MALLORCA ISLAND FAQ'S

How do I get from the airport to the cities and towns on Mallorca?

Visitors arriving by air will land at Palma de Mallorca Airport, also called Son Sant Joan Airport (IATA code PMI), located five miles east of Palma and just north of C`an Pastilla. It is the base of operations for Air Europa and a focus city for Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, Vueling, and Lauda.

Driving directions to the towns of Mallorca: When you leave the airport, turn right and join the Ma-19 motorway which will take you directly into Palma. Continue on Avinguda Gabriel Roca to the Ma-1 motorway, which will take you past Illetes, Palmanova, and Peguera. Take exit 13 to reach Palmanova, 14 to reach Magaluf, 17 to reach Santa Ponsa, and 20 to reach Peguera.

The Ma-13 motorway runs directly from the circular road separating Palma from the suburbs all the way to Alcúdia. Take Carrer de Pollèntia and Carrer de Teodor Canet to Port d`Alcúdia. The Carretera d`Artà connects Port d`Alcúdia with Platja de Muro and finally Can Picafort.

The Ma-19 motorway runs from east of Palma to Portopetro, just south of Cala d`Or and Cala Ferrera. From Cala d`Or/Cala Ferrera, take the Ma-4012 to just northwest of Portocolom, where you will merge briefly with the Ma-4010 before taking the right fork onto the Ma-4014 motorway, which will take you to Porto Cristo. From there, go north on the Ma-4023 motorway to Cala Millor. The Ma-15 motorway connects Palma and Capdepera, just outside Cala Ratjada. To reach Cala Millor from Cala Ratjada, take the Ma-4040 to the Ma-4023, entering Cala Millor just outside Son Servera on Ma-4026.

Note: Roads with one or two numbers (ex. Ma-1, Ma-19) are larger expressways, while roads with four-number designations (ex. Ma-4023) are smaller motorways.

Are there buses or trains that connect the cities and towns of Mallorca?

Bus transport in Mallorca is administered by Consorgi Transports Mallorca (CTM). Also under the jurisdiction of the CTM is the Empresa Municipal de Transports de Palma de Mallorca (EMT), which offers bus service specifically for the capital of Palma (de Mallorca). The lines you will need to know for your trip about are as follows:

-EMT Line A1 runs from the international airport to the center of Palma (de Mallorca). The route picks passengers up in two areas, just outside the arrivals hall and outside the rental car area, dropping people off along the Passeig Mallorca just north of the Plaça de sa Feixina and the Porta de Santa Catalina. The first bus departs from Passeig Mallorca at 4:45 a.m. and the first bus departs from the international airport at 6:15 a.m. Buses leave every 15-25 minutes until just after midnight, with buses leaving Passeig Mallorca every 25-30 minutes until roughly the same time.
-EMT Line A2 runs from the international airport east to S`Arenal. Buses depart from S`Arenal (at stops along Carrer Dragonera and Carrer Sant Bartomeu, among others) every 30 minutes beginning around 5:45 a.m., with buses leaving the international airport beginning at 7:15 a.m. with the same frequency.
-EMT Line 1 travels from the Palma ferry port to Passeig Mallorca via the international airport.
-For tourists who are staying to the west and east of Palma, tourist buses run from Illetes to Plaça Columnes (Line 4) and from S`Arenal to Plaça Reina (Line 25). Dozens of buses leave approximately every 25-35 minutes from both locations traveling toward Palma. Buses run until the midnight hour in the eastern direction and until the 1 a.m. hour in the western direction from the center of Palma.
-EMT's Circular Centre Ciutat, or Line CC, loops through and around Palma's Old City, stopping adjacent to Palma Cathedral, the Palace of l'Almudaina, Plaça d'Espanya, and the Palma bus station, among other stops. This bus route's starting station is on Carrer de la Balanguera and buses leave every 30 minutes Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. until 8:35 p.m. There is no service on weekends, holidays, or festival days on this line.
-CTM's AEROTIB bus service, which consists of four lines that run to and from the international airport and the major tourist centers on the island. Line A11 connects the airport with Palmanova, Magaluf, Santa Ponça, Peguera, and Camp de Mar, among other stops. Line A32 goes north, stopping in places such as Inca, Sa Pobla, Alcúdia, Platja de Muro, and Can Picafort. Line A42 connects the airport with Vilafranca, Manacor, Cala Millor, and Cala Bona, among others. Line A51 goes southeast to S`Arenal, Llucmajor, and Campos. Buses run approximately every 60-75 minutes from around 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. NOTE: AEROTIB routes only run during the summer season, which according to the company is June 15-October 31.
-After a recent restructuring that occurred in winter 2021 during COVID-related lockdowns, bus lines have been divided into five quadrants. Buses that leave Palma for the southwestern resorts such as Magaluf and Peguera will be numbered in the 100s. Buses that leave Palma to towns like Valldemossa will be numbered in the 200s. Buses that run to Inca, Sa Pobla, Alcúdia and Can Picafort start in the 300s. Buses in the eastern interior, like to Manacor and Cala Millor, are numbered in the 400s. Finally, the southeastern coast from S`Arenal east are numbered in the 500s.

