An archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, an autonomous region of Spain with the capital Palma de Mallorca, and most importantly for us, it is a popular tourist destination for beach holidays from May to October. The largest islands are Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza and Fermentera Island, in addition there are other small islands that are mostly uninhabited.
How to get to the Balearic Islands
Three islands have their own airport, direct flights connect the islands with cities in Spain, and there are busy routes with Madrid and Barcelona. There are many flights from European cities, especially London. In summer you can easily fly here from Kyiv or Moscow. If you want to go on a boat trip, ferries from Barcelona are at your service. Small passenger ships ply between the islands themselves, carrying passengers; the ticket price does not exceed thirty euros.
There is a railway on the island of Mallorca, and you can get to almost any place within the island by bus.
Car rental in the Balearic Islands is quite popular; rental prices are slightly higher than on mainland Spain, but much lower than, for example, in Iceland.
Climate and weather in the Balearic Islands
I’ll say right away that swimming in the sea in winter will be cold. The air temperature during the day is about fifteen degrees Celsius, at night it drops to plus five. In summer it can be plus thirty during the day, about twenty at night. The Mediterranean climate with a pleasant and refreshing breeze from the sea leaves a good impression of relaxation; in summer it is not stuffy and not hot. The beach season lasts from the beginning of May to the end of October. The water temperature in summer is about twenty-five degrees.
Beaches in the Balearic Islands
For example, in Mallorca there are seventy-six beaches, the total length of which is more than five hundred and fifty kilometers, twenty-two beaches received the Blue Flag, and this is almost every third beach. Tourists are attracted by the pristine nature, cleanliness and well-groomed local beaches. The Balearic Islands are a good place to buy a summer house; by the way, this is exactly what many celebrities and simply wealthy people did. However, a house on the Belearic Islands is comparable in price to a Moscow apartment, so this can be affordable for each of us. But let's return to our beaches.
All of them are state-owned; it is impossible to buy or rent the beach area. You only have to pay for sunbeds and umbrellas; entry to any beach is free. I would like to note right away that the resort of Magaluf is popular among tourists from the former Soviet Union, perhaps due to the amenities and low prices in the area. If you are planning to fly to the islands with a child, I recommend the town of Illetas, the entrance to the sea is gentle, the resort is maximally adapted for family holidays.
Most of the beaches in the Balearics are sandy, but if you prefer pebbles, we recommend Son Callo beach. The most visited beaches of the islands are Playa de Palma, Cala Mayor, Calla, Vinas, Cala Gran, Cala D'Or. To be honest, it is difficult to select the best beaches, especially since tourists, as a rule, do not have the same taste.
Divers will not be disappointed; if you have dived in Egypt, the underwater world here is not much worse. Mallorca is especially popular with divers. This is the largest island of the archipelago, and the capital of the autonomous region, Palma de Mallorca, is also located here.
The beaches of the island of Menorca are not inferior to Mallorca, especially the large beaches of Caia Galdana and Caia Anna. In the south of the island there are sand dunes and nudist beaches. The northern beaches are not crowded; if you prefer a secluded holiday, then this is the place for you.
The island of Ibiza is considered the most party island, mainly young people come here, there are clubs and discos all around, in the evening and at night the beaches turn into a dance hall. The most popular beaches in Ibiza are Playa de la Salina, Talamanca, En Bossa, Figueretas, Cala Salada and the nudist beach of San Salinas. Most of the beaches on Ibiza Island have a variety of sports equipment, athletic fields, shaded courts, football and volleyball fields, and water sports are available.
The quieter beaches of Cala de Portnat, Cala D'Ort and Bennirra. In contrast to them there will be the beaches of Santa Eularia des Rio, Sant Antoni and Playa d'en Bossa, where everyone spends their time very actively and cheerfully, the beaches are one whole disco that is open around the clock. Ibiza is the most expensive island, there are many five-star hotels, however, even three-star ones are not moderately priced.
On the island of Fermentera you can find a quiet and relaxing holiday on the beach, the island is almost uninhabited.
Prices in the Balearic Islands
It is quite expensive here, especially for the youth resort of the island of Ibiza
Restaurants and cuisine of the Balearic Islands
The restaurants will offer you Mediterranean Spanish cuisine with a large selection of seafood. Be sure to order the local caldera soup, rice paella, sobrassada, potato buns, almond cake, spiral cakes and fig bread. It's worth visiting tapas bars, such as those near the beaches. I note that it is better to go to those restaurants where locals go; restaurants designed only for tourists have high prices. Please note that restaurants close for siesta from 1pm to 4pm.
