Cycling in Mallorca has become one of the star activities that attracts many people from Europe and the rest of the world. Every year, the island is visited by more than 150,000 tourists who travel with the purpose of touring it by bike and being, moreover, the favourite place of choice for the off-season training of a multitude of professional teams, as well as the chosen venue for international events such as the Mallorca 312.
And this is normal if we take into account that the island is located in a privileged enclave, with the impressive Serra de Tramuntana mountain range presiding over it; its mild climate and many other factors which are the the perfect setting and the ideal paradise for cycle touring and cycling in Mallorca, as well as other sports and nature activities.
Bicycle rental in Mallorca
Are you thinking of traveling to Mallorca for cycling or cycle touring? If you have decided to go cycling in Mallorca, you have two options:
- You can bring your bike and equipment with you, whether you are travelling by plane or arriving by ferry.
- Or you can rent a bike on site.
🚴 If you choose to rent your bike or the rest of your equipment on arrival, you can do so at Berganti Bikes, our trusted supplier, with a shop in Playa de Palma and a delivery and collection service anywhere on the island.
Those of us who cycle know that our bicycle is our daily tool, we know it and we know how to make the most of it, although we are also aware of the convenience of traveling with as little luggage as possible and not complicating our lives at all.
If, on the other hand, cycling in Mallorca is a novelty for you and you want to try it, let me tell you that there are only advantages:
- You will be able to discover the island in an ecological way, that’s why renting bicycles in Mallorca can be one of the best solutions for you.
- You will be immersed in a natural environment, pedalling and enjoying the sea breeze and the scent of the Mediterranean.
- Travelling by bike is a great way to be active and healthy while on holiday, allowing you to be present and aware of everything going on around you.
- By opting for a bicycle rental in Mallorca, you are making an environmentally friendly choice.
- The bicycle is an economical alternative that will also allow you to save time in cities such as Palma de Mallorca, which in summer reaches a massive level of occupation.
Travel insurance for cyclists in Mallorca
Do you think you have everything ready to practice cycling in Mallorca and fully enjoy your bike? As you may have read, at Yo soy Mallorca we always recommend to contract a travel insurance in order to travel with the best guarantees, even for nearby trips.
You’ve probably already thought about buying your plane ticket, booking your accommodation, equipment for your bike and getting it ready to come to the island, but have you thought about travel insurance for cyclists on your holiday?
Below we tell you why you need a travel insurance policy and we explain its coverage.
On the road, unexpected incidents on two and four wheels are always possible. The road is an environment where you don’t depend on yourself, you also depend on other people. Your bike, your equipment and your life are important. For only €0.50 per day you and your bike will be fully protected.
The IATI Escapadas travel insurance is especially designed for people who want to practice sports in the destination, covering health care, COVID19 cases, road trips also on four wheels and, of course, if you practice cycle tourism and cycling in Mallorca. Your bicycle will also be covered in case of theft with force.
If you are going to go cycling in Mallorca, don’t think twice and take out your IATI Escapades insurance with a 5% discount for being a reader of I am Mallorca.
🌎 Please note that the IATI Escapadas insurance only covers trips made by Spaniards in Spain, so if you are from abroad you should take out another type of policy, such as the IATI Estrella insurance with a 5% discount.
Why cycle touring in Mallorca?
Cycling and cycle touring allows you to explore new places from a different perspective and Mallorca offers a wide variety of routes that you can enjoy whether you are travelling as a couple or with your family, or if you are part of a group of professional cyclists.
Environment
If there is one factor that makes this island so special and charming, it is its varied landscape and unparalleled beauty. With your bike you will have no limits and you will be able to visit the best places in Mallorca.
The numerous mountain roads that run through the Serra de Tramuntana and its natural monuments, the shallow ponds and canals of the Albufera Nature Park, the impressive rugged coasts of Mallorca and the charming inland villages, where cyclists can stop to recover their strength, could hardly be more varied.
The secondary roads have hardly any traffic and provide cyclists with alternative and diverse scenic routes on a regular basis.
Weather
The climate and weather in Mallorca is another of the main reasons why it is one of the favourite destinations for outdoor sports.
The island has 300 days of sunshine a year and in autumn, winter and spring the weather conditions are perfect for cycling in Mallorca, with mild temperatures ranging between 15º and 23º, and few rainy days.
Routes
The island has one of the most important road networks for cycle tourists in the Mediterranean, which explains the great demand for cycling in Mallorca throughout Europe.
Specifically, it has about 1.400 km of roads, on which more than 450 km cover signposted routes for the practice of cycle touring and cycling in Mallorca, the courses are of varying degrees of difficulty, which opens up a wide range of options for all kinds of users, from the most experienced to beginners in this noble sport.
Safety: protected cycle routes
In 2017, the Spanish government launched a list of protected cycling routes with the aim of improving the safety of certain roads when practising this sport.
These routes have better signage, lower speed limits, a higher number of patrols carrying out breathalyser checks and greater presence and surveillance by police helicopters.
Three of these routes are in Mallorca, covering a total of 94 km of roads:
- From Llucmajor to Porreres.
