Travel to Mallorca during Covid – Is it worth a holiday?
Yes, I did. I went on holiday and travalled to Mallorca – during the Covid pandemic. Was it worth it? It was! I’m going to tell you why in this article.
Of course, Covid did not stop at Spain and the Balearic Islands, but at the time of our departure, the incidence was well below 20 and Mallorca was no longer considered a risky area. For me that was reason enough to finally pack my bags and leave after almost a year at home. The wanderlust was just too big and anyone who knows me, knows that spending holidays at home is like wasted time for me. I’m just too eager to discover new places.
Of course, uncertainty hit me before. Does it all work out? What do I need? How will it be? Where can I get a test? Questions about questions that I have summarized for you in this article.
*This article was written in May 2021 – Covid rules may change at any time by the Spanish authorities*
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Travel to Mallorca during Covid – Table of Content
- What do you need to enter Spain?
- What is the mood like in Mallorca?
- What guidelines must to follow?
- Where to test for Covid in Mallorca?
- How much is a covid test?
- Has a holiday become more expensive due to Covid?
- Is a holiday in Mallorca currently worth it?
What do you need to enter Spain?
First you need a negative PCR test with your ID number noted. Surprisingly, in the city we come from, this was almost the biggest problem. Incomprehensibly, it seems to be an act of state for laboratories to print a simple number on the document. So be sure to ask in advance, because this is actually checked by the Spanish authorities on arrival.
Ultimately, after receiving the test results, our doctor issued it as a travel certificate with id number. Note that the test for your holiday during the corona pandemic must not be older than 72 hours. Important is here the exact time that was noted for the acceptance on the test.
Children under the age of 6 can enter Spain without a test. And from 07.06. it should also be possible for fully vaccinated people to enter the Balearic Islands without a test.
In addition, a free digital health form must be completed at the earliest 48 hours before departure. This can be done online or via app. A QR code is generated, which must be presented on arrival next to the negative test. Both were checked on arrival on Palma.
A tip on the side: Check in your flight first, because you need the seat number for the form, otherwise the app will show you an error message.
What is the mood like in Mallorca during your holiday?
We only had good experiences. The hotels are happy that the tourists are finally coming back and everything is really well organized – from getting off the plane, to the corona test in the hotel itself or near the hotel. Restaurants have opened the outdoor areas – however, discotheques are still closed. So if you are planning a party holiday, you will probably be disappointed.
If you are looking for a relaxed vacation, now, it’s the right time to go. On the beach there is enough space and I never saw famous sights with so few people around. In addition to German holidaymakers, there were also some French people on the island. The atmosphere was therefore calm and really relaxing. We enjoyed it very much, because we have already experienced a Mallorca holiday very differently.
The difference from two years ago was really visible and is, of course, a disaster for the tourism industry. Nevertheless, we had the feeling that more and more holidaymakers have arrived at the hotel every day. Flights also arrived much more regularly at the end of the week than at the beginning.
What guidelines do you have to follow on the island?
During our holiday in Mallorca in the middle of the covid pandemic, the common rules applied – masks mandatory for all public places and for shopping (no need for the mask on the beach, pool and during sports ), test obligation for the return trip to Germany and curfew between 24 o’clock and 6 o’clock in the morning. Check your flight times beforehand, because especially the curfew is strictly controlled on Mallorca.
In addition, rules for the gathering of different private households must be followed – indoors max. 6 people, outside max. 8 people.
If you want to reserve a table in the restaurant on the island, you should know that the indoor gastronomy is only allowed to open until 6 pm and tables are therefore rare. In addition, only a maximum of 4 people may sit at a table.
For hotels this does not apply, so you are allowed to dinner later in the evening. However, apartments and hotel rooms may only be occupied with a maximum of 6 people. Hotels currently also accommodate a maximum of 50% of their actual capacity.
You find a list with clear guidelines here
Important note for smokers: During your Mallorca Corona holiday, you are currently not allowed to stand together in groups. You must comply with the prescribed minimum distance. If you smoke, you have to stop at the place. Smoking and walking through the street is not allowed.
Where can I get tested in Mallorca?
If you fly to Mallorca with a renowned tour operator, you will usually already get a list of test stations with your travel documents. If this is not the case, there is going to be a note in the hotel lobby.
Mallorca is excellently organized, especially with regard to test stations. Some mobile teams come to the hotels, test centers are advertised on the car radio and several medical practices or clinics offer tests. If you still – for whatever reason – have missed to get tested for Covid throughout your Mallorca holiday, it is still possible to get a test at the airport. The result of a PCR test should be available within 90 minutes.
How much is a covid test?
In Mallorca the prices for the covid tests are regulated by the government and usually cost the same everywhere throughout your holiday.
An antigen test must not cost more than 30€.
A PCR test costs a maximum of 70€.
Has the Mallorca holiday become more expensive due to Covid?
Maybe – that probably depends on what you book and what standard you are used to.
Of course, the costs for the covid tests are now added to price of your Mallorca holiday. For two, this is acceptable, but I have seen significantly fewer families with children over 6 years on the island.
What really is super expensive at the moment are rental cars – At least if you book individually. Almost all providers have reduced their fleets during the pandemic and tourism has probably returned faster than expected. Well, the price determines the demand and so you pay for a week with a rental cars several hundred euros now.
Airlines are currently increasing their flights to Palma, so that in a few weeks you can probably expect cheaper rates here. However, you can not get real bargains at the moment.
Usually I am an absolute friend of booking my trip individually with some beautiful AirBnBs – but current package holidays come with a better price.
We have paid 490€ for hotel incl. half board and rental car. We booked the car directly with the tour operator. This is probably the best way to avoid the exororant prices for the cars at the moment.
Is it worth it to travel to Mallorca now?
Of course, everyone has to assess the risks of a holiday during the corona pandemic for themselves. Also everyone here probably shares a different opinion. For me personally, Mallorca was definitely worth it.
Normally, we travel somewhere in the world many times a year. After more than a year at home, it just felt so good to explore the world again. In addition, Mallorca is currently calmer than ever. You are almost alone on some beaches and even when hiking you hardly meet other people. The situation in some German regions is currently much worse.
In the hotel, the small ice cream stand from next doors or the cute market stall, you are met with gratitude above all. You feel welcome because Mallorca has suffered a lot from the lack of tourism and experts say that this will not fully recover till January 2021.
