

Cons to keep in mind:

• Heavy summer traffic, especially near Valldemossa, Sóller, and Formentor.
• Restricted access to Formentor road during high season.
• Difficult parking in towns like Valldemossa, Sóller, Alcúdia, and Pollença.
• Narrow, winding roads like Sa Calobra can get crowded.
• Rising accident rates due to high traffic mix of tourists and locals.

💡 Local TOP TIP: Avoid peak hours, start early to find parking, and mix car use with organized tours in busy areas—you’ll save time and stress.🚗🌴

How to Get Around Mallorca Without a Car

By Public Transport

Mallorca has a decent network:

• TIB buses connect Palma with tourist areas like Alcúdia, Cala Millor, or Cala d’Or.
• Trains run from Palma to Inca, Sa Pobla, and Manacor.
• Metro serves Palma University area.

✅ Cheap and reliable for main towns. it is economical and connects well with the main towns.
❌ Limited frequency and less practical for hidden beaches or rural areas.

By Organized Excursions

Excursions are the easiest way to visit top attractions without worrying about parking or schedules. At ClickMallorca, we offer tours to Formentor, Drach Caves, Valldemossa & Sóller, beaches, and coves, with hotel pick-up included.

✅ Transport + guide included, stress-free.
❌ Fixed schedules (but you avoid all logistics).

By Taxi or Private Transfer

Great for airport transfers or one-off journeys.

✅ Fast and comfortable.
❌ Expensive if used daily.

By Bike or Sustainable Mobility

Mallorca is a cycling paradise, especially in the Serra de Tramuntana. In Palma, you’ll also find bike lanes, e-bikes, and e-scooter rentals.

✅ Eco-friendly, fun, and healthy.
❌ Only for short distances or planned cycling routes.

💡 Local TOP TIP: For the most practical car-free holiday, use public transport for long distances + excursions for highlights. 🚌🚤

How to Visit Beaches & Coves Without a Car

Many of Mallorca’s most stunning coves are hard to reach: narrow roads, limited parking, or dirt tracks unsuitable for rental cars. Public transport rarely reaches them directly.

The best alternative? Boat trips.

From Cala Ratjada, Porto Cristo, Alcúdia, Santa Ponça, or Palma, you can join catamaran and boat excursions that take you straight to hidden coves.

Benefits:

– 🚤 Access to remote beaches without road access.
– 🌊 Enjoy cliffs, sea caves, and coastal views.
– 🐠 Swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation onboard.
– 🏝️ No parking stress.

💡 Local TOP TIP: In summer, parking at beaches fills up by 9 am. A boat trip avoids the hassle and offers a unique sea perspective. 🌴🚤

Getting Around Palma de Mallorca

The capital city has its own mobility options, making it easy to move without a car.

• EMT buses: connect almost all neighborhoods with the city center, Intermodal Station, and Paseo Marítimo. Lines A1 & A2 link directly to the airport.
• Uber & taxis: traditional taxis plus Uber (since 2024) with upfront pricing.
• E-scooters & bikes: popular along the seafront promenade and bike lanes.
• Parking & restrictions: historic center has limited traffic zones; parking is difficult and expensive.

💡 Local TOP TIP: Walk around Palma’s old town and use buses or e-scooters for longer distances. 🚶‍♂️🚌

Local Tips for Getting Around Mallorca

– 🚗 Plan according to season: summer traffic is heavy.
– 🅿️ Limited Parking in tourist towns.
– 🚌 Use contactless card payments on TIB & EMT buses.
– 📲 Download official TIB and EMT apps for schedules.
– 🚦 Be aware of summer restrictions (Formentor access).
– 🚤 Use boat trips for hidden coves..

💡 Local TOP TIP: Don’t try to see the entire island in one trip. Explore by region and enjoy at a slower pace. 🌴