MallorcaMallorca at a Glance
About Mallorca
Mallorca (Majorca) is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the western Mediterranean and the archipelago’s principal tourist centre. The island covers about 3,640 square kilometres and features a mix of coastal resorts, agricultural plains and a mountainous northwest.
Major visitor draws include the capital Palma with its cathedral and port, extensive Mediterranean beaches and coves, and the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range which is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape. Inland towns and rural farmland provide additional cultural and outdoor activities.
Mallorca has a long history of settlement from prehistoric times through Roman and medieval periods, with successive cultural influences shaping its towns and architecture. Tourism expanded strongly in the mid-20th century and remains the island’s dominant economic sector.
Geographically Mallorca lies in the western Mediterranean Sea off the east coast of Spain and is the central island of the Balearic group; the island is accessible by ferry and by air via Palma de Mallorca Airport.
- Area: Covers about 3,640 square kilometres and is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, with a well-developed tourism infrastructure focused on coastal and cultural attractions.
- Best viewpoints: The Serra de Tramuntana offers the island’s best mountain hiking and scenic drives, with viewpoints along the northwest coast and elevated routes above steep cliffs.
What to See#
- Palma: Palma de Mallorca is the island’s capital and largest city, with a historic old town and the cathedral that dominates the harbourfront.
- Serra de Tramuntana: The Serra de Tramuntana is a northwestern mountain range on the island designated a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape in 2011, known for steep terraces and coastal views.
- Coastal resorts and bays: Coastal bays and beaches such as Alcúdia Bay and Cala Millor that attract seaside tourism, along with inland villages and rural landscapes.
Best Time to Visit Mallorca
Best visited in spring or early autumn for warm weather and far fewer tourists than the peak summer months.
Weather & Climate near Mallorca
Mallorca's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (617 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 5° - 14° | 8° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.6h |
| February | Good | 5° - 15° | 8° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.8 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.6h |
| March | Very Good | 6° - 16° | 11° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.0 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.1h |
| May | Excellent | 11° - 22° | 17° | 39 mm | some cloud | 74% | 2.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.2h |
| June | Ideal | 15° - 26° | 21° | 19 mm | mostly sunny | 70% | 2.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 14.7h |
| July | Ideal | 18° - 30° | 24° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 66% | 2.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 14.5h |
| August | Ideal | 18° - 30° | 24° | 26 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 2.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.5h |
| September | Excellent | 16° - 27° | 22° | 61 mm | some cloud | 70% | 2.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| December | Very Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
How to Get to Mallorca
Mallorca is an island - the usual way in is by air to Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), which is about 8 km from Palma city centre via the MA-19 motorway (roughly 15-20 minutes by car). There are also regular ferries from Barcelona, Valencia and Denia to ports on Mallorca (Palma, Alcúdia); from Palma port or airport you can reach towns across the island by regional buses, rental car or taxis.
Tips for Visiting Mallorca
- Visit Mallorca in the shoulder seasons (May-June or September-October) and hit popular beaches and Tramuntana villages early in the morning to avoid the July-August crowds and heat.
- For scenic mountain access, take the Palma-Sóller historic train or approach the Serra de Tramuntana from Sóller or Valldemossa - these towns are convenient starting points for classic drives and hikes and reduce parking hassles in smaller villages.
- Skip the busiest coastal resorts for at least a day and explore inland villages such as Deià and Fornalutx or smaller north/east coves; those spots are often far quieter than the main southern beaches and reveal local markets and restaurants.