Last updated on October 5th, 2024 at 01:03 pm
The capital city of Mallorca and all of Spain’s sun-drenched Balearic Islands is one of the best year-round destinations in Europe, yet, in this guide, we’re showing you what to do in Palma de Mallorca in winter, explaining why it’s worth visiting Palma de Mallorca in the off-season.
From strolling around the cobbled streets of its sleepy Old Town to learning the city’s rich history without the crowds of tourists the island attracts in the summer, Mallorca’s busiest time of the year, there are many great things to do in Palma de Mallorca in winter.
Apart from just going into detail about all the amazing things to see in Palma de Mallorca in winter, though, in this article, you’ll also find the practical information you need to plan the perfect winter escape to Palma de Mallorca.
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Travel Resources For Your Palma de Mallorca Trip
Why Visit Palma de Mallorca in The Off-Season?
But let’s take it from the top. Why is Palma de Mallorca worth visiting in the low season?
The largest city in the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca (also spelt Majorca) has been a popular summer destination since the 1950s. Yet, unlike what most people think, there are many amazing things to do in Palma de Mallorca outside the summer months.
Although it’s the perfect destination for a laid-back European city break any time of year, Palma de Mallorca is actually one of the best places to visit in Spain in the off-season. Fewer tourists and mild temperatures are the obvious reasons to visit Palma de Mallorca in winter but there are other factors to consider, too.
Visiting Palma de Mallorca in the off-season is one of the best ways to travel responsibly. It means that you are supporting the local economy when it needs you the most. You also have the opportunity to get to know locals and partake in their culture and traditions in a more meaningful way.
Moreover, if you’re looking for an easy-going destination to spend the Christmas holidays, away from the thousands of travellers that flock to famous Christmas destinations around Europe, visit Palma de Mallorca from late November to early January to feel the holiday cheer in an intimate yet festive setting.
FAQs About Visiting Palma de Mallorca in Winter
What Is The Coldest Month in Mallorca?
January and February are the two coldest months in Mallorca. The highest temperatures reach 16°C (61°F), while at night, they drop to 9°C (48°F). That said, with six to eight hours of daily sunshine and six rainy days per month on average, winter in Palma de Mallorca is mild enough to enjoy outdoor activities, open-air cafés and restaurants, strolls along the promenades and sightseeing under the sunshine.
Can You Swim in Mallorca in December?
Even though Mallorca winter is mild with a lot of sunshine, the sea temperature is low. Therefore, the island of Mallorca in winter might be great for sightseeing or basking on the beach but not for swimming. If you’re looking for a destination in Spain where you can swim in the winter months, it’s better to visit Gran Canaria instead.
Does Mallorca Close Down For Winter?
Most hotels, bars and restaurants in the island’s countryside are closed during the cooler months. However, Palma de Mallorca is still vibrant in the heart of winter, but with fewer crowds. Palma de Mallorca in winter offers the best opportunities to mingle with locals and feel the laid-back vibes that vanish in the high season.
Is Mallorca Nice at Christmas?
Although Christmas in Mallorca’s smaller towns and villages might not be a good idea, as a big part of the island shuts down for the winter season, Palma de Mallorca is home to a Christmas market and cosy restaurants to enjoy mouthwatering tapas and local wine or vermouth in a festive atmosphere. Festivities in Palma de Mallorca start when the city lights up its spectacular Christmas lights at the end of November.
Here’s The Video Version of What To Do in Palma de Mallorca in The Low Season
20 Best Things To Do in Palma de Mallorca in Winter
1. Wander Around The Old Town
Known in Spanish as El Casco Antiguo, the Old Town of Palma de Mallorca is an almost unbearably picturesque place to explore.
Stretching behind Palma’s Cathedral, the Old Town’s maze of quaint narrow streets invites you to step inside a dreamy setting, forged by the various influences that the city has seen throughout the centuries. Romans, Arabs and Christians left their mark on Palma, while the city’s once-thriving Jewish Quarter is also located in the Old Town.
One of the best places to visit in Palma de Mallorca in winter, the Old Town is now home to lovely restaurants and quaint bars that attract locals and visitors alike.
For an in-depth experience, join a guided tour of Palma Old Town.
2. Visit The Magnificent Palma Cathedral
It’s impossible to visit Palma and not stand in awe before its imposing Gothic Cathedral. La Seu, as the church is commonly known, dominates Palma’s skyline, enjoying a prime location between the maze-like Old Town and the seafront.
Officially named the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, this Gothic-style masterpiece was built on the site of a Moorish-era mosque. In the early 1900s, Antoni Gaudi, the famous modernist architect, was called to add his special touch to the Cathedral. One of the changes he designed – but most probably didn’t execute himself – was the impressive baldachin that hangs over the altar.
