10 Things to Do in Mallorca in October

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

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

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

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

There are also special events dedicated to sobrasada in Campos on the third Thursday in October, to sweets in Esporles on the first Sunday or to red peppers in Felanitx on the Sunday after San Lucas, making this fair the last one of the year there.

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 to celebrate with the "Dijous Bo" food and agriculture fair. An event that adds that sweet touch to the season of celebrations. Here is a link with the best gastronomic tours of Mallorca.

October is a great month to travel to Mallorca, but you should bear in mind that you may have some rainy days. Therefore, you can spend one of those days getting to know first-hand the numerous trophies of the best Spanish tennis player by visiting the Rafa Nadal Experience Museum.

Located in the municipality of Manacor, where the tennis player is from, this museum offers exhibitions not only of Nadal's career, but also of other great athletes such as Michael Jordan, Usain Bolt or Pau Gasol.

You can enjoy a day of interactive games practising on the F1 simulator, riding a bike or practising rowing. Without a doubt, this plan is ideal if you are travelling to Mallorca with children, for which I recommend you buy your tickets in advance to avoid the queues.

The Fira D' Alcúdia is held in the old town on the first weekend in 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. He is the first Christian king of Mallorca, responsible for the expulsion of the Moors and the repopulation of Catalonia, which is why today Catalan is the official language of the Balearic Islands.

On the same day in Sant Joan the Fiesta del Butifarrón is held, the well-known Spanish sausage that cannot be missed at festivals and which is eaten from dawn until late at night.

This village can be reached by taking one of the many boat trips that you can do on the island.

One of the most important events worldwide is the beer festival in Munich, but with so many Germans living and visiting the island, it's no surprise that it's also a big event in Mallorca.

Although the main star is the beer, there are food trolleys and even special areas for the little ones, a perfect opportunity for the whole family to have a great time.

Unlike the original Oktoberfest which starts in September, the Mallorcan Oktoberfest is held in the first three weeks of October. The venue is the House of Son Amar in Palma and tickets can be bought in advance via the official website.

Every year in mid-October, the greatest exponents of tango come together in the city of Palma. For a whole week there are dance classes, shows and parties in the purest Argentinean style.

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

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

Recognised as one of the fastest growing international film festivals in Europe, independent film 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 screenplay competition, as well as a virtual reality section.

As if that wasn't enough, the "Made In Baleares" category features films produced and directed by the Balearic Islands' most talented filmmakers. In fact, it was this section that gave birth 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 patio overlooking the sea and its spectacular sunsets. There is no doubt that this is a stunning 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 associated with music in the region since 2005, bringing a wealth of musical knowledge and artistic experience to Puerto de Sóller.

Tickets can be purchased online and offer single tickets or the possibility of 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 along which the route to the finish line usually include some of Palma's most emblematic monuments, such as the cathedral, the bay promenade and the city's historic quarter, which makes this sporting experience yet another opportunity to get to know the Mallorcan gems hidden among its streets and monuments.

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

Car lovers flock to Port Adriano, usually in the third week of October, for the exciting Mallorca Classic Week. Attendees can admire classic cars, have a fun time with pin-up girls, music and much more.

The atmosphere during this week is like being transported to an American event, as there is even a children's race and exhibitions of mostly American cars.

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. However, to take part, make sure you register beforehand on the official website.

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

The street of Sant Bartomeu and the surrounding area are dressed up for a party, which includes a wide variety of bars and restaurants through wine tasting and a gastronomic display of the region's main products.

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

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

The water temperature is between 22 and 22 degrees Celsius, which means that you can still enjoy the beach and the sea, but without the heat peaks 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, to practice your favourite outdoor sport such as quad biking or to attend one of the many festivals that flood the region with colour and excitement.

Although the island is small, the weather can vary considerably even in the closest villages, and it tends to be warmer in the tourist towns of Alcudia, Santa Ponce and Cala d'Or, while in the higher and northern regions it is more common for temperatures to remain cooler and with a greater chance of rain.

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

And you cannot miss the village of Soller and its iconic port, where you can enjoy the typical Mallorcan prawns, taking advantage of the journey from one to the other in the tram that dates from 1912, ideal for admiring the mountains and orange groves. Undoubtedly 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 the Bellver Castle. The old town with its shops and restaurants is also a good starting point for one of the city tours, culminating with a dinner in one of the many restaurants and bars to discover Mallorca's vibrant nightlife.

Finally on this list of must-see villages, the Sierra de Tramontana mountain range offers many hiking routes suitable for all levels, among many other activities, and is home to the monastery of Lluch, one of the most visited places in the mountain range and on the whole island.

With the crowds of tourists thinning out, the heat which in summer is stifling and finally easing, and so much to see and do, October is a great time to enjoy the best of Mallorca, so what are you waiting for to see it for yourself?