Sights of the Balearic Islands
What to do in the Balearics? Of course, lie on the beach and swim. In Mallorca, in the capital of the archipelago, Palma de Mallorca, you can visit archaeological museums and various architectural attractions, such as Bellver Castle and the Cathedral. You can visit a bullfight, take a walk in a Spanish town. The main natural attraction of Mallorca is the Arta Caves, the Dragon Caves and the underground Lake Martelna in the east of the island.
On the island of Menorca, pay attention to the city of Mahon, take a walk around the historical center, the city is very small, so all the architectural attractions are within walking distance. It is worth going to the city of Ciutadella, there is a beautiful old part of this village with a magnificent Cathedral and many palaces. Local megaliths represent ancient history.
In Ibiza, the main attraction is the club culture. Among the architectural heritage I will highlight the Archaeological Museum with finds from the Roman era, the Cathedral of Ibiza Town, the ruins of the Sas Taulas and Kastel fortresses. From all three islands you can take a short boat trip across the waves, and from Ibiza it is easiest to get to Fermentera Island. In the Balearic Islands you can successfully practice golf, diving, windsurfing, visit various water parks, go on excursions to ancient villages and witness cultural and sporting events.
Even those who have repeatedly visited this country and who seem to know it well usually do not take into account the simple fact that in Europe this is not all of Spain. She also has other territories.
Insular Spain
Located in the Mediterranean, the islands are an autonomous territory of Spain. The largest island in the archipelago, Mallorca has long been a center of attraction for tourists from all over the world. This is due to a number of reasons, primarily climatic. The Balearic Islands have luxurious, evergreen tropical nature and a rich heritage of the European Middle Ages, much of which is well preserved and has successfully survived to this day.
When is the best time to go to Mallorca?
The secret to the popularity of this Mediterranean island is explained by a combination of natural and historical factors. Beach holidays of the highest level are successfully combined here with the opportunity to join the historical and cultural heritage of which the island of Mallorca is a unique part. The weather here varies from month to month, but not so much that the island loses its attractiveness. There is simply no month of the year in which you should not plan a visit to the Balearic Islands. Even taking into account the fact that the beach season here lasts from April to October, we must not forget that this is Spain. Mallorca, where the weather remains quite comfortable even in the winter months, is an island territory of this country, and it is good at any time. And getting to know its cultural and historical heritage during this season of the year is even better.
To Mallorca for a holiday in the "high season"
Traditional concepts of “high” and “low” tourist seasons exist in the Balearic Islands, but they are not as pronounced here as on the continent. This is typical for many Mediterranean islands, including Mallorca. The weather here differs enough from month to month that you can choose the most acceptable temperature to your liking. During the summer months, the island can be quite hot, with average temperatures approaching thirty degrees. At the same time, it is impossible to call such a temperature debilitating. It has long been noted that the same air temperature is perceived completely differently by people in the interior of the continent and on the sea coast. The tropical humid climate of the western Mediterranean makes this temperature very comfortable for a person accustomed to the climate of the middle zone. The weather in Mallorca in June and other summer months is simply ideal for a beach holiday. The water warms up to 25 degrees Celsius.
Mallorca in spring
Already in early spring, the air temperature on the island warms up to plus 20 degrees. At this time, the tropical nature of the Balearic Islands gradually wakes up after its winter rest and experiences a period of lush flowering. Mallorca is literally buried in flowers. And it deserves to be seen at least once. Moreover, the weather in Mallorca in April is quite conducive to the beginning of a full-fledged beach season. This period of the year is also characterized by the fact that the beaches, hotels and restaurants are not yet very crowded. The main flow of tourists arrives in the Balearic Islands in the summer months. And along with their arrival, prices in all service infrastructure enterprises rise. This is clearly noticeable already at the end of spring, because the weather in Mallorca in May is already truly summer.
The Velvet season
This period lasts about two months in the Balearic Islands: from mid-September to the first ten days of November. It is the velvet season that weather-sensitive people should pay attention to. the air drops by about five degrees at this time, but the weather in October in Mallorca continues to remain comfortable, especially for those for whom the heat is contraindicated for medical reasons. Among other things, during the velvet season there is noticeably less noise and fuss on the island’s beaches: a significant part of tourists return to their permanent habitats. Both the price level of the voucher and everyday expenses are reduced accordingly. The Balearic Islands are especially beautiful at this time of year, and the evergreen nature takes on the characteristic features of autumn expressiveness. Among other things, tourists at this time can expect abundance at minimal prices. Many of those who were lucky enough to visit these shores note that summer here lasts much longer than on the continent. Indeed, the weather in Mallorca in September is almost no different from summer. The boundary between seasons here can be drawn very arbitrarily.
