Magaluf, better known for its sun-soaked beaches and nightlife, is preparing for a different kind of gathering this autumn. The Festival of Expanded Literature in Magaluf (FLEM) returns for its fifth edition, promising its most international programme yet — headlined by Irish novelist John Boyne, author of the global bestseller The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
Boyne will present his latest novel, A Ladder to the Sky, when FLEM opens in October. Alongside him will be some of the most prominent voices in contemporary literature from Argentina, Spain, and the Balearic Islands.
When Is FLEM?
FLEM 2025 runs from 2–5 October, taking over the INNSiDE by Meliá Calvià Beach hotel and spilling out into public spaces across Magaluf. Registration opens in September, with early-bird packages and “flash offers” available on the festival website.
History of FLEM
Launched in 2020 by Palma’s independent bookshop Rata Corner in collaboration with INNSiDE by Meliá, FLEM set out to “expand” literature’s reach — both geographically, by bringing major authors to the Balearics, and conceptually, by mixing literature with music, visual art, performance and even immersive experiences.
In just four years, it has grown from a boutique event into the Balearics’ largest literary festival, attracting more than 10,000 attendees in 2024. Its now-famous “Secret Rooms” — hotel suites transformed into interactive cultural spaces — have become one of its signature draws. Past iterations have included everything from pop-up tattoo parlours to literary escape rooms.
What to Expect at FLEM 2025
This year’s programme blends international stars with a strong local presence:
John Boyne — presenting A Ladder to the Sky ahead of its September release.
Pedro Mairal — Argentine author of La Uruguaya, returning to fiction with Los Nuevos.
Dolores Reyes — breakout Argentine novelist whose Cometierra has been translated into more than 15 languages.
Antònia Vicens — a leading voice in Catalan literature.
Megan Maxwell — Spain’s best-selling romance and erotic fiction author.
Eva Baltasar — International Booker Prize finalist with Boulder.
Agustina Guerrero — one of the most influential names in graphic novels, with her latest work Hoy.
The four-day programme will include open-air readings, concerts, podcasts, poetry recitals, and of course the “Secret Rooms” installations.
Things to Do in Magaluf
Magaluf’s cultural profile has been quietly changing in recent years. A €5 million upgrade to its 650-metre seafront promenade — part-funded by the EU’s NextGenerationEU plan — has introduced native plants, low-impact dunes, and energy-efficient lighting, alongside more accessible public spaces.
Beyond FLEM, visitors can explore:
The new promenade — perfect for sunset walks.
Nearby beaches — including family-friendly Palmanova and scenic Illetes.
Watersports and boat trips — offering views of Mallorca’s dramatic coastline.
Local dining — from seafood restaurants to contemporary tapas bars.
Cultural day trips — to Palma’s historic centre, art galleries, and markets.
As FLEM festival continues to grow, it’s not just books that draw people to Magaluf each autumn — it’s the sense that the Balearic resort is rewriting its own story.