Cathedral of the capital, Palma.
That Mallorca is one of the Spanish islands where tourism has grown the most is a fact. It is easy for hotel occupancy to reach 100% each season, as it is also that more and more people want to come (I live here 🙂) and walk the streets, spend a whole day on any of the beaches or, simply, do a little sightseeing in the villages.
But surely you wonder when it is better to go to Mallorca; Not in vain, as it enjoys a rather mild Mediterranean climate, it is one of the places in the country that can be enjoyed the most at any time of the year. So If you are not sure on which dates to book your tickets, take note of the advice that I offer you below.
Brief history of Mallorca
Poblat dels Antigors, in Ses Salines // Image - Wikimedia / Olaf Tausch
Before you go somewhere you've never been, aren't you interested in learning about its history? The truth is one of the things I do before traveling. I love it, because it allows me to better understand the society of that place as well as its culture. In the case of Mallorca, this is an island that it was stepped on for the first time around 7000 BC. C. These early humans built what are now known as talaiots, which are houses with large, heavy limestone (you need both hands and some strength to hold one).
Today several ancient human settlements are very well preserved, such as the Poblat dels Antigors, which is in the town of Ses Salines (south of the island), ses Païsses which is located in Artà (northeast of the island), or the Capocorb Vell, in Llucmajor (towards the northwest, about 15 minutes from Palma by car).
But of course, being an island, and also located in a strategic point, when the Romans arrived, what we could call the "true history" of Majorca began. At that time the Roman City of Pollentia (today Alcúdia) was founded, and shortly after the conquests began, first of the Byzantine Empire and then of the Islamic world. The Muslims were here for many years, until in 1229 King Jaume I conquered the island, and with this he introduced Christianity, Catalan and a different economic model (with coins and not with food exchanges).
Castell de Bellver // Image - Wikimedia / Lanoel
His son, Jaume II, succeeded him, but it was not easy for him as relations with the Crown of Aragon began to cool. During his reign, the Palma Cathedral, the Bellver castle, or the Almudaina palaces, among others, were built, all of them well preserved and accessible today.
In 1343 Mallorca was invaded by Pedro IV the Ceremonious. The Majorcans left Jaume III in the lurch, who died in the battle of Llucmajor. From then on, the island became part of the Crown of Aragon, and would also end up being the Crown of Castile after the marriage of the Catholic Monarchs. Thus, and after the War of Succession (XNUMXth century) and, above all, after the Nueva Planta decrees, the island would lose its autonomy and its institutions.
From now on, the history of Mallorca and the Mallorcan people runs parallel to that of Spain.
When is it better to visit it?
In spite of everything, the good and the not so good, Mallorca is a very attractive island. There have been many artists who have spent a long time, in some cases years, here, such as the pianist Chopin or the poet George Sand. Today, like yesterday, it continues to be a setting in which many of us are inspired to create something, be it paintings, poems, novels, sculptures ... whatever the heart asks of us.
The weather in Mallorca
The weather, as I said at the beginning, it's rather soft, except in summer when temperatures can easily reach 38ºC (in August / September) on some days. But that's not that it's bad; in fact, it is an invitation to spend free time on the beach or in the pool, or under the shade of one of the innumerable terraces that exist throughout the island. To give you an idea of how good it is, here is the climate chart of the capital:
Image - en.climate-data.org
Also, you should know that there are more than 110 days a year of sunshine, and as the average temperatures are high (14ºC the minimum and 22ºC the maximum), it is undoubtedly a very interesting destination. Oh, and while this is really more of a problem than a highlight, it only rains about 53 days a year on average. All this means that there are more than 2770 hours of light / year.
Best months to visit Mallorca
If you want to enjoy it to the fullest, I definitely recommend these months:
February March
In February (and depending on how winter is being even in January) the almond trees are filled with flowers. They are trees that, although they are not indigenous to the island, have been naturalized for so long. As they do not need to be very cold, before spring arrives they become beautiful.
The temperatures are cool, with an average of 14ºC, but pleasant. It is when sports such as cycling or hiking are most enjoyed. In fact, if you are a bike lover, you can enjoy the Challenge lap (usually between the end of January and the beginning of February), in which the cyclists travel throughout the island.
The good thing about these two months is that there are still few people, so you can visit any place with total peace of mind. That plus removing the fact that a jacket and long pants will be essential to avoid being cold / cool, I'm sure you will have a great time at the Great Carnival that they do in Palma (In the rest of the towns it is also celebrated, but it is not so spectacular), or in the Fira del Ram (which lasts between the end of February and mid-April).
April May
Club Nàutic de Sa Ràpita, Mallorca. // Image - Wikimedia / ??????? ??????????
These two months I like to call them "the respite of Mallorca". When it comes to the weather, it's when it's best. The average temperature is 15-17ºC, with maximums that reach and even exceed 20ºC. At night you still need a long sleeve, but nothing heavy. A not too thick cardigan is fine.