If you step inside La Seu on a sunny winter day, it’s easy to understand why Palma’s Cathedral is often called The Cathedral of Light. With the sunlight coming through its 61 stained-glass windows, the Cathedral’s interior offers a unique spectacle of light and colour.
Buy skip-the-line tickets for Palma’s Cathedral in advance.
3. Stroll or Cycle Along The Promenade
Palma’s Paseo Maritimo is a wide avenue that runs along the city’s seafront. Featuring cycling and pedestrian lanes that stretch from Porto Pi to the former fishing village of Portixol, Paseo Maritimo is ideal for long winter strolls by the sea. Moreover, there are many places to eat or have a drink along the promenade.
4. Stop at The Parc de La Mar
The indisputable crown of the jewel along the Paseo Maritimo is the Parc de La Mar, the gorgeous park situated in front of the Cathedral, separating it from the beachfront. Complete with a saltwater lake and tall palm trees, the park has been around since the 1970s, offering locals and visitors endless moments of relaxation.
5. Discover Palma’s Art Nouveau Architectural Wonders
Apart from its medieval Old Town, Palma is also home to several Art Nouveau buildings. Influenced by the architectural movement of Art Nouveau, the most prominent artists of Catalan Modernism graced Palma with eye-catching masterpieces.
The Gran Hotel, Casasayas, Pension Menorquina and Can Forteza Rey buildings are only a few of the beautiful Art Nouveau constructions that are scattered across Palma. Although none of them was built by the grand master Gaudi himself, his influence is omnipresent, almost haunting, throughout Palma de Mallorca.
6. Fill Up on Local Tapas
When the weather gets chilly – or rainy – seek refuge in one of the city’s tapas bars. Fancy or traditional, there are several tapas bars in Palma still open in the off-season, all serving bite-sized versions of delicious local dishes. Two of our favourite tapas bars in Palma de Mallorca are Bar España and Tast.
Join this culinary tour to stroll around the Old Town while sampling typical Mallorcan tapas.
7. Find a Veggie Version of Ensaimada
Mallorcans have been enjoying Ensaimada since the 17th century. This typical sweet pastry is a locals’ favourite and can be enjoyed at many lovely old-fashioned cafés and pastry shops in Palma with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate on a cold day. But there’s a catch.
Ensaimada isn’t suitable for vegans or vegetarians as the original recipe calls for the addition of lard in the dough. That said, some bakeries, like Fornet de la Soca, may be able to bake a lard-free version for you if you pre-order it at least one day in advance.
8. Eat & Shop at Lively Markets
Local markets in Palma are the best places to catch a glimpse of authentic Mallorca while sampling mouthwatering delicacies and mingling with locals. The city’s covered markets are also the ideal places to spend a rainy or cold day.
Mercat de l’Olivar is the largest indoor market in Palma, home to countless stalls offering fresh fruit, vegetables and delicious local food. There’s also an on-site supermarket. Although it has been welcoming shoppers and foodies since 1953, Mercat de l’Olivar has a modern-day feel rather than a rustic one.
On the other hand, Mercat de Santa Catalina, situated in the heart of the quaint Santa Catalina neighbourhood, is known for its irresistibly traditional ambience. For us, it’s the best market to visit in Palma de Mallorca.
For a more food-court vibe, Mercat 1930 is the best market to enjoy local and international cuisines, but also a great place to have drinks on a Saturday night.
9. Be Enchanted By The Arab Baths
A fine example of Moorish architecture, the Arab Baths complex is one of the top places to visit in Palma de Mallorca. The complex houses a dreamlike peaceful garden and a vaulted hammam area that dates back to the 10th century.
10. See Palma From on Board The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Riding Palma’s hop-on hop-off bus is probably the most entertaining way to combine sightseeing and getting around the city on a winter day. The iconic red sightseeing bus stops at all major points of interest in Palma de Mallorca. Hoping on the sightseeing bus enables you to find your bearings in the city and snap the best photos in the most comfortable way.
11. Explore Bellver Castle
Built atop a hill overlooking the city, Bellver Castle is one of the best things to see in Palma de Mallorca. Castell de Bellver was initially the residence of the Kings of Mallorca, before becoming a military prison between the 18th and 20th centuries.
Complete with towers, a drawbridge and a magnificent inner courtyard, this well-preserved castle is the only circular castle in Spain – and one of a handful of circular castles in Europe for that matter.
In our opinion, the castle’s highlight is its terrace. It offers panoramic views of the entire city and it’s the best vantage point to marvel at the castle’s glorious inner courtyard. The most hassle-free way to get to Bellver Castle is the aforementioned sightseeing bus.
12. Step Inside a Royal Palace
Dating back to the 14th century, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina is yet another iconic landmark in Palma de Mallorca. The fortified palace stands in all its grandeur in an elevated location overlooking the sea. It’s the official royal residence of the Queen and King of Spain when they visit Mallorca. Yet, it’s highly unlikely that you will stumble upon the royal couple during your visit.
