May is the official start of the summer season on the island. Hotels are open and buzzing, beach clubs have rolled out their loungers, and the sea – while still a little nippy – is most definitely swimmable by the end of the month. There’s a public holiday in Spain on 1 May, but after that, Mallorcan schools are in session right through to mid-June. The last of the big family attractions open up across the month too, including the water parks.
It’s also one of the busiest months for fiestas: Es Firó in Sóller, the Capdepera Medieval Market, Mother’s Day, the Campos Cow Fair, the Palma Sardine Fair, and the Ironman triathlon in Alcúdia all land in May. There’s a lot going on, and between it all the beach is always beckoning.
For families visiting in May, you’re catching the island at close to its best. Long sunny days, golden evenings past 20h, beaches that are actually enjoyable – without the July crowds, the traffic, or the wait for a restaurant table.
What’s the Weather Like This Month
May is one of the most reliable months on the island. Warm, mostly sunny, with occasional short showers that clear quickly. The long days mean plenty of time for outdoor plans.
- Temperature: Daytime highs of 20-25°C in Palma, slightly cooler in the north and the mountains. By the end of the month it’s feeling properly summery.
- Rainfall: Around 30-35mm on average – less than April, and showers tend to be short-lived. A light jacket is still worth having for the first couple of weeks.
- Sea temperature: Around 17-20°C by late May. The warmer end is sheltered bays on the east and south coasts in the afternoon. Wetsuits useful for younger swimmers early in the month.
- Daylight: Around 14 hours by late May, with sunset after 21h.
Packing tips: Light layers for mornings and evenings, summer clothes for the middle of the day. Suncream from day one – the UV levels are higher than you’d expect. A compact rain layer for the first half of the month.
Check our Rainy Day Guide here →
What’s Happening in May?
By May, the island is in full seasonal swing. Almost everything is open (or will be by the first weekend of the month), the sun beds are neatly lined up on the beaches, lifeguards are back on duty, and the outdoor pools are finally warm enough to let the kids jump in.
May is a month of countryside fairs and events – good for a touch of culture, but keep in mind, most bring large crowds, especially Sóller’s Es Firó. Ditch the car and stick to public transport where you can. It’s also Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) in Spain on Sunday 3 May. Expect busy restaurant terraces, and it’s definitely worth booking ahead if you have a lunch plan in mind.
Water parks and outdoor theme parks are back. Western Water Park in Magaluf and Hidropark in Alcúdia both opened in April. Aqualand El Arenal – the island’s largest water park – reopens 4 May, with two brand new slides.
UK half term and German school holidays land at the end of the month. UK schools break from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May (with Monday 25 May also a bank holiday, making it a useful 9-day window if you can take a couple of days’ leave around it). German families are on Pfingsten (Ascension/Pentecost) holidays across a similar window, with dates varying by state from mid-May to early June.
The last week of May is noticeably busier than the rest of the month as a result – hotels fill up and flight prices soar. There aren’t many holiday camps running during this period – it’s not a local school holiday – but the beaches will feel busy and kids can find a friend at the hotel kids club.
Read our Seasonal Travel Guide →
What’s On This Month
Our pick of island events this month; cultural, seasonal, and outdoors-n-active moments for families.
Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) | Sunday 3 May | Island-Wide
Spain’s Mother’s Day falls on the first Sunday of May. Restaurants across the island will be busy; book ahead for there best spot on the terrace, plan for a picnic on the beach, or a hike with a view.
For five-star Mother’s Day moments, the Four Seasons Formentor is hosting a Mother’s Day lunch at Llum i Sal on 3 May, and the St Regis Mardavall – perhaps with one eye on its American guests – is doing things at its own pace with a Mother’s Day brunch on 10 May, which also happens to be US Mother’s Day. For something a little different, Primitif’s Sunday Fire brunch at Agroturismo Son Boronat sounds fun: open flames, slow cooking, natural wine and long shared tables under the trees.
