What's the weather like in Palma in May?
Temperature
Things are really starting to warm up in Palma on the island of Majorca, Spain, during May. Temperatures can now reach 23°C in the afternoon and are unlikely to drop below 10°C during the night. Both these high and low temperatures increase greatly in the course of the month. May 1 is the coolest day of the month with a high of 21°C and a low of 10°C, while May 30 is the warmest day with 25°C highs and 14°C lows. The overall average temperature is now 17°C, no less than four degrees more than in April, but also still four degrees below the 21°C average that is recorded in June. You can leave the winter woollies at home and pack your suitcase with plenty of shorts and T-shirts.
Sea Temperature
The sea temperature averages 18°C in May, which is still not really warm enough to be comfortable for everyone. Hardy holidaymakers will, however, definitely test the water and go for swims in the afternoons.
Cloud Cover
Palma enters the warmer, sunnier and clearer half of the year in May. Cloud cover decreases from 41% to 34% in the course of the month, which means that the skies develop from partly cloudy to mostly clear.
Sunshine Hours
The length of the days, on the other hand, keeps on increasing. May 1 is the shortest day of the month with 13.53 daylight hours; May 31 is the longest day with 14.46 hours of daylight. This increase of 52 minutes implies that each day in May is 1.7 minutes longer than the day before.
It is only logical that clearing skies and longer days will result in more sunshinend that is exactly what is observed. In May, there are 12 hours of sunshine per day.
Rainfall
Fewer clouds in the sky should also decrease the amount of rainfall. Again, the weather follows the rules of logicshere are now only 7 days with precipitation and the total amount of rainfall is 30mm, the lowest total in no less than eight months; since last August, that is. May is the fourth driest month of the year, again after the following three summer months. The chance that rainfall occurs decreases in the course of the month, from 31% on May 1 to 22% on May 31. Moderate rain is the most common type of rainfall, occurring on 42% of the days with rainfall. Thunderstorms are second most likely, observed on 21% of those days. Light rain and drizzle can occur as well, respectively on 19% and 15% of the days with rainfall.
Hotels in Palma in May
Hotel Born
The Hotel Born offers 2-star accommodation in a 16th-century mansion that was built by the Marquis of Ferrandell, Ca'n Maroto. The building is an architectural and historic landmark and definitely a unique place to stay at. It is located in the heart of the resort and features modern amenities such as air-conditioning, tourist services and a breakfast room.
Hotel Almudaina
Another option is the 3-star Hotel Almudaina in the downtown area. Housed in a strikingly beautiful building in the middle of Palma's shopping district, this hotel lies mere minutes from popular attractions such as the Paseo del Borne and the Cathedral. There are numerous facilities and services, including a spectacular rooftop terrace, car and bicycle rental services and free Wi-Fi.
Beaches in Palma in May
Playa Ca'n Pastilla
Playa Ca'n Pastilla lies on one side of the nearly 5-kilometres-long Playa de Palma, which is the resort's main beach. Playa Ca'n Pastilla is only a few hundred metres in length, but because it lies further away from the city centre, it is much calmer. Some sections are dotted with sunbeds, loungers and umbrellas, but most of the beach can be used for playingt's a marvelous beach to visit with small children. Water sports that can be enjoyed on the water include banana boating, jet and water skiing, paragliding and pedal boating. The promenade behind the beach is free of traffic and lined with cafés, shops, bars and restaurants.
Bars and Restaurants
The Celler Sa Premsa
The Celler Sa Premsa Restaurnt offers a wide range of high-quality restaurant fare and fine wines. This cozy restaurant has a rustic Majorcan vibe, serves great traditional cuisine and has a well-stocked wine cellar.
Forn de Sant Joan
If you fancy celebrity spotting while you eat, you may catch sight of actors, musicians and footballer players at the Forn de Sant Joan. This top-notch restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with specific extensive menus for each time of day, featuring a huge selection of tapas, pastas, fish dishes, meat dishes, starters and deserts.
Things to do in Palma in May
Guided Tours
To get a good idea of the history of the island, you could go on a four-hour 'must-see' guided tour of the city. Called the First Sight of Palma de Mallorca tour, you will visit major landmarks such as Bellver Castle, the Cathedral, the Royal Palace, Basilica Sant Francesc, the La Lonja Fish Market and the old Gothic Quarter.
Arab Baths
If learning about local history is not your cup of tea, a trip to the Arab Baths may be more to your liking. As the name suggests, these thermal baths were constructed during the Arab period in the 11th century and are well-preserved, even almost without any restoration. The Arab Baths is one of only very few remaining Arab monuments in Palmabsolutely recommended for a visit.