Purchase your tickets to the Almudaina Palace here.
13. Catch Your Breath in a Bijou Garden
Once enclosed within the walls of the Royal Palace, S’Hort del Rei (Catalan for The King’s Orchard) is now a beautiful public garden. On a sunny winter day, it’s the perfect place to catch your breath in between your sightseeing sessions.
14. Sample The Best Mallorcan Wine
In 121 BC, the Ancient Romans were the first to grow grapes and produce wine in Mallorca. When the Moors conquered the island, they didn’t stop this winemaking activity. Yet, the end for Mallorcan wine eventually came with the phylloxera plague that destroyed the island’s vineyards at the end of the 19th century. To make matters worse, most of the vineyards were then replaced by almond trees.
However, towards the end of the 20th century, winemaking was re-introduced to Mallorca. The island now has two PDO wine regions: Binissalem and Pla i Llevant.
Local winemakers blend indigenous varieties with international ones, rendering superb wines. You can try Mallorcan wine everywhere in Palma. Better still, you can opt for a wine-tasting experience in the city. Another amazing way to delve into the secrets of local wine is to take a short trip to one or more of the wineries scattered across the island’s countryside. Just confirm their winter opening hours before you go.
15. People-Watch at El Borne & La Rambla
If you’re into luxury shopping, Paseo del Borne is a mandatory stop. But even if you’re not that keen on shopping at all, you shouldn’t miss a stroll along the most elegant avenue in Palma de Mallorca. Lined with gorgeous mansions and shaded by tall trees, El Borne is one of the best areas in Palma to people-watch while enjoying a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at one of the nearby stylish cafés.
La Rambla is another tree-lined paved avenue, mostly frequented by locals. Known for its fresh flower stalls, La Rambla is one of the most authentic parts of the city.
16. Hang Out at Palma’s Squares
Palma de Mallorca has no shortage of beautiful squares. The indisputable queen among them is the stunning Plaza Mayor. Once the seat of the Inquisition, Plaza Mayor is an open space surrounded by lovely Spanish buildings. There are lively cafés and restaurants in Plaza Mayor. Moreover, the square regularly hosts events, celebrations and markets, including a Christmas market.
During your stroll around Palma’s Old Town, Plaza de Cort is an essential stop. There, you can admire the stunning building that houses the Town Hall and a century-old olive tree that stands there as a symbol of peace. Plaza de Cort is also where most Christmas season festivities take place.
Plaza d’Espanya is home to Palma’s main bus and train stations. Admittedly, this square is a lot less charming than the previous two. But there’s a secret there, hiding in plain sight: a vintage weather station. Often regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world, this weather station was designed in 1910 and it’s a fine example of Modernist architecture.
17. Spend Time on The Beach
No matter what season you’re visiting the island, one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca is to spend time on its long sandy beach. So, even if you’re visiting Palma de Mallorca in winter, the beach is the most relaxing and beautiful place to enjoy the winter sun, take long walks or even have a picnic on a bright sunny day.
18. Acquire a Taste For Vermouth
A favourite aperitif in the 1960s, vermouth was almost completely forgotten in the decades that followed. Thankfully, it has recently made a strong comeback in Catalonia and Mallorca. If you want to feel like a local in Palma de Mallorca, you should wash down your tapas with a glass or three of this nostalgic liqueur.
You can drink vermouth at every bar, restaurant or café in the city. However, there are also excellent vermuterias in the city, such as La Rosa.
19. Admire Modern Art
Museums are the best places to spend a cold or rainy day in winter.
If you are a modern art enthusiast, Palma de Mallorca won’t disappoint. Housed in a 16th-century bastion, Es Baluard is one of Palma’s most interesting museums. Within its walls, you can admire over 800 works of contemporary art, dating from the late 19th century to the present day. There’s a permanent exhibition and several temporary ones.
Another great spot not to miss is the Pilar & Joan Miró Gallery. Housed in the building where Pilar and Joan lived for 30 years, the gallery features a vast collection of Miro’s creations.
20. See More of Mallorca on Day Trips
If you’re visiting Palma de Mallorca in winter and depending on how many days you’re spending there, you can plan one, two or even more day trips to explore the island’s picturesque villages that look utterly charming in their sleepy winter state. You can rely on public transport for your day trips from Palma de Mallorca or rent a car to explore the island at your own pace.
Valldemossa
One of the best places to visit on a day trip from Palma de Mallorca is Valldemossa, a picturesque village nestled in the heart of the majestic Tramuntana Mountain Range.
Built atop a hill, Valldemossa is the highest town in Mallorca. The most famous must-see attraction in Valldemossa is the Royal Carthusian Monastery complex. The Polish composer Frederic Chopin spent a winter with George Sand, his French writer lover, at one of the monastery’s cells.
