Mallorca in winter

General information

Anyone who thinks that Mallorca is only worth travelling to in summer is mistaken. When the more than 8 million tourists from the summer months are back home, the island may be quiet, but it is all the more relaxed and beautiful. Mallorca turns green in winter and literally blossoms.

Not only the famous almond blossom invites you to take photos, but also the sights can be discovered in peace and quiet and without the hustle and bustle. Long walks on the almost deserted beaches are indescribably relaxing.

Mallorca's metropolis Palma attracts visitors in the winter months with many cultural activities, such as live music and exhibitions of famous painters or tapas tours through the popular old town district "La Lonja". An ideal opportunity for winter tourists to mingle with the locals and experience the real life of Mallorcans away from mass tourism.

Palma is also ideal for Christmas shopping. The city turns into a real bargain paradise. So forget New York and enjoy the festive season on Mallorca.

Here is an overview of why Mallorca is more than worth a visit in winter.

Useful information

Climate / weather / temperatures on Mallorca in winter

Winter in Mallorca tends to be very mild. This makes it particularly suitable for sporting activities. It is not without reason that many professional athletes and sports teams use the island as a boot camp. Temperatures rarely drop below 12 degrees during the day. There is an average of 6 hours of sunshine per day and only a few days of rain per month. So, get out into nature and enjoy the marvellous landscape.

Opening hours on Mallorca in winter

Shop opening hours are largely liberalised, so that there are now also open Sundays in the winter months.

In smaller, non-tourist communities, retailers are free to choose their own opening hours. It is therefore advisable to enquire in advance with the retailer you trust.

By the way: The rules for summer and winter sales have also been relaxed on Mallorca. Discounts can be given at any time and in any amount. Bargain hunting is therefore particularly worthwhile in winter, as retailers have to accept a significant drop in sales compared to the summer months.

Hotels open in Mallorca in winter

A total of around 500 hotels/accommodations are open in Mallorca in the winter months between November and March, most of them in the capital Palma and Playa de Palma. The Ministry of Tourism reports that all hotels in Palma are open during the winter months.

Unfortunately, there is no list of all hotels open in Mallorca in winter, as each hotel can largely decide for itself when and how long it stays open. It is therefore almost impossible to keep this list up to date.

However, thanks to large international holiday rental agencies on the internet, dependence on hotels in Mallorca has fallen dramatically. Even if the winter prices of the hotels are often low, you can often save a few euros on the relevant online portals and at the same time experience the island in a private atmosphere.

For some time now, the Balearic government has been making increased efforts to attract winter tourists in order to equalise the summer months, when the island is bursting at the seams. Negotiations with the hotel associations and airlines are in full swing, but there seems to be no agreement in sight. Good news for anyone who prefers less touristy holiday destinations and times.

10 more or less secret tips for Mallorca in winter

If you've never been to Mallorca before, the best time to get to know the island is in winter. For those who have only experienced Mallorca in summer and for those who are still thinking about where to spend their winter holiday, here are 10 good reasons to visit the beautiful Balearic island:

Tip 1: Sailing in winter

Winter on Mallorca is truly incomparable to winter in Germany. There are more than 20 days of sunshine per month between November and March and with a warm windbreaker, it's wonderful to stay on board a sailing boat or catamaran. The sunsets are sometimes clearer than in summer and it is always quieter, as there is no engine noise from the many boats in summer.

Tip 2: Christmas shopping in Palma

Mallorca's capital city can certainly hold its own with other metropolises such as Barcelona, Munich or Vienna. The Christmas lights in Palma are breathtaking and all the shops are open on the four Sundays before Christmas. In addition to the luxury shopping street "Paseo del Borne", there are small shopping streets in Placa Major with a wide range of products in all price categories. Chain stores have also already discovered Palma for themselves.

Tip 3: Christmas Eve in the cathedral

On 24 December, the ecumenical church service takes place at 15:30 and 17:00 in Palma's landmark. On this day, you will meet many German residents who marvel at the splendidly decorated altar and light a candle. But a visit to La Seu Cathedral on Christmas Eve is also worthwhile for non-believers. The atmosphere really gets everyone in the Christmas spirit. Highly recommended!

Tip 4: New Year's Eve on Mallorca

The turn of the year is celebrated in a special way on Mallorca. The traditional custom at midnight is to eat a bunch of grapes with every stroke of the gong. Not so easy. The best way to celebrate New Year's Eve is in Palma. Start the evening in a Mallorcan restaurant, marvel at the fantastic fireworks on the beach and then experience Palma's nightlife. What more could you want on New Year's Eve?

Tip 5: Places with the most beautiful sunsets in winter

There are certainly many beautiful sunsets on Mallorca. However, not in every place on the island at every time. We reveal the best places at the best times: Es Trenc Arenal d'en Tem, Cala Vella, Es Portixol, Palma Beach from November to March; Cala Oli, Punta Negra, Es Malgrats from December to February; Santa Ponsa Beach November, Paguera Beach December to February; Port d'Andratx November and March.