- From Lluc to Valldemossa, through coll de Sóller.
- From Tolléric to Campos.
Access and infrastructure
Palma International Airport (PMI) offers multiple air connections with other Spanish and European cities, even during the winter season. You’ll find cheap flights to Mallorca from most international airports that will take you to the island in just two hours.
✈️ Do you want to book your flight at the best price? Then don’t miss this article with all the information and the best tips for booking your flight to Mallorca.
On the other hand, Mallorca has good infrastructures aimed at the cycling sector. The change of paradigm in the model of tourism, which aims to increasingly promote a form of travel focused on environmental awareness, invites you to practice activities in nature, including cycling in Mallorca.
Consequently, more and more local businesses are catering to the needs of this type of traveller, so you’ll find plenty of bike rental shops across the island, specialised tour operators, bars and restaurants with bike racks, and Cycling Friendly accommodation equipped with everything you may need (mechanical workshops, bicycle storage, etc.) to stay with all the comforts.
When is the best time to cycle around Mallorca?
Thanks to Mallorca’s good weather, any time of year is a good time to cycle around the island.
Even so, the best seasons for outdoor sports are spring and autumn, as temperatures are milder than in summer and there is less chance of rain.
Cycling events in Mallorca
The months of February, March and April are the most popular months for cycling in Mallorca, and in April we have in Mallorca one of the cycling events that is beginning to establish itself each year as a long-distance race, the Mallorca 312.
Mallorca 312
The 14th edition of the cycling race ‘Mallorca 312‘ will take place on the 29th of April 2023, which will place Mallorca, as every year, at the centre of international cycling with the celebration of this mythical cycling race on the island, which welcomes thousands of participants every year.
As in previous editions, the race will offer participants three routes: 312km, 225km and 167km running around the island, although the queen route is the 312km route, hence its name.
They are hard races because of their heights and slopes, but for that there are 3 different races, so that everyone can choose the one that best suits their physical characteristics.
Mallorca 312 is a very international race, with the presence of national and international cyclists:
- 32% from Spain
- 26% from UK
- 13% from Germany
- 4% from Ireland
- 2% from Belgium
- 13% others
It is an excellent opportunity for people who want to get to know Mallorca and its surroundings, combining outdoor sports with tourism.
This cycling race is special not only because of its long distance but also because of the route through the most beautiful Mallorcan landscapes of the island:
- The Serra de Tramuntana, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- North of Mallorca, also known for its beaches, natural parks and tradition.
De-seasonalisation of the island
With Mallorca 312, Mallorca once again proves that it has activities to highlight outside the summer calendar, demonstrating the deseasonalisation of tourism, which is becoming more and more evident every year, and that it has a tourism model based on sustainable competitiveness.
As we say here on the island, Mallorca is not only beaches and coves, but also has areas of great environmental and scenic value. Thanks to the Mallorca 312, the island is once again in the international spotlight thanks to this cycling event in Mallorca.
Do you want more information about this event?
🎁 Download, free of charge, three infographics with the careers of the different levels that take place at Mallorca 312. Enjoy them!
The best Mallorcan cycling routes
The island offers us a wide range of options, with many routes and different levels of difficulty. Whether you are an amateur or an expert cyclist, you will want to experience the sensation of cycling these incredible routes around Mallorca.
🎁 If you dare to discover the island on two wheels, we have another gift for you: a map with the best cycling routes in Mallorca so that you can choose the one that best suits your preferences and needs.
You can download it and enlarge it at maximum quality from any device, so if you want to consult it at any time during your trip, you can do so from your mobile phone without any problem.
So you have no excuse for not making the most of these stunning Mallorca cycling routes.
Download the map of cycling routes in Mallorca
Information about the map of cycling routes in Mallorca
Mallorca has more than 450 km of signposted roads for cycle touring, with ten specific routes that are complemented by other circular routes.
In the map we have prepared for you, we emphasise what we consider to be the best ones, covering different areas, distances and levels of difficulty.
Specifically, what information will you find on the Yo soy Mallorca cycling and cycle touring routes map?
- The ten best routes to discover and enjoy Mallorca by bike.
- The areas covered by each of the routes, as well as the main cultural and natural attractions that you will find and be able to visit along the way.
- The total distance in kilometres, with routes ranging from 8 km for beginners to 105 km for more experienced cyclists and the estimated time to complete the tour.
- An outline of the gradient and difficulty of the route.
Recommendations for cycling in Mallorca
Cycling in Mallorca is a practice that should be safe in order to run as little risk as possible and to avoid putting other road users and the environment at risk. Here are some very important guidelines that you should follow:
- The roads described are not for the exclusive use of cyclists.
- For your own safety, always wear a helmet
- Respect the cycling rules in Mallorca, and the rest of the general regulations
- Respect flora and fauna on the roads
- Free camping is not allowed
- Do not litter and dispose of your rubbish in the bins.
- It is forbidden to build fires. A badly extinguished cigarette butt can cause a fire
- The emergency telephone number is 112
Don’t hesitate! If you like outdoor sports… download it, take it with you and enjoy your cycling holidays. We are waiting for you!
