Balearic Islands Travel Guide


The latest travel Information on Balearic Islands, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Balearic Islands Information

Overview

The Balearic Islands form an archipelago of holiday islands off the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Mallorca (or Majorca) is the largest of the three and over the last three decades has become the archetypal sun-sea-and-sangria island beloved of package tourists from Northern Europe. Parts of it, particularly around the southern coastline are heavily built up with high-rise hotels and apartments.

Away from the coast however it is a different story, particularly in the beautiful unspoiled Tramuntana hills. Recently the whole island has been given something of a facelift. In package ghettoes like Magaluf old-style hotels have been, literally, blown up and replaced in a symbolic effort to rebrand the island. And the capital, Palma, is now one of Spain’s most beguiling and trendiest small cities.

Ibiza has long been famous for its rave scene, concentrated in the charming hippy-chic capital of Ibiza Town, the high-rise canyons of San António and in the resort of Playa d’en Bossa. Away from here however, the island is remarkably rural.

A narrow channel separates Ibiza from Formentera, the smallest inhabited Balearic, fringed by soft white sands and only accessible by ferry. Although both Mallorca and Ibiza also have excellent beaches, Menorca is renowned for its picture-postcard coves. Tourist development on Menorca is largely low-key and the island attracts families and older holidaymakers.

Note: The Passport/Visa and Health requirements for visiting the Balearic Islands are the same as for visiting mainland Spain, and information may be found by consulting the Spain section, as well as information relating to Money, Public Holidays and Duty-Free.


Top Things To See & Do

Dance the night away in one of Ibiza’s gorgeously decorated ‘super clubs’ such as Pacha in Ibiza or Abraxas in Palma, Mallorca.

Visit Palma (website: www.palmademallorca.es), the capital of Mallorca, a charming city beautifully situated on the Bay of Palma. The golden sandstone cathedral is a masterpiece while the 14th-century Castle of Bellver, overlooking the town, is also remarkable.

Hunt down Mallorca’s best scenery, which lies amid the Serra de Tramuntana. Take the antique tourist train from Palma to Sóller. A tram takes visitors the short distance to the port and coastal resort of Port de Sóller.

Make a pilgrimage to beautiful Valldemossa and visit the monastery where the composer Frederic Chopin spent the winter of 1838-9 with his mistress, George Sand, who later published a famous account of the disastrous visit.

Explore Menorca’s atmospheric former capital Ciudadella visiting its cathedral, elegant palacios and medieval churches. The shopping is good here too. At the other end of the island, Mahón, the capital, is also well worth a visit.

Take in at least one of Menorca’s famous prehistoric formations from the Talayot civilisation of the 2nd millennium BC. One of the most important stone sites is the Talatí de Dalt.

Discover Ibiza Town, a Unesco World Heritage Site with a medieval fortress, and Dalt Vila (Upper Town) full of narrow, cobbled streets, pretty squares and hippy-chic shopping.

Beach lovers: Pose in your best swimsuit at Las Salinas on Ibiza, find a deserted strand on Formentera, or the perfect little cove, such as Cala en Turqueta or Cala Macarella, on Menorca.

Find out why Mallorca is famous for its caves, particularly the extraordinary Cuevas (Coves) del Drac (Dragon’s Cave) where the visit climaxes with a unforgettable concert on an underground lake (website: www.cuevasdrach.com).

Go yachting. The Balearic Islands are an arrival point for many Mediterranean yacht cruises and the crystal waters around these islands are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Going Out

Food and Drink

Regional specialities:
• Ensaimada (spiral-shaped cake, dusted with icing sugar).
• Sobrasada (soft, spreadable red chorizo-like sausage).
• Mallorcan soups.
• Tumbet (baked dish of layered potato, courgette, aubergine and tomato sauce).
• Mayonnaise originates from Mahón.

Regional drinks:
• Palo and herbes de Mallorca (aromatic herby liqueurs from Mallorca).
• Herbes Ibicencas (aromatic herby liqueur from Ibiza).
• Gin is distilled in Mahón, a legacy of 18th-century British occupation.

Tipping: 10% in restaurants.

Nightlife

Ibiza is home to some of the world’s largest and most famous nightclubs, and its nightlife scene has become a subculture in its own right drawing young revellers from all over Europe for the summer season. If you are staying in Ibiza Town, San António or Playa d’en Bossa, you won’t be able to avoid it. Mallorca too is home to some mega clubs and its nightlife ranges from sophisticated in Palma to notorious in Magaluf. All the main resorts have a good selection of clubs and often a bewildering selection of bars, many of which are reflections (and pastiches) of holidaymaker’s countries of origin - usually Britain. Menorca by contrast is quiet with nightlife usually hotel-based, though Mahón and Ciutadella offer a choice of bona fide nightspots.

For the latest news on the local nightlife, and details of current events, artistic and cultural in Mallorca, see the local English-language newspaper, The Majorca Daily Bulletin.

Shopping

There is a strong tradition of craftsmanship on the Balearic Islands that includes furniture, hand-embroidered works, handpainted ceramics, carved olive-wood panels, wrought ironwork, glassware, items made from raffia and palm leaves, handmade shoes, the famous pearls made in Mallorca and other costume jewellery from Menorca.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1700-2000. Supermarkets and department stores are open 1000-2200. Big shopping centres and tourist shops also open on Sundays.


Climate

The islands enjoy a temperate, Mediterranean climate. The maximum temperatures are not excessive, even in high summer, owing to the cooling influence of the sea. The climate during the winter is generally mild and dry with occasional showers.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons for much of the year with shower protection and warmer wear in winter.


Contact Addresses

Oficina de Turismo de Mallorca

Plaza de la Reina 2, 07012 Palma, Mallorca, Spain
Tel: 97 171 2216.
Website: www.illesbalears.es

Oficina de Turismo de Menorca

Plaza de la Catedral 5, Ciutadella 07760, Menorca, Spain
Tel: 97 138 2693.
Website: www.e-menorca.org

Oficina de Turismo de Ibiza

OIT Antonio Riquer 2, Ibiza Town 07800, Ibiza, Spain
Tel: 97 130 1900.
Website: www.illesbalears.es




Disclaimer
We've tried to make the information on this page as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like passport, visa, health, customs and transportation requirements) with the relevant authorities before you travel.