Bargains Instead of Snowflakes: Why Many Germans Are Now Flying to Mallorca for Very Little

Bargains Instead of Snowflakes: Why Many Germans Are Now Flying to Mallorca for Very Little

Quick escape from the frost - use cheap connections, breathe the island air

On the streets of Palma you can sometimes still hear the distant clatter of market stalls in the morning, while in Germany cars are being scraped free of ice. At moments like that, a booking confirmation may flutter onto a German's smartphone: a one-way flight to Mallorca for little more than a coffee. Right now tickets can be found from about €15 for single legs, and combined return fares are often available for well under €50 on many dates. For seasonal promotions see Black Friday: These airlines offer cheap Mallorca flights — what you need to know.

Our editorial team checked the offers: routes from smaller and mid-sized airports are particularly inexpensive, as explained in Is the detour worth it? Border airports and money-saving tips for Mallorca in winter. Travelers starting in northern Germany can get very cheap one-way flights from Hamburg-Lübeck for January dates. From North Rhine-Westphalia there are comparatively cheap departures from Cologne airport, and in the south particularly good saver fares are bookable from Nuremberg. Baden-Baden also appears in spontaneous searches with very cheap return flights. Regional specifics are noted in Cheap Flights from Weeze: More Winter Visitors — Blessing or Stress for Mallorca?.

Important: the fares mentioned are without checked baggage and without additional extras. A small carry-on usually suffices for a few days of sun, a walk on the beach and your favorite jacket. Those flexible with times and willing to travel on weekdays find the best prices. From our experience on the island: arriving on a Monday or Thursday means emptier beaches and friendlier cafés.

Why is this good for Mallorca? For hoteliers, small restaurants in alleys like the Carrer del Sindicat and independent guides on the Paseo Marítimo, short-notice guests bring much-needed income in the low season. The island breathes more quietly in January and February, but it is not empty: a few flights from Germany fill tables in simple bodegas, enliven weekly markets and provide work – from airport staff to taxi drivers. This counters the trend examined in Why fewer Germans are coming to Mallorca this summer - and what the island should do now.

Practical tips for last-minute travelers: check baggage rules when booking, compare departure and arrival times and keep an eye on return options. On Mallorca some beach bars close in the early evening, restaurants open later, and museums have reduced opening hours – this makes the destination more manageable, not worse. Pack a light jacket for the evenings; during sunny stretches daytime temperatures around 18–20 °C are often possible.

A small everyday observation: on Passeig Mallorca it now often smells of freshly ground coffee, and on the Plaça Major locals sit with blankets on chairs, speak softly and watch the few tourists. That mix feels like a fresh start after the summer hustle – and the island comes across as genuine and inviting.

A word on sustainability: short trips bring income but also traffic. If you decide to come, think about efficient mobility: use Palma's bus connections, book rides with local providers and choose accommodations rooted in the town and community. That keeps the impact on the local economy largely positive.

So if you're a little spontaneous, you can currently find cheap ways to escape the German winter and at the same time experience the island in a quieter, more personal version. If you prefer a peaceful morning at the Mercado de Santa Catalina or an evening walk along the harbor, you can get exactly that – at prices that make you wonder whether you should come more often.

Outlook: If you can plan flexibly, true bargains can be realized. The island repays it with emptier stretches of beach, open cafés and the chance to experience Mallorca without high-season crowds. A few hours of sun and a solid breakfast on the promenade: often that's all you need.