Mallorca in October (2024): Weather, Events, and Best Things to Do

Tempted by cheaper shoulder season rates but not sure if October is a good time to visit Mallorca? Is everything still open? Can you go swimming? Is it still beach weather? Find out everything you need to know about visiting Mallorca in October in this insider’s guide, including the weather, top activities, and what’s on. 

Why trust my advice? Unlike travel agencies, I have no commercial motives to big-up crap attractions and activities. I’m just a year-round resident who likes to share practical tips and honest recommendations to help you make the most of your time here. With that said, let’s jump in!

TL;DR: If you can live with the possibility of a few days of rain, October is a dream time to visit Mallorca. Prices are down, crowds are thinning, and the weather is still glorious for the most part!

Table of Contents

• What’s the weather like in Mallorca in October?
  • What to wear in Mallorca in October
• Things to do in Mallorca in October
  • Go hiking
  • See Mallorca by bike
  • Go sightseeing
  • Enjoy the last beach days
  • Last call for boat trips
• What’s on in Mallorca in October? Key dates and special events
  • Traditional fairs
  • Oktoberfest 
  • Palma Marathon (20th October) 
  • Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival (EMIFF) (30th October – 5th of November)
• Pros and cons of visiting Mallorca in October
• Is October a good time to go to Mallorca?

What’s the weather like in Mallorca in October?

Summer may be over (sniff!), but the weather in Mallorca is beautiful! With daily highs of around 24°C (75°F), the heat’s no longer sweltering but it’s warm enough to spend time outdoors and hit the beach. And with an average sea temperature of 22°C, the water’s comfortable for most people to still go swimming.

Temperatures can dip down to around 13°C (55.4°F) at night so you’ll need to wrap up, but the cool mornings and evenings are perfect for any strenuous sports like hiking or cycling. An added benefit of the cooler nights is that won’t need a fan or air con to fall asleep!

October is Mallorca’s rainiest month, but there are still only 6 days of rain on average, so the chances of rain ruining all your plans are very low. Another thing to bear in mind is that the clocks go back on the last Sunday of the month as daylight saving time ends. So you’ll get an extra hour in bed but nightfall will move from 7:30 pm at the start of the month to 5:50 pm by the end!

Average temperature: 18.7°C (65.7°F)

Average sea temperature: 22°C (72°F)

Average daily sunshine hours: 6.5 hours

Average rainfall: 6 days on average with around 70mm (2.8 inches) of rain falling over the month

Sunrise and sunset at the start of the month: 7:45 am – 7:31 pm

Sunrise and sunset at the end of the month: 7:16 am – 5:48 pm

What to wear in Mallorca in October

As we’ve just seen, you can have some gorgeously warm and sunny beach days followed by impressive storms with torrential rain in October, so pack for all weathers:

• Swimsuits
• T-shirts
• Vests
• Shorts
• Skirts
• Summer dresses
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Trainers or comfortable shoes for exploring
• Closed shoes for the cool evenings
• Sunglasses
• Sun cream
• Water-proof jacket
• Warm layers
• Hiking boots

Things to do in Mallorca in October

Go hiking

Woohoo! It’s finally cool enough to go hiking again! With coastal walks, forest trails, and tricky mountain routes, there’s a hike for every fitness level and taste. Take advantage of the warm sea in October with these gorgeous coastal trails and finish with a refreshing dip!

See Mallorca by bike

Whether you’re a seasoned pro, amateur, or once-a-year holiday cyclist, Mallorca has it all: challenging mountain roads, flat routes, scenic cycle paths, excellent infrastructure and mild weather. Experienced cyclists looking for a challenge can get inspired by these suggestions. Less experienced cyclists or those travelling with children, check out these less challenging trails.

My personal favourite is the gorgeous Playa de Palma cycle path. The entire route is about 15 km long stretching between the German resort town of S’Arenal and Palma city centre, but you can do a smaller section if you like. The route’s clearly marked, flat, and totally separated from road traffic, making it both safe and a breeze to navigate. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafés where you can stop along the way!

Go sightseeing

There will still be plenty of tourists at the most popular attractions, this is Mallorca after all, but without the summer crowds and hear, sightseeing will be a lot more comfortable. Here are some of my top recommendations:

Go on a walking tour of Palma Old Town

Not only will you get a better feel for the city, you’ll learn more about the city’s history and culture, and get helpful tips from local guides on what to eat, drink, see, and do. Before moving to Mallorca at the start of 2023, my husband and I went on a walking tour with Mallorca Free Tours with our local guide, Esperança. Our enthusiastic guide really brought Mallorca’s history and culture to life in a way a museum never can, so I’d highly recommend you put this on your must-do list!

