Despite reports of tourist numbers being down in summer, the Balearics saw a year-on-year increase in passenger numbers, with Palma Airport in Majorca remaining one of Spain’s busiest airports
Brits are still heading to Ibiza in big numbers (Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
After two summers of anti-tourism protests, it appears Brits are undeterred from visiting the popular Balearic Islands.
Airports in the Balearics saw a year-on-year increase in passenger numbers of 2.4% between January and October 2025, with 15,628,717 international passengers landing on the islands’ runways, according to Majorca Daily News. However, October did see a slight decrease of 0.1% in passenger numbers compared to 2024.
Most passengers arrived on low-cost airlines, with 10,903,152 travellers arriving using services such as easyJet and Ryanair, while 4,725,565 flew on traditional airlines such as British Airways.
The data, which was released by Turespaña – the Tourism Institute of Spain – also showed that the UK made up the majority of tourists, with 2.2 million Brits arriving in Spain in October, a year-on-year increase of 4.4%, accounting for 21.7% of the total number of visitors arriving across the mainland and islands combined. The same month also saw a 14.6% increase in visitors from Ireland.
Brits are also the tourists most likely to use a budget airline. According to the data, over 30% of them arrive on this type of service.
Palma airport in Majorca is now the third busiest airport in all of Spain, with only Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona El Prat seeing more visitors. The island airport has welcomed 11,936,115 tourists this year, an increase of 2.3% compared to 2024.
Turespaña also revealed that tourist spending was on the rise. Visitors who arrived in Spain stayed on average for a week and spent €1,380 (about £1,217) per person.
Tourist officials in Ibiza were left panicking over the summer, as 20,000 fewer Brits visited the island during the peak months. Speaking at a conference in London, Ibiza’s Minister of Tourism, Jaume Bauza admitted the numbers were “worrying”. However, the rise in overall visitors seems to suggest that while Brits may be avoiding the islands in the summer, they’re likely shifting their breaks to the shoulder season of September and October, where it’s cheaper and less busy.
Jaume Bauza reiterated that he was keen for Brits to visit Ibiza: “I want the British who visit our islands who are, and will always be, warmly welcome, to be aware of and familiar with this transformation process, because I want them to be aware and participate in the changes we are undertaking.”
Like many areas of Spain, the Balearic Islands have seen anti-tourism protests, especially in Majorca, which is the most popular island for visiting Brits.
In June, around 10,000 people marched through the island’s capital of Palma, protesting overtourism and its effects on locals, such as rising house prices. There were also reports of anti-tourist graffiti with slogans such as ‘tourist go home’ and ‘rich foreign property buyers go to hell’ daubed on walls and monuments over the summer.
Despite reports of tourists being driven away from Spain by protestors, one Spanish airport has reportedly seen a rise in the number of passengers passing through, with a third coming from the UK
Alicante-Elche Airport is popular with Brits heading to Benidorm(Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
Warnings of Spanish ghost towns and holidaymakers ditching the country do not apply for one popular region where visitor numbers are spiking.
A Spanish airport in the popular Costa Blanca region has reported its tenth consecutive record-breaking month for passenger numbers, almost surpassing last year’s passenger total with a fair few weeks remaining in 2025.
Alicante-Elche Airport welcomed 1.9 million passengers in October, an increase of 5.9% compared to last year, and 631,771 of those passengers were Brits, representing over a third of passenger traffic. This was followed by Germany, which represented 129,127 passengers and the Netherlands with 118,996.
So far in 2025, the airport has had 17.2 million people pass through its doors, and it’s estimated it could reach the 20 million mark by the end of the year, according to Spanish expat news outlet Olive Press. They also reported that the airport had its busiest October for flights yet with 11.931, an increase of 6.1% year on year.
Some of the additional traffic could be down to new routes opening up to Alicante. Ryanair recently announced new connections to and from Cardiff, Aberdeen, Bratislava, Linz, Salzburg, Bydgoszcz, Rzeszow, Stockholm Västerås, Småland, and Lanzarote.
