Can you still swim in the Balearic Islands in autumn?

Ibiza locals call it the season of “closings parties“. An intermediate period conducive to melancholy, a parenthesis with a singular charm during which local party-goers and other electronic music fans from all over the world come to celebrate the end of summer, and prepare for the ritual hibernation that begins at the end of the year. A languor filled with sunshine that extends to the entire archipelago; along with spring, autumn is the ideal season to visit the Spanish islands.

Read the fileBalearic Islands: which island to visit, beaches and hotels, weather, advice and travel guide

A moment of salutary deceleration and great gentleness, a privileged period to admire all the beauty of the local natural treasures, minus the summer overtourism and the stifling heat. Temperatures fluctuate between 22 and 25 degrees in September and October, a dream weather for hiking and other walks. As for the crystal clear waters that border the coasts of Ibiza, Formentera, Majorca and Minorca, they display a pleasant temperature of 25/26 degrees in September, and around 23 degrees in October.

Beaches: the discreet charm of the cala

We take advantage of autumn to discover idyllic coves and other pocket beaches that are stormed in summer: Cala Salada, Cala d’Hort and the aptly named Cala Escondida in Ibiza; Sa Calobra, Cala Figuera and Cala Sant Vicenç in Majorca; Platja Des Bot, Cala en Porter and Cala del Pilar in Minorca.

Visiting the Balearic Islands in autumn

While Mallorca offers direct flights all year round, Ibiza and Menorca are accessible non-stop from Paris until the end of October only. As for Formentera, it remains reachable in thirty minutes by ferry from Ibiza, even if the traffic is somewhat slow.

The best hotels and restaurants still open in the Balearic Islands in autumn

IN IBIZA

Where to sleep?

The White Island is increasingly extending its period of activity, to the great delight of September holidaymakers: the opportunity to discover some exceptional 5-star hotels open until the beginning of winter, at lower prices than the prohibitive prices displayed in August.

Among them, theAtzaro Agrotourisma rare beauty estate in the rural north of the island that is one of the last remaining Ibizan family properties. (atzaro.com; Tel.: +34 971 33 88 38)

But also Petuniaa hotel with vintage charm recently acquired by the Beaumier group, located in the front row of the Es Vedra rock. (beaumier.com/fr; Tel.: +34 971 80 81 97)

Also readIbiza: the 10 best hotels on the sexiest Balearic island

Where to sit?

Au Jockey Club (jockeyclubibiza.com; Tel.: +34 971 39 57 88) between two swims in the unreal waters of Salinas beach; or at Croissant Show (Tel.: +34 971 31 76 65), an institution in downtown Ibiza where locals and night owls remake the world from breakfast to aperitif, with a view of the ramparts of the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also readVisit Ibiza in 4 days: our day-by-day itinerary tips

IN MAJORCA

Crowded in summer, the charming town of Sóller, located in the northwest of the island at the foot of the Tramuntana mountain range, is at its most lively out of season. Head to the hotel Jumeirah Port Soller (jumeirah.com; Tel.: +34 971 63 78 88) with panoramic views of the Deep Blue Sea and the bay.

In the south of the island, the municipality of Santanyi is home to Can Ferrereta (hotelcanferrereta.com; Tel.: +34 971 90 59 05), a beautifully renovated 17th-century mansion transformed into an elegant and intimate hotel.

Also readHotel Can Ferrereta in Majorca, the expert opinion of Le Figaro

Where to dine?

Head for the Bay of Palma, lively all year round: at the Fortaleza (Tel.: +34 971 74 78 78), excellent gourmet restaurant of the Cap Rocat hotel located in a former military fortress. Or at Dadalia (Tel.: +34 676 85 23 36), a friendly HQ for lovers of Neapolitan pizza and pasta located in the vibrant heart of the Santa Catalina district.

IN FORMENTERA

Where to sleep?

HAS The trunka jewel of a hotel right on the water’s edge, located on Migjorn Beach. A sunny place with a refined sense of relaxation, ideal for enjoying autumn swims. (teranka.com; Tel.: +34 871 87 30 30)

Also readIn the Balearic Islands, the best hotels in Formentera

Where to have lunch?

At 10.7 -pronounce ten point seven– a seaside restaurant with infectious energy located a few steps from the Teranka Hotel. (10punto7.com; Tel.: +34 682 08 04 65)

Also readWhat to do in Formentera? Our best activities in the Balearic island

IN MENORCA

Where to sleep?

At the hotel Menorca Experimental (fr.menorcaexperimental.com; Tel.: +34 971 31 44 14), a traditional 19th-century finca surrounded by thirty hectares of unspoiled nature, the quintessence of Menorcan tranquility. Or at Fontenille Torre Vella (lesdomainesdefontenille.com; Tel.: +34 971 21 74 09), a rural residence of refined beauty surrounded by 200 hectares of wild nature.

Where to dine? At the restaurant of the Torralbenc hotel (Tel.: +34 971 37 72 11), one of the most renowned restaurants on the island, which gives pride of place to traditional recipes and local produce.

Also readIn the Balearic Islands, our best addresses and activities in Minorca, bathed by the Mediterranean