Palma in winter is a place to be experienced rather than simply passed through. From November to March, the capital of Mallorca welcomes back its residents, its markets and its terraces bathed in the midday sun. You can explore the cathedral at your leisure, take your time visiting the museums, and the January festivities bring the squares to life. Here’s how to enjoy Palma in the off-season.
Palma in winter: practical information
| Weather: | | From December to February, average maximum temperatures of around 15 to 16 °C and average minimum temperatures of around 4 to 5 °C; around 17 °C in March (AEMET averages, Palma Airport, 1981–2010)
| Rain: | | Around 5 to 6 days of rain per month in the middle of winter
| Highlights: | | Christmas markets from late November to early January · Festa de l’Estendard on 31 December · Arrival of the Three Kings on 5 January · Sant Sebastià, the town’s festival, on 19 and 20 January
| Experiences in Palma: | | Classic Experiences with a Friend (A Different Side to Palma, Palma Aglow) and Freedom Experiences with a roadmap (Palma, Art & Lights; Palma at Dusk)
| Availability: | | November to March
| Stay at the 4★ Artmadams Hotel | | , in the heart of Palma, for 2 to 4 nights, including experiences
Palma in winter: a capital city to experience at your own pace
In summer, Palma is often just a stop-off. In winter, it becomes a destination in its own right. You can stroll through the streets of the historic centre without being jostled, the locals reclaim the terraces, and the city reveals its true riches: Gothic heritage, art museums, covered markets and a vibrant neighbourhood life.
This article is part of our feature on the island from November to March. If you’re looking for a bespoke experience instead, take a look at our article on private tours of Palma.
Palma Cathedral, in the tranquillity of winter
Overlooking the bay, La Seu is the city’s landmark. In winter, visitors take the time to admire its nave, the light streaming through the stained-glass windows, or the more recent additions by Gaudí and the Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló. The forecourt and the ramparts that flank it offer one of the most beautiful walks in Palma.
A visit to the cathedral is included in our tour of Old Palma with an Amigo, a half-day tour in a small group, with collection from your accommodation.
The historic centre, from the Almudaina to La Lonja
The Almudaina Palace, La Lonja, the Consolat de Mar, and the narrow streets linking the old fishing districts to the wide avenues: Palma’s city centre packs centuries of history into just a few streets. Accompanied by an Amigo, in a small group of no more than eight people, you’ll learn all about the stories and details, with a tasty stop at a traditional bar to recharge your batteries.
Another side to Palma, a more unusual one
For those already familiar with the city’s main attractions, Palma can also be discovered from an unexpected angle. Our unique tour of the capital takes you from the working-class neighbourhoods to the palaces in the city centre, with a gourmet stop at a traditional bar and, to round off the tour, ‘Elements’, a spectacle of music, images and light staged in one of Palma’s historic churches.
Museums: the best place to escape on grey days
Palma is a true city of art. Housed within the Renaissance fortifications, Es Baluard showcases modern and contemporary art with views over the bay. The CaixaForum, in the former Gran Hotel, hosts temporary exhibitions. You can combine visits to both as part of a tailor-made day of art and culture, with a tapas break between the two. Miró enthusiasts can also make their way to the foundation that bears his name, in the Cala Major neighbourhood.
Markets and neighbourhood life
Winter is the best time of year to experience everyday life in Palma. The Olivar covered market, right in the city centre, and the market in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood are popular with locals and visitors alike. Santa Catalina, with its restaurants and wine bars, is also where the people of Palma like to go out in the evening.
Palma de Mallorca at Night: Palma After Dark
Winter evenings fall early, and the city takes on a different atmosphere. A free evening combining an immersive show, a cocktail and dinner lets you make the most of it without having to organise a thing: entry to Elements, a cocktail at an iconic venue and dinner at a traditional restaurant are all booked you simply follow your itinerary.
Winter festivals in Palma
From late November until Three Kings’ Day in early January, the Christmas markets bring the Plaça Major, the Plaça d’Espanya and the Rambla to life. On 31 December, the Festa de l’Estendard commemorates the entry of James I into the city in 1229, ahead of New Year’s Eve and the tradition of eating twelve grapes at the twelve strokes of midnight. Late in the afternoon on 5 January, the Three Kings traditionally arrive by sea at Moll Vell, before parading through the city centre. In mid-January, the feast of Saint Anthony is celebrated mainly in the island’s villages, followed by Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of Palma: on the eve of 20 January, bonfires, barbecues and concerts take over the squares in the city centre.
Did you know? In Sant Sebastià, people have barbecues in the square.
On the night of 19 January, for the Revetla de Sant Sebastià, bonfires are lit in the squares in the centre of Palma. Tradition dictates that everyone comes along to grill their sobrassada or botifarró between concerts. It’s an evening that’s very popular with the people of Palma, and one of the best ways to experience the city like a local.
For Christmas and New Year’s Eve, do also take a look at our ideas for enjoying the island in December, and for the origins of these celebrations, our article on Mallorcan culture.
From De Palma to the Serra de Tramuntana
Palma is also an excellent base for exploring the mountains. A day out in the Tramuntana with an Amigo takes you from Sóller to Valldemossa via the Ma-10 road, including a traditional lunch and collection from your accommodation.
