A year-round guide to Majorca
Majorca’s magic shines all year round. So, whether you’re dreaming of an adventure-filled autumn or a whimsical winter, a colour-popping spring or a sun-kissed summer, it’s always a good idea to add this Balearic beauty to your holiday wish list.
Spring
Best for outdoor activities
Spring brings longer days, brighter rays and a burst of flower-filled beauty that will sweep you off your feet. If you’re a fan of active adventures, this is the ideal time to visit. It’s perfect walking weather so bring your boots and get ready to soak up the eye-popping scenery. Choose from cliff-clinging coastal paths, view-laden peak rambles and tranquil village strolls. The cloud-clearing Tramuntana Mountains, peppered with hairpin bends, are a haven for those who prefer to spend their holidays whizzing on two wheels. The 15km helter-skelter ride to Sa Calobra and the giddying road to Formentor should both be top of your list too.
Would you prefer to spend your days chipping around a pristine green? Then you’re in luck, as there are more than 20 golf courses to choose from. The spring sunshine means you’ll also have a blue-sky backdrop for those birdies!
Dates for the diary
Día de las Islas Balears (Day of the Balearic Islands), 1 March
The anniversary of the Balearic Islands gaining their independence is marked in Majorca’s capital, Palma, with concerts and fairs. A huge medieval market selling handmade products, food stalls serving up delicacies, and live folk dance performances are just some of the highlights!
Semana Santa (Holy Week), April
Festivities sweep across the island throughout Easter week, and each town has its own traditions. Food plays a key role wherever you are, with hefty helpings of empanadas (meat-filled pies) signalling the end of Lent. The best excuse to indulge in one, or two or three…
Summer
Best for beach days
Summer’s sizzling temperatures and Majorca’s shell-sprinkled beaches are a match made in sunbathing heaven. Secluded spots? Breathtaking bays? You name it, this coastline’s got it. Cala Mondragó should be top of your lounging list, nestled on the south-east coast. Recline on satin-like sands and watch as boats bob in and out of the bay. Platja Coll Baix is another golden gem. Although it’s a little harder to get to, that’s all part of the appeal. Once you arrive (either by boat or on foot), you’ll be rewarded with a crescent-shaped cove lapped by jade-tinted waters.
If you’re travelling with the whole bucket-and-spade brigade, then you should turn your toes to the Blue Flag sands of Santa Ponsa. Beach volleyball courts, water sports and a parade of snack bars are the core ingredients for a fun-packed family day out!
Dates for the diary
Nit del Foc (Night of Fire), 23 June
The arrival of summer triggers a whole host of joyous celebrations, starting with the Night of Fire. The most spectacular events are held in Palma, where huge bonfires glow in the city squares, dazzling firework displays set the sky ablaze and toe-tapping performances ring through the streets.
Pollensa Classical Music Festival, August
Each August, the Convent of Santo Domingo provides a magnificent setting for Pollensa’s Classical Music Festival. Renowned orchestras and talented soloists come from all over the world to perform here and serenade visitors with the sounds of summer.
Autumn
Best for foodies
Autumn in Majorca hits the sweet spot – not too hot, not too cold, just right. The start of the season is when the main harvests take place, so this time of year is primed for diving mouth-first into the island’s great gastronomy scene. This annual food bonanza has an endless roster of culinary events, so tuck into tasty treats at the Fira Dolça (Sweet Festival) in Esporles or celebrate all things autumnal at the Fira de sa Carabassa (Pumpkin Festival).
It’s also one of the best times of year to delve into the island’s rich wine-making history, with grapes typically picked in September. Embark on a tasting tour and spend your days sipping at family-run wineries. For a truly unique experience, head to the vine-tangled town of Binissalem and take part in the messy yet ridiculously fun grape battle!
Dates for the diary
Festes del Rei en Jaume (Festival of King Jaume), September
Septembers in Santa Ponsa start with a fortnight-long fiesta commemorating the landing of King Jaume I in Majorca. If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll love watching the battle re-enactments, street-theatre shows and costumed parades.
La Nit de l’Art (Night of Art), September
For one night every September, Palma becomes an open-air art exhibit. The Old Town is transformed into a colourful canvas with hundreds of local artists showcasing their work. The city’s museums and galleries get involved too, opening their doors to the public until late and offering free entrance to all!
Winter
Best for sightseeing sprees
Throughout winter, temperatures in Majorca hover in the teens – great for sightseeing-stuffed days. But where to begin? At Palma’s La Seu Cathedral, that’s where! This architectural masterpiece wows with its intricate façade, Gaudí-stamped interior and sheer size.
Alcudia’s Old Town is another sight to behold, encircled with medieval walls and lined with buttermilk buildings. If you visit on a Tuesday or Saturday, you can experience the hustle and bustle of market day as stalls fill the streets with strings of multicoloured chillies, cheeses and olives. Or why not swap the captivating coast for some rural respite in the hilltop town of Artà? Get ready to be transported back in time as you roam the relics of a Bronze Age settlement and the ramparts of an ancient fortress.
Dates for the diary
TaPalma Tapas Festival, November
If you’re a tapas lover (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), then you’ll want to time your trip to coincide with the TaPalma Festival. Follow the scents of these bite-sized delights around the city, munching on lemon-garnished octopus, deliciously moreish patatas bravas and dates wrapped in bacon.
The Cavalcada dels Reis Mags (The Three Kings Parade), 6 January
The Three Kings Parade is the final hurrah of the festive period in Majorca. The Three Kings arrive by boat, horseback, camel or even on the tram in the mountain village of Sóller, before embarking on a lavish procession through the streets.
Posted: 18th Aug 2022.