Mallorca set for a September holiday surge as late-summer travel takes off

For years, September has been Mallorca’s quieter answer to the hectic summer season. Now, that is changing rapidly, with travellers increasingly choosing the island after the peak August rush.

New figures suggest September 2026 is shaping up to be an exceptionally strong month for tourism across the Balearics, as holidaymakers look for sunshine without the intense heat and crowds of midsummer.

September becomes the new summer favourite

The latest figures from the UK travel industry show just how much holiday habits are changing. According to ABTA data, 24 per cent of British travellers planned to take a holiday in September this year, compared with 17 per cent several years ago.

That represents a significant shift towards what is increasingly being described as a ‘super shoulder season’.

Rather than waiting for a last-minute bargain, more visitors are deliberately planning September breaks. Couples are particularly keen on travelling at this time of year, attracted by more manageable temperatures and the opportunity to enjoy popular destinations after the busiest weeks of summer.

For Mallorca, that could mean another busy spell just as many residents might normally expect tourism to start winding down.

Palma prices reflect the demand

The popularity of September is already being reflected in hotel prices.

Research covering several of Spain’s major tourist cities found average hotel occupancy is expected to reach 96 per cent during the third week of September. Prices have consequently climbed sharply compared with the same period last year.

Palma stands out as the most expensive destination in the study, with an average nightly hotel price of around €290, an increase of 9.4 per cent year-on-year.

The city is also expected to record 96 per cent occupancy, highlighting just how strong demand remains well beyond the traditional July and August peak.

Why travellers are choosing September

The appeal is easy to understand.

September offers many of the ingredients visitors come to Mallorca for, including warm Mediterranean weather, long days, beaches and outdoor dining, while avoiding some of the extremes of high summer.

The shift is also being driven by changing travel patterns. With schools back, family searches naturally decline, but couples and other adults are stepping in to fill the gap.

September can also be an attractive option for visitors who want to explore more of the island, from Palma’s historic centre and mountain villages to Mallorca’s famous beaches and coastal restaurants.

Mallorca still has plenty to offer

For the island’s tourism industry, the continued strength of September could provide a welcome boost.

Instead of Mallorca’s season being concentrated into a few intensely busy summer months, growing demand in September could help spread visitor numbers across a longer period.

It also reinforces the island’s appeal beyond the traditional beach holiday. September is particularly well suited to walking, cycling, sightseeing, boat trips and exploring the Serra de Tramuntana, with the weather generally more comfortable for active days.

Holiday companies are already promoting September as a prime time to visit Mallorca, highlighting warm weather, beaches and potential savings compared with the height of summer.

A new era for late summer

The figures suggest September is no longer simply the month people choose when summer is over.

Instead, it is becoming a holiday season in its own right.

For Mallorca, that means the buzz of summer could continue well into September, bringing another wave of visitors keen to enjoy the island when temperatures ease, the sea remains inviting and the holiday atmosphere is still very much alive.

And with demand remaining strong, anyone hoping for a September escape may need to book sooner rather than later.