Winter in Mallorca
'A Winter in Mallorca' was the famous book written by George Sands describing
the year she spent with the composer Chopin in
Valdemossa. However, the purpose of this article is to let you know what the
main resorts of Mallorca are like during the winter months should you fancy
escaping the cold of northern Europe.
We went over there in March for two weeks travelling firstly up the east and
north east coast as far as Puerto Pollensa
then down the north west coast to Andratx. Finally we
visited all the most popular resorts along the south coast on the way back to
Palma.
Winter on the East Coast
The east coast was very quiet indeed with only Cala
Millor having any tourists. About 95% of these visitors were German. There
seemed to be a handful of British tourists there as well as a few more in
neighbouring Cala Bona. With fine weather, fabulous
scenery, cheap hotels and cheap car rental this was a lovely time to enjoy laid
back days touring the countless little coves which stretch all along the east
coast. There were very few visitors anywhere we went, parking was easily
available everywhere and was free and waiters were even more chilled than usual
with little to stress them. Evenings tended to be very dull as most people ate
in their hotels so restaurants were mainly empty and the only occupied bars were
local Mallorcan ones.
Winter on the North East Coast
The resort of Cala Ratjada was mainly closed
and the few tourists we came across were all German.
Alcudia was far more lively with a range of nationalities represented
including a fair number of Spanish visitors. Enough hotels, bars and restaurants
were open to cater for everyone and there were some great deals on hotels. Many
cyclists were on the roads all along this coast and inland making the most of
superb conditions and facilities to enjoy their sport.
Puerto Pollensa was
similarly open for (limited) business and was a pleasant place to visit at this
time. The sea and swimming pools were too cold to swim in for the majority of
people in all locations.
Winter on the North West Coast
Mallorca's north west coast isn't an area of package tourism and doesn't have
any resorts as such. Personally I think it is the most beautiful part of the
island with unbelievable scenery stretching from
Pollensa in the north west to Andratx in the south
west. Provided you get some good weather this is a great time to visit this
coast and drive the 88km of the Serra de Tramuntana with stops at
Soller, Deia and
Valldemossa as well as any of the numerous little
villages you'll pass through on your journey. The roads are so much more laid
back than in the summer months but do look out for cyclists who seem to be
everywhere at this time of year. Winter on the South West Coast
The island's main resorts of Magaluf,
Palma Nova and Santa
Ponsa are very quiet in the winter months. Most visitors are Spanish
pensioners and some retired British tourists enjoying the mildness of the
Mallorcan winter. There are certainly enough bars and restaurants open to cater
for the winter visitors and sitting in the sun at a Magaluf beach bar certainly
beats enduring another British winter. Plenty weekend visitors show up from the
UK often on stag and hen nights so the main bars get very lively and the main
clubs open on Fridays and Saturday. To the east of Palma,
Can Pastilla attracts a few winter visitors
whilst the neighbouring Playa de Palma is
popular all year round with mainly German tourists. The wind that attracts kite
surfers here isn't so pleasant for holidaymakers.
Conclusion
All in all Mallorca is a delightful option for a winter break but choose your
resort carefully. Its weather tends to be very mild but do pack a jumper as it
can get cold. Sunbathing on a clear day is an option though swimming in pools or
the sea will almost certainly be too cold.
The roads are a pleasure to drive on with so few tourists on them making it
an ideal time to discover the island's beauty. Nightlife is quiet but there's
still enough going on to keep most visitors entertained.
Incidentally, although the George Sands novel 'A Winter in Mallorca' is widely
available at tourist shops around the island it mainly describes what a
miserable time she had there. Obviously she didn't visit Magaluf! See Also:
Mallorca East Coast
Mallorca North East Coast
Mallorca North West Coast
Mallorca South West Coast
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