Anyone looking to experience the best of the Balearics by car should look no further than Mallorca, the largest island in the Spanish archipelago. Oozing with traditional charm and blessed with a rich cultural heritage, it is tried and tested as a top-rated tourist destination but not everyone is aware of the island’s merits as a place for family holidays, particularly those taking to the road with young children.
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Mallorca’s spectacular sea views and striking mountainscapes ensure that a leisurely drive around the island is an absolute must and no other company offers better car hire deals than Auto Europe. Founded in 1954, this long-established industry leader excels in high-quality car rentals with more than 24,000 convenient pick-up/drop-off points available in over 180 popular destinations, including the Balearics.
Considering car seats in Mallorca
If you are planning a fun-filled family motoring holiday in Mallorca then you’ll probably require special seats for the kids in accordance with Spanish law. The good news is that you can add baby, child and/or booster seats to your booking quickly and easily on the Auto Europe website, the cost of which is paid to the local supplier when you arrive to collect your vehicle.
Other things to remember when travelling with youngsters in Mallorca is to always have a decent supply of water or other drinks in the vehicle (the island can get very hot in summer) and to book a car with air-conditioning (make sure you check that it’s working properly before leaving the pick-up point). It’s also important to keep the little ones entertained on the road which means packing their favourite games before embarking on your journey.
Mallorca is certainly an island tailored towards road-trip itineraries and its plethora of attractions and activities will keep travellers of all ages happy throughout their stay. Besides an abundance of monuments and museums (not to mention some of the best beaches in the whole of the Mediterranean), it offers a wide range of motoring experiences to suit all tastes, with pleasant weather to be expected throughout most of the year.
There are several favoured driving routes to be enjoyed, such as the section of the Ma-10 that connects the towns of Valldemossa and Sóller on the island’s breathtaking north coast. Visually enchanting, this part of Mallorca is a haven of unspoilt natural beauty epitomised by the picture-book town of Deià located midway along the route. This peaceful hideaway is also the perfect place for a relaxing al fresco lunch (some restaurants have children’s menus) in the shadow of Serra de Tramuntana, the highest mountain range in the Balearics.
Mallorca has the most scenic roads
Some of the roads through the island’s interior rank amongst the most scenic in all of Europe, most notably Sa Calobra, the so-called ‘snake road of Mallorca’ which stretches for 12.2 kilometres (7.58 miles) and rises to an altitude of 682 metres (2,237 feet). This long, winding road (officially known as the Ma-2141) has many exciting twists and turns, including the world-famous el nudo de la Corbata, the sharpest hairpin bend of them all!
The island is also popular for its many theme parks and other first-rate family attractions, such as Dinosaurland where an enticing prehistoric world awaits young visitors, including the chance to visit Hams, a unique system of caves known for their hook-shaped formations dating back more than 10 million years.
The long list of other caves to explore in Mallorca includes Artà (famous for the Queen of Paradise stalagmite that stands 22 metres tall) and Drach Cave in Porto Cristo which features one of the largest underground lakes in the world.
Jungle Parc (the most expansive tree adventure park on the island) is another action-packed option for families with kids, along with Marineland where regular shows take place with dolphins, seals, sharks, fish, parrots and other exotic animals.
Another major highlight for families touring the island with an affordable car hire in Mallorca is Safari-Zoo where visitors can watch and photograph large wild animals roaming free from the comfort and safety of their vehicle.
And there’s no better children’s attraction on a hot summer’s day than a water park and Mallorca is blessed with a good number of them, including Aqualand El Arenal, Hidropark and Western Water Park, the latter of which authentically recreates the special atmosphere of America’s Wild West.
Relax after all the driving
Once all the driving is over it’s time to relax on the beach and many of the island’s seaside resorts cater effortlessly for children of all ages. A top choice is Port d’Alcúdia, a popular family resort in the north of the island with over 3 kilometres of fine white sands and crystalline waters shallow enough for the kids to swim and play all day long. On Mallorca’s stunning southern shoreline lies Es Trenc with its glorious 7-kilometre stretch of pristine beach located in one of the quieter parts of the island.
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