Travel to Majorca and sample a mini platter of full-flavoured Spain - the island really is a compact version of its parent country and you will find shopping heaven in Palma, Gothic architecture at Palma's Cathedral (known as Le Seu) and the 14th-century Bellver Castle, lively resorts next to peaceful fishing villages, a fantastic food scene, and, of course, enough beaches and sunshine to keep the most dedicated sun worshipper happy.

Car hire in Majorca is a great idea if you plan to peel off the sunbed and see more of the island than the blue skies above it.

While on holiday in Majorca, car hire offers the freedom to discover an island full of contrasts: shops for the well-heeled consumer and traditional village crafts, mega yachts and functional fishing vessels, magical caves and sweeping sandy beaches, resorts brimming with energy, and sleepier resorts more suited to holidaymakers looking for peace and quiet.

Whether you're dipping into the food scene with tapas in Palma city, drawing breath at the cliffs in the north west, celebrating Chopin in Valldemossa, discovering the mysterious Caves of Drach, touring the inland villages, or simply hopping from one glorious beach to the next, car hire can be a cheaper option than taxis and a much more convenient alternative to public transportation.

Book your car in advance and collect it from Palma Airport (PMI) on arrival. The island is fairly easy to navigate and there are well thought out road networks along the south and north west coasts that are pleasant to drive, as well as being useful for reaching your resort destination.

Getting to your resort is relatively straightforward by car as resorts are dotted along the coastline of the island. So, whether you're heading north, south, east, or west, the road network will serve you well.

The well-known resorts of Palma Nova, Alcudia, Magaluf, Valldemossa, Soller and Puerto Pollensa are well served by buses and taxis, though exploring beyond the boundaries of these areas is made much easier with a car.

Hiring a car is definitely a good idea if you want to see outside resorts such as C'an Picafort and Cala San Vicente in the north of the island, Andratx, Cala Bona, Cala Millor, Sa Coma, Porto Cristo, Porto Colom and Cala d'Or in the east, and Camp de Mar and Playa de Palma in the south.

Finding celebrity haven Deia, a small coastal village surrounded by olive groves in the north, is also easier by car. Novelist Robert Graves was the first literary resident to move here in the 1920s, and he's been followed by great artists ever since.

For culture of the more modern variety, the nightclubs around Palma city are sure to keep the pulse pumping all night long. However, be sure to designate a driver.

Fast facts

The Spanish drive on the right.

Make sure you put the right fuel in your car: unleaded is commonly labelled gasolina sin plomo and diesel is gas-oil or gasóleo.

Parking your hire car is, for the most part, easy, with the exception of Palma city where you should opt for multi-storey car parks or well sign-posted municipal car parks.

It is advised to book your hire car in advance - you should get the best choice and the best price. Booking on arrival at Palma Airport might limit your choices. You will need to show the credit card you booked with when you collect your car.

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