Beware in Mallorca: Our Adventure Had a Few Rough Spots
Mallorca is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious beach clubs, but like any travel destination, not everything goes off without a hitch. While we had an absolute blast exploring the island, there were a few moments that made us wish we’d done a little more homework—and made a few different choices. If you’re planning a trip to Mallorca, here are a few things you should definitely keep in mind to avoid some of the headaches we encountered.
A Rough Night Near the Airport
Let’s start with our last night in Mallorca. After a long day of traveling, we arrived late via ferry to a hotel we thought was near the airport. We were exhausted, but the nightmare was just beginning.
There was no parking available with the hotel only street parking for our Mercedes rental car!!
And worse, there wasn’t a single staff member to help us with our overstuffed luggage.
While dragging our bags inside, Ashley’s purse was snatched right out of the hotel lobby!
Talk about a bad night.
The hotel didn’t seem too concerned, and when we contacted the local police, they weren’t much help either.
Even though we had an AirTag in the purse and could track its location, the cops flat out told us the area where it was located was “too dangerous” to retrieve it. Seriously? Then, to make matters worse, our hotel room door didn’t lock.
At that point, the only thing we wanted was to leave.
Fortunately, the passport was in another location inside the luggage with several back up credit cards. We were able to use our APPs to quickly shut down all credit card activity.
New rule: If you ever find yourself in a similar situation—whether it’s a lack of security, no parking, or no one to help with luggage—keep driving.
Forget the money you’ve already paid, and find a better hotel with security, a valet to assist, and, most importantly, a safe and secure place to park. Some things just aren’t worth the hassle (or danger).
The Airbnb Fiasco
Next up, our Airbnb booking disaster. How does an Airbnb turn out to not be a valid listing?
The place was charming, sans the two steep flights up to the unit with no lights and then two flights inside the place back down to my bedroom. Intense!
We’re still scratching our heads over this one.
We booked a cute place in what seemed like a prime location, but when we arrived, it was clear that this wasn’t an official Airbnb, the owner even told us not to say anything.
It was in a residential area, with parking four blocks away. Oh, and if you dared park on the street or even drive on without a residential permit? Enjoy a €75 ticket.
While the location was great for restaurants and shopping, Palma is not laid out logically.
One night, we were completely lost for 45 minutes, driving around trying to find our random parking spot. If you’re considering renting a car in Mallorca (which, spoiler alert, you absolutely should), know that Palma’s parking situation is a nightmare, especially with the ongoing construction in the area.
Construction and Traffic Woes
Speaking of construction, there’s a ton of it happening along the shoreline in Palma, Mallorca right now. This made driving anywhere an absolute nightmare. What should have been quick, scenic drives turned into long, frustrating slogs. In some areas, there was almost no parking at all due to construction zones. If you’re heading to Mallorca anytime soon, expect delays and plan your driving routes with a lot of extra time.
And here’s the thing: You need a car in Mallorca.
Taxis are nearly impossible to come by in some areas, and we learned that the hard way.
One night, after a long day, we waited in a taxi line for over an hour—only to have no taxis show up at all. We ended up walking two miles back to our place. At least it was scenic, at 11 pm, right?
The Ferry Adventure: Mallorca to Ibiza
One of the highlights of our trip was taking a ferry to Ibiza with our rental car and back. But getting on that ferry? Not exactly smooth sailing.
The ferry entrances for Baleria LINK in both Mallorca and Ibiza were poorly marked, and without Ashley speaking fluent Spanish, we might have missed it altogether.
If you’re planning to take the ferry, arrive at least an hour early, and brace yourself for a bit of confusion.
Once on board, though, the experience wasn’t bad. There’s a small cafe where you can grab some snacks, and the ferry has an outside deck where you can stand and take in the views.
Just don’t rely on the signage or expect anyone to give you clear instructions—you’re going to need some patience for this one.
Unwelcoming Vibes from the Locals
While we loved exploring the beauty of Mallorca, we couldn’t help but notice that the locals weren’t exactly thrilled to see tourists.
This summer, there were many protests against tourism on the island, and there was definitely a stand-offish vibe.
It wasn’t anything too extreme, but it was clear that tourists weren’t the locals’ favorite people at the moment.
Just something to be aware of if you’re visiting Mallorca anytime soon.
A Note About Port Adriano
Lastly, let’s talk about Port Adriano.
It’s a beautiful marina with stunning yachts, high-end restaurants, and boutique stores—but here’s the kicker: many of the restaurants and stores were closed when we visited on a Friday night?
If you’re planning to stop by, I’d recommend calling ahead to make sure the places you want to visit are open.
It’s worth the trip when everything’s open, but otherwise, you might find yourself walking through closed storefronts and shuttered restaurants.
Final Thoughts
Mallorca is a stunning island with so much to offer, but it’s not without its challenges. From safety concerns to parking nightmares and unexpected closures, we learned a lot on this trip. If you’re planning to visit, just make sure you’re prepared for a few bumps along the way—and if anything feels off, don’t hesitate to change plans and find a better option. After all, travel is all about enjoying the experience, not stressing over things that can be avoided!
