Choose Ibiza for a shorter, more festive trip, or for its coves and listed old town, accepting a higher budget: with Formentera it is the most expensive of the Balearics. Choose Mallorca for variety (Palma, the Serra de Tramuntana, stone villages, big family beaches) and for off-season travel, when Palma stays lively. Climate barely separates the two islands.
Ibiza or Mallorca? Both Balearic islands use the euro and share the same entry rules. Ibiza is small and lives to the rhythm of a short season, from late April-May to early October; Mallorca, the largest island of the archipelago, can be visited all year. To compare the weather on a common basis, we used the AEMET 1981-2010 normals for Ibiza airport and Palma harbour, two coastal stations, and the sea temperature published by the German weather service. The rest comes from our guides to Ibiza and Mallorca.
Ibiza or Mallorca: key points
- Parties and clubs: Ibiza, generally from late April or May to early October
- Variety and first trip: Mallorca (Palma, UNESCO-listed Tramuntana, Sóller, Formentor)
- Climate: almost identical; Ibiza slightly drier (45 rainy days a year against 53 at Palma harbour)
- Off-season: Mallorca, because Ibiza closes many hotels, beach restaurants and all its big clubs
- Families: Mallorca (Bay of Alcúdia), or Ibiza staying at Santa Eulària or Portinatx
Ibiza or Mallorca: the criterion-by-criterion comparison
| Criterion | Ibiza | Mallorca | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Clubs around Ibiza Town, Platja d’en Bossa and Sant Antoni; quiet north and interior | Palma all year, mountains, villages, big resorts | Depends on your plans |
| Best time | Late May, June and September | May-June and September to early October | Tie |
| August high | 30.3 °C (87 °F) (airport) | 29.8 °C (86 °F) (Palma harbour) | Tie |
| Rainy days per year | 44.7 | 53.2 | Ibiza |
| Wettest month | October, 58 mm (2.3 in) | October, 69 mm (2.7 in) | Ibiza |
| Size | Compact island | Largest of the Balearics | Ibiza for a short stay |
| Heritage | Dalt Vila and Puig des Molins (UNESCO) | Palma and its cathedral, Serra de Tramuntana (UNESCO), Valldemossa, Deià | Mallorca |
| Beaches | Coves (Cala Comte, Cala d’Hort), Ses Salines; Formentera by boat | Big family beaches (Bay of Alcúdia), eastern coves, Es Trenc | Tie |
| Off-season | Many closures, clubs shut | Palma lively all year | Mallorca |
| Airports | Ibiza airport | Palma de Mallorca airport | Tie |
| Entry rules | Same (Spain, Schengen area): see below | Same (Spain, Schengen area): see below | Tie |
Weather and sea compared month by month
Destination de Voyage calculation from the AEMET 1981-2010 normals: Ibiza averages 44.7 rainy days (at least 1 mm) a year, against 53.2 at Palma harbour, and is slightly less rainy almost every month. Afternoon temperatures are almost identical, within 0.6 °C (33 °F). Palma gets slightly more sunshine from May to August (346 hours in July against 334). According to the Deutscher Wetterdienst, the sea around Ibiza reaches at least 21 °C (70 °F) in June, July, August, September and October, peaking at 25 °C (77 °F) in August.
| Month | Ibiza: high · rain · rainy days | Palma (Mallorca): high · rain · rainy days | Sunshine (Ibiza / Palma) | Sea at Ibiza |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.7 °C (60 °F) · 37 mm (1.5 in) · 4.9 d | 15.4 °C (60 °F) · 42 mm (1.7 in) · 5.8 d | 162 / 167 h | 14 °C (57 °F) |
| February | 15.9 °C (61 °F) · 36 mm (1.4 in) · 5.0 d | 15.5 °C (60 °F) · 37 mm (1.5 in) · 5.6 d | 166 / 170 h | 13 °C (55 °F) |
| March | 17.7 °C (64 °F) · 27 mm (1.1 in) · 3.3 d | 17.2 °C (63 °F) · 28 mm (1.1 in) · 4.5 d | 211 / 205 h | 14 °C (57 °F) |
| April | 19.7 °C (67 °F) · 31 mm (1.2 in) · 4.1 d | 19.2 °C (67 °F) · 39 mm (1.5 in) · 5.1 d | 246 / 237 h | 15 °C (59 °F) |
| May | 22.7 °C (73 °F) · 27 mm (1.1 in) · 3.2 d | 22.5 °C (72 °F) · 36 mm (1.4 in) · 3.6 d | 272 / 284 h | 17 °C (63 °F) |
| June | 26.8 °C (80 °F) · 11 mm (0.4 in) · 1.4 d | 26.5 °C (80 °F) · 11 mm (0.4 in) · 1.7 d | 299 / 315 h | 21 °C (70 °F) |
| July | 29.7 °C (85 °F) · 5 mm (0.2 in) · 0.5 d | 29.4 °C (85 °F) · 6 mm (0.2 in) · 0.7 d | 334 / 346 h | 24 °C (75 °F) |
| August | 30.3 °C (87 °F) · 18 mm (0.7 in) · 1.5 d | 29.8 °C (86 °F) · 22 mm (0.9 in) · 1.9 d | 305 / 316 h | 25 °C (77 °F) |
| September | 27.7 °C (82 °F) · 57 mm (2.2 in) · 4.2 d | 27.1 °C (81 °F) · 52 mm (2.0 in) · 4.7 d | 236 / 226 h | 24 °C (75 °F) |
| October | 24 °C (75 °F) · 58 mm (2.3 in) · 5.6 d | 23.7 °C (75 °F) · 69 mm (2.7 in) · 6.7 d | 205 / 205 h | 21 °C (70 °F) |
| November | 19.6 °C (67 °F) · 53 mm (2.1 in) · 5.6 d | 19.3 °C (67 °F) · 59 mm (2.3 in) · 6.4 d | 157 / 161 h | 18 °C (64 °F) |
| December | 16.7 °C (62 °F) · 52 mm (2.0 in) · 5.4 d | 16.5 °C (62 °F) · 48 mm (1.9 in) · 6.5 d | 151 / 151 h | 15 °C (59 °F) |
In practice the difference lies less in the weather than in the tourist calendar. In Ibiza the season starts around late April or May, when the clubs open, and ends in early October; from November to April many seaside businesses close. In Mallorca, Palma stays lively all year and the Serra de Tramuntana is best walked from February to May and in October-November. Autumn storms, sometimes intense, hit both islands from September to November. Details on our page when to go to the Balearics.
