The best time to visit the Balearic Islands is from May to June and from September to early October: it is 23 to 27 °C (73 to 81 °F) in the afternoon in Palma, there is little rain and the sea is already or still pleasant, without the summer crowds. July and August are the hottest and driest months, but also the most expensive and busiest. Winter is mild (about 15 to 16 °C (59 to 61 °F) in the afternoon), but many beach hotels close.
Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera share a Mediterranean climate: hot, almost rainless summers, an autumn when showers return, sometimes stormy, and a mild winter. Differences between the islands remain small. Menorca, more exposed to the north wind (the tramontane), is a little cooler and wetter in winter; Ibiza and Formentera are the driest. The real criterion for choosing is crowds: the archipelago is one of Europe’s busiest beach destinations in summer. Here is how to choose your month, based on the official normals of AEMET, the Spanish meteorological agency.
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When to go to the Balearic Islands at a glance
- Best times May–June and September to early October
- For the beach June to September; the sea is warmest in August and September
- Hottest month August, with an average maximum of 30.2 °C (86 °F) in Palma
- Driest month July, with about 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain in Palma
- Wettest month October in Palma (73 mm (2.9 in)), November in Menorca
- Hiking and cycling February to May and October–November
- Cheapest period November to March, but some of the beach hotels and restaurants are then closed
When to go to the Balearic Islands by priority
- Best weather: May–June and September to early October; July is the driest month (5 mm (0.2 in) in Palma)
- Cheapest: November to March, but many beach hotels are closed; April, May and October offer a better compromise
- Fewest crowds: November to March; in season, June and the second half of September
- Events: Sant Antoni festivities on January 16–17, Sant Joan in Ciutadella on June 23–24, Mare de Déu de Gràcia festivities in Mahón in early September
Balearic Islands: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: April, may, June, September, October
Weather in the Balearic Islands: climate month by month
The table uses the provisional 1991–2020 normals for the Palma port station, in Mallorca, published by AEMET. Palma is the capital of the archipelago and the main gateway; Menorca and Ibiza are compared further down.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.7 °C (60 °F) | 8.5 °C (47 °F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Mild but off-season, many hotels closed |
| February | 15.7 °C (60 °F) | 8.4 °C (47 °F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Almond trees in bloom, ideal for hiking and cycling |
| March | 17.6 °C (64 °F) | 9.9 °C (50 °F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | Low to moderate | Low | ⚠️ Cool spring, cold sea |
| April | 19.7 °C (67 °F) | 12.2 °C (54 °F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | Moderate (Easter) | Moderate | ✅ Hiking, towns and villages |
| May | 23.0 °C (73 °F) | 15.5 °C (60 °F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Very good month, swimming possible late in the month |
| June | 27.0 °C (81 °F) | 19.4 °C (67 °F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | High | High | ✅ Warm, dry, sea warming up |
| July | 29.7 °C (85 °F) | 22.4 °C (72 °F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ Ideal beach weather, but peak crowds and prices |
| August | 30.2 °C (86 °F) | 23.0 °C (73 °F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ The hottest, packed beaches |
| September | 27.4 °C (81 °F) | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | High | High to moderate | ✅ Warm sea, fewer people late in the month |
| October | 24.0 °C (75 °F) | 16.8 °C (62 °F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Mild, a few thunderstorms, end of season |
| November | 19.5 °C (67 °F) | 12.4 °C (54 °F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Quiet, autumn rain |
| December | 16.8 °C (62 °F) | 9.9 °C (50 °F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Mild, Christmas atmosphere in Palma |
According to the same normals, Palma averages fewer than one day of rain (at least 1 mm (0.04 in)) in July and about 2 days in June and August, against 6 to 7 days from October to November. Sunshine exceeds 350 hours in July and stays above 150 hours in midwinter. Autumn is the rainy season, often concentrated in a few brief but intense thunderstorms.
The seasons in the Balearic Islands: pros and cons
Spring (April to June): the best compromise
Highs rise from 20 °C (68 °F) in April to 27 °C (81 °F) in June in Palma, and rainfall drops markedly. The countryside is green and in flower, and the trails of the Serra de Tramuntana are walkable without excessive heat. The sea stays cool in April and May: swimming becomes pleasant for most people from late May or June. The Easter holidays attract visitors, but nothing like summer.
