Balearic Islands Overview

The Balearic Islands include Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, plus numerous isles like the ones that form the La Cabrera Archipelago, declared a Marine-Land National Park.

Balearics are an Autonomous Community with its own government with a combination of elegant summer resorts, the tranquility of its caves and beaches, its transparent waters, its diversity and balmy climate hosting a character distinct from the rest of Spain and from each other. Ibiza is wholly unique; the island is lively and tolerant with an intense, outrageous street life and a floating summer population. Formentera, small and a little wild, is very close to Ibiza, though it struggles to present its own alternative image of reclusive artists and national tourists. Majorca, the largest and best-known Balearic stands out for its beaches and creeks together with a variety of landscapes including the craggy mountain range of Tramuntana, the natural parks, fisher’s towns and the olive and almond tree fields looking beautiful. And last, to the east, there's Minorca, a calm and relax island with two main towns, the capital Maó (Mahón), and the highly charming, pocket-sized port of Ciutadella.

Related Pages: Spain Guide

	Location:	Western Mediterranean
	Size:	1946 sq miles
	Population:	878, 627
	Capital City:	Palma de Mallorca
	Language:	Spanish (official) and Catalan
	Currency:	Euro (€)
	Country Code:	+34
	Time Zone:	GMT + 1
	Electricity:	220 volts 50 Hz Hz
	Ferry Ports:	Alcudia, Ciutadella, Formentera, Ibiza, Ibiza San Antonio, Palma, Mahón
	Airports:	Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza
	Dept. of Tourism:	www.illesbalears.es

By Car The Balearic Islands have an extensive road network which makes getting about by car easy.

By Bus Regular public buses are of high standard, well maintained and cheap. Most towns have a bus terminal called “estación de autobus”. On Sundays and public holidays, schedules are drastically reduced.

By Rail Two rail links join Palma, the capital of Majorca, with two of the main towns on the island, namely Inca and Sóller and a recently – opened new part connects Inca with Sa Pobla. The views are wonderful.

By Ferry Regular lines link the Balearic Islands with Barcelona, Dénia and Valencia.

By Air The Balearic Islands enjoy excellent air links with Spain and the principal cities in Europe and in the world. Over 200,000 planes pass through the airport facilities of Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza every year. Palma de Mallorca is the main airport of the Balearics and in summer leads the ranking of Spanish airports in terms of nº of passengers.

Coves del Drac (Caves of the Dragon - Majorca)

With almost 2000m (6550ft) of coves and six subterranean lakes.

Valldemossa (Majorca)

Attractive town with a former monastery of “La Cartuja de Valldemossa” in where you can visit the lovely gardens and rooms: highlights of the tour are Chopin's piano, his death mask and several of his original manuscripts.

D’Alt Vila (Ibiza Old Town)

Seat in one of the terraces and enjoy the originality of the people. Stroll the medieval district and dance in one of the bars or clubs.

“Café del Mar” (Ibiza San Antonio)

A famous place where one can see the most gorgeous sunsets in the whole island.

Menorca

The Island has been declared a Biosphere Reserve under the auspices of UNESCO.

Nude swimming and sunbathing (Formentera)

Natural Parks and Reserves

National Park of Cabrera, the Nature Reserve of Ses Salines of Ibiza and the Nature Reserves of s'Albufera, Mondragó, sa Dragonera and s'Albufera des Grau.

Arriving by sea to the port of Ibiza offers a wonderful view dominated by the Renaissance walls defending the old town. Summer nights are the loveliest of the Mediterranean but if you prefer to avoid the tourist areas, made your steps into the interior of the island characterized by the fields full of almond and olive trees, pines and rosemary. Discover the white towns and sand creeks and beaches of the island and the craft markets with a hippy appearance of Es Canar or Las Dalias in Sant Carles. Visit to Balafia, a rural architectural village near Sant Llorenç.

Palma is the capital of Majorca and behind its walls you find an historic place whose grand mansions and magnificent Gothic cathedral defy the expectations of many visitors. And so does the northwest coast, pair of intriguing monasteries at Valldemossa and Lluc, and a string of delightful old towns - Deià, Sóller and Pollença - as well as the picturesque villages of Biniaraix and Fornalutx.

Mahon is the capital and principal seaport of Minorca. To the West of Mahon you find Cala’n Porter, one of the most spectacular beaches on the island. La Cova d’en Xaroi, an ancient troglodyte habitations overlooking the sea from the upper part of the cliffs.

We recommend as well the withes sand beaches of Cala Mesquida and Es Grau. On the other district, you can visit the city of Ciutadella and the Naveta des Turons, one of the oldest and well-preserved prehistoric buildings on Minorca.

Finally, a sunset or a simple look to the sky or the sea justifies your visit to Formentera. There are wonderful beaches as Ses Illetes and Llevant where the dune’s system dominate the area. From the point known as Es Mirador there are fantastic views over the island and, if visibility is good, the islets towards Ibiza and Eivissa town itself.