Spain

Balearic Islands Weather Overview

The Balearic Islands are a Spanish archipelago of islands located of the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula, 120 miles south east of Spanish party city Barcelona.

The islands, including the four main inhabited islands of Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca, play host to an idyllic Mediterranean climate of long hot summers and enjoyably short mild winters.

Lying in the Western Mediterranean sea the islands are lucky enough to experience the beautiful refreshing winds that blow through in the evenings which provide a welcome break from the scorching summer heat. The local prevailing winds and proximity to the sea also helps to keep conditions mild in winter.

The Balearic Islands are a popular summer destination, though the weather is pleasant year round so a trip to the region will prove enjoyable at any point in the year. The conditions do vary slightly across the islands this is mainly dependant on the differing geography on each island and also the proximity to the mainland.

Mallorca, for example, is quite mountainous in parts which results in cooler temperatures and more frequent rainfall in parts of higher elevation. The islands which consist mainly of low lying plains will generally experience higher temperatures and less frequent rainfall.

On the whole the Balearic Islands have long summers which spread across 6 months of the year, temperatures in the height of summer will frequently be above 30 degrees- perfect for lying on the beach and working on your tan (albeit not for too long as the blistering heat can burn you quite quickly) The shoulder seasons of Autumn and Spring maintain pleasant temperatures of low to Mid 20’s, and the water temperature is still warm enough to swim. Winters are quieter in the Balearics, but play host to frequent crisp sunny days and this is an ideal time to visit if you want to enjoy the more ‘tranquil’ side of the popular tourist destination.

On average, the Balearics enjoy around 300 days of sunshine every year- between five hours of sunshine per day throughout November and December, and an astounding twelve hours of sunshine per day during the peak summer months, so if working on your tan and pulling out your sunglasses collection is on your agenda than the Balearic Islands is probably the place for you.

Ibiza

Lying in the very west of the archipelago is the world’s favourite party island of Ibiza. Ibiza revels in fantastic conditions all year round, with a summer that begins in May and lasts right through until October. The island its self is tiny, only 45 kms wide and 25km longs, but packed into this area are some of the worlds best nightclubs and some of Europe’s most serious party goers! The conditions on the island are pretty predictable, whenever you visit you can guarantee clear weather and mild conditions- warm to cool in winter, warm to hot in summer!

Ibiza is famed for its golden sunsets which can be enjoyed from the popular Café de Mar and from any of the beach side haunts, the sun set is rarely interrupted by bad weather though on the odd occasion it is you can be sure than the picturesque fiery sunset will be back to its best within days.

In the height of summer the mercury regularly sits about 30 degrees, with August and September generally being the most blistering hot. There is relief from the heat when the local sea breezes blow through in the evenings which cool down the island to a refreshing 25 degrees. The peak summer months of June to September see very little rainfall, however if you need to cool down then head to the beach and dive into the Med Sea which during this time boasts a temperature of 25º - 27º C.

Winters in Ibiza barely ever see the mercury fall below 0 degrees, and the average daytime temperature generally sits at about 15 degrees. However, in the middle of the day underneath the Mediterranean sun the barometer can record temperatures of an enjoyable 25 degrees! Pretty amazing for the middle of winter!

The majority of winter plays host to endless clear sunny days which are occasionally broken up by short periods of rain. The locals will tell you that it never rains for more than 3 days at a time, so while an umbrella should definitely be included in your suitcase if visiting in winter, so too should you sunglasses.

Ibiza becomes a completely different island outside of summer. Summer sees the island packed to the brim with party goers and youths from all over the globe, however the off season sees Ibiza return (to an extent) to a picturesue Spanish island.

Ibiza in winter is a time for lazy beach walks stocking up on some Vitamin D which is absent from many other European winter destinations.

Winter weather on Ibiza is actually sunnier and warmer than on neighbouring island Mallorca. As Ibiza is a famed summer destination a lot of the island does actually close down come off-season, so while you will have your pick of beautiful, deserted beaches there isn’t the same ‘buzz’ that the island is so famous for.

Mallorca

Mallorca lies in between the two smaller islands of Menorca and Ibiza, and is the Balearics largest island, home to the regions capital of Palma. The climate in Mallorca is fairly similar to that of Ibiza which is described above- the main difference between the two islands is the topographic make up and which results in slightly different weather conditions in parts of higher altitude.

Mallorca has two main mountain ranges, lying in the northwest and the east of the island. The northwest is home to the Serra de Tramuntana range which plays host to the islands highest point.

At the highest points in the mountain ranges there is occasional snowfall, though this doesn’t survive into the low lands which see higher temperatures than the higher altitudes.

The north coast of Mallorca is home to rugged terrain with many cliffs and great view points. As you head further inland you will reach the central plain which records less rainfall and higher temperatures. The summers in the lowlands can get particularly hot, especially as you move further from the coast and the very inland is not tempered as heavily by the coastal breezes.

The summer months see temperatures in the mid to high 20’s, though the average daily highs are in the 30’s. The winter months can see average lows fall to 4 degrees, but generally the daily temperature sits around 10 degrees through the height of winter. Rainfall is at its maximum during the autumn months of September to November, with October on average being the wettest month. During the summer months, rainfall in Mallorca is at a bare minimum.

Menorca (sometimes spelt Minorca) is the second largest of Balearic Islands, and lies to the north east of Mallorca. Menorca has remained relatively un-spoilt by tourism when compared to its neighbors. Most of the resorts are concentrated along the island's south coast which is where the islands most accessible and picturesque beaches are located. The north coast on the other hand is very rugged with picturesque horse shoe bays and a much more wild coast line.

Menorca averages 315 days of sunshine a year. Like its western Baleriac counterparts, the average summer high temperature is around 30º, though increases into the mid 30’s in the height of summer. Humidity is generally quite high (as it is an island, obviously surrounded by water!) usually sitting at about 70-77% even in the winter months. The winters are mild and sunny, however the high humidity and strong winds that come through archipelago from France can have the effect of making it feel rather cold and damp.

Menorca is sometime called the "windy isle," a result of the eight distinct winds that prevail in the area. Each of these winds have been given a different name by the locals. The tramontana (north wind) is the most prevalent, blowing on 150 days a year bringing with it changeable weather.

Formentera

Formentera is the smallest of the inhabited Baleriac Islands, being only 19 km long. The tiny island has four clearly defined seasons, including of very warm and dry summers and cooler winters. Due to the islands size and its flatness temperatures are similar across the island.

Formentera does occasionally suffer from strong winds. Though these do bring cooling relief in the height of summer.

Until its hilly counterparts, Formentera is made up of lowlands which mean rainfall is rare year round. The summer months often seeing no rain at all which leaves the island very dry. If you combine the dry conditions with the prevailing winds what you can often end up with is a fairly dusty little island!

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