Before you leave Valldemossa, make sure you try coca de patata, the local treat, at any of the village’s bakeries.
You can get to Valldemossa by the 203 bus from Plaza d’Espanya in Palma. The trip takes about 40 minutes.
Pollenca
Another day trip from Palma de Mallorca you should try to fit into your itinerary is Pollenca, a charming town in the island’s northern part. The open space of Pollenca’s glorious main square, Plaza Mayor, comes in striking contrast with the town’s maze of super narrow alleys.
While in Pollenca, we’d recommend a visit to the Museum of Pollenca. Contrary to what you might expect of a small town like Pollenca, the local museum is a true treasure trove of superb works of art. Another site not to miss in Pollenca is the town’s Roman Bridge, which, by the way, wasn’t actually built by Romans.
The highlight of Pollenca, though, is the dramatic Calvari Hill and the gorgeous 365 steps that lead to its top. A great way to reach the top of Calvari Hill is via the Road of the Cross, a quaint route that offers breathtaking views at every turn. Once at the top, you can visit a small church before you descend the stunning 365 steps, back to the heart of Pollenca.
You can get to Pollenca by the 301 bus from Plaza d’Espanya in Palma. The trip takes about an hour.
Languages Spoken in Mallorca
In the 13th century, the Catalans settled on the Balearic Islands. This is why Catalan is one of Mallorca’s two official languages. To be more precise, locals speak Mallorquin, a dialect of Catalan.
The other official language is, of course, Castilian, the dialect spoken in Northern and Central Spain that has prevailed as the standard form of the Spanish language. However, you’ll have no problem interacting in English as locals are quite fluent in it.
How Many Days in Palma de Mallorca
Whether you visit Palma de Mallorca as part of a longer trip around the island or as a standalone city break, a minimum of four days would allow you not only to check out several of the city’s main attractions and venture out on a day trip but also to relax and enjoy Palma’s unique vibes without rushing.
How To Get To Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is well-connected to mainland Spain and the rest of Europe with domestic and international flights. Read our guide on how to book a flight for beginners and find the best deals for your flights to Palma de Mallorca.
Mallorca is only a short flight from major cities in Spain. When we visited Palma de Mallorca, we didn’t miss the opportunity to combine our trip with 4 days in Barcelona in the low season. Alternatively, you could easily add a few days in Madrid or plan a trip to Seville for more winter sunshine.
The city’s airport is less than ten kilometres from the city centre and, to get there, you can jump on a regular bus, grab a taxi or book an airport transfer in advance.
You can also get to Mallorca by ferry from the other Balearic Islands (Menorca and Ibiza) and mainland Spain (Barcelona or Valencia). The Port of Palma is less than five kilometres from the heart of Palma Old Town. That said, rough seas aren’t uncommon in winter so make sure you pick a day with nice weather for your ferry ride.
How To Get Around Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is a very compact city and the best way to explore it is on foot. If you book your accommodation in a central location, we doubt that you’ll ever need to use public transport in any other case apart from getting to and from the airport or port and for your day trips.
Where To Stay in Palma de Mallorca
In The Old Town
For us, the best place to stay in Palma de Mallorca is the Old Town, especially if you’re visiting Palma de Mallorca in winter. Here’s a small selection of some of the best hotels in Palma de Mallorca Old Town and around:
M House Hotel is a 4-star hotel, a few steps from Mercat de l’Olivar and Palma’s main shopping street. Its rooms are smartly decorated and utterly comfortable and there’s a lovely interior courtyard where you can relax with a book or a glass of wine or both. We’ve stayed at this hotel and we can confirm it’s one of the best places to stay in Palma de Mallorca.
Hotel Can Cirera is a charming hotel a stone’s throw from Palma de Mallorca Cathedral. In this historic setting, some rooms feature vaulted ceilings while the hotel supports sustainable tourism.
At The Beachfront
Alternatively, if you wish to fall asleep by the sound of the waves and wake up to spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea, you should opt for a beachfront hotel in Palma de Mallorca.
Hotel Calatrava may just be the perfect option if you’re looking to splurge on a hotel that combines a central location with the best views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Portixol Hotel & Restaurant is the ideal choice for those who don’t mind staying a little farther from the centre of Palma but wish to add a more authentic touch to their stay.
A city that appeals to every type of traveller, from nature lovers to urban vibe enthusiasts to history buffs, Palma is worth visiting during the off-season. Thanks to its mild weather, beautiful seascapes and several exciting things to do, Palma de Mallorca in winter allows you to enjoy the perfect off-season escape for a more immersive but also sustainable travel experience.
WORDS: Maria & Katerina
IMAGES: Katerina
EDITING: Maria