Car rental without a credit card in the Balearic Islands
Why rent a car in the Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera are among the most visited destinations in the Mediterranean, and a rental car is the key to experiencing them beyond the busy resort areas. Each island has a quieter, more rural interior that is almost invisible to visitors who stay in the resort towns: the Serra de Tramuntana mountains of Mallorca, the prehistoric monuments of Menorca, the pine forests and hidden coves of Ibiza, and the flat, cycle-friendly lanes of Formentera. All four islands have good road networks and rental cars are widely available, with competitive prices particularly outside the peak July and August period.
Popular destinations in the Balearic Islands
Mallorca is the largest and most varied island for driving, with the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountains along the northwest coast, the medieval hilltop town of Pollenca in the north, and the dramatic Cap de Formentor at the island’s tip. Palma de Mallorca, the Balearic capital, is the natural base for exploring the western half of the island; fly in via Mallorca Airport, one of the busiest in Spain. Menorca (Menorca Airport) is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve whose south coast coves and prehistoric navetas and taulas are only reachable by car. Ibiza (Ibiza Airport) rewards exploration of the quiet north of the island, far from the southern clubs, with hidden coves and traditional villages accessible only by car.
Driving in the Balearic Islands
Spanish traffic law applies throughout the Balearics: right-hand traffic, 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on open roads. Mallorca has the most developed road network, including a motorway between Palma and Alcudia and a fast road to the east. The mountain roads of the Serra de Tramuntana are narrow and winding but spectacular; coaches are restricted on some sections, making them more manageable for cars. On Menorca, the Me-1 runs the full length of the island and is the main artery; side roads to the beach coves are narrow and sometimes unpaved for the final stretch. Parking in Palma city centre and in the most popular beach areas in August can be very difficult; arriving early or using paid car parks is recommended. For a broader overview of driving in Spain, see car rental in Spain.
