The town of Soller in Mallorca has emerged as the most visited destination in Spain among foreign tourists traveling by car during the 2026 summer season.
According to a study by EasyPark and Arrive, the number of foreign drivers parking in Soller was nearly four times higher than the town in second place. Marbella, in Malaga, ranked second, followed by Campos in Mallorca and Sant Feliu de Guíxols in Girona.
German Tourists Lead the Self-Drive Crowd
German tourists made up the largest group of foreign visitors exploring Spain by car, with more than 24,000 German drivers recorded in the data. France ranked second, followed by Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, reported Wednesday, September 16, 2026, domestic Spanish travelers showed a different pattern compared to foreign tourists, gravitating more toward major cities and inland destinations. Madrid topped the list for domestic drivers, recording roughly three times more users than second-place A Coruña.
Marbella stood out as a destination popular among both foreign and domestic travelers alike. Segovia also made the list of popular destinations, showing that inland destinations continue to draw strong interest.
Too Much Traffic? Soller’s Growing Pains
The high volume of vehicles has become a genuine challenge for Soller. Local authorities have revised the town’s traffic system, though the policy has drawn criticism from opposition figures and residents alike.
Josep Porcel, the council member overseeing mobility, pushed back against claims that the changes have worsened congestion. According to him, the new road design actually provides an additional exit route for vehicles.
“This change has provided an alternative exit route for cars that previously had to use C. Cetre, meaning the total volume of vehicles on that road is likely decreasing rather than increasing,” Porcel said.
Porcel noted that this particular road had recorded up to 75,000 vehicles per day during summer in 2024 and 2025. “That happened when the old traffic management system was still in place,” he said.
The Low Emission Zone Behind the Changes
These traffic changes are tied to the implementation of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Local authorities have restricted vehicle access to Soller’s town center and expanded dedicated resident parking from just six spaces previously to more than 1,000 spaces now.
What This Means for Travelers Planning a Mallorca Road Trip
If Soller is on your Mallorca itinerary this summer, it’s worth planning around the town’s new traffic restrictions and Low Emission Zone rules before driving in, since access to the town center has become more limited than in previous years. Given how popular the route has become, especially among German and French tourists, booking accommodation or parking in advance, and expecting some congestion during peak summer months, is a smart move regardless of which side of the traffic debate turns out to be right.
