Mallorca Itinerary without a Car
A Complete Guide to a Car-Free itinerary from Palma
Are you wondering if it’s possible to enjoy a trip to Mallorca without being tied to a car? You’ve come to the right place!
While having a rental car may be the easier option for exploring, not having to hunt for parking, especially during the busy high season, can actually be quite liberating.
Having visited the island several times myself, with and without a car, I can confidently say that travelling in Mallorca without a car is not only feasible, but especially in the main summer season, incredibly rewarding.
Sure, it may take a little more time to reach some destinations, but the journey is part of the adventure, right? So let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and find below my Mallorca Itinerary without a Car.
Where to stay in Mallorca without a Car
Where to stay in Mallorca without a car depends on the type of vacation you are planning, your general interests, the length of your stay and the time of year you are travelling.
If you want to make the most of your time and see and explore a lot of different sights all over the island, then staying in Palma may be your best option, if you do not want to change hotels.
As the capital, Palma offers the most extensive range of accommodation options and serves as an excellent hub for public transportation.
From here, you can easily access various bus and train lines that connect to many of the island’s top attractions, making it an ideal spot for those who prefer not to drive.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fil Suites
✅Quit location in the historic old town
✅Less than 10 walking minutes from the main bus hub in Palma
My favorite hotel in Mallorca for the off-season is the Hotel Playa Golf in Playa de Palma. It is another great choice if you have no car at your disposal but really only in winter, not is the crazy busy summer season.
5 Days in Palma: Your Mallorca Itinerary without a car
There are day trips from Palma, that you can easily do by Mallorca’s reliable public transport system. Alternatively, there are lots of organised tour you can join, especially for areas not that easy to access by buses.
But, let’s be honest, you won’t be able to reach all corners of the island. Especially some small villages on the west and east coast are just too far away to be reached in a day trip trip from Palma without a car.
Therefore, I have not added any excursions to the east coast to my list. The bus ride to e.g. Cala Millor (one of the few destinations without changing buses) takes almost 2 hours, which I think is too long for a day trip.
Day 1: Arrival & Palma Sightseeing
Arrival at Palma Airport
Once you land at Palma de Mallorca Airport, getting to the city center is straightforward. You have several convenient options: the public bus service is economical and frequent, with routes directly connecting to the city center.
The Bus A1 leaves every 15 minutes, taking you to Palma in less than half an hour.
Alternatively, you could opt for a taxi or a shared shuttle service, which are readily available outside the terminals and offer a quicker, although slightly more expensive, ride to your destination.
Palma de Mallorca
The island’s capital, Palma de Mallorca, has lots of sights to discover and explore. Main attractions are the majestic Palma Cathedral and the Almudaina Palace, a former royal residence.
Stroll through the historic streets, visit the bustling Plaza Mayor and try some local food on the vibrant local markets like Mercat de l’Olivar.
Mallorca Itinerary without car
Day 2: Soller / Port de Soller
Why visiting Soller & Port de Soller
For your 2nd day of your Mallorca itinerary without car, I suggest a visit in Soller and its surrounding areas. Sóller is a picturesque town set in a lush valley of orange groves between the mountains and the sea.
It’s known for its beautiful modernist architecture, its cathedral and access to excellent hiking trails. Stroll through the town center and decide after, what else you want to take on.
From Sóller you can easily extend your exploration to the nearby village of Fornalutx or continue to the coastal Port de Sóller, both lovely and easy hikes. A bit more challenging is the great hike from Deia to Soller on the famous GR221 trail.
Getting to Soller by Public Transport
Using the bus to get to Soller or further on to Port de Soller is very easy. Bus 204 leaves Palma’s main station, Estació Intermodal (301) on Place de Espanya, every 30 minutes and takes you in 45 minutes to Soller and just under one hour to Port de Soller.
Price: €2,70 per person (€5,40 return), but only if you pay by card on the bus.
⇨ Timetable
Getting to Soller by Soller Train
A more scenic but also more expensive option is the historic, wooden train from Palma to Soller. You can catch the Ferrocarril de Sóller directly from the center of Palma.
This journey itself is an experience, offering breathtaking views as it winds through the mountains and citrus groves of the Serra de Tramuntana. You will have to change in Soller for the historic tram that takes you to Port de Soller.
Price: € 35,00 per person (Round Trip Palma – Port de Soller)
⇨ Timetable and Tickets
Full Day Soller – Port de Soller – Sa Calobra
If you are short on time, this fantastic Tour combines 3 highlights in one: Wooden train from Palma to Soller, historic tram to Port de Soller and Boat to Sa Caloba Beach.
Mallorca Itinerary without car
Day 3: Alcudia & Port d’Alcudia
Why visiting Alcudia
My suggestion for your 3rd day in Mallorca without a car will take you to the north of the island.
Alcudia is a gem on the northeast coast of Mallorca, known for its beautifully preserved medieval town walls and vibrant local market (Sunday and Tuesday mornings from 8am-1:30pm).
Explore the old town, inside its ancient gates, with its narrow cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and historic buildings. Just a short bus ride or 3km walk away, is Port d’Alcudia, which is totally different.
The seaside town offers a lively marina with a beautiful, wide, sandy beach and a wide variety of water sports activities. Here are some great activities in Alcudia:
- Beach walk to Can Picafort
- Boat Trip with Food, Drinks, and Snorkeling
- 2-Hour Sightseeing Quad Tour
- Formentor Beach & Lighthouse Cruise
Getting to Alcudia by Public Transport
Reaching Alcudia from Palma without a car is convenient thanks to the efficient bus service.
