A sunny weekend in April was the perfect time for a weekend in Majorca
A short break to charge the batteries and take a break.
You many have already read about the hotel in Majorca on this post Hilton SaTorre
In this article I cover the driving route across the Island. From Palma de Mallorca in the South we drove North right up to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor to the opposite extreme of the island.
Car Hire Majorca
On arrival I found Car Hire Palma Majorca airport easily in the arrivals terminal. I´d requested a compact car as it was just for 48h on the island. We only had two small suitcases so something small would be fine. As I am used to visting cities around Spain, parking bigger cars can be tricky, especially in the old towns. It´s always useful to have the GPS system too.
Majorca Island Road trip
Eager to leave the airport behind and start to explore we headed onto the motorway towards to the capital, Palma de Mallorca. The plan was to visit Mallorca Cathedral and the historic old town. Driving from the airport along the motorway was simple and it was a short drive into the centre of Palma. 10 kms (about 7 miles) and we were already there.
Walking around the centre of Palma de Mallorca was quieter than I´d expected. The cathedral and Almudaina shown above have great views out to sea. The Cathedral called La Seu is the highest of all Gothic cathedrals. It was built on the site of an arab mosque and completed in 1601. The Royal palace of the Almudaina was once an Arabic fortress and lather chosen as a Royal palace in 14th century.
We continued the visit among the historic streets behind the Cathedral.
Palma de Mallorca also has an Aquarium which is a good option for families but I didnt get to visit on this trip.
See more details at this link and get Palma Aquarium tickets
After spending some time in the historic parts of Palma we hit the road towards the north of the island. From Palma up to Alcudia on the motorway it was around 45 minute drive.
The hire car was a good option as it had low consumption and really comfortable seats too.
The GPS system was easy to use , but I checked our route on the map of the island I´d been given too.
ZUS Smart Charger & localisation gadget
On this trip I got to try the ZUS smart car charger. This handy gadget by Nonda is super fast at charging smartphones. Handy as I was taking lots of photos and looking for information often. Although I´d had it for a while I´d not really had chance to try it properly.
As I am usually office based most of the day I just charge my smartphone whenever I need. Being on the go all day the car charger worked well as it was twice as fast as my normal charger.
Being in the car in different locations on this Majorca trip was a good opportunity to test the localization feature. I had already downloaded the app before travelling so that I had it installed. We also tried this with a Samsung and iphone both worked perfectly.
When I arrived to my destination I park, (with bluetooth switched on) the phone would register in the ZUS app my location. So when leaving the car in a large car park or unfamiliar town. When I wanted to return to the car, the app would take me with the directions on the phone.
This worked really well in Mallorca on the road trip. It also has a parking meter feature which I havent used yet. If you pay 3 hours of parking meter. It has an alarm to remind you to top up or move the car before you get a fine.
Cap de Formentor
Heading direction Alcudia I decided we would drive up to the Cap de Formentor to enjoy the dramatic scenery and views. These roads were clearly designed for Mountain goats and bikes. On the way it is very curvy, steep mountain roads packed with cyclists, training in the mild weather. Not an easy drive as occasionally we´d cross a large tour bus and wide 4×4.
Sierra de Tramutana
The drive was worth it for the stunning views and beautiful landscapes. Seeing a mountain goat with two kids jumping out right out in front of us was a lovely thing to see. This road is part of the Sierra de Tramutana named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
Along this road there are few places to stop and some of the car parks do get busy. We managed to stop at the Cap de Formentor and at Punta de la Nao. On the day we visited it was really sunny (suncream and hats required) but there are days when it is really windy. Take care up there.
Port de Pollensa
With sheer drops and 300m cliffs above the sea it´s not for those scared of heights. From Port de Pollensa to the Cap de Formentor the route is just 10 miles long (16 kms) but would take around 40 minutes to drive (depending on time of year and number of buses/cyclists).
It can be dangerous in places to pass the cyclists as the roads are just wide enough for two cars.
Be very careful and drive slowly.
Alcudia
Driving along past Port de Pollensa an impeccable beach town with it´s own marina. We head to Alcudia. The tourist areas of Port d’Alcúdia and Platja d’Alcúdia is where the hotels and beaches are located, but I was interested in visiting the old town of Alcudia for it´s historic monuments.
Alcudia Old Town
Surrounded by a 14th century city wall, this roman settlement has a quaint feel to its streets and squares. Lots of traditional restaurants and bars are tucked into the different corners of the town. This is a great location to escape from the busier tourist centres nearby in Majorca.
After driving around Palma de Mallorca, Satorre, Llucmajor, Pollensa, Alcudia and Cap de Formentor road we´d made the most of our weekend break. Back off to the airport to delivery the car in time to get the place back home.
When I rent a car I am always careful to check all the compartments to make sure I don´t leave anything behind (jacket, sunglasses, etc)
*Money saving travel tip*
I always get the petrol filled up before handing it back to the hire company.
It always works out cheaper that way.
Car Return
When I arrived to Palma airport the signs into the airport to the hire car areas was clearly marked. It was easy to navigate through to the area I needed to get to. Using Car Rental to see Majorca was a great idea. It made the trip more enjoyable.
I hope to get back to the island sometime. A weekend in Majorca wasnt enough.
Next time I want to visit the Cueva del Hams close to Manacor
Booking.com
Other Road Trips…
Almeria Road Trip An Italian Road Trip around the Lakes Planning an Andalusian Road Trip Moroccan Road Trip
Please Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.
All thoughts, feelings and opinions shared on this blog and in this post are my own.
The post Majorca Road Trip – Palma to Pollensa by Hire Car appeared first on Piccavey.
