Three kings, local fiestas and cycling
Do you suffer from the post Christmas blues? If you are visiting Mallorca in January, you will have to turn that frown upside down, as some of the island's biggest fiestas take place this month and are sure to make January the season to be jolly.
Mallorca is the perfect place to escape the January blues, offering mild sunshine, festive celebrations and plenty of reasons to get outdoors. The month begins with Spain’s famous Three Kings parades, followed by lively local fiestas filled with music, bonfires and street celebrations. Outdoor enthusiasts take advantage of the cooler temperatures for hiking and cycling, while international cycling races attract riders from around the world. Meanwhile, Palma, the harbours and mountain villages provide excellent dining experiences, with many sunny days still perfect for relaxed al fresco lunches. Here’s what you can expect from Mallorca in January.
Many people come to the island for some winter sun throughout January as it hits an average of seven hours of sunshine per day. The average temperature is 10°C, but highs of 16°C certainly make it feel warm enough to dine al fresco style at lunchtime, in just a jumper or light jacket. Do note the evenings see temperatures drop to 5°C so bring some warm clothing too. Sunrise can be enjoyed at about 08:00 and sunset between 17:30 and 18:00 throughout the month.
The capital city of Palma is becoming increasingly popular as a city break all year round, and due to all the January fiesta's this is an exceptionally fun month to visit. Not to mention the shops have their January sales, where you can pick up some New Year bargains! There are too many amazing boutique hotels to choose from in the city centre but we are particularly fond of those around Palma old town which retain a lot of authentic character whilst boasting all the state-of-the-art mods and cons.
Mallorca's cuisine offers some hearty dishes, to warm you up on those chilly winter evenings. We highly recommend trying some Arrós Brut, Mallorcan suckling pig and some of the delicious lamb on offer around the island. If you want dine in true local style, then try one of the traditional celler restaurants, the best ones can be found in Palma, Inca and even small rural villages like Algaida.
With cooler temperatures and clear skies making trails more comfortable than in summer, January is a great time of year to visit Mallorca to go hiking. The island’s mountains, forests, and coastal paths offer stunning views and varied terrain, from gentle walks to challenging routes. Popular spots include the Serra de Tramuntana and scenic coastal trails. With fewer crowds, hikers can enjoy a peaceful experience, stopping in villages or picnic areas along the way, while still soaking up plenty of Mediterranean sunshine.
You're spoilt for choice when it comes to walks and hikes around this beautiful island. Challenging mountain hikes, gentle seafront paths and picturesque country trails are all available here. You can tackle them alone or, if you want to learn all about the Mallorcan landscapes and discover hidden corners, book a tour.
Dramatic and stunning Cap de Formentor is an absolute must for any visitor to Mallorca’s north.
The Puig de Maria sits overlooking the town of Pollensa in the north-east of the island of Mallorca.
Mallorca certainly has its fair share of tourist resorts, but there is much more to this island than mere beaches. Literally hundreds of hiking trails criss-cross the island, offering dramatic scenery, a glimpse of authentic rural lifestyles and a welcome respite from the noise and crowds at the beach.
A beautiful 6km coastal hike from Can Picafort to Son Serra de Marina taking in stunning sea views, archaeological sites, deserted beaches, ecological areas and the occasional nudist.
It is common knowledge that in order to find the best views of anything, one needs to go up! I am certainly a firm believer in this theory and it was with this goal that I set out one Sunday afternoon to reach the top of the island!
January is a great time for road biking in Mallorca, thanks to mild temperatures, quieter roads and stunning winter scenery. Cyclists flock to the island to tackle famous mountain routes and scenic coastal rides. The cooler conditions are ideal for long days in the saddle, while cafés in villages and ports provide perfect rest stops along the way. Professional teams also arrive early in the year to train, giving the island a lively cycling atmosphere.
100,000 cyclists cannot be wrong. Mallorca is one of the most popular and idyllic islands for cycling with it's plentiful flat farm roads and challenging hill climbs.
An intermediate hill climb for those who want to stretch their legs on the bike and explore the North of the Island.
The road to Sa Calobra is one of the reasons so many cyclists come to Mallorca. With an average gradient of 7% (maximum gradient is 12%) and a height gain of 668m over 9.4km it is sure to test the most professional thighs.
Mallorca is well known as a road biking haven, with lots of pro teams training on the beautiful roads during the cooler months of the year. The mountainous terrain coupled with the beautiful and varied coastline provides some great climbs with phenomenal views. The relatively short ride from Puerto Pollensa to the Cap de Formentor is a great example of this, with panoramic views of the bay rewarding the short climb from town.
With undulating roads and an altitude gain of almost 2000m this relatively short ride, at just 75km, will get your lungs and your legs pumping.
Enjoy a flat route by the sea that is completely on purpose made cycle paths so that it is safe for all the family to cycle. It takes you from the capital city of Palma to the beach resort area of Playa de Palma.