Ryanair also added additional flights on 29 of their existing Alicante routes for its winter 2025 schedule, noting the destination’s popularity during the colder months. The airport is serviced by several budget airlines popular with Brits including easyJet, Jet2, Vueling, and Wizz Air, making it easily accessible from across the UK.
Alicante-Elche is the fifth busiest airport in Spain, and the largest in the Valencian Community. One of the reasons it’s a popular destination for Brits is its close proximity to Benidorm, with a direct bus from the airport to the holiday hotspot taking just 45 minutes.
It’s also just 20 minutes away from the centre of Alicante, which has cultural attractions and beautiful beaches. The Telegraph dubbed Alicante ‘Spain’s most underrated city break’ in a 2024 article.
The news comes amid speculation that the anti-tourism protests of 2023 and 2024 would deter tourists from taking Spanish holidays. While the majority of protests took place in cities such as Barcelona and on island locations like Majorca, it was speculated that anti-tourist sentiment could lead visitors to choose alternative destinations, such as Greece or Turkey.
Benidorm has also implemented some strict restrictions to keep rowdy Brits under control. Swimming in the sea is banned between the hours of midnight and 7am, with fines between €300 and €1,500 ( approx. £255 – £1,278). Reserving your spot can also land you in trouble, with sunbeds, towels, or umbrellas left on the sand before 9.30am removed, and potential fines of up to €250 (about £220.33) for leaving your belongings behind.
Smoking and vaping have also been banned from the beach, with reports of fines reaching the thousands.
The striking beach appears like an alien landscape from above. The way its orange sand undulates and twists across great hills is unlike anything else you can find in Europe
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The beach is the sunniest in Europe
The sunniest beach in Europe during winter has been crowned, and it’s surprisingly cheap to get there.
Playa de Maspalomas in Spain has topped the chart, soaking up an average of just over 10 hours of sunshine a day – perfect to escape the winter blues. By some measures, the vast beach sprawls for 7.5miles along the coastline.
The golden-sanded beach is best known for its spectacular dunes, which form the protected Maspalomas Natural Dune Reserve. People out walking, surfers and nudists mingle freely on a beach, which also has quiet, isolated areas for nude bathing.
It is home to the iconic Maspalomas Lighthouse. Built in 1861, it was once a vital guide for steamboats navigating routes between Europe, Africa, and America. Today, the lighthouse marks the beginning of a vibrant seaside promenade.
Milo Boyd
A little further from the beach is the Maspalomas Palm Tree Plantation, a protected natural space providing a resting spot for birds migrating from Europe to Africa. Wandering through its palm-lined paths offers a breath of fresh air after a day in the sun.
The striking beach appears like an alien landscape from above. The way its orange sand undulates and twists across great hills is unlike anything else you can find in Europe.
It was named the Continent’s sunniest winter beach by Saga, which has compiled a list of the beaches that enjoy the most hours of sunshine during the winter months.
Playa de Maspalomas, which sits on the south of the Canary Island of Gran Canaria, isn’t just sunny during the winter. It’s hot as well. The island has hit 24C today and is forecast to stay at that level for the rest of the week.
The beach is well loved on TripAdvisor, where it has received thousands of positive reviews. One person wrote: “Enjoyable especially in the early morning and at sunset, when the sun seems to play with the ocean waves and golden sand dunes giving unique and always new views.”
Another added: “One of the most beautiful beaches in Gran Canaria. Super extensive and the dune landscape is unique. The beach as well as the water are always super clean. We love coming here.”
If the idea of swapping the soggy UK for a spell on a sunny beach appeals, then the good news is that Gran Canaria is not too far or too expensive a flight away. The cheapest direct flight this week is £24, with Ryanair from Edinburgh Airport. Later in the month, a one-way fare can be yours for £13.