#Alcudia #ExpatBlog #AlquilerDeCoches #Spanish #Pollensa
You many have already read about the hotel in Majorca on this post Hilton SaTorre
In this article I cover the driving route across the Island. From Palma de Mallorca in the South we drove North right up to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor to the opposite extreme of the island.
Car Hire Majorca
On arrival I found Car Hire Palma Majorca airport easily in the arrivals terminal. I´d requested a compact car as it was just for 48h on the island. We only had two small suitcases so something small would be fine. As I am used to visting cities around Spain, parking bigger cars can be tricky, especially in the old towns. It´s always useful to have the GPS system too.
Majorca Island Road trip
Eager to leave the airport behind and start to explore we headed onto the motorway towards to the capital, Palma de Mallorca. The plan was to visit Mallorca Cathedral and the historic old town. Driving from the airport along the motorway was simple and it was a short drive into the centre of Palma. 10 kms (about 7 miles) and we were already there.
Walking around the centre of Palma de Mallorca was quieter than I´d expected. The cathedral and Almudaina shown above have great views out to sea. The Cathedral called La Seu is the highest of all Gothic cathedrals. It was built on the site of an arab mosque and completed in 1601. The Royal palace of the Almudaina was once an Arabic fortress and lather chosen as a Royal palace in 14th century.
We continued the visit among the historic streets behind the Cathedral.
Palma de Mallorca also has an Aquarium which is a good option for families but I didnt get to visit on this trip.
See more details at this link and get Palma Aquarium tickets
After spending some time in the historic parts of Palma we hit the road towards the north of the island. From Palma up to Alcudia on the motorway it was around 45 minute drive.
The hire car was a good option as it had low consumption and really comfortable seats too.
The GPS system was easy to use , but I checked our route on the map of the island I´d been given too.
ZUS Smart Charger & localisation gadget
On this trip I got to try the ZUS smart car charger. This handy gadget by Nonda is super fast at charging smartphones. Handy as I was taking lots of photos and looking for information often. Although I´d had it for a while I´d not really had chance to try it properly.
As I am usually office based most of the day I just charge my smartphone whenever I need. Being on the go all day the car charger worked well as it was twice as fast as my normal charger.
Being in the car in different locations on this Majorca trip was a good opportunity to test the localization feature. I had already downloaded the app before travelling so that I had it installed. We also tried this with a Samsung and iphone both worked perfectly.
When I arrived to my destination I park, (with bluetooth switched on) the phone would register in the ZUS app my location. So when leaving the car in a large car park or unfamiliar town. When I wanted to return to the car, the app would take me with the directions on the phone.
This worked really well in Mallorca on the road trip. It also has a parking meter feature which I havent used yet. If you pay 3 hours of parking meter. It has an alarm to remind you to top up or move the car before you get a fine.
Cap de Formentor
Heading direction Alcudia I decided we would drive up to the Cap de Formentor to enjoy the dramatic scenery and views. These roads were clearly designed for Mountain goats and bikes. On the way it is very curvy, steep mountain roads packed with cyclists, training in the mild weather. Not an easy drive as occasionally we´d cross a large tour bus and wide 4×4.
Sierra de Tramutana
The drive was worth it for the stunning views and beautiful landscapes. Seeing a mountain goat with two kids jumping out right out in front of us was a lovely thing to see. This road is part of the Sierra de Tramutana named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
Along this road there are few places to stop and some of the car parks do get busy. We managed to stop at the Cap de Formentor and at Punta de la Nao. On the day we visited it was really sunny (suncream and hats required) but there are days when it is really windy. Take care up there.
Port de Pollensa
With sheer drops and 300m cliffs above the sea it´s not for those scared of heights. From Port de Pollensa to the Cap de Formentor the route is just 10 miles long (16 kms) but would take around 40 minutes to drive (depending on time of year and number of buses/cyclists).
It can be dangerous in places to pass the cyclists as the roads are just wide enough for two cars.
Be very careful and drive slowly.
Alcudia
Driving along past Port de Pollensa an impeccable beach town with it´s own marina. We head to Alcudia. The tourist areas of Port d’Alcúdia and Platja d’Alcúdia is where the hotels and beaches are located, but I was interested in visiting the old town of Alcudia for it´s historic monuments.
Alcudia Old Town
Surrounded by a 14th century city wall, this roman settlement has a quaint feel to its streets and squares. Lots of traditional restaurants and bars are tucked into the different corners of the town. This is a great location to escape from the busier tourist centres nearby in Majorca.
After driving around Palma de Mallorca, Satorre, Llucmajor, Pollensa, Alcudia and Cap de Formentor road we´d made the most of our weekend break. Back off to the airport to delivery the car in time to get the place back home.
When I rent a car I am always careful to check all the compartments to make sure I don´t leave anything behind (jacket, sunglasses, etc)
*Money saving travel tip*
I always get the petrol filled up before handing it back to the hire company.
It always works out cheaper that way.
Car Return
When I arrived to Palma airport the signs into the airport to the hire car areas was clearly marked. It was easy to navigate through to the area I needed to get to. Using Car Rental to see Majorca was a great idea. It made the trip more enjoyable.
I hope to get back to the island sometime. A weekend in Majorca wasnt enough.
Next time I want to visit the Cueva del Hams close to Manacor
Booking.com
Other Road Trips…
Almeria Road Trip An Italian Road Trip around the Lakes Planning an Andalusian Road Trip Moroccan Road Trip
Please Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.
All thoughts, feelings and opinions shared on this blog and in this post are my own.
The post Majorca Road Trip – Palma to Pollensa by Hire Car appeared first on Piccavey.
#Alcudia #ExpatBlog #AlquilerDeCoches #Spanish #Pollensa