Spain, Europe

Mallorca in January

Palma is open and cheap; most beach resorts are closed. The Sant Antoni bonfires (January 16 to 17) are the island's great winter festival.

Quiet valueMild, highs near 60F (15C), cool nights

The harbor at Cala Figuera, Mallorca — MallorcaPhoto: pjt56 ---, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Mallorca. Palma is open and cheap; most beach resorts are closed. The Sant Antoni bonfires (January 16 to 17) are the island's great winter festival.

Weather: Mild, highs near 60F (15C), cool nights
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What January is like in Mallorca

January in Mallorca is mild, with highs near 60F (15C) and cool nights. Palma, Soller, and the bigger inland towns are open and cheap, but most beach resorts are closed for the winter. The sea is too cold for swimming, so think city walks, mountain villages, and long lunches. Mid month, the Sant Antoni bonfires light up towns across the island.

This month suits couples, walkers, and anyone after a cheap, quiet city break in Palma with a festival thrown in. It is the wrong month for a beach holiday or a family resort stay, since those hotels are shut. For warm water and open resorts, look at June or September instead.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Mallorca this month.

Sant Antoni bonfires

On January 16 to 17, towns across the island light bonfires, dancing devils fill the streets, and animals are blessed. Sa Pobla and Manacor are the most famous.

Palma in the low season

The cathedral, the old town, and Bellver Castle are easy to enjoy without cruise groups. Hotel rates are at their lowest.

Quiet mountain villages

Valldemossa and Deia are calm and local. Visit on a sunny day for clear views over the Tramuntana.

What to pack for January

A warm jacket for cool evenings
Layers for mild days
Comfortable walking shoes
A light rain jacket

Our timing tip

Plan your trip around January 16 to 17 for Sant Antoni, and base yourself in Palma, where hotels and restaurants stay open.

Book Mallorca for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Mallorca
Opens a hotel search for Mallorca in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Mallorca
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Mallorca
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Mallorca for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

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.

Things to do in Mallorca

Full guide

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

Mondrago Natural Park

Protected coves with clear water and pine woods in the southeast. Arrive before 10am in summer.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Know before you go

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.

Mallorca in January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Mallorca?

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Mallorca. Palma is open and cheap; most beach resorts are closed. The Sant Antoni bonfires (January 16 to 17) are the island's great winter festival.

What is the weather like in Mallorca in January?

Mild, highs near 60F (15C), cool nights.

Is Mallorca crowded in January?

January is one of the quieter months in Mallorca; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Mallorca in January?

Sant Antoni (january 16 to 17 every year).