Have only a few days to escape to Mallorca? Don’t worry: at ROIG, we’re giving you the keys to decide between visiting the North or opting for the idyllic coves of the Southeast. When time is tight, picking the perfect area for you is essential, so you don’t spend the whole trip stuck inside the car.
At ROIG, we know the island like the back of our hand, and we know that both areas are spectacular — but they offer completely different trips. Below, we’re going to help you decide which is the perfect destination for your express getaway.
Two worlds on a single island
Mallorca has a breathtaking landscape. In just over an hour’s drive, you can go from a high-mountain route to crystal-clear beaches that reveal the full beauty of the Mediterranean.
If you’re travelling to Mallorca for just 3 or 4 days, trying to see everything is a mistake that will leave you exhausted. The key to success is choosing one area, renting a car at the airport with our car hire in Mallorca, and making the most of your visit. Are you more of an adventure-among-clifftops person, or a relax-in-a-postcard-cove person? Let’s find out.
The North: Dramatic landscapes and historically rich villages
The north of Mallorca is the perfect choice if you’re looking for more than just lying in the sun. It’s an area where nature reveals itself in its purest form and history can be felt around every corner.
The Tramuntana Mountains
In the north, you’ll find the Serra de Tramuntana (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here, the mountains drop straight into the sea, creating breathtaking cliffs like those at Formentor.
Driving along these back roads is an experience in itself — a journey through bends, viewpoints and pine forests that will reward you with the best views on the island.
Pollença and Alcúdia
If you’re passionate about culture, the north is for you:
- Alcúdia: Its historic centre is surrounded by a perfectly preserved medieval wall. Strolling through its pedestrian streets on market day feels like stepping back in time.
- Pollença: With its famous Calvari (365 steps) and bohemian atmosphere, it has been a refuge for painters and writers for decades.
Both villages offer excellent local cuisine and perfect squares for dining al fresco. At ROIG, you can book experiences in Mallorca, such as this one that takes you to visit the Alcúdia Market.
Northern beaches
The North isn’t all rocks. It is also home to the Bay of Alcúdia and the famous Playa de Muro, kilometres-long stretches of fine sand, shallow waters and a breeze that makes them ideal for water sports.
The Southeast: Paradise of postcard coves and turquoise blue water
If your idea of a perfect holiday is soaking up the sun and sea, the southeast is your destination. This area is famous for its coves, small inlets flanked by low rocky outcrops and Mediterranean vegetation.
Santanyí and Felanitx
The interior of the southeast preserves that rural, unhurried Mallorca of ivory-coloured stone villages and green Mallorcan shutters.
- The village of Santanyí is the heart of the area, known for its Saturday market and artisan shops.
- Felanitx, surrounded by vineyards, invites you to discover local wines and enjoy a pace of life where rushing simply doesn’t exist.
Must-visit coves
This is where the island’s most famous beaches are concentrated. Spots like Caló des Moro, Cala Llombards, Cala Mondragó and S’Amarador are the reason half the world dreams of Mallorca. These are smaller beaches, sheltered from the wind, where the water is so transparent that boats appear to float in mid-air.
Because they’re smaller, they fill up quickly in high season. That’s why opting for the car hire service in Mallorca that we offer at ROIG will allow you to get up early and secure your spot, or switch to “Plan B” in five minutes if the car park is full.
Rather not drive? No problem: at ROIG, we also offer a transfer service in Mallorca and chauffeured cars in Mallorca for your ultimate comfort.
Portocolom and Cala Figuera
The southeast of Mallorca also stands out for its fishing villages:
- Cala Figuera: A fishing port where the houses have their doors right at the water’s edge, and nets dry in the sun. Its traditional character remains completely intact.
- Portocolom: Home to one of the largest natural bays on the island, dotted with traditional llaüts (Mallorcan boats) and a seafront promenade perfect for enjoying a rice dish by the sea.
Which one suits your style of travel better?
