What's the weather like in Palma in October?
Rainfall
October is by far the wettest month of the year in Palma, the capital and largest city of Majorca, one of Spain's Balearic Islands. A total of 70mm of rain falls in the course of the month, but you can still expect several dry days. There are 11 days with precipitation, which also means that there are 19 days without any rainfall at all. The chance that rainfall occurs increases slightly in the course of October, from 33% in the beginning of the month to 38% at the end. There are two main types of precipitation: thunderstorms and moderate rain. They are observed on 34% and 36% of the days with rainfall respectively. Other types of rainfall that may happen are drizzle and light rain, occurring on 13% and 12% of the rainy days.
Temperature
Temperatures are cooling down in the Mediterranean at this time of year and Palma is no exception. The average temperature for the month is 19°C, but you may find that it drops down to a cool 13°C at night, so don't forget to pack a jacket. In the afternoon, the mercury rises to an average high of 24°C, which is much more comfortable than the high temperatures in the UK this time of year. Those temperatures decrease in the course of the month. October 1 is the warmest day of the month with a daytime high of 25°C and a nighttime low of 15°C, while October 31 is the coolest day of the month with a high of 21°C and a low of 11°C. The sea temperature, however, still averages a temperature above 20°C and now ranges around 22°C, the same temperature that was recorded in June.
Cloud Cover
October's wetter weather is related to the increasing cloud cover. In the course of the month, cloud cover increases from 37% to 42%, meaning that the sky is partly cloudy. There is, however, still sufficient sunshine, as the sky is clear or mostly clear 50% of the time in October.
Sunshine Hours
The length of the days decreases steadily throughout October. With 11.45 daylight hours, October 1 is the longest day of the month. October 31 is the shortest day with 10.32 hours of daylight. Every day in October is 2.4 minutes shorter than the previous one.
There are 8 hours of sunshine per day on average. This is a two-degree drop compared with September, but still two hours more than the annual minimum in December. With 8 sunshine hours out of 10 to 11 daylight hours, October may be the wettest month of the year, but it still is extremely sunny!
Hotels in Palma in October
Hostal Apuntadores
Stay at the Hostal Apuntadores in the heart of La Lonja and you will be right in the centre of the action. This hotel is surrounded by international bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The historic city centre lies only a few steps away, as do the shopping streets of Palma. The hostal also has a rooftop terrace offering great views over the resort.
Terramar
The Terramar is a budget hotel just 50 metres away from the Paseo Maritimo. It is close to the yacht club and Palma's vibrant nightlife, which makes it a popular place to stay among independent young travellers. There is a guest kitchen, dining area, a shady terrace and an expansive sun terrace.
Beaches in Palma in October
Playa s'Arenal
Although it may rain, the sea water is still comfortable to swim in in October. If you're looking for something else than the main beaches in Palma, consider heading 10 kilometres east, to Playa s'Arenal. This spectacular 210-metre-long beach connects to the 4,600-metres Playa de Palma. It stands out from the rest because of its palm trees that dot the beach, giving it a true tropical feel. The water is crystal-clear and the sand white, warm and soft. Many kinds of water sports can be done and there are numerous beach bars, restaurants and cafés along the promenade.
Bars and Restaurants
El Tunel
A good bar-restaurant to visit at the end of the day is El Tunel. It serves good regional Balearic cuisine at a reasonable price. The Portixol Hotel also has a great restaurant that is frequented by locals as well as tourists. The restaurant is opened from early morning to late at night and serves all kinds of meals; the bar serves international cocktails, coffee, beers and has comfy coaches and excellent views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Things to do in Palma in October
Fiesta Catalina Tomas
On the third Saturday in October, visitors to Palma can enjoy the Fiesta of Santa Catalina Tomas. This colourful event sees a parade of floats and bands wind their way through the streets of the city.
Cathedral of Mallorca
The Cathedral of Mallorca is well worth a visit. This impressive building towers over the city and is full with spectacular stained-glass windows. Although originally built in the 13th century, restoration work was carried out in the early 20th century. However, unlike some restoration work, these reforms have enhanced the beauty of the building.
Shopping
If you fancy doing a bit of shopping while you are in the city, you find a wide variety of stores to choose from. Hugo Boss is present on the Paseo del Borne, one of Palma's most exclusive streets, or pop into Showroom Street and pick up some designer bargains.
