Bicycle
Mallorca is Europe's No. 1 cycling island. Every spring (February to May), over 20,000 cyclists from all over Europe come for training. The reasons: perfect climate, excellently developed roads, varied topography, and an established cycling infrastructure with rental stations, workshops, and bike hotels.
Cycling Season
- Main season: February to May — perfect temperatures (15–25°C), little traffic, dry weather. Hotels offer special cyclist packages with mechanic service and secured parking.
- Autumn: September to November — second top season, slightly warmer, occasional rain.
- Summer: Too hot for demanding tours (35°C+). If so, start early in the morning (before 8 AM).
- Winter: December/January — mild enough for the lowlands, mountains can be a cool 5–10°C.
Legendary Routes
| Route | Distance | Elevation Gain | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sa Calobra (Ma-2141) | 9.4 km (Ascent) | 700 m | Hard — 26 bends, legendary |
| Coll de Soller | 10 km (from Soller) | 500 m | Medium — classic Tramuntana pass |
| Puig Major (from Soller) | 14 km | 850 m | Hard — highest drivable point |
| Cap de Formentor | 20 km (from Port Pollença) | 400 m | Medium — spectacular coastal road |
| Randa (Monastery Mountain) | 6 km | 300 m | Easy–Medium — panoramic view over the island |
| East Coast Loop | 80–100 km | 600 m | Easy — flat, beautiful bays |
| Full Island Loop | approx. 170 km | depending on route 1,000–3,000 m | Ambitious — 1 long or 2 days |
Bike Rental
Mallorca has dozens of professional bike rentals with high-quality racing bikes, e-bikes, and mountain bikes:
- Racing Bike: From 30–50 euros/day (Carbon), 150–250 euros/week. Top providers: Mallorca Cycling Center (Playa de Palma), Pro Cycle Hire (Alcudia), Max Hürzeler (various locations)
- E-Bike: From 25–40 euros/day — ideal for the Tramuntana if you're not a racing cyclist
- Mountain Bike: From 20–35 euros/day — good trails in the Tramuntana and inland
- City Bike: In Palma, there's the BiciPalma rental system (1 euro/30 min.), plus Nextbike stations. Easy for tourists via app.
Safety
Mallorca's drivers are used to cyclists — nowhere in Europe will you be as respected as a cyclist. Since 2015, a minimum overtaking distance of 1.5 meters has been in place. Nevertheless: Helmets are mandatory outside towns, rear lights and reflective vests in poor visibility too. Drive slowly in the curves on the Tramuntana roads — cars and buses come towards you.
💡 Tipp
The bike tour to Sa Calobra is a bucket-list experience, even for non-professionals. Alternatively: With an e-bike, the ascent is manageable, and the descent through the 26 hairpin bends is simply spectacular. Start early (before 9 AM), and you'll have the road almost to yourself.