Mallorca Travel Guide 2026: Winter, Where to Stay, Sóller

Mallorca is two trips in one. From June to September it is a beach island; from November to March it is a mild, quieter place built around Palma’s old town, mountain walks in the Serra de Tramuntana and, in late January and February, almond groves in bloom. The honest trade-off: in winter many resort hotels on the coast close, so the island’s life concentrates in Palma and the mountain villages. Prices and timetables below were checked on 9 October 2026.

Is Mallorca warm in winter?

Mild, sunny and cooler than the Canaries. Winter highs in Palma sit around 15 to 16°C, a degree or two below Valencia on the mainland, and the sea is too cold for most swimmers. For a side-by-side view, see our winter sun in Europe guide.

Figures are AEMET’s 1981-2010 averages for the Palma Puerto station on the seafront, which logs about 2,780 hours of sunshine and 449 mm of rain a year. October and November are the wettest months. The mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana are colder and wetter than Palma, so dress for the village, not the city. Want beach weather in January? Look at Tenerife or Gran Canaria instead, and see where to go in February for the almond season in context.

When is the almond blossom?

Spain’s official tourism site says the island’s almond trees begin to flower in late December and the groves stay white until March; late January and February are the classic weeks. Head for the Tramuntana foothills around Bunyola, Selva and Marratxí, or Son Servera in the east, which holds an almond blossom fair in late January and early February. Almonds also run through the local kitchen, from gató, an almond cake, to toasted almond soup.

Where should you stay in Mallorca?

Pick a base by season. In winter, Palma is the only area that runs at full speed; in summer, the coast takes over.

First visit, or coming between November and March? Stay in Palma and take day trips. In summer, split the week between Palma and the coast.

How do you get to and around Mallorca?

Palma de Mallorca airport sits just east of the city and is served by flights from across Europe, for example our Frankfurt to Palma flights guide. On the island, TIB buses link the towns, EMT runs Palma’s city buses, and a car opens up the mountain roads and coves; see our Mallorca car rental guide.

What are the top things to do in Mallorca?

• Palma Cathedral. The Gothic cathedral on the seafront is the island’s landmark. From December to February it opens to visitors Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:15 and Saturday from 10:00 to 14:15; from March to November weekdays run to 17:15. Book online through the cathedral’s official ticket site.
• The Serra de Tramuntana. UNESCO listed this mountain range along the north-west coast in 2011 as a cultural landscape of terraces, water channels and dry stone walls. Two long-distance paths, the GR-221 Dry Stone Route and the GR-222, cross it, and winter is a comfortable season for walking.
• Sóller and Port de Sóller. Ride the train to Sóller, wander the town square, then take the tram to the bay.
• Mountain villages. Valldemossa and Pollença are two of the historic villages the official tourism site points winter visitors to.
• Beaches by season. From June to September, swim at the long sandy bay of Alcúdia or the small coves around Cala d’Or. In winter, the coast is for walks.
• Winter festivals. Sant Antoni, on 16 and 17 January, is one of the island’s big winter celebrations.

What are the best day trips from Palma?

• Sóller by train: the classic day out, with the tram to Port de Sóller and back.
• The Tramuntana: a section of the GR-221 or a drive through the mountain villages.
• Almond country: in late January and February, Bunyola, Selva and Son Servera for the blossom.
• The north: Alcúdia’s old town and bay, by TIB bus or car.

What can go wrong in Mallorca?

• Booking a resort in winter. Many coastal hotels close for the low season and reopen in spring. Check the property’s opening dates, or stay in Palma.
• Expecting to swim in January. Highs of about 15°C and lows near 8°C mean a jacket in the evening and a cold sea.
• Sunday at the cathedral. Tourist visits are closed on Sundays; plan La Seu for a weekday or Saturday morning.
• Paying the bus with a big note. EMT drivers take notes of 10 euros at most, so carry change or use a contactless card.
• Entry rules. Spain follows Schengen rules: see our Schengen 90/180 rule explainer and the EES and ETIAS guide for non-EU passports.

How many days do you need in Mallorca?

Four days covers the essentials: one for Palma and the cathedral, one for the Sóller train and Port de Sóller, one for a Tramuntana walk or the mountain villages, and one for the almond country in season or a slow day in the old town. A week adds the north around Alcúdia or the south-east coves. Our Spain budget guide covers daily costs, and the best time to visit Spain guide puts Mallorca next to the rest of the country.

Sources

• AEMET climate normals 1981-2010 for the Palma Puerto station.
• EMT Palma fares, Aena’s Palma airport bus page and TIB’s airport connections page.
• Ferrocarril de Sóller prices and timetable.
• Catedral de Mallorca opening hours and official ticket site.
• UNESCO’s listing of the Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana.
• Spain.info on the Balearic Islands in winter.

All were read on 9 October 2026. Fees, timetables and opening dates change; confirm with the operator before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mallorca warm in winter?

Mild, not beach-warm. AEMET’s 1981-2010 normals for Palma give average highs of 16.5°C in December, 15.4°C in January and 15.5°C in February, with lows of about 8 to 10°C and 151 to 170 hours of sunshine a month. Winter rain runs at 37 to 48 mm a month; October and November are the wettest months.

When do the almond trees blossom in Mallorca?

Spain’s official tourism site says the island’s almond trees begin to blossom in late December and the groves stay white until March, with late January and February the classic time to see them. Good areas include the Tramuntana foothills around Bunyola, Selva and Marratxí, and Son Servera in the east, which holds an almond blossom fair in late January and early February.

How do I get from Palma airport to the city centre?

EMT bus line A1 runs from the airport terminal to central Palma. A single costs 5 euros, paid in cash on board (10 euros maximum note) or with a contactless bank card. Line A2 runs to S’Arenal, and TIB intercity lines A11, A32, A42 and A51 link the airport directly to resorts around the island.

How much is the Sóller train?

The Ferrocarril de Sóller charges 23 euros one way between Palma and Sóller, or 30 euros return. The tram from Sóller down to Port de Sóller costs 10 euros each way, and a combined Palma to Port de Sóller and back ticket costs 40 euros. The train takes about an hour each way.

How much does Palma Cathedral cost?

The official ticket for the cathedral, the Museum of Sacred Art and an audio guide costs 11 euros. Adding the terraces raises it to 25 euros, and the terraces are closed to children under 9. From December to February the cathedral opens to visitors Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:15 and Saturday from 10:00 to 14:15, and it is closed to tourist visits on Sundays.

Where should I stay in Mallorca?

Stay in Palma for a winter trip or a first visit: the old town, the cathedral, the airport bus and the train to Sóller are all on hand. Port de Sóller suits walkers heading into the Serra de Tramuntana, Alcúdia suits families after a long sandy bay in summer, and Cala d’Or suits a quiet cove holiday in the south-east.

Start planning your Mallorca trip

If a package already bundles your flight and a hotel, you are set. If you are booking separately, compare a few dates: late January and February pair the lowest season with the almond blossom, while July and August need booking well ahead.

Find cheap flights to Mallorca | Compare Palma hotel prices

Planning the wider trip? See Valencia, Barcelona, Málaga, our Spain eSIM guide and the hotels hub.