Majorca vacation planned? A lot is changing on the Spanish island in 2023

Vacation on Majorca: a classic for many northern European citizens. On July 1st, 2023 the main season officially started on the Spanish island, which locally is called 'Mallorca'. But this year things have changed for the tourist...

Let's start with the prices. "A holiday in Majorca will be around 33 percent more expensive in 2023 than in the previous year," explains Juan Ferrer, President of the Palma Beach Quality Campaign, which many hotels and restaurants in Playa de Palma have joined.

Not only hotels, flights, and restaurants are affected. "People notice it even when they're shopping. Due to its island location, prices on Majorca have risen even more than on the mainland," explains Ferrer.

In addition, there is high demand. People outside of Europe also like the island, and there are direct flights throughout the summer from the United States to Majorca.

The crowdedness of Majorca's beaches will be intensified by the fact that three of them have lost the 'blue flag' seal of approval for excellent water quality. These are Playa de Palma and Cala Estància in the Palma de Mallorca region and Cala Gran in the municipality of Santanyí.

15 beaches prohibit smoking this year, the 'Diario de Mallorca' reports. So be sure to pay attention to the signs. On the terraces of bars and restaurants, the smoking ban that was introduced with the Covid pandemic has now been lifted.

Alcohol consumption is also further restricted. Since April 2023, in four new areas around Ballermann beach, it is no longer permitted to consume alcohol in public, to advertise alcohol, or to serve it.

"Severe disturbances of the peace" under the influence of alcohol will also be punished - with fines of up to 3,000 euros, the 'Mallorca Zeitung' reports.

Image: Farid Askerov / Unsplash

The new alcohol-free zones are Carrer de Miquel Pellisa, also known as 'Beer Street,' Carrer de la Missió de San Diego, Carrer del Llaüt, and the Carretera de s'Arenal beach promenade (pictured). It looks like 'Beer Street' will have to stick to non-alcoholic beers then...

There will be undercover cops to take action against so-called 'drinking tourism.' They were already there at the notorious Ballermann party area last year. But since the violations (over 800 in 2022 according to the 'Mallorca Zeitung') hardly ever led to police investigations, the hotel owners want to report them themselves this year.

Bare skin is also no longer welcomed outside of the beaches. Barefoot or with an undressed upper body, you may not get a seat in restaurants or get into the clubs at Ballermann.

According to 'Reisereporter.de,' an association of bars in Palma de Mallorca has determined that only tourists with adequate clothing are allowed in.

The city administration's new app helps to counteract misconduct. The so-called Palma app aims to "encourage citizen participation in the maintenance of the city. Anyone can use the app to report urban incidents that are happening in the municipality of Palma and add pictures to them," the city government says.

The app also informs tourists and locals about news and events, so it is worthwhile having it on your phone for the holiday.

Majorca Airport has been under construction since February 2023. The work is scheduled to last four years, but will mainly take place in the winter months so as not to disrupt the busy summer season. The aim is to increase passenger comfort and, above all, to shorten distances. The cost of this enormous project is 200 million euros.

And one more piece of news, but for the future. On June 20, 2023, the regional government presented a plan for the construction of a tramway that will connect the center of Palma with the airport. From 2026 it should be in operation. So no more buses or expensive shuttles!