There are also direct flights this month from the following airports: Bristol, Manchester, Bournemouth, Belfast, Newcastle, Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff and Exeter.
Dan, who documents his travel with wife Natalia on Youtube and Instagram, spent Christmas Day on the Canary Islands hotspot of Tenerife with his two scaffolder friends
Dan spent Christmas in Tenerife with the lads
A scaffolder who ditched the UK for Christmas Day in Tenerife has explained why he left his wife behind for the festive break.
Traditionally, Christmas is a time when families come together to pull crackers, exchange presents, and watch Doctor Who.
Not so for Dan, a construction worker who spent a week in Tenerife with two of his mates while his wife stayed behind in the UK. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Natalie wasn’t thrilled. However, Dan was not tempted to the Canary Islands by the promise of sun, sand, and sea alone.
“She actually did mind me going. She didn’t want me to go. But my mate’s house had been flooded and he was in temporary accommodation in a hotel room, his family had all gone away for Christmas and he had nobody left, so I said I’d go to Tenerife with him and another guy from work – as they wouldn’t go just those two,” Dan told the Mirror, when asked about his decision to fly out.
Dan, who travels the world with Natalie and offers “nothing but honest opinions” as two “working class travellers from England” on YouTube and Instagram, broke down the logistics of the break.
“We travelled to Tenerife as a group of three friends, our return flights, from Christmas Eve, to New Year’s Eve cost us just £261 each. Our accommodation was on the north side of the island, where it’s much quieter and a little less expensive,” he explained.
“We stayed in a house in Los Realejos, which cost us £1,118.40 for three people, for six nights, and as three scaffolders from Essex – this side of the island helped us stick to a nice budget. To reach the tourist hotspots (Playa de Las Américas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje), we had hired out a car for £271.80 (for seven days). As I’m not a big drinker anymore, I was always able to act as designated driver.”
On the big day itself, the three lads enjoyed 23°C, sunshine, and “not a cloud in the sky” as they basked on Playa de Las Américas.
“We had a pint at a restaurant and spent the day relaxing in the sun, surrounded by a sea of fellow Brits, drinking and relaxing on the beach. Later on, we tried to find somewhere to have a traditional Christmas dinner, a roast, or anything resembling one,” Dan continued.
“Our efforts were futile. Everywhere was completely fully booked, we even decided to walk a couple of miles out of the hotspot area to find one, but when we arrived, it was closed. On our way back to Playa de Las Américas, we stumbled upon an Asian restaurant with little to no customers inside, the menu was substantially cheaper than most other places we had tried. As three hungry guys who absolutely love Asian food and Asia, we happily settled for that. A Thai red curry with a spectacular view of the sunset over the ocean. That was to be our Christmas dinner.”
After dinner, Dan spent some time reflecting on his festive Tenerife jaunt. As fun as it was, it lacked a certain cosiness and family feel.
“Christmas Day in the sunshine, surrounded by a sea of strangers was just not the same as being at home in the UK; where it’s cold, dark and miserable outside, but you’re in your warm home, surrounded by your loved ones, who are all in the same situation together, with seemingly endless amounts of good food available – there is something special about that,” Dan explained.
“Spending the day in the sun abroad just wasn’t really giving me that same Christmassy feeling. And that’s all coming from a scaffolder who spends six months of every year travelling vlogging abroad, without so much as a second of it being spent feeling ‘homesick’. Although the two older lads I went with would disagree with my feelings and both much prefer it in the sun, relaxing on the beach with a beer in their hand.”
In total, light-drinking Dan spent £1,200 on the trip, which included flights, accommodation, car hire, fuel, food and some drink. His two friends spent closer to £2,500 each “whilst drinking and smoking”.
“I would recommend Tenerife for Christmas if you don’t have anyone to spend Christmas with at home, or if you don’t want to spend the day with anybody at home. I would also recommend it if your family would go with you,” he continued.
