Check out my top 10 things to do in Mallorca in Winter. So why wait for Summer to visit Mallorca, when the winter months can be the best time to experience the island, especially for those who love to sightseeing in Mallorca’s old towns or hiking through the Tramuntana mountains?
Also you will find cheaper flights and while most of the hotels are closed in resorts, often deals can be found on accommodation that remains open.
There is so much to see and do after the official holiday season ends on 31 October, so here is some inspiration get booking a winter break to the island.
You will find links sprinkled in this article. If you book a ticket/tour through these links, I’ll receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll happily spend on petrol to drive to locations to make videos.
Don’t forget, if you are planning to come over in the Summer then you can read my top beach resort guide here.
1. MALLORCA BEACHES
The temperatures are obviously not as hot in the winter as they are in the summer months. On some sunny days, you can expect highs of 21 degrees in December or January and if you find a sheltered beach or cove, you will be able to catch the sun for a few hours.
The water is also perfectly swimable on a warm day and the water is so beautiful and clear with less tourism and marine traffic. Just take care though as beaches are not lifeguarded outside of peak season.
Winter is a great opportunity to enjoy long walks along empty beaches. The best beaches in the South West to go for a winter walk include Palmanova, Peguera, Magaluf, Santa Ponsa, and of course Playa de Palma and even Palma city beach.
On the North East coast, the walk from Alcudia Port down to C’an Picafort is a great excursion. The Pine Walk in Puerto Pollensa to is a lovely short walk with the option to stop at some cafes on the way.
The best East coast walks include from Cala Bona to Cala Millor, as well as Sa Coma to S’Illot.
And don’t forget too, the busy coves in Cala d’Or will be empty of summer visitors and just the best time to visit.
But one of the most lovely is the walk along Es Trenc beach which lies between Ses Covettes and Colonia St Jordi.
This beach is normally packed in the Summer months, so the low season is the perfect time to enjoy this area.
2. MALLORCA SUNRISES & SUNSETS
Between November and the end of February, expect to enjoy the most spectacular Mallorca sunrises and sunsets.
If you’re visiting Mallorca on holiday, then make the most of daylight hours and get up early with the sun and watch it rise from any stretch of coastline that faces East.
And at the end of the day, head down to the coastline facing West and wait for the sun to set.
The best places to see the sunset in Mallorca are Playa de Palma, Ciudad Jardin, Portixol, Cala Xinxell, Peguera and Andratx.
3. MALLORCA WATERSPORTS
The sometimes stormy weather attracts windsurfers and kitesurfers to Playa de Palma and to the stretch of beach from Alcudia beach all the way down to Muro.
Check the website Windguru for where to find the best wind spots on the island
Really stormy weather attracts surfers to Cala Mayor beach, and also Son Serva de Marina. Surfers can also be found riding waves in Cuidad Jardin in Palma as well as Peguera.
4. MALLORCA HIKING
Mallorca transforms into Europe’s favourite hiking destination in the winter months.
The size of the island means that hikers can easily take advantage of several walking routes without having to travel great distances to reach another the following day.
There are walking routes for all levels and abilities from easy family hikes to more challenging hikes with friends. Check out my Mallorca Hiking playlist on Youtube for inspiration.
5. MALLORCA SPORTS
It’s been reported that Bradley Wiggins and Lance Armstrong have often been spotted training in Mallorca. And the island is also hugely popular year-round for cyclists visiting on holiday.
However, winter is the best time to book a cycling holiday due to cooler temperatures and quieter roads.
The island also is a great destination to go horse riding. My favourite place to rise is Rancho Ses Roques in Alcudia which over the winter months offers not just countryside guided rides, but also rides along the beach.
6. YEAR-ROUND MALLORCA ATTRACTIONS
Palma Aquarium is open year-round and makes a great place to visit whatever the weather.
It’s especially popular for families with little children as the attraction has various play areas. You can book your ticket here.
The Palma City Sightseeing busses are also a fantastic way to see the capital. It is especially popular with visitors arriving on cruises or for those visiting the island for a weekend. You can also book your ticket via this link here.
The bus takes you directly to the main sights and allows you to hop on and hop off to explore the city.
The best way to see Soller (although not necessarily the cheapest) is to take the Ferrocarril train from Palma to Soller.
The train travels through the Tramuntana mountains and alongside the orange groves where you can disembark and take a look around the town.
Then jump onto the San Franisco-style tram to Port de Soller.
Bear in mind that it’s likely the service closes for maintenance between around the 9 December and the 1 February, but the TIB buses offer a cheaper alternative.
If you want to see how easy it is to get the TIB busses in Mallorca, then check out the article I have written here.
7. SHOPPING IN PALMA DE MALLORCA
Palma is a brilliant city to go shopping whether you’re looking for top brands or small independent shops selling locally made products.
The main shopping streets are Jaime III, Paseo de Bourne, Calle Sant Miguel, Avenidas and the little streets all through the Old Town. But explore away from the main shopping streets to really find some gems.
Don’t forget too to visit Palma’s most popular food market – Mercat Olivar which is located near to Plaza España
If you’d rather visit a shopping centre, then head to Porto Pi or Fan both of which are on the outskirts of the city, or Festival Park on the road to Inca and Alcudia.
8. PALMA MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
Palma Old Town is filled with art galleries and museums.
Check out the various exhibitions which embrace the best in modern, contemporary and traditional Art and photography.
You can get an idea of the main galleries to visit by checking out my rainy-day sightseeing video.
Some galleries are free to enter. But check individual websites because many galleries have at least one day a week when you can visit for free.
9. PALMA CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
If you are planning to visit Palma de Mallorca over the Christmas period, then you’ll be able to enjoy Europe’s most amazing Christmas lights display.
If you are visiting from November to January, then you’ll be able to enjoy the festive season.
Check out the article I have written here about enjoying the Christmas season in Mallorca which is filled with free events and things to do.
Plus also this video here about Christmas shopping in Palma de Mallorca.
The lights are often switched on in the city from what was usually the third week of November, but in 2022, has moved to 19 November.
The festive season in Mallorca lasts until the evening of the 5 January.
10. VISITING MALLORCA OLD TOWNS
The absolute best time to get into the countryside to visit the old towns is during the winter or low season. Again cooler temperatures allow sightseeing and the chance to explore iconic sights and sit outside to enjoy some fantastic Mallorcan food in pleasant temperatures.
So get out and explore Valldemossa, Alcudia, Soller, Andratx and Deia, and even the little towns between including Arta, Santa Maria and Felantix to name a few.
I hope these top 10 things to do in Mallorca in Winter have given you inspiration to explore Mallorca out of high season. Remember flights are cheaper and the island is less busy. For many, there is no better time to visit.