Car hire
Car hire in Spain: Costa del Sol, Mallorca and the Canary Islands
White villages in the mountains, coast roads with views of Africa and volcanic landscapes on Tenerife. Here are the routes, rules and airports for a driving holiday in Spain.
Plenty of people know Spain from the hotel pool, but the country opens up once you have a car. From Málaga it is a short drive into the white villages in the hills, Mallorca has the Serra de Tramuntana with its mountain towns and steep coast roads, and on Tenerife you can drive from the beach into a lunar landscape in a single morning.
Car hire in Spain is easy to find at every major airport, and the motorways are good. The tricky part is the old town centres, where the streets are narrow and parking is tight. That is why we recommend a small or mid-size car, and parking on the edge of the centre.
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How to choose the right hire car in Spain
A small car for Mallorca, the white villages and the old towns, where the streets are narrow.
A mid-size car for long motorway drives and families with luggage.
Automatics are available, but book early in high season.
Collect the car at the airport, where the choice is widest and the opening hours longest.
The Costa del Sol and Andalusia
From Málaga the coast road runs west towards Marbella and Estepona, while inland Ronda sits on the edge of a gorge and the white villages (pueblos blancos) cling to the hills. By car, Seville, Córdoba and Granada are all within reach. For somewhere good to stay in the cities along the way, see our best hotels in Seville and Málaga.
Collect your car in Málaga
Málaga has the biggest airport on the Costa del Sol, with plenty of rental desks and motorway in both directions along the coast.
Car hire: See car hire in Málaga
Collect your car in Seville
Seville suits a trip into the heart of Andalusia, with Córdoba and Cádiz within reach.
Car hire: See car hire in Seville
Marbella Club Hotel
Gardens and beach west of Marbella town.
Where to stay on the Costa del Sol: Marbella Club Hotel
A classic beach hotel with lush gardens, and a good base for drives up to Ronda and the white villages.
Book your stay: See rooms at Marbella Club Hotel
Mallorca
On Mallorca a car is the key to the island beyond the resorts. The Serra de Tramuntana in the north-west has mountain towns such as Valldemossa, Deià and Sóller, and the road over the mountains is as beautiful as it is winding. In spring and autumn you share it with lots of cyclists, so take it easy.
Collect your car in Palma
On Mallorca you will almost always collect your hire car at Palma airport, and from there the whole island is close by.
Car hire: See car hire in Mallorca
The Canary Islands: Tenerife and Gran Canaria
On Tenerife you can drive from the coast up into the national park around Mount Teide, through lava fields and pine forest. On Gran Canaria the roads climb from the dunes in the south to the mountains in the middle of the island. Both islands have plenty of winding mountain roads, so allow plenty of time. See also our best hotels in Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Collect your car on Tenerife
Tenerife has two airports. Tenerife South is closest to the resorts, Tenerife North to Santa Cruz and La Laguna. From the Abama area on the west coast it is a short drive up towards Teide.
Car hire: See car hire in Tenerife
The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama
A seafront hotel on the west coast of Tenerife.
Where to stay on Tenerife: The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama
A large resort above the sea, with pools, palm trees and its own beach. Good to come back to after a day in the mountains.
Book your stay: See rooms at Abama
Collect your car on Gran Canaria
Collect the car at the airport or in Las Palmas, then head for the mountains in the middle of the island or down to the dunes in the south.
Car hire: See car hire in Gran Canaria
Santa Catalina
A historic hotel in Las Palmas.
Where to stay on Gran Canaria: Santa Catalina
A historic hotel in a park in Las Palmas, for anyone who wants city, beach and mountains in one trip.
Book your stay: See rooms at Santa Catalina
Barcelona, the Costa Blanca and the Basque Country
From Barcelona you can drive north along the Costa Brava, from Alicante into the hill towns behind the Costa Blanca, and from Bilbao west along the green northern coast. In Barcelona itself a car is more trouble than it is worth, so collect it when you leave the city.
Collect your car in Barcelona
Good for the Costa Brava, Girona and Montserrat.
Car hire: See car hire in Barcelona
Collect your car in Alicante
Good for the Costa Blanca and the hill towns inland.
Car hire: See car hire in Alicante
Collect your car in Bilbao
Good for the Basque Country, San Sebastián and the northern coast.
Car hire: See car hire in Bilbao
What you need to know about driving in Spain
Tolls: Motorways marked AP (autopista) may be tolled, while roads marked A (autovía) are usually free.
Low emission zones: Several large Spanish cities restrict traffic in the centre. Check the rules for the city you are visiting, or park outside.
Parking: Blue zones (zona azul) are paid, time-limited parking. Car parks are often easiest in town centres.
Driving licence: Check the current rules for your licence before you travel, and bring your passport and a credit card in the driver's name.
Fuel policy: Read the rental terms. Full to full is usually the best value.
When should you book your hire car?
For Easter, summer and half term: book early, especially for Mallorca and the Canary Islands.
In winter the Canary Islands are in high season, while the mainland is quieter.
Compare pick-up points and opening hours if you land late.
Frequently asked questions about car hire in Spain
Do I need a hire car in Spain?
If you are staying in a resort and plan to stay put, you can manage without. If you want to see the white villages, the mountains of Mallorca or Mount Teide on Tenerife, a hire car gives you far more freedom, because buses outside the towns are infrequent.
Where is the best place to hire a car in Spain?
The airports at Málaga, Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria have the widest choice. From there you are quickly on the motorway and avoid driving in town centres.
Are there tolls in Spain?
Some motorways marked AP are tolled, while roads marked A are usually free. Many routes have both a toll road and a free road running alongside.
Is it easy to drive in Mallorca?
Yes, the main roads are good. The mountain roads in the Serra de Tramuntana are narrow and winding, and in spring and autumn there are lots of cyclists. Drive calmly and park outside the centre in the small mountain towns.
What car should I hire in Spain?
A small car is easiest in old towns and on mountain roads, while a mid-size car is more comfortable for long motorway drives and families with luggage. Book early if you need an automatic in high season.