“There were a lot of families there, but that’s likely going to be an expensive trip at Christmas. If however, like me, your family is all at home enjoying the day in the cosiness of a family home, I would recommend you join them and enjoy the day with them, as you might find that in your older years, you can spend the day of Christmas abroad, on the beach, without any family to miss.”
In terms of how Natalie feels about Dan’s decision now, he said: “She’s cool man. She was upset when I left, but we’ve been together for 10 years now. She knows what I’m like.”
Holidaymakers jetting off to Spain could be hit with a hefty price hike under new proposals. This comes in the wake of calls to ramp up the tourist tax for visitors heading to the Balearic islands.
The Balearic archipelago consists of four main islands: Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, along with the smaller island of Cabrera and around 150 other minor islets. At present, Brits holidaying in Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca are subject to a charge based on the quality of their accommodation and the time of their visit.
In peak season, tourists fork out €4 (£3.50) per person each night in a five-star hotel, €3 in mid-range digs, €2 for budget stays, and €1 in hostels. These rates plummet by 75 per cent during off-peak periods.
Approximately 18 million Brits flock to Spain annually, making it our top holiday hotspot. It’s estimated that 27 per cent – nearly five million – of these travellers head to the Balearics, so any price alteration would have a significant impact.
One of Spain’s largest trade unions, the Workers’ Commission, is advocating for an increase in this rate. They’ve proposed a steep rise in this tax to €15 (£13) per person, per night in July and August.
Sky News reports that this would mean four adults staying at a luxury resort for a fortnight would shell out €840 (£736) in taxes during the summer peak, a substantial leap from the current €224 (£196) and an overall increase of £540.
Not only is this expected to generate revenue for the Government, but it is also hoped that it would curb the influx of visitors. The islands have long been grappling with the issue of overtourism, which has sparked numerous protests in recent years.
Many argue that it has driven locals away due to skyrocketing housing costs and a shortage of living space as many flats are transformed into AirBnbs. Others bemoan the negative social impact caused by tourists.
Ibiza’s tourism minister has admitted that 20,000 fewer Brits visited the Balearic island during the high season this year compared to 2020, as protests against overtourism raged across Spain
14:23, 07 Nov 2025Updated 14:27, 07 Nov 2025
Ibiza’s Minister of Tourism, Jaume Bauza(Image: Europa Press News, Europa Press via Getty Images)
Tens of thousands of Brits stayed away from Ibiza this summer, the island’s tourism minister has admitted.
Last summer, protests aimed at overtourism raged across key Spanish holiday destinations as locals declared that they’d had enough. They did so during a record-breaking year, with 94 million holidaymakers heading to Spain in 2024. According to the Spanish Ministry of Tourism, international travellers spent an estimated €126.3 billion in the country in 2024, a 16.1% increase on the year before.
At the World Travel Market (WTM) in London this week, Ibiza’s Minister of Tourism, Jaume Bauza, addressed the potential impact of the protests on visitor numbers, and said that 20,000 fewer Brits had decided to visit the Balearic island during the high season this year compared to 2020.
However, the island’s tourism chiefs are hopeful they’ve just moved their breaks to October and November, when temperatures are less sizzling and the chances of protest disruption are lower. Flight capacity to the Balearics is up 8% this November compared to 2024, in anticipation of more shoulder-season travellers.
When asked if people were not travelling because they were worried about getting swept up in overtourism protests, Mr Bauza said through a translator: “The truth is, any decrease in the attendance from our main markets, such as the British market, is a reason to worry. However, this has been compensated for by the increase from the French, Swiss, and Italian markets. The increase is comparable to last season. Any decrease from our biggest markets is something we need to pay attention to. With regards to protests, we respect them, but they do not worry us.”
Ibiza has signalled a shift towards higher-end, higher-spending tourism over the past year. At the WTM, Mr. Bauza detailed plans to crack down on illegal holiday lets and to monitor the tourism industry’s impact on the island’s natural environment.
