Planning a Mallorca winter getaway, but wondering what to expect from the island outside of its peak season?
Going to Mallorca in winter is very different from the summer, no doubt. After visiting the island both in summer and in winter, I have to admit that I prefer the winter months, mostly because it’s a lot less crowded!
However, the winter months open up for so many more activities and let you explore the interior of Mallorca with a lot more peace, as it’s not too hot to venture away from the pristine beaches.
Hiking, exploring towns, and seeing the caves on a rainy day are among the many things to do in Mallorca in winter.
Read on to uncover everything you need to know to plan your winter trip to this majestic Balearic island.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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In short: Why visit Mallorca in the winter?
First of all, why should you visit Mallorca in the winter in the first place? Here are some of the main reasons to visit Mallorca during winter.
- Fewer crowds means that you don’t contribute to the overtourism that Mallorca experiences in summer.
- More affordable prices on accommodation and flights.
- It’s hiking season! If you know me, you know it’s my favorite season – all year round.
- More relaxed atmosphere due to fewer crowds – you can feel it in the air!
- Mild temperatures – even though it can get wet, it’s generally pleasant compared to most of Europe in winter.
What to do in Mallorca in winter
Explore Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is fantastic to explore in winter. If the weather is nice, walk its streets and take in the energetic vibe this city holds all year round.
If it rains, hit the museums, visit the cathedral (though the views from the rooftop are absolutely best on a sunny day!), and warm up in cafés with warm drinks. There are plenty of things to do in Palma de Mallorca, so no matter the weather, you’ll have something to explore.
I recommend spending at least one day in Palma, but if you can, the city deserves at least 3 days.
Take the tram in Soller
Taking the Port de Soller tram from Soller is a great winter activity in Mallorca and one of the main reasons to visit Soller. The tram dates back to 1912, and the original carriages are still in use, though very well maintained.
It takes you a 15-minute ride from Soller to the port area of Port de Soller, where you can stroll around the marina, walk to the viewpoints, and visit the Museu de la Mar.
There are just enough things to do in Port de Soller that you can spend a couple of hours there and combine it with a day in Soller.
Among the other things to do in Soller, you can visit the church of San Bartolomé, visit museums, and find some unique holiday shopping in the many boutique shops.
Go on a road trip
The winter months are perfect for a road trip around Mallorca. My favorite route is across the Tramuntana mountains, where you can get to amazing viewpoints and visit all the little villages without the crowds of the summer, which is perfect for us sustainable travelers.
Besides visiting towns like Pollensa, Valdemossa, and Soller, you can visit some of the caves in Mallorca, like the Drach Caves and Artà Caves – I especially recommend seeing the caves if you’re facing a rainy day. We did that on a day it poured buckets, and it saved the day!
Visit the Drach Caves
If you can only visit one cave in Mallorca, I highly recommend visiting Drach Caves. While I really enjoyed all the caves I visited in Mallorca, my visit to Drach Caves left me with a special impression that hasn’t left even after years.
Besides walking around the incredible cave system, there’s a hall with water where we took a small boat ride. But this wasn’t the most incredible.
Before taking the little rowboat to continue our tour, we sat down in the dark, where rowboats slowly floated in front of us in a lake that was slightly lit up, with a whole orchestra playing the most magical classical concert I’ve ever heard.
Being inside the cave where the acoustics were incredible, and the magic of the water, the soft light, the silent boats, the musicians on the boats… You just have to experience it yourself for me to explain the beauty.
Outside, it was pouring down with rain. Inside, it was pure magic. It’s not often I get besotted by one of the most popular tourist attractions in a destination. But in there, for a moment, the entire show made me forget there were other people around me.
I hope you have the same experience and that I didn’t just set the expectations too high!
Explore the towns in Serra de Tramuntana
The UNESCO World Heritage Serra de Tramuntana mountains are dotted with incredible, historical towns that are all worth visiting.
While you might not be able to see them all, especially if you only have a weekend in Mallorca, you should at least try to add a few into your Mallorca itinerary.
Among my favorites, visit Pollensa in the north. There are quite a few things to do in Pollensa, like grabbing a coffee at Placa Major, walking up to the Calvari Steps for the best views of Pollensa, and visiting the Convent de Santo Domingo.
It is also worth visiting Valdemossa. The famous Polish pianist and composer, Chopin, lived in the monastery in Valdemossa during the winter of 1838-1839.
So it’s not so surprising that one of the most popular things to do in Valdemossa is to visit the Chopin Cell where his piano and notes with scribbles are found.
Besides, you can explore the rest of the monastery and the Palacio del Rey Sancho, where you can walk up the tower to see the sweeping views of the town and the surrounding valley.
Other favorites are Fornalutx and Deia, which are smaller but with so much charm!
See the sunrise at Cap de Formentor
In the summer months, the roads in Cap de Formentor are closed for private vehicles between 10:00 and 22:00, so winter is perfect for visiting this beautiful place.
I was advised by a local that this is the best place to see the sunrise in Mallorca. I’m not a morning person, and the only time I’ve managed to get up for sunrise to the cape, it was cloudy like h*ll.
But it was still a magical experience.
With my experience, I’d recommend checking the weather forecast before you drag yourself out of bed at an inhumane time, to get the most out of it!
Go hiking
Mallorca is criss-crossed with hiking trails, and there’s no better time to go hiking than in the winter, as it’s way too hot in the summer months.
The best place to go hiking is, of course, the UNESCO-protected Tramuntana mountain range on the west side ot the island.
On my bucket list, there’s the GR221, known as the Dry Stone Route, that takes you approximately 150 km between Sant Elm in the south and Pollensa in the north. It takes 7-8 days to complete, but you can do sections too as day hikes if you prefer.
Mallorca winter weather
Winters in Mallorca can be nice and sunny, but it’s also the time of the year that sees the most rain.
Generally, as Mallorca is an island in the Mediterranean, the weather can be somewhat unpredictable in winter. It’s better to be prepared for that than to be disappointed.
Mallorca winter temperatures range between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius in the daytime, and 5 to 9 degrees Celsius at night.
On a sunny day, it can feel nice and warm, but be aware of the shift in temperatures once you’re in the shade and the moment the sun goes low on the horizon. Winter wind can also make it feel extremely cold.
Like most places in Spain during winter, you need to dress in layers or you’ll get too hot or too cold throughout the day.
Mallorca doesn’t get much snow, but it can sometimes snow in the higher altitudes of the Tramuntana mountain range.
Whenever I’ve been to Mallorca in the winter, it has rained buckets. Not all the time, not every day, but it’s been raining a lot. So an umbrella, a rain jacket, and plans to see caves and museums are my top tips to get the most out of the island in case of rain.
What to wear in Mallorca in winter
Due to the temperature differences and possibilities of rain, I recommend dressing in layers and always bringing an umbrella and a waterproof jacket on days where there’s a chance of rain.
It’s easier to take clothes on and off during the day than to be too hot or too cold throughout the day. That said, I do recommend bringing a warm jacket, as the humidity makes it feel a lot colder than it seems.
Good walking shoes are a must when visiting Mallorca, as there are many cobbled streets and there’s a lot to explore.
Summing up a Mallorca winter vacation
Summing up, Mallorca is a fantastic winter destination. You don’t get the insanely cold temperatures that other European destinations.
There are plenty of Mallorca winter activities, like hiking and visiting the caves. But my favorite thing about a Mallorca winter escapade is that it’s low season.
You can explore the tourist attractions and wander around the small towns with a considerably calmer atmosphere, as there aren’t as many other tourists around, which also means you can park without a problem.
Happy travels!