Sunday, May 11, 2025
Spain’s Majorca is set to face an extraordinary level of traffic congestion this summer, driven by an influx of tourists and a dramatic rise in car ownership. The island, already grappling with overcrowded roads, is expected to see its busiest season yet, as tourism continues to soar. Palma, the island’s capital, is particularly vulnerable, with key access routes like the Via de Cintura ring road experiencing record-breaking traffic volumes. Adding to the problem, more residents are moving to surrounding municipalities due to skyrocketing property prices in Palma, further contributing to the growing number of vehicles on the road. With these factors in play, Majorca is facing an unprecedented traffic challenge this summer.
Majorca’s traffic congestion has reached critical levels, and experts predict that the summer of 2025 will set new records for road blockages on the island. The growing problem has become especially evident around Palma, the capital city, where access roads, including the Via de Cintura (Ma-20) ring road, are often choked with vehicles. According to local authorities, the situation is poised to worsen due to a combination of factors, including the record-breaking influx of tourists and rising numbers of residents and cars.
In 2024, Majorca saw an unprecedented surge in tourism. Palma de Mallorca Airport recorded over 33 million passengers, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year. As tourism is expected to grow even further in 2025, authorities predict a severe strain on the island’s infrastructure. This increase in tourism, while beneficial to the local economy, has also brought with it significant challenges, with traffic jams being one of the most pressing issues.
The Via de Cintura, a vital road linking Palma to other parts of the island, is particularly affected. Data from a Council of Mallorca study shows that in 2023, a section near the Son Hugo sports centre experienced an alarming peak of 183,317 vehicles per day. This staggering number underscores the growing pressure on the island’s road network. The police have expressed concerns that the summer of 2025 could see even higher volumes, with congestion becoming more severe, particularly during peak tourist seasons.
As the island’s roadways become more gridlocked, the number of traffic accidents has also risen. Most incidents are relatively minor, such as rear-end collisions that cause only minor damage, but they still contribute to the overall congestion. These accidents further delay traffic flow, causing more frustration for commuters and visitors alike. The increasing frequency of such events suggests that the situation is becoming harder to manage, with authorities struggling to mitigate the impact on daily travel.
A significant factor exacerbating the traffic problem is the sheer number of private vehicles on the island. Majorca is no longer just a destination for vacationers; it is increasingly becoming home to families who own multiple cars. A study by the Balearic Statistics Institute revealed that in 2023, there were 837,240 vehicles registered on the island, with 584,042 of those being cars. This surge in private car ownership has placed enormous pressure on the infrastructure, which was never designed to accommodate such a volume of vehicles.
The growing trend of residents relocating from Palma to surrounding municipalities, such as Llucmajor, Marratxi, and Santa Maria, is another factor contributing to the worsening traffic situation. With property prices in Palma soaring, many locals have been forced to move to more affordable areas, but they still rely on their cars to commute to the capital for work, shopping, and other daily activities. This relocation has added to the overall vehicle count, with many of these new residents contributing to the daily traffic grind as they make their way into Palma for work or leisure.
Furthermore, the increasing number of foreign property owners in Majorca, coupled with a rise in car hire operations, has added more vehicles to the roads. Majorca’s popularity as a vacation home destination for international buyers means that more cars are being brought onto the island. With many tourists opting for car rentals during their stay, the problem of overcrowded roads is only expected to worsen. The combination of local residents, international property owners, and tourists relying on cars has created a perfect storm for the island’s road network.
While the local government has made efforts to address the issue, including attempts to improve public transportation and introduce measures to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, these solutions have yet to make a significant dent in the congestion. The rise in tourism, coupled with the increased number of residents and their vehicles, has made it difficult for the island’s infrastructure to keep up with demand.
For now, it seems inevitable that Majorca will face another summer of severe congestion. Authorities are urging visitors to plan their travel times carefully and to consider alternative forms of transportation, such as buses or taxis, to ease the pressure on the roads. Locals, too, are being encouraged to explore options such as carpooling or using public transport to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road. However, with the continuing growth of tourism and the island’s increasing popularity as a residential destination, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to mitigate the problem in the long term.
Spain’s Majorca is bracing for severe traffic congestion this summer as rising tourism and a surge in car ownership overwhelm the island’s roads. Palma, in particular, is expected to face record-breaking traffic levels, further exacerbated by more residents relocating to nearby municipalities.
As Majorca continues to grapple with the challenges posed by rapid population growth and an influx of visitors, residents and tourists alike are left to navigate the worsening traffic congestion. Whether the island can find a sustainable solution to its traffic woes remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: without significant changes to the island’s infrastructure and transportation policies, the summer of 2025 may well mark a new record for Majorca’s notorious traffic jams.
