Magaluf is a resort town located on the south coast of Spain's largest island - Majorca which lies in the Mediterranean Sea within the Balearic Islands. It is one of the most popular holiday resorts on the island. Magaluf's tourism boom is largely due to the abundance of cheap package holidays to the resort, so you can expect to find plenty of British travellers here, especially in the peak summer months.
The resort is well known for its nightlife and fun atmosphere which appeals to the young. Most of the nightlife in Magaluf revolves around the strip called 'Punta Ballena' so head here if dancing is on your agenda (and head to BCM nightclub if it's a foam party you want as this two story club boasts "the world's largest foam machine".)
While Magaluf appeals to a younger crowd, its twin resort Palma Nova lies nearby and is slightly more popular with travelling families and couples looking for something quieter and more laidback. The resort is an ideal place to escape to if the cloudy British summer is trying your patience. With an abundance of Blue Flag beaches, you're never far from the water or the soft golden sand.
In fact, one of the main draws to the area, apart from the nightlife and beaches, is the Mediterranean climate. Just like much of the island, summers here are warm and pleasant while the rest of the year remains mild, thanks to the surrounding Mediterranean Sea.
The climate of Majorca is generally quite uniform in nature, but there is a bit of regional variation. The island's mountainous terrain creates somewhat of a north/south divide in weather conditions. As a result, resorts to the south, such as Magaluf are a little cooler and sometimes wetter than those in the north. Don't let this put you off though the weather in Magaluf is still very agreeable. In fact, the refreshing breezes and cool temperatures are often considered preferable during the hot summer months.
Summer weather in Magaluf
Summer is the best time to visit Magaluf if you're looking for heat and sun, but you should keep in mind that you will be enjoying the season with thousands of other tourists. However, despite the drawbacks of higher prices and packed beaches, the over-crowded summer months have a more electric vibe.
June and September see average daily temperatures of 21°C to 22°C, while July and August are the hottest months with average daily temperatures of 24°C to 25°C. The average daily temperature statistics take into account the evening temperatures as well though and seeing as the evenings are cooled by the coastal sea breezes (average night time temperatures are around 16°C to 18°C) this brings the mercury down a quite a few degrees. July and August usually reach highs of 30°C during the day. Luckily, you can escape the heat by taking part in some of the many water activities the town has to offer, including jet skiing, wind surfing, tubing, snorkelling.
Along with high temperatures, Magaluf is at its sunniest during the summer months which is ideal for those tourists looking to return home with a tan. The sun shines for around 12 hours a day in June and August and rises to a glorious 13 hours a day in July.
Summer is also the driest month of the year in Magaluf, with July having the least amount of annual rainfall at just 9mm. July and August see the chance of rain increase slightly, but it is unlikely there will be more than 20mm of rainfall in either of these months.
Autumn weather in Magaluf
After the peak summer season, things start to cool down a little in Magaluf as Autumn arrives. Average temperatures drop to around 18°C in October and fall further still in November, to 13°C. It is still possible to experience high temperatures though, especially in early autumn when highs can reach up to 23°C. There's still plenty of sunshine around too, with between 7 and 8 sunny hours every day.
One of the main drawbacks of visiting Magaluf in autumn is that it's the wettest season of the year. The rain starts in September, when it increases from 20mm in August to more than double that, at 50mm of rainfall. October is by far the wettest month with 63mm of precipitation falling over 12 wet days. However, the rain generally occurs in short showers followed by bright, clear skies.
With lower temperatures and an increase in wet weather, autumn in Magaluf is generally quieter than the summer and the crowds of tourists begin to disappear. Many tourists prefer the peace and quiet of this season, though they should be aware that by November, the sea is generally too cold to swim in, dropping to 19°C.
Winter weather in Magaluf
Lasting from December to February, winters in Magaluf see the mercury falling as the days get cooler. January is the coldest month of the whole year. However, winter here is much milder than other parts of Europe the weather in Magaluf is still warmer and more enjoyable than the weather in Britain during the same time. Temperatures generally drop to an average of 9°C to 10°C while daily lows fall to a still bearable 4°C to 5°C.
Despite an increase in cloud cover, there's still a fair amount of sunshine to be found in Magaluf in winter, with an average of 6 hours a day. However, cooler weather and a sea temperature of just 14°C usually means than sunbathing on the beach is out of the question.
Rainfall decreases after the wet autumn weather. There's between 35mm and 44mm of rainfall each month throughout the winter, so an umbrella is recommended, but when it does occur it usually passes quickly.
In winter the resort is much quieter so you certainly won't be fighting for tables in cafes but you can enjoy a peaceful break.
Spring weather in Magaluf
Between the quiet winter season and the peak summer season, spring arrives in Magaluf. From March until May, temperatures begin to increase and days start to get gradually longer and sunnier. Average temperatures start at around 11°C in March, rising to 14°C in April and 18°C in May. By the end of May, high temperatures are hitting a balmy 23°C. In terms of sunshine, there's between 8 and 11 sunny hours a day, which makes spring a great time for sun worshippers.
Rainfall levels in spring remain similar to the winter months, just falling slightly towards the end of the season. There's around 30mm to 39mm of rainfall a month on average, which usually falls in short showers.
Spring is a great time to visit Magaluf if you're looking for a great deal and want to avoid the sizzling summer temperatures. However, it is worth noting that nights remain quite chilly in the resort, with low temperatures of just 5°C on some days. The Mediterranean Sea also remains a little too cold to swim, at just 15°C to 18°C.
Weather Hazards
While Magaluf has a reputation for its fantastic Mediterranean climate, it is sometimes subject to severe weather conditions which you should be aware of before you go on holiday in the area.
Due to the island's close proximity to North Africa, dust storms, which are caused by hot winds blowing across the Sahara, tend to occur in the Balearic Islands in the late winter/early spring time (usually between February and March). These can often reduce visibility to 200 metres or less and irritate asthma and other breathing problems, so make sure you bring your medication with you if you suffer from such problems.
The droughts in Spain have gotten worse in recent years and last for much longer than they once used to. These can exacerbate bush fires, by causing the vegetation to be much drier, and often lead to periods of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms or hail storms. These in turn can lead to flash flooding. Magaluf can see around 10 hail storms a year and between 10-20 thunderstorms. Such weather is usually an issue in the autumn, so it is best to visit Magaluf in the summer if you want to avoid any severe weather.
Tornadoes and water spouts can hit the Balearic Islands more frequently than any other region in Spain and can occur from any time between July and December. They are most commonly a problem in September and October though, so it is best to travel outside of these months to avoid seeing any such extreme weather.