- Pros: pleasant temperatures, green landscapes, available accommodation, prices still reasonable
- Cons: cool sea before June, some beach activities only start in May
- Our tip: late May and June to combine beach, sightseeing and hiking
Summer (July–August): guaranteed sun, guaranteed crowds
It hardly rains: about 5 mm (0.2 in) in July in Palma. Highs reach 30 °C (86 °F) and nights stay warm (22 to 23 °C (72 to 73 °F)), which makes air conditioning welcome. It is the absolute high season: beaches and coves packed, congested roads in Mallorca, accommodation and car rental prices at their peak. Ibiza lives to the rhythm of its party and club season.
- Pros: warm sea, almost constant sun, all activities open, nightlife
- Cons: crowds, high prices, packed coves, heavy heat on some days
- Our tip: book early, favor Menorca or less developed coasts, and reach the coves in the morning
Autumn (September to November): warm sea without the crowds
September keeps summer weather (27 °C (81 °F)) with the sea at its warmest temperature of the year, and visitor numbers fall after the school holidays. October stays mild (24 °C (75 °F)) but it is the wettest month in Palma: rain often falls in short thunderstorms. November marks the end of the season; many beach businesses close.
- Pros: warm sea in September, fewer people, falling prices
- Cons: possible thunderstorms, gradual closures from October
- Our tip: the second half of September is one of the best times of the year
Winter (December to March): mild, quiet and green
Winter is mild by European standards: 15 to 17 °C (59 to 63 °F) in the afternoon in Palma, 8 to 10 °C (46 to 50 °F) at night. Swimming is out of season. Palma stays lively all year and almond trees blossom in Mallorca in January–February depending on the year. However, most beach hotels close, as do many restaurants in Menorca, Ibiza and especially Formentera, and sea and air connections are less frequent.
- Pros: low prices, quiet, ideal for hiking, cycling and visiting Palma
- Cons: cold sea, many businesses closed, short days, cold tramontane in Menorca
- Who is it for? A city break in Palma, hikers and cyclists
What is the climate like on each island?
| Month | Palma (Mallorca) | Menorca | Ibiza |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.7 °C (60 °F) / 44 mm (1.7 in) | 14.1 °C (57 °F) / 52 mm (2.0 in) | 15.7 °C (60 °F) / 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| February | 15.7 °C (60 °F) / 37 mm (1.5 in) | 14.2 °C (58 °F) / 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15.9 °C (61 °F) / 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| March | 17.6 °C (64 °F) / 29 mm (1.1 in) | 15.9 °C (61 °F) / 38 mm (1.5 in) | 17.7 °C (64 °F) / 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| April | 19.7 °C (67 °F) / 38 mm (1.5 in) | 18.0 °C (64 °F) / 45 mm (1.8 in) | 19.7 °C (67 °F) / 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 23.0 °C (73 °F) / 32 mm (1.3 in) | 21.6 °C (71 °F) / 37 mm (1.5 in) | 22.7 °C (73 °F) / 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| June | 27.0 °C (81 °F) / 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25.8 °C (78 °F) / 14 mm (0.6 in) | 26.8 °C (80 °F) / 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| July | 29.7 °C (85 °F) / 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28.9 °C (84 °F) / 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29.7 °C (85 °F) / 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| August | 30.2 °C (86 °F) / 22 mm (0.9 in) | 29.2 °C (85 °F) / 20 mm (0.8 in) | 30.3 °C (87 °F) / 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| September | 27.4 °C (81 °F) / 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26.2 °C (79 °F) / 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27.7 °C (82 °F) / 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| October | 24.0 °C (75 °F) / 73 mm (2.9 in) | 22.7 °C (73 °F) / 78 mm (3.1 in) | 24.0 °C (75 °F) / 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| November | 19.5 °C (67 °F) / 68 mm (2.7 in) | 18.1 °C (65 °F) / 88 mm (3.5 in) | 19.6 °C (67 °F) / 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| December | 16.8 °C (62 °F) / 49 mm (1.9 in) | 15.2 °C (59 °F) / 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16.7 °C (62 °F) / 52 mm (2.0 in) |
Mallorca
The largest island has the most varied climate. Palma and the bay are sheltered; the Serra de Tramuntana, in the north-west, peaks at more than 1,400 m (4,593 ft) and gets markedly more rain, with cool winter nights and sometimes snow on the summits. For hiking, aim for February to May and October–November; for the beach, June to September. Hiking in spring or beach in summer: our Mallorca travel guide helps you choose your base for the season you are targeting.
