September is the island’s big exhale. The sea is often where you feel it first: the water clears and the blues brighten, but it’s still beautifully warm for swimming. On land, the daytime heat eases, and once the schools go back, the beaches and restaurants suddenly feel a lot less frantic.
It’s also when Mallorca starts to feel more like Mallorca again. Villages for slow morning wanders, beach dips without a parking plan, harvest festivals on the weekend and impromptu city suppers, all making a welcome change from the relentless August beach-and-pool routine.
For families visiting the island, September is arguably the sweet spot: warm enough for swimming, cool enough for exploring and, after the first week or so, noticeably less busy.
What’s the weather like in Mallorca in September?
Two seasons in one month! The first half of September can still feel like summer. Days in the high twenties are normal, and a hot spell can push temperatures considerably higher. The sea is at its warmest after months of sunshine, and it’s suddenly clear again after months of sunscreen residue and endless humans.
Then things start to shift. By the second half of the month, the days are noticeably more comfortable and evenings can feel much cooler, particularly inland and in the mountains. The weather also becomes more changeable, with the occasional heavy shower and thunderstorm breaking the seemingly endless days of sweltering summer sun. Locals call these gota fría, or gota freda in Catalan and Mallorquí: sudden storms as cooler air meets the still-warm sea, heavy for a short spell and gone almost as fast as they arrived.
Rain doesn’t usually mean a washout, but don’t assume that because it was thirty-two degrees yesterday, tomorrow’s boat trip is guaranteed to be calm and sunny. Worth having a rainy day activities guide up your sleeve for the odd afternoon just in case.
- Temperature: 27-28°C in the day, dropping to 20-21°C at night. The month starts closer to 29-30°C and eases down to around 25-26°C by the end.
- Sea temperature: Around 25-26°C at the start of the month, cooling gradually to around 24°C by the end – still comfortably warm for swimming throughout.
- Rainfall: Around five to seven days of rain across the month, generally short and heavy rather than all-day washouts. Worth building a weather backup into plans from mid-month onward.
- Daylight: Sunset moves from around 20h20 at the start of the month to around 19h35 by the end – noticeably shorter evenings by the time the month ends.
For families, the big win is that you can usually spend much more of the day outside without having to retreat from the heat. A morning exploring Palma, a long lunch, an afternoon at the beach and dinner outside is entirely realistic.
And if you’re staying in a finca or somewhere inland, bring a layer for the evening. Once the sun disappears, temperatures can drop surprisingly quickly.
Is the sea warm in September?
Yes. Very. The sea is generally around twenty-four to twenty-five degrees, so September is one of the best months of the year for swimming.
This is of course particularly good news if you have children who spend half their holiday in the water. The sea has had the whole summer to warm up, and it stays warm well after the air temperature starts to drop. Pools on the other hand cool quicker than the sea, but most stay open and very swimmable throughout the month.
Read our Seasonal Travel Guide →
What can you do with kids in Mallorca in September?
Pretty much everything.
The sea is warm enough for swimming and snorkelling, and the temperatures don’t have you retreating to find shade at midday. September is also a great month for city exploring in Palma, taking a mini hike and dip in the mountains, seaside cycling, boat trips, snorkelling, visiting the caves, Mallorca’s villages, long lunches, and beach days that don’t require hiding from the sun at midday.
The sun beds are still on the beach, beach clubs and water parks are open. It’s also a great month to mix things up. You can have a proper beach day one day and spend the next exploring inland or visiting Palma for the day.
What’s On This Month – Fairs, Fiestas & Events
Our pick of island festivals and events for the month; cultural, seasonal, and outdoors-n-active moments for families.
Festes del Rei en Jaume, Santa Ponça
August 26 – September 6 2026
One of Mallorca’s best festivals for families, the Festes del Rei en Jaume celebrates King Jaume I’s landing in Mallorca in 1229 with medieval markets, parades, giants, historical re-enactments of the King’s landing on the beach and battle with the Moors, concerts and a fiery Nit de Foc. The festival usually finishes with fireworks over Santa Ponça bay.
Diada de Mallorca
September 12, with events taking place 6-13
Mallorca’s official regional day, marking the moment in 1276 when King Jaume II swore the Carta de Privilegis i Franqueses in Palma’s Santa Eulàlia church, founding the Kingdom of Mallorca. A different king, a different date, a different event to the Rei en Jaume festival, even though the two land in the same fortnight.
The programme runs across the island for a week, with over a hundred activities: a craft fair (Fira d’Artesania), the Pujada a Lluc a Peu (a walking pilgrimage), exhibitions, concerts, kids activities and the more formal ceremonies in Palma on the 12th itself.
Festa des Vermar, Binissalem
September 4-27 2026
September is grape harvest season in Binissalem, and the town brings the harvest to the streets with traditional celebrations, food, music and, most famously, the enormous grape fight. There is also grape treading contest, a wine fair (Fira del Vi) and plenty happening around the town throughout the festival.
And don’t forget, Binissalem is on the Palma-Inca train line, so you can leave the car at home!
Nit de l’Art, Palma
Saturday 19 September 2026, 18h-23h
For one night, Palma’s old town becomes one enormous art trail, with galleries and cultural spaces opening their doors and art spilling out onto the streets. Not a family event, but you can always pop into a gallery or two on an early evening out. Older children and teenagers keen on art or photography might also enjoy it.
Is September a good month for a family holiday in Mallorca?
For most families, yes.
If you want guaranteed sunshine from morning until night, July and August are always the best bet, but if you want warm sea, easy beach weather, fewer crowds, relaxed sightseeing and a taste of Mallorca beyond the resorts, September is hard to beat.
You still get that lovely feeling of a summer holiday, just one where you can actually sit outside for lunch without the kids complaining they’re hot, and walk round Palma without melting or ducking into a shop for AC every five minutes.
The only thing September asks in return is a little flexibility. Keep an eye on the weather, particularly if you have a boat trip or mountain day planned, and have a Plan B for the odd stormy afternoon
When does Mallorca get quieter?
The first week of September can still feel a lot like August. The popular beaches are busy, restaurants are full and the big resorts are still firmly in summer mode.
The real change comes when schools go back. The Balearic school year usually starts in the second week of September, and once local families return to school and visitors with school-age children head home, the island gradually starts to breathe again.
Mid-September is probably the sweet spot. The sea is still warm, the weather is generally lovely and the busiest summer crowds have thinned out. Don’t expect the island to be empty though. September is still a popular month to visit, particularly around Palma, the south-west and the most famous beaches..
What should you pack?
Don’t pack as though it’s August, but don’t pack for autumn either.
You’ll still want all the usual summer kit: swimwear, sandals, shorts, T-shirts and plenty of sun protection. I’d also bring a light jumper or cardigan, trainers, a lightweight waterproof, and something warmer for the evenings if you’re staying inland.
The waterproof is the one thing you might not use at all. But if you do need it, you’ll be very glad you packed it.
Where to stay in Mallorca in September
September works well almost everywhere, but with kids, it’s still a better month to prioritise beach, pool and outdoor space over city stays.
If you’re hiring a car and want to explore, an inland finca works well this time of year. Evenings are still warm enough to eat outside, the pool temperature is perfect for a daily dip, and day trips that would have felt like too much in August’s heat are worth bundling the kids in the car for now.
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