Spain, Europe
The best time to visit Mallorca
A big, varied island whose summer crush and winter hibernation make the shoulder months the clear winner.
- Best months
- May to Jun and Sep to Oct
- Think twice
- Aug
- Quietest
- January
- Cheapest
- January
The straight answer
The best time to visit Mallorca is May through June or September through mid October: warm sea, open coves and villages, and comfortable hiking in the Tramuntana, without the heat, traffic, and peak prices of July and August.
Go in May and June, or September into mid October. Those months give you beach weather in the upper 70s to low 80s F (about 25 to 28C), a sea that is swimmable from June and warmest in September, and roads and coves that are busy but not jammed. They are also the months when walking the Serra de Tramuntana is still pleasant rather than punishing.
July and August are Mallorca at its most crowded. Highs sit in the upper 80s F (about 31C), Palma airport is one of Spain's busiest in summer, popular calas fill by 10am, and prices peak. Resident frustration with overtourism has grown into public protests in recent summers, and the island has tightened rules on holiday rentals and some party-resort behavior. It is still beautiful, but it is not relaxed.
Winter is a split decision. Palma is a real city and runs year-round, with its cathedral, markets, and restaurants open and hotel rates low. But many beach resorts, from Alcudia to Cala d'Or, largely close from about November to March, and the sea is too cold for most swimmers. Late January and February add the almond blossom, and cyclists arrive in force from February for the Tramuntana climbs. Month by month below.
Mallorca, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryQuiet valueMild, highs near 60F (15C), cool nightsPalma is open and cheap; most beach resorts are closed. The Sant Antoni bonfires (January 16 to 17) are the island's great winter festival.CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryQuiet valueMild, highs near 61F (16C), almond blossomThe almond trees bloom white and pink across the interior, usually from late January into February. Cyclists begin arriving for training camps.CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchGoodPleasant, highs near 64F (18C), some rainExcellent hiking and cycling weather, green countryside, and few tourists. Beach resorts start reopening late in the month.Hotels for March →CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilGoodWarm, highs near 68F (20C), sea still coldEaster processions in Palma are a highlight. Resorts reopen through the month; great walking weather in the mountains.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayBestWarm and sunny, highs near 74F (23C)Everything open, long days, and calas that still have room. The sea is brisk until late in the month.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneBestHot, highs near 82F (28C), swimmable seaFull beach season before the peak. The Nit de Sant Joan on June 23 brings beach bonfires and fireworks.Hotels for June →CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyTradeoffsHot and dry, highs near 88F (31C)Peak season: packed calas, heavy traffic on mountain roads, and top prices. Evenings in the old towns are the best part.CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustThink twiceHot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), warm nightsThe busiest, most expensive month, with Spanish holidaymakers joining the Northern European crowds. Late-summer storms can hit at month's end.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberBestWarm, highs near 83F (28C), sea at its warmestThe warmest sea of the year and the crowds easing after the first week. Wine harvest festivals in Binissalem later in the month.Hotels for September →CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberBestMild, highs near 76F (24C), first autumn stormsFirst half is superb for beaches and hikes. Resorts start closing later in the month, and heavy rain can arrive in short bursts.Hotels for October →CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberQuiet valueCool, highs near 67F (20C), rainierResorts closed, Palma and the mountain villages quiet. Good for walking, food markets, and city breaks.CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberQuiet valueCool, highs near 62F (17C), some rainPalma's Christmas lights and markets, low hotel rates, and mountain walks. Not a beach month.CrowdsPrice
Book Mallorca for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in MallorcaOpens a hotel search for Mallorca in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in MallorcaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in MallorcaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Mallorca for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Mallorca
The Serra de Tramuntana
A UNESCO-listed mountain range running along the northwest coast, with stone-terraced villages like Deia, Valldemossa, and Fornalutx, and some of the best walking in the Mediterranean.
Hundreds of coves
From the pine-fringed calas of the southeast to the long beaches of Alcudia, the coastline is far more varied than the island's party-resort image suggests.
Palma, a real city
A Gothic cathedral rising over the sea, a medieval old town, excellent markets, and a restaurant scene that holds its own against mainland Spain.
Road cycling mecca
The climbs of the Tramuntana, including Sa Calobra's switchbacks, draw professional teams and amateur riders from February through spring.
Things to do, and when to do them
Palma Cathedral (La Seu)
The Gothic cathedral on the waterfront, with an interior touched by Gaudi. Go at opening or late afternoon to avoid cruise groups.