Visit Les Coves del Drac (The Drach Caves)

An impressive complex of fantastical underground caves filled with stalagmites and stalactites and home to one of the largest underground lakes in the world, The Drach Caves are definitely worth a visit.  

Tips! This is a fantastic activity if it’s raining as you can take shelter deep in the caves. You can buy your tickets online for a small discount here.

Visit Palma Cathedral

As one of the island’s main attractions, no trip to Palma is complete without visiting Palma Cathedral. Equally impressive inside and out, the cathedral is a must-see and the perfect place to escape an autumn storm! Buy your tickets online from the official website or at the door. Entry is free for residents. 🥳

Enjoy the last beach days

All good things must come to an end, and that includes beach season. Beach services such as parasol and sun lounger rentals, as well as lifeguard services, will soon be drawing to a close, so take advantage of sunny days at a beautiful beach or cala! Mallorca has over 200 beaches and coves and they’re all gorgeous, so take your pick!

Last call for boat trips

Whether you’re interested in a dolphin-spotting tour (so worth it!), or a trip to the nearby islet of Sa Dragonera or Cabrera, this is your last chance of the season.

What’s on in Mallorca in October? Key dates and special events

Traditional fairs

Fires de Llucmajor (September 29th until October 14th)

Every year during the first two weeks of October, Llucmajor hosts one of the island0s oldest and most important harvest festivals – Les Fires de Llucmajor. With a rich history dating back to 1546, the beloved Llucmajor fair is now celebrating its 478th edition!

Kicking off on Saint Michael’s Day (29th of September) the Llucmajor fairs promise two weeks of fun, culture, history and tradition. Aside from perusing the traditional market stalls offering local food and handicrafts, you’ll find a wide range of activities and entertainment for all ages including sporting activities and competitions, live music acts, parades, and traditional dancing.

Check out the programme for 2024 and the Llucmajor events calendar here.

Fira d’Alcúdia (4th – 6th October)

The Alcúdia Fair is a vibrant three-day event that takes place every first weekend in October and transforms the streets of Alcúdia into a buzzing showcase of local culture, agriculture, livestock, and craftsmanship. 

You’ll find everything from stalls selling handmade jewellery and local foods, to classic car shows and a Roman market. There’s even an exhibition of local breeds of pigs, donkeys, pigeons, turkeys, and horses! As always, there’s plenty to keep kids entertained, including shows, storytelling and plenty of games.

One of the highlights is a whimsical parade where giant-headed figures representing characters from Mallorcan folklore come to life. These colourful characters only make their grand appearance once a year in Alcúdia, so catch them while you can!

To see the full list of activities on offer, check out this year’s programme.

La Fira Dolça (The Sweet Fair), Esporles (5 – 6th October)

Food glorious food, sweet pastries and chocolate. While we’re in the mood, cakes, ice cream and doughnuts… If your mouth’s watering, you’ll love La Fira Dolça, held every year on the first weekend in October. Now celebrating its 18th edition, this traditional sweet fair is paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth.

This year’s programme includes a show-cooking demonstration of gluten-free desserts, a wine and cakes pairing, tastings of traditional Mallorcan pastries*, ice cream, chocolates and sweets, and much more.

There’ll also be an extensive cultural programme, featuring traditional dancing, circus shows, parades, activities for kids, and live music. So head over to the charming mountain village of Esporles, enjoy the sweet decorations made by the local school children and indulge in doughnuts, cakes, and muffins galore!

* Warning! Controversial opinion incoming… I actually dislike most traditional Mallorcan pastries and sweet goods. Deport me now! The thing is, favourites like ensaïmades (slightly sweet and floppy pastries), crespells (dry and lacklustre biscuits), and rubiols (tired and sad pies) are the definition of boring for me. Plus, they’re all typically made with lard which really puts me off as a vegetarian. That said, plenty of people claim to love them, so give them a whirl and tell me what you think!

Autumn Wine Fair, Consell (20th October)

If you want to try some local vinos, Consell’s autumn wine fair is for you! Held every year on the first Sunday after Sant Lluc (October 18th), the autumn wine fair is a fantastic opportunity to take part in wine-tasting courses, enjoy showcooking demonstrations, and of course taste plenty of local wines and food!