Tickets can be bought via contactless pay upon boarding and disembarking buses as well as at kiosks at train/bus stations. Tickets can also be bought on-board the bus with cash, although that will be the most expensive way to get around. Bus journeys are quite affordable, with as many as four transfers possible per person for under €15. Contactless pay is preferred, with CTM offering a 40% discount for paying in this manner. For more information on CTM (and EMT), visit www.tib.org/en/web/ctm.

CTM's train service consists of three lines, all of which start in Palma (de Mallorca) at the train station at the Plaça d'Espanya. Line T1 terminates at Inca train station, T2 at Sa Pobla train station, and T3 at Manacor train station. These routes exclusively cover the interior of Mallorca, so if you are wanting to visit coastal areas such as Magaluf, Port d`Alcúdia, and Capdepera. T3 is the singular train line that covers the eastern interior; the other two lines travel north-northeast from Palma (de Mallorca). There is also a Metro service administered by EMT; the nine-stop Metro service consists of just one line, running from the Plaça d'Espanya to the Universitat de les Illes Balears north of the city. As a tourist, you will most likely not use this service as it connects to few attractions.

Tickets can be bought via contactless pay upon boarding and disembarking buses as well as at kiosks at train/bus stations. Tickets can also be bought on-board the bus with cash, although that will be the most expensive way to get around. Bus journeys are quite affordable, with as many as four transfers possible per person for under €15. Contactless pay is preferred, with CTM offering a 40% discount for paying in this manner. For more information on CTM (and EMT), visit www.tib.org/en/web/ctm.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis are perhaps the best mode of transportation between towns and cities on the southern coast of Mallorca, and further afield as well. Taxis can be hailed from the street; they can also be hired by calling ahead or queuing at a taxi stand.

CTM also oversees taxi service, which is uniform across the island. Taxis are typically white late-model sedans with either a stripe of alternating yellow and red colors (representing the flag of the Balearic Islands) in Palma and the southwestern coast, or a blue stripe everywhere else.

Taxis are metered, and by law drivers are required to give you a receipt if you request one. Flagfall between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. island-wide starts at above €3, rising to €4 for late night. Expect to pay over €1 per each 0.6 miles traveled, and approximately €20 per hour of waiting time. There are also surcharges ranging from €3 to €8 for trips to/from the international airport, and to/from the mountainous parts of Mallorca. On the taxameter, the final amount you will pay when you arrive will be noted on under "A PAGAR", which means "to pay". Extra fees are also clearly labeled under the running fare above text that says "SUPLEMENTOS" or "SUPL.".

As of 2022, there are 18 taxi companies licensed to conduct business in Mallorca. Palma has the most, with five, as Palma typically also deals with the southwestern coast. Phone numbers by city and region are below:

-Palma and the southwestern coast: Taxis Palma Radio (+34 971 401 414), Radio Taxi Ciutat (+34 971 201 212), Fono Tele Taxi (+34 971 200 900), Taxis Radio Telefono (+34 971 743 737), Taxies (+34 914 444 444).
-Calvià: Radio Taxi Calvià (+34 971 680 970)
-Cala d'Or: Taxis Cala d'Or (+34 971 657 058)
-Muro: Agrupación Radio Taxis de Muro (+34 971 860 404)
-Alcúdia: Asociación de Taxis Alcúdia (+34 971 549 870)
-Llucmajor: Asociación Radio Taxi Llucmajor (+34 971 440 212)
-Manacor: Asociación Taxis Manacor (+34 971 822 492)
-Sóller: Asociación Taxis Sóller (+34 971 638 484)
-Campos: Asociación Radio Taxi Campos (+34 649 958 489)
-Cala Millor: Asociación Tele Taxi Cala Millor (+34 971 586 969)
-Inca: Radio Taxi Inca (+34 971 881 020)
-Pollença: Radio Taxi Pollença (+34 971 866 213)
-Portocolom: Asociación Radio Taxi Portocolom (+34 971 824 347)
Note that there is typically a surcharge added for reserving a taxi via telephone, usually well under €5.

How easy is it to explore the sights on Mallorca?

Considering how many bus routes cover Mallorca, in addition to taxis, cars for hire, trains, and of course self-driving, it is very easy to get from Point A to Point B in a stress-free manner. From Peguera in the southwest to Cala Ratjada in the northeast, the driving distance is roughly 60 miles and takes about an hour and a half, meaning it is feasible to explore the entire island if you wanted to. The largest freeway, the Ma-1, connects Palma with the towns to the west and southwest, such as Illetes, Palmanova, Santa Ponsa, and Peguera. The Ma-20 is the ring road which separates the inner city of Palma from its northern environs. The Ma-19 connects Palma and Llucmajor to the east. Other key motorways include the Ma-13, which connects Palma and Alcúdia, and the Ma-15, which connects Palma with Artà and Cala Ratjada. The cities of the east coast can be reached easily via Manacor, which is on the Ma-15.

