British drivers and expats face ‘nightmare’ in popular Spanish tourist hotspot with new car ban rules
British tourists heading to the popular Spanish hotspot will face new driving restrictions as authorities ban rental cars from the town centre.
The scenic Majorcan town of Soller nestled in the north east of the island, will now only allow vehicles registered to residents to drive within designated zones.
The move comes as Spanish tourist destinations grapple with increasing visitor numbers, with Majorca alone welcoming more than three million British tourists last year.
Visitors hoping to explore the idyllic seaside town will need to park on the outskirts and walk or use public transport to access the centre.
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The new restrictions mean tourists arriving by hire car must park outside the town’s central zones, which are now exclusively reserved for resident-registered vehicles.
Speaking to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, one frequent visitor said: “Providing that there is parking I don’t think that there will be a problem, but if there is no parking then it could be a nightmare.”
Local authorities are already planning new car parks to accommodate the expected demand from visitors.
Those who wish to avoid parking concerns can take advantage of direct public transport services from Palma, including regular train connections to Soller.
Car hire firms have pushed back against suggestions that tourists are causing traffic problems on the island.
Julio Nieto, an area manager for Record Go car hire firm, told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: “We know what the roads are like right now on the islands, especially in Mallorca.
“If there are traffic jams right at the moment, these are not because of the car-hire firms. They are because we have roads that are not adequate.”
A new survey by the Council of Mallorca has revealed that residents, not tourists, are the main source of traffic congestion on the island.
The study found that 81 per cent of journeys on local roads are made by locals, with roads remaining congested even during the winter months when tourist numbers drop.
OK Mobility CEO Othman Ktiri also defended the industry, stating: “You can’t reduce the number of hire cars if you don’t increase public transport.
“Anything that involves limiting the offer once the tourist has arrived in the destination would lead to greater chaos.”
For those looking to get into Soller, they can use the tram service between the town centre and port, with stops along the beaches.
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Additional bus services run across Majorca, with increased frequency during the summer season.
These measures come amid growing concerns about over-tourism, with recent years seeing large demonstrations in Majorca and other parts of Spain.
The protests have focused on environmental concerns and pressure on local housing availability from holiday lets.