Discover many activities to enjoy in the cooler months
You cant be bored on Mallorca during winter, as there is still plenty to see and do – and with fewer crowds around. Here are some of the top activities to enjoy from December until March.
1. Attend a traditional local festival
There are many local festivals on the island in winter time. In January, Sant Antoni (16th & 17th island-wide) and Sant Sebastià (10th-25th in Palma) celebrations follow Christmas and The Three Kings’ festivities Jan 6th. Palma honours its patron saint with a varied programme including concerts and a night of fire. February offers the almond fair ‘Fira de S’Ametler’ in Son Servera. Carnival – ‘Sa Rua’ – in 2017 is the weekend of February 25th & 26th.
2. Follow the Wine Route
With more than 70 bodegas on Mallorca, there’s plenty of choice if you want to try some of the excellent local wines. A great way to spend a day is to follow the official Wine Route for the Binissalem DO region. A downloadable guide includes more than a dozen wineries to visit and interesting information about the area’s wines, towns, and villages.
3. Take a cookery course
Impress your friends and family with some new culinary skills. The Galley Club Cookery School in Palma offers some 20 different cookery workshops as well as beginners’ evening classes and two-week courses. Learn to make impressive gourmet tapas or traditional Indian dishes with chef Katy Rosales during a three-hour workshop (from around 40 euros), then eat your creations in The Galley Club’s dining room.
4. Visit a museum
Become a culture vulture and discover some of Mallorca’s many interesting museums and galleries. A recent favourite is Inca’s smart contemporary museum of shoes and leather, where you’ll be amazed to see how much equipment is involved in making footwear. After a visit to the ‘Museu del Calçat i la Pell’, shopping at one of Inca’s leather outlets should be a must!
5. Pamper yourself in a spa
Resolve to indulge in some pampering beauty or wellbeing treatments to keep yourself feeling and looking well during the cooler months. Luxurious hotel spas open during winter include the Beauty Lounge Son Net, Ca Sa Galesa Wellness Spacio, Lindner Golf & Wellness Resort‘s Bahari Beauty & Spa, Nixe Herbal Spa, Park Hyatt Mallorca, Castillo Hotel Son Vida, and Arabella Sheraton Mallorca. In Palma, Sant Francesc Hotel Singular doesn’t have a spa, but does offer wellbeing and beauty treatments, using Anne Semonin products.
6. Go bargain-hunting at the market
isit Consell on a Sunday morning for the popular weekly flea market in Mallorca, where about 300 stalls are set up from early morning. It’s a magnet for bargain-hunters as, among the huge number of second-hand goods, you can often find something you’ve always wanted, an interesting antique, or the perfect Mallorcan artefact for your home or garden. Arrive early for the best treasure!
7. Take tennis or golf lessons
Use the quieter winter months to schedule in some professional golf lessons or tennis lessons to improve your play. Most golf courses on Mallorca have pro instructors and practice facilities, and some courses offer reduced winter green fees. If tennis is your game, head to the Guillermo Vilas Tennis Academy in Palmanova or Tennis Mallorca in Magaluf to polish up your game.
8. Go walking in the Tramuntana mountains
Winter is an ideal time to walk or hike on Mallorca, and several local clubs – including Mallorca Hiking Club – exist for those who enjoy guided walks. Stride out on Mallorca’s only official eco-path, the Via Verde, between Manacor and Artà, or take up Nordic Walking – an increasingly popular sport on the island. In fine clear weather, follow the Dry Stone Route (GR221) in the Tramuntana mountains. For more info visit www.infomallorca.net or www.mallorcahiking.com.
9. Visit Palma Aquarium
Open every day year-round, Palma Aquarium is a place where you can forget about the weather and enjoy discovering the fascinating creatures that populate our underwater world. Observe the sharks in Europe’s deepest shark tank, The Big Blue. An important conservation centre as well as tourist attraction, Palma Aquarium hosts occasional events during winter. Ask about short-term discount offers for residents/winter visits.
10. Visit Mallorca Planetarium
Ever wondered about all those glittering stars that are visible on clear winter nights? A visit to the Mallorca Planetarium – part of the ‘Observatorio Astronómico de Mallorca’ – on the outskirts of the sleepy central village of Costitx, will help you learn more about our wonderful universe. The Planetarium is open for visits on Fridays and Saturdays at 19:00h, and at other times by prior arrangement.
11. Go skating or rollerblading
Palma de Mallorca’s seafront promenade is perfect for rollerblading. It’s a great way to enjoy the views and fresh sea air, and tone your body. In winter, with fewer people around, it’s easier for wobbly beginners. Or don some gloves and skate on ice at Palma’s seasonal ‘pista de hielo’ (until late January) in Parc de Ses Estacions.
12. Walk to Alaró castle, followed by a roast lamb lunch
The ruins of the mountain-top Castell d’Alaró in the centre region of the island date back to the 15th century and, on a clear winter’s day, offer breathtaking views across Mallorca. Walk up from either Alaró or Orient or, for a shorter excursion, park near Es Verger. After walking down, treat yourself to the succulent roast lamb at this famous rustic Mallorcan restaurant.
18 . Stroll on a sandy beach
any of Mallorca’s 262 beaches are deserted in winter, and a dose of sea air and a winter picnic make a favourite off-season activity. Bring out your inner Robinson Crusoe and stroll the sands of Es Trenc, or from Son Serra de Marina to Can Picafort, around the Bay of Alcúdia, visiting the public Finca Son Real on the way.