Circaire – Festival de Circ d’Alcúdia | 1–3 May | Alcúdia
Contemporary circus festival now in its eleventh edition. 21 companies, 26 performances across Alcúdia’s streets, squares and outdoor spaces – most of it free! Shows run from mid-afternoon into the evening across all three days.
Fira des Jai | 30 April–3 May | Búger
Village fair in Búger, inland from Sa Pobla, centred on the figure of ‘es Jai’ (the grandfather) who arrives by cart to hand out sweets to children, accompanied by Xeremiers musicians and ‘big head’ Caparrots. The main day is Saturday 2 May – shared 18kg ensaïmada in the street, folk dancing, children’s activities. Sunday closes with traditional races at the forest of Binissatí.
Rata Market | 1-2 May | Andratx
A design and lifestyle market at Castell de Son Mas, Andratx. On Friday, face painting runs 12.30–14.30h, there’s a circus workshop at 16.30h and live music at 13h and 17h. On Saturday, children’s tattoos 12–14h, a sand painting workshop 16.30–19.30h, a magic show 17.30–18.15h and live music from 12.30h. Free entry.
Costitx en Flor (Flower Fair) | 30 April–3 May | Costitx
Streets, squares and buildings decorated with elaborate floral displays across four days. Main fair day is Friday 1 May: bull and devil parade at 10h30, local produce market, birds of prey display, vintage moped show, evening concert. Sunday closes with folk dancing at 18h in the Plaça del Jardí.
IronKids Alcúdia | 7 May | Alcúdia
A race for children born 2010–2023. Distances range from 200m to 1,000m by age category – register via the Alcúdia council website.
The main Ironman 70.3 takes place on Saturday 9 May, with road closures across Alcúdia and the north coast from early morning until mid-afternoon. The finish line atmosphere is worth watching even if triathlon isn’t your thing.
Sa Fira & Es Firó | 7–11 May | Sóller & Port de Sóller
Sóller’s biggest annual fiesta, commemorating the defeat of an Ottoman pirate raid in 1561. The week runs 7–11 May, with Sa Fira (the town fair with artisans, produce and livestock) on Sunday 10 May, and the main battle re-enactment on Monday 11 May.
Saturday 2 May A children’s fair for ages 3–10 runs in front of the Ajuntament at 17.30h, followed by folk dancing in the Plaza at 20h.
Sunday 10 May — Main Fair Day Sóller fills with stalls, livestock, classic cars and traditional craft from 9h. Solemn Mass at Sant Bartomeu with the Valentes Dones at 10.30h, followed by a dance display. The Banda de Música plays in the Plaza at 12h, with an equestrian display at 12.30h. Folk dancing in the Plaza at 18h, and a rum-burning revetlla at the Plaça del Mercat from 21.30h.
Monday 11 May — Es Firó The re-enactment of the 1561 pirate raid kicks off at 15.30h in the Plaza, before the action moves to the beaches. At 17.30h Moorish troops attempt to land at Platja de Can Generós but are driven back, and by 18.45h they succeed at Platja d’en Repic. Expect loud, smoky battle scenes as the fighting moves inland through Pont d’en Barona and back into the town centre, where by 21.30h the Sollerics finally defeat the invaders and proclaim their victory.
Expect A LOT of traffic and almost impossible parking! Use public transport where possible.
Fira de Ses Vaques (Campos Cow Fair) | 7–10 May | Campos
Three-day fair celebrating Campos’ rural identity: cattle and dairy displays, Mallorcan black pigs, cheese tastings and more. For families, highlights include the MINIMUU kids’ activity zone with cheese-making and face painting on Saturday, a giant chess festival, equestrian show, and the spectacle of Spain’s strongest man dragging a 15-tonne trailer on Sunday.
Beach Clean Ups | Saturday 9 May | Sant Elm & Calvia
Educational land, surface and seabed clean-ups organised by Fundació Cleanwave & Mallorca Preservation. Sign up online.