Bus 302 leaves Palma’s main station, Estació Intermodal (301) on Place de Espanya, nearly every 30 minutes and takes you in one hour to Alcudia, continuing its journey to Port d’Alcudia.
Price: €5,40 per person (€10,80 return), but only if you pay by card on the bus.
⇨ Timetable
Excursion Tour: Alcudia, Port d’Alcudia & Formentor Beach
If you prefer to not deal with the organisation and bus transfers, you can join this guided tour, with pick up from Palma: Visit the traditional market and old town of Alcudia, ride along the scenic coast, and relax at the beach of Formentor.
My Tip: If you want to join a guided tour for any parts of your day in Alcudia, then pick an Excursion with pick-up directly from Palma (or your hotel). That will safe you time and money.
Mallorca Itinerary without car
Day 4: Valldemossa, Deià & Tramuntana Mountains
Why visiting the villages in the Tramuntana Mountains
Do not miss Valldemossa and Deià, two of the most picturesque villages in Mallorca, set in the heart of the Tramuntana Mountains.
Valldemossa is famous for its historic Carthusian Monastery where Chopin once stayed, while Deià has long been a haven for artists and writers, with some stunning cliffside views.
The Tramuntana Mountains themselves offer dramatic landscapes and excellent hiking opportunities, making this area a must-visit for those who appreciate both cultural heritage and natural beauty.
If you are an intermediate hiker, I suggest taking the bus to Valldemossa, explore the village and hike on the well-marked trail, with fantastic views, down to Deià.
After visiting Deià, you can take the bus back to Palma. Alternatively, you use the bus to connect both villages.
Getting to Valldemossa by Public Transport
The Bus 203 will take you via Valldemossa to Deià. It leaves about every 1,5hrs from Palma’s main station, Estació Intermodal (301) on Place de Espanya. Only 50 minutes later, you will be in Deià.
Price: €2,70 per person (€5,40 return), but only if you pay by card on the bus.
⇨ Timetable
Excursion Tour: Tramuntana Panorama Tour – Soller, Deiá, Valldemossa
There are no great tours that “only” cover Valldemossa and Deià. Soller is always part of the package. In my opinion, you should visit those destinations indipendently as there is so much too see.
That being said, you could book this highly recommended Tour (Soller, Deia, Valldemossa) but I honestly think that exploring Valldemossa and Deià at your own pace and by pubblic bus or foot, is more rewarding than any of the tours you can book.
Day 5: Castell Bellver of Palma & Departure
Why visit Bellver Castle
On your departure day, check out and leave your luggage at the hotel. I suggest to visit Bellver Castle, one of the few circular castles in Europe.
Located just outside the city center, this historic fortress offers panoramic views of Palma and the bay, providing an unforgettable finish to your last day.
You can reach Bellver Castle by taking a leisurely stroll along Palma’s seafront promenade, which is lined with cafes and shops along the picturesque coastline.
For a more leisurely experience, walk one way and consider taking the bus back to the city center to save time and energy. After your visit, pick up your belongings from the hotel and head to Palma de Mallorca Airport for your departure.
Other Attractions & Excurions to add to your car-free Mallorca Itinierary
If you want to add or exchange excusions from my Mallorca Itinerary without car, here are some more ideas and tours to choose from:
- Take the bus 504 or 508 to s’Arenal and walk the entire, beautiful beach line back to Palma. If that is too much start in Can Pastilla instead and stroll back along the coast from there.
- Visit the Caves of Drach, Mallorcas most famous cave with a large underground lake
- Visit Lluc Monastery, Sa Calobra Beach and the impressive Torrent de Pareis, with this full day excusion and guided tour from Palma
Exploring Mallorca Without a Car – 5 Alternative Options
Mallorca offers various exciting alternatives to car travel, ensuring you can explore the island’s beauty with ease and flexibility.
Moped: Renting a moped is an excellent choice for those seeking freedom on their journey. It allows for spontaneous exploration without the hassles of traffic jams and parking woes.
Public Transport: Mallorca offers an extensive public transport network, including buses, trains, and a metro, connecting the capital to numerous towns and tourist spots. Check the seasonal schedules as those are quite different.
Organised Excursions: These days, you will find organised tours to lots of places in Mallorca. Even in the low season, the most famous towns of Mallorca, such as Sóller, Sa Calobra and Valldemossa, have daily tours.
Segway: For a quick and eco-friendly option, consider renting a Segway or join a guided Segway Tour. Ideal for navigating through Palma and its nearby areas, Segways offer a fun way to tour the city while being kind to the environment.
Bicycles: Biking is a wonderful way to see Mallorca, especially given the island’s mild climate and numerous cycle paths suited for different skill levels. Whether you’re cycling through the capital or around scenic routes, it’s a healthy and enjoyable mode of transportation.
Conclusion
Getting around Mallorca by bus is possible. You will be able to reach a lot of destinations on the island, but you will need to allow some extra time for the journey.
Major towns such as Valldemossa, Alcudia, Pollensa and Soller are easily accessible by public transport.
Some of the most beautiful beaches, such as Cala Pi or Es Trenc, can also be reached directly from Palma without even having to change buses along the way.
If you anyhow decide not to “waste” precious time traveling by bus and rent a car, have a look at my sweet and short 3 day trip, my 4-day itinerary or my one-week Mallorca travel guide for itinerary ideas.
