The Traveller's Magazine
When’s the best time to hit the beach? September and October of course, when the tourist crowds have all gone back to work and school. Mallorca in the off-season is heaven; it’s a secluded paradise and you’ll have the beaches all to yourself.
As the largest Balearic Island, it certainly attracts many in the summer months to its family beach resorts. Once back-to-school time hits though, the island empties out, making it the ideal place to catch some late-summer sun at discount prices. While you could stick to the main beaches, there are so many quiet coves and mountain passes to discover.
Mallorca in fall
Mallorca is ideal in the fall if you’re looking for an active holiday. July and August are too hot to do much more than swim and sip cold drinks under a beach umbrella. October and onwards however, are perfect for morning swims at the beach and afternoon hikes up to the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain range on the western side of island.
Mallorca in winter
While the beach may be too cold by Spanish standards, there’s no stopping anyone interested in a chilly dip! Mallorca is gorgeous in winter, especially January and February when the island’s four million almond trees bloom. Think Sakura Festival in Japan coming to the Balearics. It’s a gorgeous sight to see. Accommodation and flights are cheapest at this time. The sun shines all winter long, making it perfect for trekking, mountain biking and exploring the towns, wineries and olive mills in the countryside. Why not visit a farm and learn to make sobrasada, the famous Mallorcan sausage.
Getting around
Do yourself a favour and hire a car in Mallorca. In the off-season they’re even cheaper than usual and are essential if you want to get around the island easily and explore the more rural parts. Don’t forget any extras like a bike rack if you plan to rent bicycles during your trip and take to the mountains with them.
Flights to MallorcaDon’t forget to brush up on your sand castle building skills before you go!
I agree with you Katie. At the moment its fantastic being on the island, beaches are nice & quiet and the nights are also getting a bit cooler, making it more pleasant to sleep.
Towards October it will be great to do some hiking & cycling in the mountains and stop by in a village in a nice local restaurant and have a good “Pa amb oli” or Paella… There are some great walks and restaurants around the village Fornalutx for instance, check out Es Turet if you are there. Great views over the valley and fantastic food, nothing fancy, but good traditional food. I had my best “Tumbet” there…
Or the vineyards as you mention, such as Macia Batle… They make some very good award winning wines.
We just need a bit more flights during November-February so that more people can come over and enjoy the beauty of the cooler months without spending a fortune on their flights. Since what I hear from different people is that not enough flight capacity is available at the moment, so prices still tend to be somewhat expensive, and then there are other destinations that might seem more appealing to a lot of travelers during the winter months…
Cheers
Henrik