Practical
Mallorca travel information
Everything you need to sort out before booking and before you fly: when to go, getting there, getting around the island and practical questions about your stay.
In brief
What should you know before a trip to Mallorca?
Mallorca can be reached all year round, but varies greatly by season: the swimming season runs from May to October; in winter many coastal hotels close, while Palma stays open throughout. Palma Airport is centrally located, and every place on the island can be reached in about 90 minutes at most. You pay in euros; the emergency number is 112.
When to go
Climate and season through the year
| Period | Air (day) | Water | Well suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| March–May | 17–24 °C | 15–18 °C | Hiking, cycling, almond and spring blossom, city breaks |
| June | 26–28 °C | 21–23 °C | Beach holidays with moderate crowds |
| July–August | 30–33 °C | 25–27 °C | Swimming; crowded beaches, hot around midday |
| September | 27–29 °C | 25–26 °C | Swimming in calmer surroundings, often the best overall balance |
| October | 22–25 °C | 22–23 °C | Hiking, cycling, swimming until mid-month |
| November–February | 14–18 °C | 15–17 °C | Palma, culture, hiking; many coastal hotels closed |
Values are typical average ranges and are no substitute for a current weather forecast.
Getting there and transfers
Almost all travellers arrive via Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), about eight kilometres east of the city. From the terminal, scheduled buses run to Palma and to some coastal resorts, plus taxis, pre-booked transfers and car hire desks. Ferries connect Palma and Alcúdia with Barcelona, Valencia, Dénia and Ibiza – relevant above all if you are arriving with your own vehicle.
Getting around the island
The TIB bus network covers the island in a star pattern from Palma; many connections between two coastal resorts require a change in the capital. It is complemented by the rail lines to Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor, the metro in Palma and the historic narrow-gauge railway to Sóller. In the low season, coastal routes run less often – check timetables locally.
Practical tips on the ground
- Currency: euro; cards are accepted almost everywhere, keep a small cash reserve for beach kiosks.
- Language: Catalan (Mallorquí) and Spanish; in tourist resorts also German and English.
- Electricity: 230 V, socket type F as in Germany.
- Tap water is treated, but tastes strongly of minerals; many people drink bottled water.
- Mealtimes: lunch from 13:30, dinner from 20:00; mostly only tourist restaurants serve earlier.
- Sun protection: from June to September the midday sun is intense, and shade is scarce on natural beaches.
Health and emergencies
Medical care is good; there are hospitals in Palma, Inca, Manacor and Muro. The European Health Insurance Card covers public facilities; private practices bill you directly. The emergency number 112 covers ambulance, fire brigade and police.
At a glance
- Airport: Palma (PMI), centrally located
- Maximum transfer time: around 90 minutes
- Time zone: same as Germany
- Emergency number: 112
- Best all-round months: May, June, September
Next steps
Emergencies & services
Help, health and important points of contact
Straight to the right topic
- Emergencies on Mallorca Emergency numbers and what to do
- Doctors on Mallorca Medical care and preparing for a doctor's visit
- Hospitals on Mallorca Public and private clinics
- Pharmacies on Mallorca Finding pharmacies and out-of-hours services
- German Consulate Help with documents and emergencies
- Police, theft & ID documents Dealing with loss and reporting it properly
- Hire car accident & breakdown Steps at the scene of an accident or breakdown
- EHIC & health insurance Benefits and billing at a glance
In practice
Practical questions in detail
On the ground and when planning
- Water temperature in Mallorca Monthly values from 14 °C to 26 °C
- Mallorca in the rain Museums, caves and indoor activities
- Ecotasa Mallorca Tourist tax: amount, exemptions, payment
- Bus, train & tickets Public transport across the whole island
- Palma Airport transfer Bus, taxi and transfer compared
- Hiking on Mallorca Routes, GR 221 and the best time of year
Further reading
More Mallorca guides
In-depth pages
- Best time to visit Mallorca Month by month: weather, water, prices, crowds
- What does a week in Mallorca cost? Realistic budgets for flights, hotel, car and food
- Flights to Mallorca Departure airports, flight times and when to book
- Weekly markets on Mallorca Market days by weekday and place
- Festivals & events What is celebrated on the island and when
- Excursions & activities Nature, boats, caves, culture and cycling tours
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Mallorca?
Beach holidays from June to early October; the sea is warmest in August and September. Hiking and cycling work best from March to May and in October. July and August are hot and at their busiest.
How long does the transfer from Palma Airport take?
To Palma about 15 minutes, to the south-west 25 to 40 minutes, to the east coast around 50 to 70 minutes and to Alcúdia in the north about 60 minutes.
Can you get around Mallorca by bus?
Yes, the TIB island bus network connects Palma with all the larger towns, plus the metro and the rail lines to Inca, Sa Pobla and Sóller. In the low season many coastal routes run less frequently.
Which currency and which time zone apply?
You pay in euros, and card payment is widespread. Mallorca is in the same time zone as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
What about health and emergencies?
The European Health Insurance Card is valid at public facilities; additional travel health insurance is recommended. The single emergency number is 112.