“I want the British who visit our islands who are, and will always be, warmly welcome, to be aware of and familiar with this transformation process, because I want them to be aware and participate in the changes we are undertaking,” the tourism boss said.
Interview with Palma Tourist Board Director General Pedro Homar
“Because it’s not about growing for growth’s sake, but of taking care of what we already have, of ensuring each visitor experiences the very best of our islands and that our residents feel the same pride.”
Pedro Homar, managing director of the Palma Tourism Board, said visitor numbers to the Majorcan capital remained strong this summer. He told the Mirror: “British tourism is the number one nationality for us in the city of Palma, it has been like that for the last five years and we want to continue like this. We really want to make sure that Palma gets more UK tourists, and they’re more than welcome.”
A ‘faeces fountain’ has been filmed bubbling up through the streets of a popular UK expat hotspot – with horrified locals sharing footage and confirming it ‘smells awful’
Sarah Tulloch Senior Lifestyle and Features Reporter and William McGee
14:20, 03 Nov 2025Updated 14:23, 03 Nov 2025
Streets in Fuengirola, Spain, have been overwhelmed by sewage after severe rainfall.
Horrified locals at a Brit holiday hotspot have shared grim footage of what seems to be human waste bubbling up through the ground during heavy rain.
Shocking images show rising sewage lifting a manhole cover and spilling onto the pavement. The pounding rain liquefied the waste, causing it to quickly flood the surrounding area, turning it a murky brown. The video, shared online on October 29, was captured on a main road in Fuengirola – a favourite spot for British tourists and expats – on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
“It smells awful,” commented a local passer-by. A spokesperson from the town hall stated: “We have a special team in place, with vehicles and staff working across the city to inspect and act where needed. The area is being monitored, and work is underway to get everything back to normal.”
Social media users took to the comments section to poke fun at the situation with one person saying: “When you lose the battle just as you’re reaching the bathroom.” Another video, shared the same day, shows a “faecal fountain” further up the coast in Torremolinos – another British holiday hotspot. An ankle-deep torrent gushed down the road, with a column of spray rising in the centre like a water feature. Spain’s Andalusia region woke up to chaos yesterday as a violent storm battered the area with torrential rain, tornadoes, and flash floods.
Huelva and Seville provinces were hit hardest, with Huelva recording up to 160 litres of rain per square metre. It comes one month after eight people were injured in an explosion on a “tourist boat” in the Costa del Sol resort. Three of the casualties have sustained what are being described as serious injuries and have been taken to hospital. The incident occurred as the motorboat, described locally as a tourist boat, was leaving the marina in the Spanish town.
Footage from the scene showed firefighters in the marina dousing the flames with hoses from the closest point on dry land after locals on jet skis and other boats went to the aid of the stricken passengers and helped try to put out the fire. The alarm was sounded around 12.20pm on October 4 with several witnesses calling the emergency services as a black plume of smoke rose into the air which was clearly visible from nearby beaches. The cause of the explosion is not clear.
A fisherman working in the area said: “It was an open boat made of polyester, which is a very bad combination with fuel because it burns very quickly.” The boat sank as a result of the fire on board. The area where the incident happened has now been sealed off as an investigation gets underway.
Fuengirola Town Hall said in a statement: “The Rescue and Lifesaving Service, the Fire Department, and the Local Police of Fuengirola, as well as the Civil Guard, responded today to a fire on a boat sailing in the marina, near the mouth of the harbour. For reasons which are still unclear there was an explosion and the boat caught fire. Within minutes, rescue workers from the Rescue Service reached the crew and brought them to safety.
“A total of eight people were on board. All of them were injured, three of them seriously, and they were placed in the care of emergency medical responders. As a result of the explosion, the boat sank and officials from the Andalusian Ports Agency are closely monitoring the situation to assess the need for anti-spill measures.”
