Turquoise coves, whitewashed villages, mountains above the sea and an enviable climate: the Balearic Islands are a dream destination, and travelling them by motorhome is possible, though with a few particularities. The key is weighing up the ferry crossing and knowing the overnight parking rules well, which are fairly strict on the islands. Here's what you need to know.
How to bring your motorhome
You reach the islands by ferry from the mainland (Barcelona, Valencia, Dénia) to Mallorca, Menorca or Ibiza. The cost and time of the crossing make it more worthwhile for stays of at least one or two weeks. You can also fly and hire a vehicle on the islands.
Which islands to explore
- Mallorca: the most complete, with the Serra de Tramuntana (a World Heritage Site), coves in the south and east, Palma and villages such as Valldemossa or Deià.
- Menorca: the quietest and most unspoilt, with the Camí de Cavalls running around the island and paradise-like coves.
- Ibiza and Formentera: spectacular coves and atmosphere; Formentera, with its Caribbean-like beaches, is a gem.
You can island-hop using the inter-island ferries.
Overnight parking: get well informed
This is the delicate point. Overnight parking for motorhomes is fairly regulated in the Balearics, with strict rules in many municipalities and a shortage of designated areas. You need to find out carefully where you can legally park overnight and prioritise campsites and designated areas. [Note: regulations vary by island and municipality.] Overnight areas can help.
Energy: the sun, your ally
With almost guaranteed sunshine, a solar setup gives you plenty of autonomy in the Balearics, especially useful given the shortage of designated areas. We cover this in solar panels.
In summary
The Balearics offer dreamy coves and an enviable climate for motorhome travel, ideal for longer stays that justify the ferry crossing, with the key precaution of finding out well about overnight parking, which is heavily regulated. The step to take today: if the Balearics tempt you, weigh up whether your trip's length justifies the ferry and locate campsites and legal areas on your chosen island before you go; free overnight parking simply isn't an option there. Combine it with the best beaches.