Menorca
Farther north-east, Menorca is the coolest of the islands: about 1 °C (34 °F) lower than Palma in the afternoon according to the airport normals, and the wettest in autumn (88 mm (3.5 in) in November). The tramontane, a sometimes strong north wind, can stir up the sea on the north coast; the southern coves are then more sheltered. Best time: June and September, July–August for heat.
Ibiza and Formentera
These are the driest and sunniest islands of the archipelago: 334 hours of sunshine in July at Ibiza airport, about 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain a month or less from March to May. The tourist season is shorter there: most Ibiza clubs open from May–June to about early October, and Formentera lives almost only in season. For quiet and sea, June and September are ideal. If clubs interest you, time your stay in Ibiza between May–June and early October, when the island is in full swing.
When to go to the Balearic Islands by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and swimming | June to September | All the islands |
| Coves without the crowds | June, second half of September | Menorca, south and east Mallorca, Formentera |
| Hiking | February to May, October–November | Serra de Tramuntana (Mallorca), Camí de Cavalls (Menorca) |
| Road cycling | February to May, October | Mallorca |
| Parties and nightlife | June to September | Ibiza, Palma |
| Family trip | June, early July, September | Menorca, Mallorca |
| City break and culture | All year, ideally October to May | Palma |
| Budget | April–May, October (hotels open, moderate prices) | Mallorca |
Major events in the Balearic Islands
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 16–17 | Sant Antoni festivities: bonfires, parades of « dimonis » (demons) | Mallorca (notably Sa Pobla, Manacor), Menorca |
| January 20 | Sant Sebastià festival, patron saint of Palma: concerts and events | Palma |
| March 1 | Balearic Islands Day (regional public holiday) | The whole archipelago |
| March or April (variable date) | Holy Week: processions | Palma and villages |
| June 23–24 | Sant Joan festivities: parades of horses and riders | Ciutadella (Menorca) |
| July–August (variable dates) | Village festivals with horses in Menorca, patron saint festivals everywhere | Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza |
| Early September | Mare de Déu de Gràcia festivities | Mahón (Menorca) |
The Balearic Islands month by month: what to expect
The Balearic Islands in January: Mild in the afternoon (16 °C (61 °F) in Palma), cool at night. Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastià festivities. Many beach hotels closed.
The Balearic Islands in February: The same climate as January, with less rain. Almond trees blossom in Mallorca depending on the year: a good month for hiking and cycling.
The Balearic Islands in March: Spring settles in (18 °C (64 °F)), the sea stays cold. Hotels gradually reopen from the end of the month.
The Balearic Islands in April: Pleasant for walking and sightseeing (20 °C (68 °F)). Crowds during the Easter holidays. The sea is still cool.
The Balearic Islands in May: A very good month: 23 °C (73 °F), little rain, the season getting under way. The bravest swim from the end of the month.
The Balearic Islands in June: Warm and dry (27 °C (81 °F)), the sea warming up, the longest days. Sant Joan festivities in Ciutadella. An excellent month.
The Balearic Islands in July: The driest month (5 mm (0.2 in)). Ideal beach weather, but heavy crowds and high prices. Think air conditioning: nights stay at 22 °C (72 °F).
The Balearic Islands in August: The hottest (30 °C (86 °F)) and busiest. A few thunderstorms possible late in the month. Book everything very early.
The Balearic Islands in September: Warm sea, still summery heat (27 °C (81 °F)) and fewer people from mid-September. Rain returns late in the month.
The Balearic Islands in October: Mild (24 °C (75 °F)) but the wettest month in Palma (73 mm (2.9 in)), often in brief thunderstorms. End of season: some activities close.
