Best time to go to the Balearic Islands for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to the Balearic Islands?
The best time to visit the Balearic Islands extends from March to December - January and February being cooler. However, the ideal time to fully enjoy all the treasures of the archipelago is between early June and late October. Whether it's lounging on the beach or going diving or snorkeling, the weather is perfect during this period!
When is the best time to visit the Balearic Islands for exploring the islands through hiking? The good season is longer, lasting from March to November. In summer, especially in July and August, it's best to set off early in the morning to avoid being bothered by the midday heat.
Between July and September, it's the peak tourist season in the Balearic Islands. Prices skyrocket for all expenses: plane tickets, car rentals, and accommodations. Moreover, there are a lot of people, and you may struggle to find a free spot to lay your towel on the beach, unless you venture out and discover a quieter cove.
For a more peaceful trip, we recommend traveling during the shoulder seasons. In spring, in May and June, the sun shines brightly and rainfall is rare. While the Mediterranean Sea water may still be a bit cool, the days are long, and the temperatures are very pleasant. In autumn, from late September to early November, the archipelago experiences a true Indian summer: it's sunny, warm, and swimming is entirely possible.
Winter is a favorable period for relaxation and rest, the cool atmosphere is perfect for strolls and city getaways.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Ibiza
Eivissa (Ibiza), Formentera, Portinatx...
Majorca
Palma de Majorca, Alcúdia, Cala d'Or...
Minorca
Ciutadella de Menorca, Fornells, Port Mahon...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in the Balearic Islands for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Balearic Islands in january Balearic Islands in february Balearic Islands in march Balearic Islands in april Balearic Islands in may Balearic Islands in june Balearic Islands in july Balearic Islands in august Balearic Islands in september Balearic Islands in october Balearic Islands in november Balearic Islands in december
Best time to travel to Balearic Islands by cities
Climate and Weather in the Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands form an autonomous community in Spain. They make up an archipelago located in Southern Europe, in the Mediterranean Sea, off the east coast of Spain (between Barcelona and Benidorm). They consist of several islands of various sizes, the most important being Majorca, Minorca, and the Pityusic Islands which include Ibiza and Formentera.
The climate in the Balearic Islands is of two types:
- A hot summer Mediterranean climate on the island of Minorca, in the northern part of Majorca, and in the south of Ibiza.
- A semi-arid steppe climate, dry and cold in the south of Majorca, the north of Ibiza, and in Formentera.
Overall, the weather in the Balearic Islands is characterized by four distinct seasons, moderate temperature variations throughout the year, and significant exposure to prevailing winds, which soften the atmosphere in summer, between June and September.
Climate in Minorca, north of Majorca, and south of Ibiza
With a temperate Mediterranean climate, this part of the Balearic Islands enjoys a climate similar to that of southern France, but slightly warmer:
- In summer, temperatures reach around 30°C (86°F) during the day and 25°C (77°F) at night in July and August. Additionally, the water temperature ranges between 25 and 27°C (81°F) during this period. In June and September, the air is 2 to 3°C (38°F) cooler.
- In autumn, the weather remains summery until the end of October with averages between 24 and 28°C (83°F) at the warmest. However, in November, the atmosphere cools down and the weather can be gloomy with the arrival of rain. Nevertheless, with temperatures around 20°C (68°F) , the sea is generally warmer than the air at this time, making swimming possible. December is drier, but daytime temperatures rarely exceed 16°C (61°F) .
- Winter, in January and February, is not the most favorable time to visit the Balearic Islands. Maximum temperatures hover around 15°C (59°F) , while minimum temperatures are around 10°C (50°F) . Nevertheless, it is still warmer than in France and the sun is usually shining.
- In spring, between March and May, temperatures gradually rise, but humidity can still be present until the end of the season. For example, the average temperature is 19°C (67°F) in Palma de Majorca in April and 22°C (72°F) in May. To swim, you will have to wait until June to enjoy water temperatures above 20°C (68°F) .
Climate in the south of Majorca, north of Ibiza, and Formentera
These regions of the Balearic Islands have a semi-arid steppe climate, dry and cool. As a result, temperatures are quite similar to the rest of the archipelago (1 to 2°C (36°F) lower depending on the periods), but the atmosphere is much drier.
In Portinatx on Ibiza or Cala d'Or on Majorca, the weather is sunny almost all year round, and precipitation is very low, even non-existent in some months like July or August. Only November has a higher risk of rain, but it remains quite reasonable and does not prevent planning a trip.
Temperatures and rainfall in the Balearic Islands
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Balearic Islands and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Palma de Majorca, Eivissa (Ibiza), Ciutadella de Menorca, Alcúdia and Cala d'Or, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in the Balearic Islands
Find out when Balearic Islands has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in the Balearic Islands
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, October, November and December. The number of visitors to Balearic Islands is high in: April, May, June, July, August and September.
- Very low season in the Balearic Islands: January, February, March and November.
- Low season in the Balearic Islands: October and December.
- High season in the Balearic Islands: April, May and June.
- Peak season in the Balearic Islands: July, August and September.
Figure: Visitor index for Balearic Islands month by month
Average price for flights to the Balearic Islands
A return flight between London and Majorca is generally cheaper if you go in january ($ 95 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 111 more for your airline ticket to Majorca if you go in august.
Where to go in the Balearic Islands?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Palma de Majorca | 59°F | 59°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 83°F | 76°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Eivissa (Ibiza) | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 63°F |
| Ciutadella de Menorca | 58°F | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Alcúdia | 58°F | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Cala d'Or | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Formentera | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 63°F |
| Portinatx | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 63°F |
| Fornells | 58°F | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Port Mahon | 58°F | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Andratx | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Cala Millor | 59°F | 58°F | 61°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Cala Ratjada | 59°F | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Calvià | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Campos | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 81°F | 76°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Magaluf | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Palma Nova | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Pollença | 58°F | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 65°F | 61°F |
| Porto Cristo | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Sa Coma | 59°F | 58°F | 61°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Santa Ponsa | 59°F | 59°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
About Balearic Islands
What can I do in the Balearic Islands?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Balearic Islands reliable?
Climate data for Balearic Islands has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Balearic Islands allows us to determine the average for each month in Palma de Majorca, Eivissa (Ibiza), Ciutadella de Menorca, Alcúdia, Cala d'Or, Formentera, Portinatx, Fornells, and 101 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.