Kelsie Stonya, from Southend-on-Sea, recently took on the ultimate ‘extreme day trip’ – travelling to Palma, Mallorca, and returning to the UK in the same day – all for just £143
Paige Oldfield and Ian Craig Social Newsdesk Content Editor
10:32, 03 Nov 2025
Kelsie Stonya went to Spain and back in one day(Image: Jam Press/@3kelsie)
Kelsie Stonya, from Southend-on-Sea, recently took on the ultimate “extreme day trip” – battling a storm while trying for a quick getaway. She hopped on a delayed plane to Palma, Mallorca, and returned to Britain in the same day – all for just £143.
The 25-year-old hit the beach, tucked into paella for one, and even ended up in the cockpit chatting to the pilot after a delayed flight. Her whirlwind day out proved a hit online too – with a TikTok video of her experience racking up 42,600 views from viewers loving the spontaneous adventure.
“It was so hot, so sunny – it was absolutely dreamy,” she told What’s The Jam. “The whole trip cost £143.08 including flights, transfers, food and everything – definitely cheaper than some nights out I’ve had before.
“By the end of it, with all the walking and being hot, I was so, so tired. I’d definitely do it again, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for no delayed flights next time.”
The communications manager started her day at the airport, but things didn’t exactly go to plan when she arrived to find every flight delayed due to Storm Amy battering parts of Europe. Thankfully, her flight did eventually take off.
Once she landed, Kelsie jumped on a 20-minute bus into Palma’s city centre where she admired the cathedral, wandered the streets, and hunted down a restaurant. After lunch, she strolled to the beach to soak up the sun, calling the weather “absolutely dreamy”, before hitting the shops.
By the end of the day, exhausted but happy, she splurged on an Uber back to the airport – putting her Spanish skills to the test with the driver.
The return leg didn’t go smoothly either, with the flight delayed by two hours – but things took a turn for the better when the friendly pilot invited passengers into the cockpit for a peek.
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Kelsie says she’d “absolutely do it again”, but is hoping for smoother skies next time.
She said: “I just had a really nice lunch and then headed over to the beach. I walked about 20 minutes and then sat down for a good hour. The thought of getting back on the bus to the airport was honestly upsetting me, so I just jumped in an Uber.”
Viewers were quick to praise Kelsie for making the most of her mini break. “That’s an impressive day Kels,” said one person.
Someone else said: “I do it all the time; great way to spend the day.”
Another viewer added: “I love doing these! So far I’ve done Belfast, Wroclaw, Alicante, Copenhagen and now have Barcelona booked for the end of this month.”
Spain is a fantastic place for a cockle-warming winter break that won’t break the bank. Here are the five warmest winter sun destinations in Spain for December escapes
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Spain is a brilliant choice for a winter getaway that won’t leave your wallet feeling light.
While far-flung locations such as Thailand, Dubai, Egypt and Morocco might be the traditional go-to spots for winter sun, there are loads of fantastic places in mainland Spain and its islands that are worth a look.
Not only are they often just as toasty, but they’re also cheaper and much quicker to reach.
Here’s our top pick:
1. Murcia, southern Spain
December temperature highs: 18C
In a big win for those itching to escape our drizzly isles, Ryanair has just revealed it will be running a London to Murcia flight four times a week, with the journey clocking in at just under three hours. The timing of this new route is spot on for those who’ve already had their fill of autumn weather. This week, Murcia has seen highs of 31C, while in November it can reach up to 21C.
While it’s not the warmest destination in December and January, with daytime highs of 18C and 17C respectively, it tends to be mild and have low rainfall. However, it’s worth packing some snug pyjamas, as it can get chilly at night. The city of Murcia is brimming with activities, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts. It was settled by the Romans and the Moors.
Make sure to visit Murcia Cathedral, a stunning, Gothic cathedral that towers over the city, or the Santa Clara Museum, which was once a Muslim palace that became a monastery in the 14th century.
