Balearic Islands Guide
| fast facts |
Population:
996,062
Island Capitals:
Palma de Malorca, Mahón (Maó), Ibiza Town (Eivissa), Sant Frencesc de Formentera
Airports:
Palma, Mahón, Ibiza
Area:
4992km²
Official languages:
Catalan & Spanish (Castellano)
Government:
An autonomous community within Spain
Islands:
Mallorca (Majorca), Menorca (Minorca), Ibiza (Eivissa) & Formentera
Orientation:
Lying in the Mediterranean sea, south of the Catalan mainland.
Hotels
Mallorca (Majorca) hotels - Menorca (Minorca) hotels - Ibiza hotels - Formentera hotels
Mallorca (Majorca)
The Bay of Palma and the south west coast
The cheap, overdeveloped image of mass tourism that Mallorca has been desperately trying to shed is mainly due to the area within the bay of Palma. With resorts such as Cala Major, Arenal, Palma Nova and the infamous Magaluf if you're after a holiday spent between the bar and the beach with the odd break for a full English then this is where to head. Away from here, although there are some exceptions, the rest of the island has developed in a far more conservative way and has in many cases stayed a bit of a secret because of the over development elsewhere. Things start to change soon after Magaluf and as you pass the headland to the west of the bay of Palma there are more family orientated resorts such as Peguera and Santa Ponça then onto the fashionable and monied Port d'Andratx. After S'Arenal and the protection given by the Bay of Palma there's the low lying and windswept coast which has a distinct lack of development or local population.
North-west coast
The mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana (also the name of the winds that can sometimes batter the Balearic's exposed northern coasts at certain times of year) separate this coast from the rest of the island keeping a very unspoilt coastline in tact. The mountains have kept development to a minimum and in many areas it is wild and almost pristine with the Serra falling steeply into the sea. Towns and villages worth a visit include Deià, a favourite holiday home location for the rich and famous but still charming, Port de Sóller and its inland namesake Sóller and a little further north the villages of Fornalutx and Biniaraix.
North-east coast
Dominated by the Bay of Alcúdia and the smaller Bay of Pollença this coast shows both sides of Mallorca. The smaller bay offers the low rise family resort of Port de Pollença with its beautiful inland sister just a few kilometres away. Over the headland however Port d'Alcúdia seems to be trying to catch up with the bay of Palma favouring vertical development which doesn't really stop until you reach its eastern limit. Other than this one unspoilt part of the bay and the equally unspoilt headland coast, there is the wonderful wetland area of the Parc Natural S'Albufera de Mallorca providing a haven for wildlife, especially birds.
East coast
Inland the Serra de Llevant provides the backdrop for the coast though not to the dramatic extent offered by Serra de Tramuntana to the north west. Development is extensive, with the biggest resort being Cala Millor, but generally low rise in the form of holiday home complexes. The pretty inland town of Artà is worth a visit or makes a good base to explore the area including the unspoilt northern headland to the Bay of Alcúdia and the small resort of Canyamel which has the nearby spectacular caves of Coves d'Artà.
Menorca (Minorca)
Menorca is the second largest island in the Balearics. Although a package holiday desination for many years it is not as developed as Mallorca, and retains areas of unspoilt coastline and traditional villages. The main towns are on opposite sides of the island, Ciutadela to the west and the port of Mahon to the west. They are connected by the main road that cuts across the island, to the north the coast is rugged, and has a wilder feel and to the south are limestone cliffs and and valleys leading to white sandy beaches. There are prehistoric sites across the island, and fortifications from more recent times in the 18th century when Menorca came under British rule. Inland Menorca is a patchwork of drystone walls built to protect the pasturelands and olive trees from the tramontana winds. 'Queso Mahon' is locally produced and centred around the towns of Alaior and Ferreries. From the town of El Mercadel the highest point of the island, El Toro (357m) can be reached with fabulous views across the island.
South Menorca
The south of the island is characterised by the longest sandy beaches, clear waters, and spectacular cliffs and gorges. The larger hotels and villa developments are concentrated here, on the south coast at Cala en Porter, Son Bou,Sant Tomas, and Cala Gandana, and to the south-east corner from S'Algar to Binibequer Vell. There are lovely coves at Cala En Turqueta amd Cales Coves, and the 'pirate' caves at Cova d'en Xorai are a good place to enjoy a drink during the day (becomes a nightclub after the sun goes down). Towards Mao are the pretty villages of Es Castell and Sant Esteve, popular with weekenders from the city where you'll find great waterfront restaurants and bars. Inland from here are some of the better examples of Menorca's prehistoric past. 'Talayotic' settlements dating to the 1st and 2nd millenia BC are typified by talayots, a type of tower, and the taulas, the T-shaped structures usually found close by - good sites to visit are Trebalugar, So na Cacana, Torralba d'en Salort and Talati de Dalt.