Cleanwave Foundation → & Mallorca Preservation →
Summer House by The Family Circle | 9–10 May | Sencelles
A curated family market in Sencelles. Alongside independent brands and designers, there’s a full programme of hands-on workshops for children including flower crown making, jewellery, mini gardens, sand art and a bouncy castle. Many activities are free; some workshops carry a small materials fee.
Fira de Maig de Campanet | 10 May | Campanet
The main fair day (of the annual May Fair) opens at 10h with local produce, craft stalls and village associations in the Plaza Major. There’s a children’s play area (ludoteca) from 10–13h, a street parade at 11h, and a livestock show including horses, dogs and Mallorcan black pig at Plaça de Son Bordoi. Folk dancing with Voramar closes the afternoon at 18h.
Diada Familiar per les Rapaces | 10 May | Algaida
Inauguration day for the Vuelo Alto birds of prey sanctuary. Meet the birds, falconry demonstrations, workshops and solidarity market. Under-3s free.
Mercat Medieval de Capdepera | 15–17 May | Capdepera
Three-day medieval market at the Castell de Capdepera, commemorating its founding in 1300 by King Jaume II. Artisan stalls, jousting, fire shows, bagpipers and knight parades through the decorated streets. Castle entry is free during the market weekend. A mini-train runs from Cala Ratjada; parking around the castle fills up fast on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Fira de la Sardina (Palma Sardine Fair) | 14–17 May | Moll de Pescadors, Palma
Four-day fair on the working fishing quay at the Moll de Pescadors, organised by Palma’s fishing brotherhood. Mallorcan sardines grilled on the spot, tastings, cooking demonstrations, children’s area, craft stalls and habaneras music in the evenings. Free entry throughout.
International Museum Day | Monday 18 May | Island-Wide
Museums across the island offer free entry, workshops and special activities. 2026 theme: “Museums Uniting a Divided World”.
- Es Baluard: on Saturday 16 May, children aged three to 14 can drop in anytime between 10.30–13h to explore the Jannis Kounellis exhibition and a participatory labyrinth installation by Itinerànica.
- Check back soon or with individual museums for their programme closer to the date.
Dates and times may change, particularly in the case of bad weather. Always check directly with the organiser before heading to an event.
Island Adventures – what to do with kids this month
1. Seaside Walks with a Splash
May is the sweet spot for coastal walking – if you start early, that is. Cool enough that nobody’s melting by 10h, warm enough to warrant a dip with an ice cream at the end. Here are some of our favourite coastal routes.
2. Sa Cabreta Goat Farm, Pollença
May is a good time to visit Sa Cabreta – especially at they’ve just opened their new tasting room and bio-shop. Pop in to meet the goats, pigs, chickens, and purchase the award-winning carob goat cheese. Book ahead for guided tours and tastings.
Combine it with beach play at Cala Sant Vicenç (12 minutes by car) or lunch on the Pine Walk in Port de Pollença.
3. Best of the Beach Eats
May might just be our favourite month for a long lazy beach lunch – partly because the weather is just right, partly because there’s nothing quite like that first proper beach day of the year with sand between your toes again. Warm enough for the kids to play at the water’s edge while the adults actually sit down and eat. All the best beach restaurants and chiringuitos are open, and the terraces aren’t heaving yet.
Best beach restaurants for families →
& Just Around the Corner
June sees the island shift up a gear. The sea reaches stay-all-day temperatures, the last of the spring mountain hikes has passed, and all roads lead to the beach. Mallorcan schools break up around 20 June, summer camps start in the last week of the month, and Sant Joan on 23–24 June means bonfires on the beach, fireworks and late nights – one of the most festive moments of the Mallorcan calendar.
The big hotel news for June: the Mandarin Oriental is set to open on the Punta Negra peninsula in the south-west on 1 June. Restaurant openings, a spa, and a kids club. Early intel suggests it’s worth the attention.
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