Mallorca's Sierra de Tramuntana attract the sporting kind in these cooler months, especially road bikers and hikers! However if you are more interested in sipping on a coffee whilst reading a book, or exploring some pretty mountain villages, then the picture-postcard mountain towns and villages of Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller and Fornalutx should be on your to-do list.
The charming village of Puigpunyent is nestled in a scenic valley on the southeastern slopes of the rugged Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Its beauty is enhanced by forests of pine and evergreen oaks, along with groves of olive, almond, and carob trees.
Mallorca’s second city, Manacor, sits around 10km from the eastern coastline. It used to be an agricultural town but, with the help of the railway line that was opened in 1879, it became the industrial and commercial centre of the area.
This fishing village, once the port for Felanitx, was named in honour of Christopher Columbus, who is said - without much evidence - to have been born here. Popular with Mallorcan and Spanish visitors and set inside a deep natural harbour, Portocolom still has the feel of a small fishing port, with boats around the quay and pastel-coloured houses lining the waterfront, each with its own landing-stage.
Puerto Portals is widely known as the most glamorous marina on the island. It has become an attractive destination for the rich and famous to moor their yachts and now caters for more than 600 yachts up to 60 metres in length. Unlike many other ports in Mallorca, there is a year-round buzz here. It’s the place to visit for designer shopping, people watching and first-class restaurants and bars.
Sant Elm (also known as San Telmo in Spanish) is a charming coastal village in the far south-west corner of Mallorca. With the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains behind it and the uninhabited island of Sa Dragonera in front, you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful spot.
Artà is a picturesque town just a few kilometres inland from the north-east coast of Mallorca. Tucked in a valley, it is surrounded by the mountains of the Llevant Natural Park along with some of the island's most beautiful rural plains.
Due to the wonderful climate in January, this month is a great time to hit Mallorca's golf courses. There are more than 20 courses for visitors and non-members to choose from, with easier shorter courses to more challenging, award winning courses that have held some prestigious international competitions. So take your pick! Some of the larger ones come complete with luxury hotels and resorts attached to them, and, with reduced green fees and easy access, these make for creating the ultimate golfing holiday.
This is a private 9-hole golf course just a few meters from the Rotana Hotel. The course is reserved for hotel and restaurant guests.
This golf course, situated in Canyamel in the nort-east of Mallorca, is renowned for being one of the most beautiful on the island.
This is a private, family-run, members' golf club, set in 156 hectares of beautiful Mediterranean landscape. Recently included in the new Rolex World’s Top 1,000 Golf Courses Guide, Son Gual is also Rafa Nadal’s favourite course on the island. It's a challenging course, even for the most seasoned golfers, making it one of the most talked about courses in Mallorca.
The golf course in Andratx was designed by the famous Gleneagles resort in Scotland and opened in 2000. The 18-hole championship course is well known as one of the most difficult and challenging in Mallorca.
This golf club is located next to the sea in beautiful natural surroundings. The course was designed by John Harris and opened originally as a 9-hole course in 1967.
This golf club is renowned as one of the most beautiful courses on Mallorca. Situated in the far northeast of the island, the course sits in the foothills of the Llevant natural Park overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
January in Mallorca keeps the festive spirit alive. Christmas markets often remain open until early in the month, while the spectacular Three Kings parades fill towns with colourful floats and sweets for the crowds. Local celebrations soon follow, with lively winter fiestas featuring bonfires, music, parades and traditional “devil” performances. Families also enjoy events honouring the patron saint of animals. For sports fans, the island hosts an early-season cycling race that attracts professional riders to tackle Mallorca’s varied terrain.
This annual funfair takes place at Son Fusteret, on the outskirts of Palma. With plenty of thrill-seeking rides, a 60-metre-high Ferris wheel, stalls, games and family activities, it's an event that families ought not to miss.
A regatta circuit in which top national and international sailors compete, Puerto Portals has become the port with the largest fleet of Dragons in Spain and a benchmark on the international circuit.
Established artists in Mallorca showcase donated artwork to benefit local families, with all proceeds supporting Fundació Monti-Sion Solidària (FMS), which helps 6,000 people annually through 200 dedicated volunteers.
An international sailing regatta held every year in the Bay of Palma de Mallorca. Since its first edition in 1968, it remains one of the most important events of the competitive sailing calendar in Mallorca. It brings to the island more than 1000 sailers up to olympic level from around the world.
Running across eastern Mallorca, the TotalTri International Triathlon is a popular race year after year.
Spend Easter Sunday enjoying a special brunch at Son Julia Country House.
This is only a small selection of the events taking place in Mallorca during the first month of the year. Take a look at our events calendar for a full rundown and do check out some of the amazing options for accommodation around the island.
Find out all about what is happening in Mallorca and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, fabulous beaches, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see, and experience on the island.
See allLatest News & ReviewsThe island hosts all sorts of events, including agricultural fairs in the spring and autumn, live music and DJs in the summer, religious fiestas and international sporting events. Some of the most popular are the Mallorca 312 cycling race in April, the Copa del Rey sailing regatta in July and the Moors vs Christians mock battle in September.
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