The local council’s Facebook page releases more details about a week before the event.

Fira del Pebre Bord, Felanitx (20th – 23rd October)

Oh, I do love a highly specific food fair! La Fira del Pebre Bord in the rural town of Felanitx is no exception. Dedicated to a distinctive red pepper cultivated in Mallorca and an essential ingredient and preservative in Mallorcan staples such as sobrassada. 

Also known as tap de cortí, the pebre bord used to be widely grown on the island and hung out to dry on strings outside house façades, before being used for cooking. Nowadays, the traditional way of drying the peppers has almost died out, but their cultivation and use have rebounded in recent years following a decline in production due to competition from imports.

Although the pebre bord is the star of the show, the fair is not only an opportunity to discover more about this local paprika but also a chance to soak up the fun and family-friendly atmosphere of traditional Mallorcan fair – including giants, food, cooking demonstrations, music, traditional dances, and more. 

See Felanitx’s Facebook page for more details about a week before the event.

Oktoberfest

Dust off your dirndl and lederhosen, it’s time for Oktoberfest! Jokingly considered Germany’s 17th federal state, it comes as little surprise that Mallorca hosts several events to celebrate the world’s largest beer festival.

Son Amar Oktoberfest (4th – 20th October)

Hosted every weekend for the first three weeks of October, Son Amar offers entertainment, live music, and of course, plenty of German food and beer. Get your tickets here.

Santa Ponça – Son Bugadelles Oktoberfest (18th – 27th October)

With live performances from a German brass band and plenty of traditional Munich Hofbraü beer, you can expect an authentic Bavarian atmosphere every day from 11 am until 11 pm at this traditional beer festival. 1.4 km of blue and white banners have already been ordered and musicians are being flown in from Germany for the event so it promises to be quite the party!

Where? Recinto Ferial el Molino de Santa Ponsa – Ctra. Santa Ponça-Calvià, 2. (The same location as the German Christmas Market, open from November 22nd – 15th of December).

Megapark

In Arenal, it’s Oktoberfest every day. While they may not organize traditional Oktoberfest events, Megapark caters to a German-speaking clientele and offers live music and entertainment every day! Check it out before it closes for the season on October 27th!

Palma Marathon (20th October)

Widely considered one of the most scenic marathons in Europe, the yearly Palma Marathon attracts over 10,000 runners from 50 different countries. With options to participate in a full marathon, half marathon and 9km race, the mainly flat course and mild weather is suitable for runners of all ages and abilities. 

Passing through some of the most scenic spots in Palma, including the cathedral, the bay and the old town, and ending with an after-party at Megapark, it’s no wonder that even those with little running experience are motivated to take part.

Register for one of the three races here and in case you miss out this year, note the date of next year’s race: 19th of October 2025)

Warning! Traffic disruptions are likely. Avoid driving into Palma on this day if possible.

Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival (EMIFF) (30th October – 5th of November)

Ranking in the top 1.5% of the world’s film festivals as well as featuring in MovieMaker’s “TOP 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry fee” seven years in a row, it’s little wonder that EMIFF is one of the fastest-growing film festivals in Europe.

With a programme curated to showcase a culturally diverse, inclusive, and provocative mix of feature films, short films, documentaries, music videos, films for kids, experimental films, and animation shorts, there’s something for everyone at this much-anticipated film festival. Tickets are on sale from October 17th on the festival’s official website.

Pros and cons of visiting Mallorca in October

Pros

• Considerably lower prices than high season. We recently managed to find a rental car for 150 Euros, which could easily have cost double in August! Accommodation prices can also be around 20% to 40% lower.
• Fewer crowds and less congestion on the roads.
• Most bars, restaurants, and hotels are still open.
• The milder weather makes it an ideal time to visit with children.
• You can go cycling and hiking again without ending up a sweaty and dehydrated mess.

Cons

• Waterparks and a few other attractions may be closed.
• Holiday resorts will be closing and so you may find nightlife more subdued, although the bars and clubs are open all year in Palma!
• Your chances of rain are higher than any other time of the year.

Is October a good time to go to Mallorca?

In my opinion, October is a fantastic month to visit Mallorca. The weather is perfect for just about any plan, prices are down, and the crowds have thinned. The only real inconvenience you might encounter is a few rainy days, and a few attractions may be closed. But overall, I think it’s the month with the best weather and value for money, so would highly recommend it!

Have you visited Mallorca in October? What did you think? Tell me about it in the comments section! 👇