The weather in Mallorca is suitable for cycling throughout the year and many cyclists do visit the island during every month of the year. But there are obviously differences if you cycle in December, compared with
if you come to ride in August.
In this article we take a look at what to expect in each season. We will discuss which is the best time of year in terms of the weather, the accommodation, the traffic and several other factors.
Cap de Formentor
Winter
Winter is when the professionals and serious club racers tend to come to Mallorca. They want to do long steady rides to build up their base fitness in conditions that are warmer and more pleasant than their home regions.
And so if you come in December, January or February you will see large groups of kitted out professionals zipping along the great roads surfaces.
The weather in winter is generally mild rather than warm. It's not unusual to have days where the thermometer hits 20°C (68°F), but there can also be days when it struggles to get above 10°C (50°F). It's almost never too cold for cycling though, and as long as you come prepared with a jacket and arm/leg warmers you should have no problems - even on the highest parts of the island.
Rain isn't common in winter but happens occasionally, and snow is a rare possibility on higher ground, although the roads are usually cleared quickly.
Another advantage of visiting in winter is that accommodation is often slightly cheaper in winter, although this can be balanced out by fewer flights to the island. If you stay in one of the more resort orientated towns, it can also be a bit dead during the winter, with not much open in terms of bars or restaurants. So we recommend
staying in the more historic Mallorcan towns, which have a lively culture throughout the year.
Alcudia old town is a good base in winter
Spring
Spring is the most popular season for cyclists in Mallorca. From March through to early June you will see dozens, if not hundreds, of cyclists every time you go on a ride. These will nearly all be cycle tourists and amateur racers, as the professionals have mostly gone away to begin their season.
The weather in spring is often perfect for cycling. Temperatures usually hover between around 18°C (64°F) and 25°C (77°F). For most riders this is t-shirt weather, although you might still see the local Mallorquins well wrapped up!
Rain again is relatively rare, but it does happen and so its important to bring a jacket with you. In spring it's generally in the form of typical April showers though, and with the warmer temperatures it's not really much of an issue.
Accommodation in early spring, particularly in March, is still quite cheap. But from Easter onwards it becomes more expensive, as non-cyclists also begin to holiday on the island. In our opinion, the sea is a bit too cool to swim in until May, although
many Northern Europeans and Americans have claimed it is warm even in March or April!
From March onwards make sure you bring adequate sun protection. The sun is seriously strong here, and going on a four or five hour ride without sun cream could easily leave you looking like a lobster, so be cautious even if the temperatures are not all that high.
The roads remain quiet through spring, although by May there can be a bit more traffic on some of the popular tourist routes, such as those around Cap de Formentor and Valldemossa.
Spring is often t-shirt weather and a great time to ride in Mallorca
Summer
Although you can certainly still have a great holiday in Mallorca during the summer, July and August have certain disadvantages compared with other times of the year.
The biggest issue is the heat. Temperatures above 30°C (86°F) are common, and can sometimes be significantly higher, particularly during the early afternoon. Summer certainly favours
early risers, and if you can get out on the bike by around 8am, you can certainly get a really good ride in before the temperatures become too oppressive.
Making an early start also deals with the other issue in summer - which is that the island becomes significantly busier. The mountain roads don't exactly get clogged with cars - the vast
majority of tourists to Mallorca spend all day on the beach and don't hire cars. And so the roads are perfectly rideable, but
there is more traffic than at other times of the year. But most people on holiday don't tend to be out and about betwen 8am and 11am and so this is perfect riding time!
In recent years the Mallorcan authorities have actually banned cars in summer from driving along much of Cap de Formentor and
Sa Calobra - two of the most popular cycling routes. This is great news for cyclists who visit at this time of year, although you still
have to keep an eye out for the buses.
Accommodation is significantly more expensive in Mallorca during July and August than at other times of the year. But this is the case in almost any holiday destination in Europe, so is something
that you have probably already taken into account if you are looking to travel during the summer.
So, overall, there are some negative aspects, but you can still have a good time riding in Mallorca in the summer. It's guaranteed t-shirt weather and rain is almost non-existant. If you make an early start you
can do fantastic rides and then spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or by the pool!
One last bit of advice for summer; make sure that you bring plenty of sun protection and also electrolytes for your drinks. Also take two water bottles with you, because it's not always
that easy to fill up on some of the more remote mountain routes.
In summer it's best to make an early start
Autumn / Fall
Riding in autumn is very similar to riding in spring. The temperatures are almost perfect for riding, and the summer crowds have largely dispersed. September is one of the most popular months for riding on the island. The sea is still very warm, so you can go
for a swim in the afternoon, but the air temperature is not so hot as in the height of summer.
Our favourite months of the year for visiting are actually October and November. The roads tend to be very quiet, it is generally t-shirt weather, and the general atmosphere on the island is
calm and relaxed. The locals almost seem to be breathing a sigh of relief that they have their island back after the hectic summer months.
Accommodation prices are also slightly cheaper at this time of year, particularly if you want to stay near the coast. The sea is also still warm for swimming until mid-late October, so the holiday doesn't solely have to be about cycling.
The scenery is also beautiful at this time of year, as the leaves begin to change colour; while the orange, lemon and olive trees begin to produce their fruit.
Rain is slightly more common in autumn than in the rest of the year, and there can be heavy showers at times (particularly during a phenomenon known as the gota fría). But you
are still more likely than not to get a full week of sunshine and blue skies.
Autumn is a great time for cycling in Mallorca
So, overall, you can see that there isn't really a bad time to cycle in Mallorca. Overall, spring and autumn are the most popular periods, probably with good reason. But
riding in summer and winter can also be a great experience as long as you are prepared for the weather, and the possibility of starting the ride earlier, or wearing extra layers.
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