Staying in the heart of Palma: the Artmadams stay
To experience the capital from the inside, our stay at the 4★ Artmadams Hotel places you right in the centre, with airport transfers, breakfasts and unlimited access to the spa (swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and hammam). The 2-night package includes our half-day tour of Palma with an Amigo, including a visit to the cathedral. The 3-night package adds a full day in the Tramuntana mountains, from Valldemossa to Sóller, with a traditional lunch. The 4-night package rounds off the programme with an evening at the Elements show, a stop at Bar Abaco and dinner at a selected restaurant.
Fancy something else? Discover all our hotel breaks and experiences, as well as our guided winter excursions and self-guided winter experiences.
Palma City Break · Artmadams 4★ & Authentic Experiences
Included in the Palma break at the 4★ Artmadams Hotel
- Accommodation at the 4★ Artmadams Hotel, including breakfast
- Return transfers from Palma Airport
- Unlimited access to the spa: swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room
- For stays of 2 nights or more: a half-day tour of Palma with an Amigo, including a visit to the cathedral
- For stays of 3 nights or more: a full day in the Serra de Tramuntana, from Valldemossa to Sóller, including a traditional lunch
- 4 nights: an evening at the ‘Elements’ show, a stop at the Abaco Bar and dinner at a selected restaurant
The highlights of Palma in winter
- Taking your time to explore the cathedral: La Seu, its stained-glass windows and the seafront, in the tranquillity of the off-season.
- A vibrant historic centre: Almudaina, La Lonja, Consolat de Mar and the narrow streets of the old neighbourhoods.
- A city of art: Es Baluard and the CaixaForum – perfect for a day out, combined with a tapas break.
- Evenings that change everything: an immersive show, cocktails and dinner as the light fades.
- A unique calendar of festivities: Christmas markets, the Festa de l’Estendard, the arrival of the Three Kings, and Sant Sebastià in January.
- Guided or independent: Classic Experiences with an Amigo and Freedom Experiences with a roadmap, from November to March.
Our tips for visiting Palma in winter
- Make sure you pack a warm jacket for the mornings and evenings, as well as an umbrella: afternoons can be mild, but it can quickly turn chilly again.
- Choose comfortable shoes: the historic centre is best explored on foot, along cobbled streets.
- Check the winter opening hours of museums and monuments before planning your day.
- If you’re coming by car, try to park on the outskirts of the historic centre, where parking is difficult.
- For Sant Sebastià or the festive season, book your accommodation and activities as early as possible.
FAQ: Palma in winter
Is it a good idea to visit Palma in winter?
Yes, especially if you’re interested in heritage, art, markets and local life. The town is quieter than in summer, making it a better time to explore its monuments, and there’s a particularly rich programme of festivities between December and January.
What’s the weather like in Palma in winter?
Mild for the season. Average maximum temperatures are around 15 to 16 °C from December to February, and around 17 °C in March. Mornings and evenings are cool, with minimum temperatures around 4 to 5 °C, and there are around five to six days of rain per month.
How many days should you allow for a visit to Palma?
One day is enough to see the cathedral and the historic centre. With two or three days, you can add the museums, the markets, a night out on the town and a trip to the Serra de Tramuntana. That’s the idea behind our stay at the Hotel Artmadams, for 2, 3 or 4 nights.
What can you do in Palma when it’s raining?
Palma has no shortage of cultural havens: the cathedral, Es Baluard, the CaixaForum, the Miró Foundation and the covered markets of L’Olivar and Santa Catalina. Our art-themed day out in Palma includes admission to both Es Baluard and the CaixaForum, with a tapas break in between.
Can you visit Palma Cathedral in winter?
Yes, all year round. Opening times vary depending on the season and religious festivals: please check them before you visit. A tour of the cathedral is included in our ‘Discover Old Palma with an Amigo’ tour, as well as in the Artmadams package for stays of two nights or more.
What festivals take place in Palma in winter?
The Christmas markets from late November to early January, the Festa de l’Estendard and New Year’s Eve on 31 December, the arrival of the Three Kings on 5 January, followed by Sant Sebastià, the town’s festival, on 19 and 20 January, with its fireworks and concerts in the town centre’s squares.
Is it possible to visit Palma without a car?
Yes. Our Classic Experiences in Palma include return transport from your accommodation in the areas specified on the listing, and the Artmadams package includes airport transfers. The Freedom Experiences, however, require a vehicle.
Where should you stay when visiting Palma in winter?
Right next to the historic centre, so you can do everything on foot and enjoy your evenings without having to get back in the car. Our stay at the 4★ Hotel Artmadams puts you right in the heart of Palma, with a spa, breakfast and airport transfers included.
Are the Évasion Authentic experiences available in winter?
Yes. Our Classic and Winter Freedom experiences are available from November to March. For public holidays, please check the experience details or contact us to check availability.
Further reading
Feedback from our travellers and contact details
Our travellers regularly share their experiences of Palma with our Amigos on Google. Do you have a question about an experience or an Artmadams holiday? Drop us a line on WhatsApp or by email, and we’ll help you choose the package that best suits your travel style.
Book your stay in the heart of Palma or discover all our winter experiences.
Further reading
Feedback from our travellers and contact details
Our travellers regularly share their experiences of Palma with our Amigos on Google. Do you have a question about an experience or an Artmadams holiday? Drop us a line on WhatsApp or by email, and we’ll help you choose the package that best suits your travel style.
Book your stay in the heart of Palma or discover all our winter experiences.