North Menorca
The north-west corner of Menorca is the wildest and least developed part of the island with near-deserted beaches and coves 'off the beaten track' such as Binimel-La, Cala Pregonda and Cala en Pilar. Along the coast are pine and holm oak forests, and just inland from here the ruined Castell de Sant Agueda built by the Moors. If you like seafood then head for Fomells, a pretty, popular fishing village with waterfront restaurants, famed for 'caldera de llagosta' (spiny lobster stew) .The village sits at the entrance to the Bay of Fornells, which offers some protection from the tramontana winds and has beome a popular place for windsurfing and sailing schools. Further east towards Addaia larger resorts have been developed; the Illes d'Addaia and Punta de Montgofra - are popular diving areas, and close to the charming village of Es Grau is the S'Albufera de Grau Natural Park, an important wetlands habitat for migrating birds.
Ibiza (Eivissa) & Formentera
Ibiza (Eivissa) is the third largest of the Balearic Islands and was known by many as a 'hippy hideaway' in the 60's, but times have changed and Ibiza has been transformed into the partying and clubbing capital of Europe. Ibiza Town and San Antonio are home to seven great clubs attracting revellers in their thousands during the summer. But if you want to get beyond the 'Discobus' route then there's plenty more to Ibiza - take your pick from over 50 beautiful beaches, chic hotels and villas, superb tapas and seafood restaurants, and a handful of pretty whitewashed villages.
North-West Coast
Sant Antoni de Portmany, or 'San An' as its known, is the major resort on the island and caters for the partying and clubbing crowd. From the opening party nights in mid-June Es Paradis and Eden are the main attractions featuring world famous DJs and club nights and 24 -hour partying. Spring and autumn are less full-on, and cater more for families and non-clubbers, but if you are coming for the nightlife bear in mind that most clubs and some bars will be closed. Around Sant Antoni's 'West End' are the usual 'Brits abroad' bars with burgers, chips and beer on the menu but for trendier places head to the Sunset Strip and watch the sun go down at one of the many bars - try Cafe Mambo or the original chillout, Cafe del Mar. For more upmarket eateries outside Sant Antoni head for Sa Capella, an exclusive restaurant in a converted 18th century church or try the Plaza Mayor Restaurant at the Pikes Hotel (where Wham! fans will know was the setting for the Club Tropicana video). Heading north-east out of Sant Antoni you'll find secluded coves and beaches along the coast - Cala Salada, Benirràs where crowds gather for sunset parties (especially Thursdays and Sundays) and Cala d'en Serra along the northern tip on the island. En route the villages of Santa Agnes de Corona, and Sant Miquel are good stops for a tapas lunch; and close to Sant Miquel is the Cova de Can Marca cave complex, once used for smuggling now hosting guided tours and light shows.
To the south of Sant Antoni, from Cala Bassa around the coastline to Cala d'Hort, are numerous lovely coves with sandy beaches and clear waters for swimming and snorkelling. From Cala d'Hort are stunning views of the jagged rocky islet of Es Vedrà.
South-East Coast
Along the coast north of the island's capital is the town of Sant Eulària Des Rui, situated along a river estuary and overlooked by a whitewashed fortified church. Close by at Es Canar is the weekly Hippy Market (Wednesdays) and the place to go if you're looking for leather goods, batiks and bangles. A few kilometres inland is the old hippy haunt of Sant Carles which also has a market on Saturdays. From here you can easily explore the northern beaches of Cala Llenya, Cala Mastella and Cala Boix and through the pine woodlands to the nudist beach at Aigϋes Blanques.
South of Ibiza Town are the salt flats of Las Salinas (Ses Salines). For over 2000 years seawater has been brought in through man made channels, and as it evaporates it leaves white crusts of salt. Get here as the sun goes down over the sparkling salt pans for the most photogenic sunsets on the island. The salt pans, along with the islets and area of sea across to Formentera form a marine reserve, that together with archaeological remains across the island, including those at Sa Caleta and the D'Alt Vila have been given World Heritage Site status. The reserve is an important marine habitat for threatened species such as the Mediterranean Monk Seal. Beyond Ses Salines are the three small coves at Sa Caleta and Cala Jondal (famed for the 'Jockey Club' beach bar and club) are great places for lazing on the beach.
Formentera
Formentera is only 5km to the south of Ibiza and there are regular ferry crossings from Ibiza Town to the port of La Sabina. Popular with day trippers and small enough to get round easily by moped, its main attractions are the less crowded and relaxing beaches and pretty villages. Sant Fransesc Xavier is the 'capital' of the island and along with other villages on the island has picturesque whitewashed houses and churches. The island is relatively unspoilt by tourism development and there are some great beaches, many of them nudist. In the south you'll find the long white sands of Platja de Mighorn, westwards, Cala Saona and to the north around Es Pujol, where you'll also find the greater concentration bars and seafood restaurants. Heading towards the eastern end of the island you reach the highest point at La Mola, and a good place to enjoy the views, and the food, is the aptly named El Mirador Restaurant.
Cities and Towns of interest
Palma de Mallorca , Ciutadella de Menorca , Mahón (Maó) , Ibiza Town (Eivissa) , Deià
Natural parks
coming soon