There’s no objectively better option, but there is a better option for you. Let’s match your expectations with the reality of each area so your choice is a guaranteed success.
If you’re looking for hiking and road trips
The North is your undisputed winner. If you’re the type who enjoys the journey itself — putting on a great playlist and driving through awe-inspiring scenery — the roads winding towards Formentor or cutting through the Serra de Tramuntana will win you over completely. It’s also the ideal starting point for iconic hiking routes (such as the Camí de Cavalls or the Barranc de Biniaraix if you venture slightly off the beaten track) and adventure activities.
One of the most popular activities in Mallorca is visiting Formentor or Cabo Formentor. At ROIG, you can book your excursion to make the most of this destination.
If you’re looking for total disconnection and full days at the beach
Head straight for the Southeast. Here, the plan is to have no plan. The ideal routine is to get up early, throw a towel and a cool box into the boot of your ROIG car, and spend the day hopping from cove to cove, reading under a parasol and tucking into a rice dish at a seaside chiringuito. The flat landscape naturally invites a much slower, more relaxed pace.
Logistics and travel times from Palma Airport
The good news is that Mallorca has an excellent road network, so distances shouldn’t put you off:
- To the North (Alcúdia/Pollença): Around 45–50 minutes from the airport via the Ma-13 motorway. It’s a direct, fast and very easy drive.
- To the Southeast (Santanyí/Cala d’Or): The journey time is very similar — around 45–50 minutes via the Ma-19. The first half is fast motorway and the second turns into narrow single-lane country roads passing through picturesque villages (which slows things down a little if you hit traffic).
How to organise your express itinerary
For a 3- or 4-day trip, good organisation is key. Here’s a suggested plan to make the most of every minute without spending your whole time behind the wheel.
Base camp in the North
- Day 1 (Arrival): Pick up your ROIG car at the airport. Check in and spend the afternoon strolling around the walled old town of Alcúdia. Tapas dinner in its main square.
- Day 2 (The great road trip): Drive early to Cap de Formentor to avoid access restrictions. On the way back, cool off at the beach there and spend the afternoon visiting the bohemian village of Pollença and climbing its famous 365 steps.
- Day 3 (Beach and relaxation): A full day at Playa de Muro. Hire a sunlounger, enjoy its crystal-clear waters and stay to watch the sunset from one of its iconic wooden jetties.
Base camp in the Southeast
- Day 1 (Arrival): Drive straight to the southeast. A late-afternoon visit to the fishing village of Cala Figuera, when the fishermen are bringing in their nets. Dinner overlooking the harbour in Portocolom.
- Day 2 (Postcard coves): Rise early to be the first to set foot on Caló des Moro or Cala Llombards. When it starts to fill up (around midday), get in the car and find refuge in the Cala Mondragó Natural Park, where there’s more space and pine-tree shade.
- Day 3 (The Mallorcan Caribbean): Spend the day at the unspoilt, kilometre-long beach of Es Trenc. Wind down the afternoon with a drink in Colonia de Sant Jordi while enjoying one of the best sunsets on the island.
Final tips for making the most of Mallorca
If you’re travelling for just a few days, don’t try to cross the island constantly. Choose the north or the southeast and stay there. It’s far better to get to know one area well and leave the other as the perfect excuse for your next visit.
- The right car matters: For the roads of the north, a compact or agile hybrid will make life easier on the bends and in tight car parks. If you’re heading to the southeast with friends or family, an SUV with a decent boot will let you carry everything you need for a full day at the coves.
- Watch out for peak hours: In summer, access to the most popular beaches in the southeast gets jammed from around 10:30 am. Apply the golden rule: either go very early (before 9:30 am) or enjoy the afternoon (from 5:00 pm onwards), when the light is at its most beautiful, and people are starting to leave.
Whether you choose the wild north or the paradise-like southeast, at ROIG, we have the best car hire deals in Mallorca to make your short trip an unforgettable experience. Have you already made up your mind about your getaway?