ZDF.reportage - Winter in Mallorca
In winter, the flow of tourists to Mallorca drops significantly. At Ballermann, where thousands usually lie in the sun, the beach is now empty. The water is cool, and besides the sun, there's also wind. What happens in Mallorca when the millions of tourists are gone? What's the island like in winter? Many hotels, bars, and shops are closed during the winter months. The German pub "Zur Krone" on the promenade in El Arenal, however, is open. In addition to sangria, they now also offer mulled wine for their regular German customers.
Beatrice Ciccardini, owner and landlady of the pub, has lived on the island for more than 30 years and says: "Our customers are more relaxed in winter. We have many older people, but also young people, who enjoy Mallorca here in winter. In summer, there's always something going on at Ballermann; in winter, it's more peaceful." The few tourists who consciously choose to travel to Mallorca in winter enjoy the tranquility and the natural surroundings. “I find winter more beautiful; it’s quieter, more relaxed,” says Birgit Tegenkamp, a German tourist from Cloppenburg, who has rented a finca in the mountains of Soller with a friend.
Many tourists come to Mallorca during the colder months, especially for hiking, enjoying the scenery, the sea views, and the beautiful coastal paths. But not everywhere on the island is in hibernation. The German supermarket in El Arenal is bustling: “Winter is our peak season,” explains Silla Voigt. The Chemnitz native has been running the store since 2007 and ensures that her customers can find the right German products, especially during the winter months.
“My customers want dumplings, gingerbread spices, and gravy,” explains Voigt. Many restaurants are closed in winter, and Germans stay in their fincas and holiday apartments, cooking traditional German meals. That’s why German products are in such high demand. The supermarket is a meeting place for everyone who wants to buy “a piece of home.” Winter is peak season for agriculture, with the olive and orange harvest underway. "We're very busy.
The harvest is being brought in now," explains farmer Franz Kraus. Heating installer Yasin Kizrak is also extremely busy in winter. The cold on Mallorca is intense. "Six to seven degrees Celsius combined with the high humidity feels almost as cold as in Germany," explains the tradesman, who is now working around the clock, switching air conditioners to heating mode and repairing heating systems. The "ZDF.reportage" shows a tranquil side of Mallorca, unknown to most tourists, and follows locals and vacationers on the island.
Broadcasting on 24th of January 2026 at 05.35pm on ZDF
Music: POPVIRUS Library