The cities and towns on the island of Mallorca are easy to explore on foot. Palma de Mallorca in particular, as well as the Playa de Palma area down to El Arenal, are very beautiful and millions of tourists each year walk down Palma`s narrow streets and the Playa de Palma promenade. Keep in mind, however, that the towns and villages outlined on TripMasters` dedicated page sprawl for 25 miles along the southern coast, so getting to all ten of the cities and towns on foot would perhaps be unrealistic; you will need transportation to get you from one city or town to another in most cases. The northern resort cluster from Port d`Alcúdia to Can Picafort is about six miles in length, for those who might think about walking the waterfront or the beaches that seem to (almost, not quite) connect with one another. Except for Cala d`Or and Cala Ferrera, most of the destinations on the eastern coast are meant to be enjoyed one at a time.

How safe is Mallorca?

Mallorca is a fairly safe destination. Since so many visitors travel there every year, there is a vested interest in keeping the island safe for the enjoyment of the tourists. However, since it is known that people go to Mallorca to party, the most common crimes you will encounter are muggings and petty thefts. Here are some tips to keep you safe: 1) Carry small amounts of cash with you. Do not pull out all the money you will be spending on your trip. 2) Even though you are carrying small amounts, break up the amounts and store them in different areas on your person. 3) Keep your documents in a separate place on your person. Don`t take your passport out unless you absolutely need to. 4) Use common sense, like you would in the U.S., when visiting an ATM. `Skimmers` are also an issue in Spain, so study the ATM before using it, and if you feel like it looks suspect, find another ATM to use. Be mindful of your surroundings while withdrawing money. 5) Stick to well-lit routes at night, just in case. While you shouldn`t have a problem walking in most tourist areas at night, it is best to stick to main avenues. If you need the assistance of the police, you will find that many speak English.

What is shopping like in Mallorca? What kinds of souvenirs are unique to the area? Where should I shop?

Mallorca has a lot of opportunities for shopping, from luxury designer goods (on the Passeig del Born in Palma, referred to as `The Golden Mile`) to souvenirs, which you can find in nearly every resort, not to mention every resort town. Here are some items that Mallorca is world-renowned for: leather, pearl necklaces, rings, and other pearl accessories, vibrant colored pottery pieces, and sobrassada, delicious Mallorcan pork sausage. In the summertime, don`t miss the La Llonja craft market in Palma; the Olivar indoor food marketplace, also in Palma; and the market in the Old Town of Alcúdia, which runs every Tuesday and Sunday morning. If you are looking for the outlet mall experience, you can find the Mallorca Fashion Outlet in Marratxi, just off Exit 8 if you are taking the Ma-13 north from Palma (approx. 30 minutes by car).

Can I pay/tip in U.S. dollars?

The currency of Spain is the Euro (€) and U.S. dollars are not accepted for payment. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATMs can be found at your arrival airport and at many locations throughout the region.

I do not speak Catalan or Spanish. Do many people speak English?

The official language of Mallorca, like the other Balearic Islands, is Catalan, with Spanish used in a secondary capacity. English is widely spoken and understood in Mallorca, due to its enduring popularity with British and Irish package tourists, who have come to the island en masse since the 1960s. English should be spoken at your hotel, in tourist areas such as large-scale resort complexes, bars and restaurants geared toward tourists, and many shops, but keep in mind that for as spoiled as you may be in this regard, it won`t be spoken everywhere. We suggest you get a good English-Catalan dictionary and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `Parles anglès?`.

What are the drinking laws in Mallorca? What other facts should I know about drinking here?

The minimum purchasing and drinking age for alcohol in Mallorca, like in the rest of Spain, is 18. Your passport can serve as verification of your age in bars and nightclubs. Mallorca has long had a reputation for partying and drinking, due to the throngs of tourists who arrive from mainland Europe, in particular the British Isles and Germany.

Starting in 2015, Magaluf cracked down on public drinking and `incitements to drink` such as happy hour pricing. This spread to Palma in 2017 and other cities in Mallorca have adopted similar policies, not to mention some resorts dropping their famous all-inclusive drink packages. Don`t be deterred if this is part of the experience you wish to have: the drinks are still flowing in Mallorca despite these new laws (which you should take seriously, as thumbing your nose at one of these regulations, such as drinking outside in a city where there is a ban, can cost you as much as $5,000 in fines).

`Last orders` (the British term for `last call`) in Mallorca is typically 1 a.m. during the week, extended to 2:30 a.m. on weekends and possibly longer in the summer depending on jurisdiction.