You can travel any time before 31 October 2023

Mallorca is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean, offering everything a cyclist or walker may wish for. There are beaches along the south coast, a central plateau with isolated hills bearing castles and monasteries to visit, and mountains plunging into the sea along the north coast. The mountains are green all year.  In the April/May there are lots of flowers and in October there is fruit in the vineyards, the start of Autumn colour and the sea is warm.  We have been cycling there for many years; walking is more recent.

We have been visiting in the Spring and Autumn for many years, taking advantage of weather that is less hot and an absence of summer crowds, but maybe you like lazing on the beach in the heat?  We have an agreed discount with the Hotel Helios all season.

In May and October, daytime temperatures are typically around 20°C, pleasantly warm and sunny but not tediously hot. Rain is a possibility and you should bring waterproofs (that’s why the island is green) but we’ve never had a day completely written off. More than one wet day is unlucky.

Cycling is very popular and there is the infrastructure in place to support it, including dedicated cycleways through the island capital Palma, cycle racks outside cafés and restaurants, and secure cycle storage inside at the hotel. Although there is nothing to stop you taking your own bike out to Mallorca, most of us hire out there since good quality carbon road bikes are available at a competitive price compared with flying your own out, and it is much less hassle. E-bikes are also readily available.

Walking is not yet quite so organised, but there is plenty to do, including the GR221 running the length of the northern mountains. Walking is up to the walkers to organise, making use of buses, trains and taxis, or perhaps hiring a car. See https://www.seemallorca.com/walking/guide and published guide-books.

For everyone, there is the historic centre of Palma and its cathedral, the quaint port town of Sóller accessible by narrow gauge railway, and also rustic traditional towns and villages in the middle of the island.  There is a sauna too.

The Helios is in Ca’n Pastilla, just to the east of Palma and at the end of the wide sandy Palma Bay, and a short bus ride from the airport and city centre. It’s a resort with all the facilities you might expect, but a long way from the infamous party spots of Palma Nova and Magalluf and quite genteel.  The Helios has increased its prices quite significantly this year and we will be investigating possible alternatives in April, when some of us will be out there.