April is a religious month, since Holy Week is celebrated, which if you are a believer I advise you more to visit the one in Palma, and not so much that of the towns. These days in bakeries and patisseries you will see that empanadas are sold (or bakeries) of Easter, which are filled with lamb meat.
But if after eating a little you feel like going out to party, You can take advantage of and visit the opening parties held by the beach clubs, or the La Palma International Boat Show. On May 1, however, you have to mark it on your calendar since the Fira de Maig is held in Ses Salines, which is one of the most important, which welcomes a large number of people eager to spend an unforgettable day or buy a souvenir at any of the stalls there.
June July
Caves of Drach // Image - Wikimedia / Lolagt
With June we enter what has been the favorite season of the year for Mallorca and its tourists for… I would say forever. The Mallorcan summer is synonymous with the beach, clubs, terraces, refreshing drinks and fresh food. The average temperature is around 18-20ºCTherefore, short-sleeved shirts, dresses, skirts or shorts are pieces of clothing that must be kept within easy reach in the closet.
In these months, and more in June than July, I recommend walk the streets of the city or the towns, go to the Caves of Drach (in Porto Cristo) or that from Colonia de Sant Jordi (south of the island) you pay for an excursion to neighboring Cabrera.
And don't worry about the rain, it never usually rains in summer 😉. Although ... if you go to a town on the coast, take an anti-mosquito product, be it a bracelet or a cream, as there are often.
August September
In summer, the average temperature is about 23-25ºC. Is hot. In August it is normal that 30ºC is reached and that it is exceeded several days in a row, and that at night the temperature does not drop more than 20ºC. You will not see rain either, except perhaps towards the end of August.
Around these dates is when discos and clubs take advantage and celebrate many parties. There are also many towns that celebrate their days in style, such as in Llubí (those of Sant Feliu, on August 1), in Banyalbufar (and its Banyalbujazz, between July and August), or the patron saint festivities of Santa Eugenia (the 6th August).
The occupation of the island is high, in some points too much, so I only recommend you come on these dates if you are passionate about summer parties or beaches, or water sports such as surfing 😉.
October November
In October many of us say that we have a »second spring». The temperatures are again pleasant -and not extreme-, with an average of about 17ºC. It can still get quite hot at times, but little by little the weather returns to normal. The arrival of the rains, for me, is the marker that ends the high season (the reality is that this marker is set, how could it be otherwise, the General Directorate of Tourism of the Government of the Balearic Islands, but go, that both usually coincide).
Being the most benevolent weather, people cheer up with the parties. The first half of October are celebrated those of Llucmajor, as they have been doing since 1546; Also around these dates the Saladina Art Fest is held in Can Picafort, which brings together local and international artists who leave their mark on the walls of this town.
The number of visitors is beginning to decrease considerably, causing tranquility to re-establish itself on the island.
December January
Serra de Tramuntana // Image - Wikimedia / Antoni sureda
And so, in the blink of an eye, we reached December-January. Although they are winter months, Majorcan winter is mild and pleasant. The average temperature is around 10-15ºC, with maximums of up to 20ºC and minimum of 4ºC (which can drop below 0 degrees, reaching -4ºC for a short time in January / early February in some areas).
In these weeks you can practice various activities, like cycling or even hiking and enjoying the Sierra de Tramuntana nevada. Coats, raincoats and / or umbrellas are essential, as it is normal for it to rain or for at least a few drops to fall, especially in the north-northwest area of the island.
As you see, any month is perfect to visit Mallorca. Depending on what you want to do or see, choosing one will not be difficult. The weather is not really an obstacle as it would be if you wanted to go to London for example, so you are sure to have a great time 😉. But if you want my honest opinion, living here all year round, read on.
When to travel to Mallorca? My opinion
Esporles, a town in Mallorca. // Image - Wikimedia / Rosa-Maria Rinkl
This is a beautiful island, which offers entertainment for the whole family. Throughout the year the towns celebrate their festivals, and when not, you can always visit the Old Quarter of the city and the towns, or practice sports. Then, stop to taste homemade food in any of the many restaurants, such as Es Cruce de Manacor, or Verico in Port d'Andratx, or Bar Estarellas de Ses Salines (which despite the name, since 2019 is a restaurant proper ) it's a delight.
But what they say about the island is true. Namely, In summer there are many areas that, apart from being very saturated, have a very bad image, not because those towns want to, but because it is given by some people who are only going to get drunk and little else. The latter is a very serious problem, which the regional government is already trying to put an end to. One of the measures was the ecotax, or increasing the number of troops (police) in those towns to guarantee safety and respect for residents and visitors.
Therefore, I insist, if you do not want problems, if what you want is to spend an unforgettable vacation, I recommend that you come in spring, autumn or winter. In summer you can also enjoy, but more in the southern and eastern towns, or in the north but in the Sierra de Tramuntana and its surroundings.
All in all, I can only wish you a very happy trip 🙂.