Mallorca is Europe’s most popular road cycling destination and for good reason. Over 300 sunny days a year, 1,445 metres of climbing on the Puig Major, more than 200 cycling-friendly hotels, and a season from February to May that lines up perfectly with early-season form-building. Add 15-22°C, almost no rain, and roads better maintained than most B-roads in northern Europe. We’ve ridden the island 15+ times: here’s everything we’ve learnt.
The ultimate guide for your road cycling trip to Mallorca.
Road cycling on Mallorca is everywhere on social media and with good reason. Hardly any roadie launches their season without a stint here. The island offers a perfect mix of stunning landscapes, varied mountain passes and scenic coastal roads.
In this guide we share practical tips for your road cycling trip to Mallorca.
1. Where to stay
Alcúdia / Port d’Alcúdia
With its strategic position in the north of Mallorca, Alcúdia is a dream for road cyclists who want both demanding mountain rides and easy coastal spinning. The proximity to the Tramuntana climbs and the flat roads along the bays of Pollença and Alcúdia makes it the perfect base for rides at every level. For beginners I’d particularly recommend Alcúdia. You’ll find a large number of cycling-specific hotels here, mostly right on the beach with sunrise sea views. From the airport you’re in Alcúdia in about 45 minutes by car.
Arenal
Close to the airport, Arenal works well for shorter trips where you want to be off the plane and into your hotel fast. Local buses run from here into central Palma, perfect if you want to combine culture and nightlife with riding. The flat, wide roads in the area are ideal for beginners or for easier days on the bike. Arenal is also a great base for longer rides into the interior or along the coast, getting you off the tourist path and into the real Mallorca. Plenty of seafront hotels with sunset views here too.
Sineu
Tucked into the heart of the island, Sineu offers a unique mix of culture and bike-friendly routes. Its central location makes every corner of the island reachable, north, west or east. The weekly Wednesday market is one of the largest and oldest on Mallorca, and a good chance to discover local produce. The downside: no proximity to the sea.
Binibona
Binibona is Mallorca’s best-kept road cycling secret. A tiny mountain village at the foot of the Tramuntana, about 40 minutes from the airport, with zero tourist traffic. Instead of large cycling hotels you’ll find fincas and boutique guesthouses, no buffets, but Mallorcan cooking and silence. If you want to rack up climbing metres, the Tramuntana is right on your doorstep and you ride straight from the olive groves into the climbs. The sea is 30 minutes away, so not for a beach holiday, all for the form.
| Alcúdia | Arenal | Sineu | Binibona | |
| Distance from airport | 45 min | 15 min | 30 min | 40 min |
| Best for | Beginners + mountains | Short trips | All-rounders | Quiet + Tramuntana |
| Climbing per day | 400-1,200 m | 200-600 m | 600-1,400 m | 800-1,800 m |
| Coast access | Direct | Direct | 25 min | 30 min |
| Cycling hotels | 40+ | 20+ | 5+ | 3+ |
2. Getting around the island
How do you get to your hotel? It depends entirely on where you’re staying. To Arenal, the local bus is €5 per person. With more than two people a taxi makes sense.
For Alcúdia or Sineu it’s a different story. A rental car is the way to go. Pre-season prices on Mallorca are very low, sometimes €16 a day. A taxi to Alcúdia would be around €100 each way.
A cheaper option for solo travellers are the large shuttle buses. €12-14 per person to the north, but you’ll spend a while at the airport waiting for the bus to fill up, and then it drops at multiple hotels in turn expect a few hours total.
Overall, with two or more people, I’d always go with a rental car. I always book without excess via a comparison site, pre-season deals on Mallorca are unbeatable.
3. Bring your own bike or rent?
Whether to bring your own bike or rent one depends on a few factors. If you’ve got a top-level bike at home that you can’t ride without, the €60-or-so each way to bring it is worth it.
If you’re only on the island briefly, or you ride an entry-level bike at home, renting is a relaxed call. There are countless rental shops on Mallorca offering bikes for every level and taste. From €27 a day you get a solid bike with disc brakes and Ultegra. Rental days typically start at 9am and end around 5pm depending on the shop. Many will deliver to your hotel for a fee if you’re staying outside the main areas. One small tip: always bring your own saddle for a rental bike to avoid nasty surprises.
4. Accommodation: from cosy to luxurious
Whether boutique hotel, holiday rental or specialist cycling hotel: Mallorca has something for every taste and budget. You can find good deals here, since the cycling season runs ahead of the actual tourist peak. Cycling hotels – those built around the needs of riders – usually offer extras like secure bike storage, guided rides, washing facilities and wellness areas.
The advantage of larger hotels is that with half-board, you get a full buffet in the evening to refuel after a day on the bike. Eating out every night quickly gets expensive. From experience I’d suggest investing in 4-star hotels, anything below tends to have less varied and less fresh buffets.
5. The best routes
For beginners: Alcúdia – Pollença – Cap de Formentor coastal loop
60 km, 600 m. Flat to rolling along the north coast, with the climb up to Cap de Formentor at the end as the crowning finish. The perfect first ride after arrival.
For intermediates: Coll de Sóller – Deià – Valldemossa
90 km, 1,200 m. The Tramuntana at its most beautiful. The Coll de Sóller (500 m, max 10%) is manageable, the descent into Deià legendary. Plan a lunch stop in Valldemossa.
For ambitious riders: Sa Calobra
130 km from Alcúdia, 1,800 m. The classic. The climb from sea level: 9.4 km, 682 m, gradients up to 12%, with the famous 270° hairpin. All the climb details: ymcyc.com/en/regional-climbs-en/bc-mallorca-sa-calobra-en
Insider’s tip: Binibona – Alaró – Es Verger
56 km, 880 m. Off the tourist routes, through olive groves and sleepy villages. The climb to Es Verger (Castell d’Alaró) was completely resurfaced in 2025.
6. Best time to go
February – May: Training-camp season. 15-22°C, few tourists, all cycling hotels open. March is the sweet spot.
September – November: The second season. 18-25°C, the summer heat is over, roads quieter than in spring.
July – August: Stay away. Over 35°C, packed, performance falls apart after 60 km.
For more Mallorcan climbs and route details, see our complete overview: The Climbs of Mallorca
Frequently asked questions about road cycling on Mallorca
How much does a road cycling trip to Mallorca cost per week?
Budget around €800-1,500 per person for a week. Flights from northern Europe €80-200, rental car from €16/day in pre-season, bike rental from €27/day.
Which region is best?
Alcúdia for beginners (flat + mountain access), Sineu for all-rounders (central), Arenal for short trips (airport proximity), Binibona for quiet riding and maximum Tramuntana climbing.
Do I need a rental car?
With two or more people: yes. Shuttle buses are cheaper (€12-14) but slow. Rental cars from €16/day via comparison sites in pre-season.
Own bike or rental?
Bringing your own bike costs about €60 each way. Rentals from €27/day (disc brakes, Ultegra) — tip: bring your own saddle.