Mallorca's soft season

Early in the year, the party scene in Mallorca is closed. Thankfully. In these quieter months, when the trees are in bloom, Mallorca can be explored in a truly relaxed way. Perhaps that's why winter is arguably the best time to travel to the Balearic Islands.

 

When it's raining on the mainland and the trees are in bloom under blue skies on the Mediterranean islands, it's time for a short flight. Especially in winter, when the peak travel seasons are far away, Mallorca has its own peaceful charm and is perfect for a quick escape to warm up.

Warming up in winter: that's when the trees are already in bloom in Mallorca.

 

For example, the island's capital, Palma, is perfect for exploring at your leisure. Because of the sheer volume of beach tourists and tabloid readers who descend upon the island in summer, Palma seems to have remained under the radar of discerning travelers as a city break destination.

 

And that's surprising. Palma and its over 2,000-year history have a lot to tell. The Roman, Arab, and finally Spanish chapters have all shaped Palma, both physically and otherwise. Today, with its half a million inhabitants, Palma is not only the capital of Mallorca but also of the Balearic Islands. Therefore, "Mallorquí" (Mallorcan) is the primary language – for example, on signs – followed by Spanish (more precisely, Castilian Spanish) and often English or German.

 

Just outside Palma, almond trees are already in bloom in early February. Under a blue sky, the view against the backdrop of the Tramuntana mountain range is warming and makes you forget the rain on the mainland for a moment. This is especially true if you stop for a coffee in one of the small villages nearby – such as Bunyola or Valldemossa – and let yourself be enveloped by the sunny, mild tranquility.

 

Even a little further away from Palma, mass tourism is still taking a siesta at the beginning of the year. In the town of Sóller, a few people sit in the sunny central square, which is just mild enough that no one is looking for shade. And a little further along the coast, in Port de Sóller, the beach at this time of year belongs to the locals and a few patrons of the sporadically open cafés.

 

Peaceful: Port de Sóller without crowds.

Is a visit to Mallorca worthwhile in winter? We think so: Absolutely. Even if it rains or is windy from time to time, as soon as the sun comes out, it immediately becomes mild. And the absence of tourist crowds leaves plenty of room to discover the beauty of the largest of the Balearic Islands.

So much more than the infamous "Ballermann"area: Palma.

 

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Good to know

Palma Airport, Spain's third largest, provides excellent access to Mallorca, making it easily reachable from German-speaking countries in about two hours year-round. Those wishing to avoid flying can also travel by train to Barcelona, Valencia, or Toulon and then take a ferry to Palma or Alcudia in the north of the island. This journey takes approximately 20 hours.

 

Accommodation is plentiful all over the island, as Mallorca is one of Europe's major tourist centers. However, many hotels are closed during the winter. In Palma's city center, we found the Concepció by Nobis , a small design hotel in a relatively quiet location.

 

Some restaurants and tapas bars are also partially closed in winter. Nevertheless, we found some great places that stuck in our minds:

 

• La Malvasia in Palma – a centrally located, small restaurant with specialties from the island and the mainland;

• Bon Vi Restaurant in Port de Sóller – a friendly restaurant located in the second row of the beach town – great tapas and impressive-looking paellas;

• Café Sóller – sitting in the mild sun in the middle of the largest square in the center of Sóller – is a good place to do that;

• S'Economat in Bunyola – the same principle, only a bit smaller and more personal.