10 Things to Do in Mallorca in October

The end of summer is the best time of year for travellers who want to enjoy the true essence of Mallorca, away from the holiday months. As in other parts of Europe, this is usually a period full of festivities celebrating the harvest season.

At this time of year, the Sierra de Tramontana mountains are tinged with a soft reddish hue as temperatures drop to more temperate levels and the beaches empty. It's the perfect season for excursions, mountain walks and even a dip in the sea. As you can see, Mallorca still has a lot to offer in October, and here I'll tell you all about it.

October brings a wide variety of festivities throughout Europe, and Mallorca is no exception. Many of the island's rural villages celebrate with traditional fairs where you can enjoy live music, markets, shows and parties. Some last longer than others, such as the Llucmajor autumn fair, which lasts throughout the month.

Food takes centre stage during the festivities, when Mallorca pays tribute to its local products: llampuga in Cala Ratjada or llonguets, a gastronomic exhibition held on the first weekend of the month.

There are also special events dedicated to sobrasada in Campos on the third Thursday of October, to Esporles sweets on the first Sunday, and to red peppers in Felanitx on the Sunday after Saint Luke's Day, making this fair the last of the year in that town.

One of the favourite dishes is the local dessert ensaimada, and as a tribute to this traditional Mallorcan delicacy, the municipality of Inca also dresses up for the "Dijous Bo" agri-food fair. An event that adds a sweet touch to the festive season. Here is a link to the best gastronomic tours in Mallorca.

October is a great month to travel to Mallorca, but bear in mind that you may encounter some rainy days. So why not spend one of those days seeing the numerous trophies won by Spain's best tennis player for yourself at the Rafa Nadal Experience Museum?

Located in the town of Manacor, where the tennis player was born, this museum has exhibitions not only on Nadal's career, but also on other great athletes such as Michael Jordan, Usain Bolt and Pau Gasol.

You can enjoy a day of interactive games practising on the F1 simulator, riding a bike or rowing. This is undoubtedly an ideal plan if you are travelling to Mallorca with children, for which I recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avoid queues.

The Fira D' Alcúdia is held in the old town on the first weekend of October. This fair has an agricultural and commercial theme, with many local businesses taking the opportunity to showcase their products.

On the Saturday of the fair, the Estol del Rei En Jaume, a troupe representing characters from Mallorcan history and tradition, takes to the streets, with a concert in the evening. This is the first Christian king of Mallorca, responsible for the expulsion of the Moors and the Catalan repopulation, which is why Catalan is now the official language of the Balearic Islands.

On the same day in Sant Joan, the Butifarrón Festival is celebrated, named after the well-known Spanish sausage that is a must at festivals and can be sampled from dawn until late at night.

You can reach this village by taking one of the many boat trips available on the island.

One of the most important events worldwide is the beer festival in Munich, but with so many Germans living on and visiting the island, it is not surprising that it is also a major event in Mallorca.

Although beer is the main attraction, there are also food carts and even special areas for children, making it a perfect opportunity for the whole family to have a great time.

Unlike the original, which begins in September, Mallorca's Oktoberfest is held during the first three weeks of October. The venue is the House of Son Amar in Palma, and tickets can be purchased in advance through their official website.

Every year in mid-October, the greatest exponents of tango gather in the city of Palma. For a whole week , dance classes, shows and parties are offered in the purest Argentine style.

Without a doubt, this is a unique opportunity that brings together not only Argentine and Spanish talent, but also dancers from different parts of the world who gather every year to show off their own dance style.

Tickets to attend the exhibitions and participate in the events are sold through the official website and include a series of classes taught by the leading exponents of this art form.

Recognised as one of the fastest-growing international film festivals in Europe, independent cinema is used to strengthen the creative community of filmmakers.

Over seven days, the film festival programme is designed to showcase a culturally diverse mix of feature films, short films, documentaries, music videos, children's films, experimental films, animated shorts, student films and a feature film and short film script competition, as well as a virtual reality section.

As if that weren't enough, the "Made In Baleares" category features films produced and directed by the most talented filmmakers in the Balearic Islands. In fact, it was this section that gave rise to the festival, as a means of inspiration for local producers and a way to strengthen ties with the national and international community.