The Balearic Islands in November: Quiet and mild (20 °C (68 °F)), autumn rain. Many accommodations closed, especially in Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
The Balearic Islands in December: Mild (17 °C (63 °F)), Christmas events in Palma. A good month for a city break, not for the beach.
When to book your trip to the Balearic Islands
For July and August, book your accommodation 4 to 6 months ahead, as well as your rental car and, if you are traveling with your own vehicle, the ferry crossing: availability runs out and prices rise sharply as summer approaches. For June and September, 2 to 3 months is usually enough. In the low season, a few weeks is enough, but check that your hotel is actually open on your dates. Ferries also link the archipelago with the mainland, and the islands with each other. If you pass through Barcelona on the way to the islands, see the best time to visit Barcelona.
Planning your trip to the Balearic Islands
- Entry requirements: the Balearic Islands are part of Spain. For passport and ID rules and arrival procedures, see our page on the entry requirements for Spain.
- Time difference: the Balearic Islands are on Central European Time (UTC+1), and on UTC+2 in summer during daylight saving time.
- Currency: the euro.
- Heat and weather: GOV.UK (updated 12 August 2026) says extreme weather can affect many parts of Spain, particularly over the summer months, and advises checking AEMET warnings; it also notes that wildfires happen often in summer, including on the islands. Protect yourself from the sun and heat.
- Sea: GOV.UK warns that people drown in the sea in Spain every year and that some beaches, especially around Spanish islands, may have strong undercurrents: take care when swimming and keep small children within arm’s reach.
- Tourist tax: the Balearic Islands apply a sustainable tourism tax, paid per night at your accommodation; the amount varies by season and type of accommodation, so check the official tax page of the Balearic government (caib.es) for current rates.
For help organizing your stay, see our guide to the Balearic Islands. To compare with the rest of the country, see when to go to Spain, or our ideas on where to go in June and where to go in September.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit the Balearic Islands?
June and September are the most balanced: 27 °C (81 °F) in the afternoon in Palma, very little rain in June, a pleasant sea and fewer people than in July–August. May and early October are good choices if you favor sightseeing and hiking.
When can you swim in the Balearic Islands?
In practice from June to September, or even from late May to early October depending on your tolerance for cold. The sea is warmest in August and September. From April to mid-May it stays cool.
What is the wettest month in the Balearic Islands?
October in Palma, with 73 mm (2.9 in) on average according to AEMET normals, and November in Menorca (88 mm (3.5 in)). This rain often falls in a few thunderstorms: even in those months, there are roughly 6 to 8 days of rain.
Is the weather good in the Balearic Islands in winter?
It is mild: about 15 to 17 °C (59 to 63 °F) in the afternoon in Palma from December to February, with more than 150 hours of sunshine a month. But swimming is out of season and many beach hotels and restaurants close.
Which Balearic island should you choose in July–August?
Menorca and Formentera are quieter than Ibiza and the big Mallorca resorts, but also in high demand: book early. To limit the crowds, choose accommodation away from the big resorts and reach the coves early in the morning.
What is the weather like in the Balearic Islands in October?
Mild: about 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon and 17 °C (63 °F) at night at Palma port (provisional 1991–2020 AEMET normals), but it is one of the wettest months, with 73 mm (2.9 in) on average, often as thunderstorms.
What is the cheapest month to visit the Balearic Islands?
From November to March, prices and crowds are at their lowest, but many beach hotels are closed. April, May and October offer a better compromise, with average prices.
When is the best time to go hiking in the Balearic Islands?
From February to May and in October–November, when it is 16 to 24 °C (61 to 75 °F) in the afternoon. In summer, heat makes long walks grueling in the Serra de Tramuntana.
Our sources
- Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET): normals for Palma port (provisional 1991–2020 normals), Menorca and Ibiza airports (1981–2010)
- Heat, weather and sea-safety information read on October 26, 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Spain (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026). Festival dates: Balearic Islands tourism board (illesbalears.travel), read on November 11, 2026
- Our methodology
To combine with the capital, see when to go to Madrid.
Updated November 2026.