Flights from as little as £13 are currently available from UK cities including Manchester, London and Birmingham.
December temperature highs: 26C
Known as the “Island of Eternal Spring”, Tenerife is Spain’s top winter sun destination. The island offers a plethora of attractions, such as Mount Teide National Park, black- and golden-sand beaches, and bustling resorts like Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas.
Tenerife has been a favourite among Brits for nearly a century. Mass tourism flourished throughout the 20th century, particularly after World War II, transforming areas like Playa de las Américas into major resorts to cater to the worldwide demand for sun holidays.
The YouTuber Escape With Us is such an enthusiast of Tenerife that he decided to spend Christmas there in 2023, leaving his family behind to jet off to the Canary Island.
“Why would you want to sit at home in the freezing cold when you can come here and enjoy this?” he queried while strolling through Las Américas in a T-shirt, before pausing for a £1.50 beer in the sunshine.
Currently, in December, flights are available from UK cities including Liverpool, London and Bournemouth to Tenerife for just £15.
3. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
December temperature highs: 25C
While Tenerife is the most popular of the Canary Islands, attracting seven million holidaymakers each year, Gran Canaria is not far behind, drawing a remarkable four million sunseekers to its shores. Its southern coastline enjoys sunshine throughout the year.
The stunning sand dunes of Maspalomas and the picturesque harbour at Puerto de Mogán are essential visits. Journey inland to discover dramatic volcanic terrain and delightful villages such as Tejeda.
On a discussion thread regarding how warm Gran Canaria really is – and whether it’s too chilly to swim during the winter – one Brit wrote: “I’d never been abroad before and went to GC in March this year. It was 23-24 during the day. The sea was lovely and warm and I learnt to swim in it (I’m 52). I found the evening temperatures a bit cool but nothing a thin jumper wouldn’t sort out. I have booked again for March this year.”
Flights are available from cities including Edinburgh, Nottingham and Birmingham to Gran Canaria in December starting from just £13.
December temperature highs: 19C
Whilst the Balearics’ Mediterranean location and position further north than the Canaries means slightly cooler conditions, the gorgeous island of Majorca has been crowned Spain’s top winter sun spot this year – and it’s easy to see why.
The island enjoys pleasantly mild temperatures of approximately 23C well into October. Even throughout November and December, the island benefits from bright weather alongside temperatures ranging between 16-19C.
Whilst it might be too cool for an ocean dip, conditions remain perfect for a stroll along the seafront or dining outdoors – though an extra layer or two might be advisable. A visit to Playa de Muro Beach is a must; it’s been hailed as one of Europe’s most stunning beaches.
There are plenty of scenic walks nearby if you fancy a leisurely stroll, and it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from the S’Albufera Natural Park. For cycling enthusiasts, the island’s hills and varied terrain are often a hit, and during the autumn/winter months, you won’t be battling hordes of tourists, which can make for a much more chilled morning’s adventure.
There are December flights from Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester airports to Majorca starting at £15.
December temperature highs: 17C
Before anyone pens a complaint, I should clarify that I’m well aware that Gibraltar is not in Spain. It is a British Overseas Territory that happens to be nestled on Spain’s southern coast. The area is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a towering 426m-high limestone ridge, and is home to 39,000 residents.
Affectionately known as Gib by the locals, the peninsula is situated at the entrance to the Mediterranean, on the southernmost tip of Spain. Its strategic position has shaped its complex and intriguing history, through the changing hands of multiple nations – it was handed over to Britain in 1713 – and as a crucial Second World War Allied stronghold.
The Mirror’s Samantha Mallac recently paid a visit to Gib and was taken aback by what awaited her. “Was Gibraltar what I expected? The answer, unequivocally, is certainly not. Despite its small size, it delivers some memories,” she penned.
Flights in December from Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester are on offer starting from just £18.
