Expat living in Majorca issues 'ghost town' warning to other Brits

Majorca, which is a go-to for Brits who want to head to Spain and the Balearic Islands for a spring and summer getaway, has seen an influx of German holidaymakers.
Majorca, which is a go-to for Brits who want to head to Spain and the Balearic Islands for a spring and summer getaway, has seen an influx of German holidaymakers. -Credit:No credit


An expat in Spain has issued a 'ghost island' warning, saying life in Majorca is 'completely different' outside the tourist season. A British expat residing in Majorca has sounded the alarm for those considering a move to the Spanish hotspot, revealing that the island transforms into a 'ghost town' after the holidaymakers leave.

Known for its sun-soaked beaches and vibrant nightlife during the summer, Majorca sees a dramatic shift when the season ends.

In 2023, Spain hit a new milestone by welcoming a whopping 85.1 million international tourists, a 19 per cent jump from the year before, according to figures from the National Statistics Institute. Despite this influx, the winter months tell a different story of solitude, as one expat points out, reports Birmingham Live.

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Alex, who runs the YouTube channel Mallorca Under the Sun and has called Majorca home since 2005, voiced her experiences from Palmanova. She remarked: "I have been living in Majorca now since 2005 and while there are so many brilliant things about living here on the island, there are also some things that aren't so fantastic. If you are thinking about moving to the island, there are a few issues that I want to make you aware of."

Alex highlighted the stark contrast between Majorca's bustling summer and its tranquil winter seasons. "I'm going to state the obvious here, but Majorca is a holiday island, it's completely geared towards tourism, and you're going to find very different scenes over here in the summer months than you would in the winter," she said.

She noted that the change can be jarring for new residents: "That may be a problem for many people who come over here to live, they might not quite expect to see many of their favourite holiday resorts just looking so empty."

Alex also mentioned how the island transforms into a near ghost town during the off-season: "But these popular holiday resorts literally turn into ghost towns for the winter months. Yes, there are a few people in the water, and there are a few people out walking, but for some people, this is not really what they signed up for when they came over here to live in Majorca."

However, she admitted that some, including herself, have grown to appreciate the quieter times: "I love being able to walk along the empty beaches and I love being able to enjoy these resorts on a very different level than you ever would during the summer," she expressed.

Alex pointed out the visible signs of the seasonal shift: "But you can see all the businesses here are closed up, so you've got the diving centre, you've got some really popular bars that you're going to know and love."

This comes as other travellers share their experiences of the highs and lows of life in Majorca.

Expats might find the stark difference in temperature and pace of life between summer and winter in Spain a tad surprising, according to Reuters. The challenging weather conditions and disappointing internet speed were singled out as possible deal-breakers for potential long-term residents.

Experienced globetrotters Amelia and JP shared on their YouTube channel, "It gets really hot in the summer. Ridiculously hot," They highlighted the importance of a reliable cooling system by adding, "You are going to need air conditioning and hope it doesn't break," followed by, "I would not want to be there in the summer."

Further adding to the list of issues they flagged, "The internet is really slow. We've been really shocked [in Spain] at how slow the internet is."