Tip 6: Long-term rental is often cheaper than a holiday

For those who (want to) holiday on Mallorca several times a year, long-term rentals are worthwhile. Why not "time share" with friends? You can rent a flat in winter for as little as €400 per month. Calculated over 6 months, the costs are €80 per day for a 30-day stay and only €40 if you share the costs with friends. Big advantage: you can choose the location.

Tip 7: Beach holidays with a dog in Mallorca

The best time for a holiday with your dog on Mallorca is undoubtedly winter. At the end of the summer season, when the sunbeds have been cleared away, you will find many dog owners on the beaches. Although not officially authorised, this is tolerated by the authorities. Particularly recommended: the long, Caribbean-like beach "Es Trenc". A real dream beach for dogs and their owners from November to March.

Tip 8: Top tapas restaurant in Palma's old town "La Boveda"

Highly recommended tapas bar for anyone who wants to enjoy typical Mallorcan cuisine in a typical Spanish atmosphere. Here you sit in a relaxed atmosphere with Mallorcans, with whom it is not unusual to strike up a conversation. It is well known that these people are a little louder and more communicative than many other nationalities. Make sure you book in advance!

Tip 9: Mallorca's first public climbing park

Since autumn, there has been a climbing park near Llucmajor in the south-east where young and old can let off steam. A series of climbing walls, climbing equipment, cable cars and 2 courses provide plenty of adventure. Probably the most perfect pastime for children in Mallorca. Tickets cost from €15 and can be purchased online here. Simply follow the menu under "Climbing".

What can you do on Mallorca in winter?

For many active holidaymakers, Mallorca is only really beautiful in winter. The island has so much to offer away from mass tourism in the months from November to March.

On land...

If you love nature, you won't be able to avoid spending a holiday on Mallorca in winter. The island has so much to offer in terms of scenery. The best way to experience the breathtaking play of colours and the smell of the island is by hiking, biking, walking on the beach and the many activities in nature, which are especially fun in winter far away from mass tourism at pleasant temperatures.

Click here for an overview of the best outdoor activities on Mallorca

On the water...

Boat trips are of course rare in winter. Most tourist excursions only take place in summer. Nevertheless, many people don't realise how beautiful sailing trips on Mallorca can be in winter. Just before Christmas, for example, there is the traditional Advent sailing in Andratx on a very small catamaran for a maximum of 20 people. You can also experience wonderful sunsets at sea in the east.

Click here for an overview of the best tours in winter

Parlour games: Paintball

Due to the scenery on Mallorca with its cliffs, rocks and pine forests, this parlour game is always very popular. Paintball is a great game to play in winter when it's not so hot on the island. There are even paintball clubs that regularly organise tournaments. This game is ideal for groups of 10 people or more.

Click here for an overview of the paintball courses

New in Palma: City Room Escape

If you haven't tried it yet, you should do so soon. In many major metropolises around the world, people are in the grip of City Room Escape fever. This trend has now also reached Mallorca. Since this summer, you can play the "Sherlock Holmes game" in Palma. Ideal for groups of 5 to 10 people. But solving the mystery is also great fun for two people.

Click here for the details

Adventure holiday: quad bikes, buggies, horse riding...

Mallorca has plenty of adventure activities to offer, especially in winter. When many of the summer tours go into hibernation, the island really comes to life for adventure fans. There are off-road quad tours, buggy tours, horse riding on the beach or, for the hardy, coasteering / canyoning. If you love adventure, you should definitely put Mallorca on your travel agenda of places to visit in winter.

Here is an overview of all adventure activities

... Mallorca in winter from the air

Even if the adventure "Mallorca from above" is not exactly cheap, this perspective is a memory that will last forever. In winter, the island is wonderfully green and colourful, and the ever-popular almond blossoms are impossible to miss. So why not grab a hot air balloon or helicopter and do something out of the ordinary? This adventure looks fantastic under the Christmas tree or on the birthday present table.

Click here for the adventures of the skies

Culinary Mallorca...

Whether wine tours, tapas tours or Michelin-starred restaurants. Food is almost the most important thing for the Mallorcans. That's why you'll find a tapas bar with typical Mallorcan delicacies on every corner. If you want to be sure of finding the best tapas bar, you should join the specially organised guided tapas tour through Palma. We also recommend the wonderful Christmas markets, especially the quaint one in Puerto Portals.

Click here for the culinary delights in winter

... relaxing Mallorca

In recent years, the island has increasingly developed into a wellness and yoga centre. Many of the old fincas have been lavishly converted into yoga temples and the range of wellness and health treatments on offer has increased rapidly. Reason enough to treat yourself to some time out in winter and recharge your batteries on Mallorca. With or without a personal trainer, the Mediterranean island is the perfect place to do something good for yourself and your body.

Click here for wellness, yoga, Pilates and coaching by the sea

All excursions, tours and leisure activities on Mallorca in winter