Soller train and tram
A wooden train running since 1912 from Palma through the mountains to Soller, then a tram down to the port. Book ahead in summer, and check for winter maintenance closures.
Valldemossa and Deia
Two stone villages in the Tramuntana, the first famous for Chopin's winter stay, the second for the writers and artists who settled there. Visit early before coaches arrive.
Cap de Formentor
The island's dramatic northern tip. In peak summer private cars are restricted on the final stretch; check before you go and consider the bus.
Hiking the GR 221
The Dry Stone Route traverses the Tramuntana with mountain refuges along the way. Best from February through May and in October and November.
Mondrago Natural Park
Protected coves with clear water and pine woods in the southeast. Arrive before 10am in summer.
Bellver Castle
A rare circular Gothic castle on a hill above Palma, with the best view of the city and bay.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Sant Antoni
January 16 to 17 every year
Bonfires, dancing devils, and blessing of animals in towns across the island, with Sa Pobla and Manacor the most famous.
Easter processions in Palma
March or April, following the Easter date
Holy Thursday and Good Friday processions through the old town rank among the most striking in the Balearics.
Es Firo, Soller
Around the second weekend of May
A mock battle reenacting a 16th-century fight against pirates, with townspeople dressed as Moors and Christians.
Nit de Sant Joan
June 23 every year
Midsummer eve, celebrated with bonfires, concerts, and beach parties, especially in Palma.
Festa des Vermar, Binissalem
Late September
The island's main wine harvest festival, including a grape fight, in the heart of Mallorca's wine region.
Beat the crowds
- Visit the most famous calas, such as Cala Varques or those in Mondrago, before 10am or after 5pm. Midday parking often runs out entirely in July and August.
- Check Palma's cruise schedule and save the cathedral and old town for non-ship days, or early mornings.
- Stay in an inland village, Soller, or a finca instead of the big resorts, for calmer nights and easier access to the mountains.
- Drive the Sa Calobra and Formentor roads early. Tour coaches and cyclists fill them from mid-morning.
Open or closed
- Many hotels and restaurants in beach resort areas close from about November to March. Palma, Soller, and the larger inland towns stay open year-round.
- In summer, access to Cap de Formentor and some protected beaches can be restricted for private vehicles; check current rules before driving.
- Mallorca has tightened rules on holiday rentals and on drinking in some resort zones. Book licensed accommodation.
- Late summer and autumn can bring sudden heavy storms that close roads and beaches for a day.
- Shops in towns often close in the afternoon and on Sundays; resort areas and Palma's center keep longer hours.
With kids in tow
- The north's big bays at Alcudia and Pollenca have long, shallow sandy beaches that are ideal for small children.
- The Soller train and the Caves of Drach, with a short boat ride on an underground lake, are reliable family outings.
- Many family-friendly resorts close in winter, so for school-holiday trips aim for Easter, June, or October half-term.
- For homeschool families, the Tramuntana's dry-stone terraces, Palma's Arab Baths, and the cathedral trace the island's layered Roman, Moorish, and Christian history.
Getting there
- Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is one of Spain's busiest in summer, with flights from across Europe. US travelers typically connect via Madrid, Barcelona, or another European hub; seasonal US nonstops have appeared in some summers.
- Overnight and daytime ferries run from Barcelona and Valencia, and from Ibiza and Menorca within the Balearics.
- A rental car makes exploring easiest, though Palma, Soller, and the main resorts are linked by the TIB bus network.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Mallorca timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Mallorca?
September. The sea is at its warmest, the heat is easing, and crowds fall away after the first week. Late May and June are close behind.
What is the cheapest time to visit Mallorca?
November through February, when Palma hotels are at their cheapest. Many beach resorts are closed, so this suits city, hiking, and cycling trips more than beach holidays.
Is Mallorca too crowded in summer?
July and August are very busy, with packed coves, heavy traffic, and peak prices. Rising local frustration with overtourism has also led to protests. The shoulder months give the same beaches with far more room.
When is the sea warm enough to swim in Mallorca?
From about June to October. The water is warmest in August and September, near 79F (26C).
Is Mallorca worth visiting in winter?
For Palma, hiking, cycling, and almond blossom season, yes. For beach resorts, no, since many close and the water is cold.
When does Mallorca almond blossom?
Usually from late January through February, varying with the weather. The best displays are in the island's interior.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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