What to see: a small intense island or a large varied one
Ibiza
Ibiza is not only its clubs, which occupy a small part of the island. Dalt Vila, the fortified old town, and the Puig des Molins necropolis are part of the UNESCO World Heritage property « Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture », together with the Posidonia seagrass meadows. The Ses Salines natural park, Cala d’Hort facing the rock of Es Vedrà, Cala Comte and the northern coves (Benirràs, Portinatx) make its reputation, as do the white villages of the interior and the hippie markets such as Las Dalias. Formentera, reached by boat, is a day trip. Our Ibiza guide details a 5 to 10 day programme.
Mallorca
Mallorca combines Palma and its cathedral, the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with Valldemossa, Deià and Sóller (reached by a historic wooden train), Cap de Formentor, Pollença and Alcúdia, the Drach caves, the coves of the east coast and Es Trenc beach. The big resorts near Palma, such as Magaluf or s’Arenal, are party-oriented, but the island also offers a lot of peace in the interior. See our Mallorca guide.
Ibiza or Mallorca by profile
| Profile | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First trip to the Balearics | Mallorca | The most varied: city, mountains, villages, coves and big beaches |
| Parties and electronic music | Ibiza | Big clubs open from late April or May to early October; a separate budget |
| Weekend or short stay | Ibiza | Compact island, Formentera as an excursion |
| Families | Mallorca | Big beaches such as the Bay of Alcúdia; in Ibiza, choose Santa Eulària, Es Canar or Portinatx |
| Tight budget | Mallorca | Ibiza is, with Formentera, the most expensive of the Balearics according to our guides |
| Hiking and cycling | Mallorca | Serra de Tramuntana and the GR 221, February to May and October-November |
| Couples | Tie | Sunsets at Cala d’Hort and Ibiza’s fincas; Tramuntana villages in Mallorca |
| Winter stay | Mallorca | Palma lively all year; Ibiza very quiet and partly closed |
Budget: Ibiza is pricier
Our guides rank Ibiza, with Formentera, as the most expensive of the Balearics; Mallorca offers more choice. On both islands the Balearic sustainable tourism tax is added per night. To cut the bill in Ibiza, travel in May, June or late September and stay at Santa Eulària or in the interior.
Entry requirements and safety: the same rules
The Balearic Islands are part of Spain, so the same rules apply on both islands. Check the official pages before you book, as rules change.
US citizens
According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), Spain is part of the Schengen area. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your period of stay (the Department recommends at least six months), and you need proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket. Under the Schengen rules, US citizens can generally visit for short tourist stays without a visa; check the Spanish embassy for the latest details.
UK citizens
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026), Spain follows Schengen rules: your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and have an expiry date at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. You can travel without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. At the border you may need to show a return or onward ticket, proof of travel insurance, proof of funds and accommodation details. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being introduced across the Schengen area: you may have to register fingerprints and a photo, at no cost, so allow extra time at the border.
Why not both?
Ferries link Ibiza and Mallorca, according to our Ibiza guide, and domestic flights also exist. With 10 days to two weeks, allow 4 to 5 days in Ibiza (with Formentera) then a week in Mallorca. For a quieter island, see also Menorca and our comparison Mallorca or Menorca, or Formentera.
Frequently asked questions
Ibiza or Mallorca for a first trip?
Mallorca, generally: Palma, the Serra de Tramuntana, villages, coves and big beaches offer more variety, and the island can be visited all year. Ibiza suits a shorter stay or one centred on parties and coves.
Which island is cheaper?
Mallorca, generally: our guides rank Ibiza, with Formentera, among the most expensive Balearics. The Balearic tourist tax applies on both islands.
Can you go to Ibiza without partying?
Yes. The clubs are concentrated around Ibiza Town, Platja d’en Bossa and Sant Antoni. Santa Eulària, the north and the interior villages are quiet.
Where is the weather better?
The two islands are on a par: according to the AEMET 1981-2010 normals, Ibiza has slightly fewer rainy days (about 45 a year against 53 at Palma harbour), and temperatures differ by less than 1 °C (34 °F).
When can you swim in Ibiza and Mallorca?
From June to September, and even late May and early October. According to the DWD, the sea around Ibiza exceeds 21 °C (70 °F) from June to October and reaches 25 °C (77 °F) in August.
Can you combine Ibiza and Mallorca?
Yes, by ferry or plane. Allow 10 days to two weeks to enjoy both islands.
Our sources
- Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), 1981-2010 climate normals: Ibiza Aeropuerto and Palma Puerto, consulted 23 October 2026
- Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Ibiza climate table: mean sea water temperature
- Our published guides: Ibiza, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, when to go to the Balearics
- U.S. Department of State, Spain country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025)
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Spain (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
More head-to-heads await in our destination comparisons, for example Corsica or Sardinia.