The Museo de la Mar is the venue for this wonderful music festival, with the museum's outdoor courtyard overlooking the sea and its spectacular sunsets. It is undoubtedly an impressive place to enjoy the wonderful views of Puerto de Sóller, harmonising with the classical music concerts.

Pianist Alexander Malter is the artistic director of the event and has been involved with music in the region since 2005, bringing a wealth of musical knowledge and artistic experience to Port de Sóller.

Tickets can be purchased online and are available as single tickets or with a discount if purchased together for four concerts.

The increasingly popular Palma de Mallorca Marathon brings together thousands of runners in numerous competitions: a marathon, a half marathon, a 10-kilometre race and the Palma children's race.

The routes to the finish line usually include some of Palma's most emblematic monuments, such as the cathedral, the bay promenade and the historic city centre, making this sporting event another opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Mallorca among its streets and monuments.

Can you imagine running through Palma with hundreds of other runners by your side and crowds cheering you on every step of the way? It is definitely one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences to remember.

Car lovers gather in Port Adriano, usually in the third week of October, for the exciting Mallorca Classic Week. Attendees can admire classic cars, enjoy the entertainment of pin-up girl catwalks, music and much more.

The atmosphere during this week is like being transported to American events, as there is even a children's race and car exhibitions, most of which are of American origin.

If speed and adrenaline behind the wheel are your thing, this is definitely something you won't want to miss on your visit to Mallorca. Of course, to participate, be sure to register in advance on the official website.

This municipality is renowned for its vineyards, so much so that it forms part of the Binissalem designation of origin. To honour this title, Consell celebrates its wine fair on the first Sunday after Sant Lluc, which is usually the third week of the month.

Calle de Sant Bartomeu and the surrounding area are decked out for the festivities, which include a wide variety of bars and restaurants offering wine tastings and a gastronomic showcase of the region's main products.

The October weather makes Mallorca much more pleasant to visit, as the sweltering heat of July and August gives way to an average temperature of 20°C, which drops in the last few days, although historically the average remains around 16°C at the end of the month.

Although October is the rainiest month of the year for the island, it is still not very rainy. The probability of rain is one or two days a week, so a waterproof jacket is more than enough.

The water temperature ranges between 22 and 22 degrees, allowing you to continue enjoying the beach and the sea, but without the heat peaks typical of the Mallorcan summer. The perfect excuse to take a dip in the famous beaches of the Mediterranean Sea!

Therefore, Mallorca in October, avoiding the rainy days, is an ideal season for a bike ride, practising your favourite outdoor sport, such as quad biking, or attending one of the many festivals that fill the region with colour and excitement.

Although the island is small, the weather can vary considerably even in neighbouring towns, and it is usually warmer in the tourist resorts of Alcudia, Santa Ponce and Cala d'Or, while in the highlands and northern regions it is more common for temperatures to remain lower and for there to be a greater chance of rain.

October is a great time to visit the island's most charming villages: Fornalutx and Orient. The village of Valldemossa is also a must-see, where you can visit Chopin's house and enjoy the typical coca de patata (potato cake).

And you cannot miss the village of Soller and its iconic port, where you can enjoy typical Mallorcan prawns, taking advantage of the journey between the two on the tram dating from 1912, ideal for admiring the mountains and orange groves. Without a doubt, one of the best excursions to do in Mallorca.

Of course, the city of Palma de Mallorca has many places worth visiting, such as the cathedral or Bellver Castle. The old town with its shops and restaurants is also a good starting point for one of the city tours, culminating in dinner at one of its many restaurants and bars to discover Mallorca's vibrant nightlife.

Finally, on this list of unmissable villages, the Sierra de Tramontana offers many hiking trails suitable for all levels, among many other activities, and is home to the Lluch monastery, one of the most visited places in the mountains and on the entire island.

With the crowds of tourists thinning out, the summer heat finally easing off, and so many things to see and do, October is a great time to enjoy the best of Mallorca. What are you waiting for? Come and see it with your own eyes!