Mallorca & the Balearics

Turquoise coves, mountain villages of honey-coloured stone and long island evenings — Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza.

Mallorca has two faces: the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO cultural landscape of mountains, terraced olive groves and stone villages falling to the sea along the north-west coast, and the south and east, with pine-fringed coves of clear turquoise water. Palma, the capital, gathers around its Gothic cathedral on the bay.

Weddings here happen in fincas — country estates among almond and olive trees — on terraces above the sea and in small hotels in the hills. Menorca is quieter, Ibiza famous for its sunsets; each island has its own airport.

A white gazebo and the mountains above the sea, seen from a terrace in Mallorca

Old fishermen's houses above a turquoise cove in Mallorca

A couple in silhouette at a Mallorcan cove, with sailing boats beyond

Through the year

When to marry in Mallorca & the Balearics

Late spring and September–October are warm, and the sea warms up through June. July and August are hot and the busiest weeks of the year. From November to March the islands slow right down, and many hotels and beach places close.

January: Quieter
February: Quieter
March: Quieter
April: Good with planning
May: Best
June: Best
July: Good with planning
August: Good with planning
September: Best
October: Best
November: Quieter
December: Quieter

SpringThe almond trees flower in late winter; then come green fields and wild flowers. Good weeks for walking down to quiet coves.
SummerDry, hot days and warm nights. Popular coves are crowded until evening — the hour before sunset is the one to plan for.
AutumnThe warmest sea of the year, softer light and fewer visitors. Late-summer storms can be sudden — keep a covered plan.

Places

Where couples marry here

The kinds of places — ask your photographer which ones they know well.

Fincas in the countryside
Stone manor houses with courtyards, olive and almond trees — the whole wedding in one place, with guests staying on.
Terraces over the north-west coast
Mountain villages and cliff-top gardens in the Tramuntana, with the sea far below — vows at sunset.
Coves and beaches
Clear water, pale rock and pines: an elopement early in the morning, or a barefoot ceremony when the day’s visitors have gone.
Palma’s old town
The cathedral over the bay, stone lanes and hidden courtyards — a ceremony in town and portraits before dinner.

Light

How the light falls

The Tramuntana coast faces north-west, so its terraces watch the sun set into the sea; the east-coast coves get the sunrise. Summer light on pale stone and water is bright and hard at midday — the evenings are long and golden.

Travel

Getting there

Palma’s airport has flights from all over Europe, many of them seasonal; Menorca and Ibiza have their own. Ferries run from Barcelona and Valencia, and between the islands. A car is the easy way to reach the fincas and the mountains.

Photographers