As cooler days arrive, our thoughts naturally turn to winter and Christmas. But why not escape the cold and celebrate the festive season somewhere a little sunnier?
Discover our 5 Reasons to Spend Christmas in Mallorca. With its mild Mediterranean climate, longer daylight hours and festive atmosphere, Mallorca is the perfect winter escape.
There are numerous restaurants to choose from over Christmas and many hotels offer a ‘Gala’ lunch or dinner menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas in Mallorca brings blue skies, mild temperatures and the chance to leave your winter coat at home. With quieter roads and fewer crowds, it’s the perfect time to explore the island at your own pace, discovering the islands culture, traditions and festive celebrations. Many of these experiences are open for you to enjoy and take part in.
The Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights which adorn the island’s towns and villages switch on at the end of November. Palma’s magnificent Christmas light grand count-down ceremony takes place on on Saturday 21st November in Parc de la Mar.
Belens
In homes, towns and villages across the island you will see nativity scenes or ‘Belens’ as they are known in Spain. Dating back to the 18th century, this is the tradition of building your own advent scene. The Santa Catalina Market Belen in Palma is superb as is The March Foundation Museum Belen, with its ornate crib scene of Italian origin “Belén Napolitano” and 2,000 hand crafted pieces dating back to the 18th century.
Town halls across the island have Belens, reflecting island life and all the figures are made by hand. In the Plaza Major Christmas Market you can buy your own figurines and build your own to take home with you!
Turron
From early December, the shops start to fill with Christmas Turron, made from a mixture of honey, eggs, sugar and toasted nuts, whose origins date back 500 years to the time of the Moors. The best turrons can be bought at Santo Cristo bakeries of Palma or Sóller or Turrones Vicens, Calle Bosseria in Palma.
Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, the ancient and mysterious Cant de la Sibil·la (Song of the Sibyl) is performed in churches in the same way it has for hundreds of years. Sung always by a woman carrying a sword, accompanied by children carrying candles, it is sung as a chant, capella-style. Very moving.
The main events take place in Palma Cathedral from 23:00 and Lluc Monastery from 22:00 during the Misa del Gallo, the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Markets
Palma’s two main plazas, Plaza Major and Plaza España hold markets from early December to the end of the first week in January. Pueblo Español also holds a Christmas Market and the Puerto Portals German Christmas Market opens from 12 December to 6 January.
It is easy to criss cross the island exploring at this time of year enjoying food, wine, museums, galleries, the natural caves and historic sites. Or take a walking trail or hop on a bike. Plus of course plenty of opportunities for shopping with locally made souvenirs or take part in the cultural fiestas.
Click this link for a look at hotels to stay in – there are a few hotels outside of Palma that have chosen to stay open in winter in Pollensa, Sóller and the east coast, all with excellent winter rates, plus of course further discounts with our special promo codes.
Enjoy Winter in Mallorca..