Some climatic features
Tourists who purchase tickets to popular beach resorts cannot help but be interested in the question of how often precipitation occurs in the area where they are going. But an interesting climatic feature and a significant positive aspect of a beach holiday in the Balearic Islands is the fact that rainy days are extremely rare here. Only slightly more often than in the nearby African country. Of course, precipitation does occur here, but it occurs mainly in the form of short-term rain showers. Which, no matter how unexpectedly they come, end just as suddenly. And an hour later the sky is usually clear and the sun is shining again. This is the climatic feature of the island of Mallorca. The weather here is quite stable over the months, and the level of precipitation is approximately the same. Most days here are sunny, and nothing prevents a beach holiday.
What to see in Mallorca
The total length of the coastline of this island exceeds half a thousand kilometers. There are an abundance of long beaches with clean sand, coastal cliffs, large and small bays and bays. But the highest level of beach holidays is not the only thing that Mallorca is famous for. The weather here does not vary as noticeably from month to month as on the continent, and it does not in any way interfere with exploring the historical and natural attractions of the island. Even during the so-called “low season”. It is low mainly in terms of prices for tourism infrastructure services. The unique combination of vibrant tropical nature with historical architectural heritage gives the island its unique expressiveness. Much has been well preserved here from the Middle Ages and the Moorish period of Spanish history, but monuments from the Roman Empire have also survived in Mallorca. A characteristic feature of the landscape on the island are terraced mountain slopes overgrown with lush gardens and vineyards. It is not difficult to guess that Mallorca, among other things, is also famous for its winemaking. You can try and appreciate it both in the capital and in small villages in the interior of the territory. A very good option for traveling around the island are two railway lines connecting the capital of Mallorca with two other cities. Both routes pass through picturesque places and are traditionally used for excursion purposes.
Capital of the island
But most of the historical and architectural attractions are concentrated in the capital city of Palma de Mallorca. This is a fairly large city with more than a thousand years of history. It is especially expressive due to such outstanding examples of Gothic architecture as the La Seu Cathedral, founded in 1229, and the Palau del Almudaina, the traditional residence of local monarchical dynasties. Traces of both Aragonese and Moorish influences can be seen in the architecture of Palma. The entire central part of the city behind the cathedral has retained its original historical layout. Of particular note is the Church of St. Eulalia located here, this is one of the oldest religious buildings not only on the island of Mallorca, but in the entire south of Spain. One day is often not enough to explore the historical center of the island’s capital.
How to get to the island
At the height of the “high” tourist season, you can fly to Palma de Mallorca by regular plane from Sheremetyevo. During other seasons of the year, only charter flights from this airport operate to the island. Therefore, you will have to get there with a transfer in Barcelona or Madrid. Flights are also operated from a number of other cities on the European continent. But you can also get to the island by water transport. There are regular connections to the port of Palma de Mallorca from Barcelona, Valencia, Menorca and Ibiza.
The Balearic Islands are located in the Mediterranean Sea and are a Spanish province. As a rule, tourists visit the largest islands - Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. Among other resorts in the Mediterranean Sea, this archipelago stands out for its clean ecology. The climate here is temperate, maritime. However, compared to other Mediterranean islands, temperature differences and humidity are higher. In winter, the air temperature varies between +8°C - 15°C. And in summer – from +27°С to +30°С. At the same time, the summer heat here does not cause discomfort thanks to the Mbat sea breeze, which brings coolness to the islands. Tourists are attracted by the fact that there are about 300 sunny days a year here, and in the summer the sun shines for 10 hours a day. Well, the water here is simply a miracle; in summer its temperature is about 25°C.
The largest island is Mallorca
The largest and most popular island of the Balearic Islands among tourists is Mallorca. Vacationers on the island are amazed by the purity of the azure sea, the beauty of the mountain landscapes and snow-white beaches, the lush vegetation, and the variety of recreational activities and attractions.
One of the advantages of the Balearic Islands is their amazing nature.
The island of Mallorca is especially famous for its diversity of flora and fauna. It is known for its picturesque mountain ranges, protected forests and fertile valleys. The clear blue sea and white beaches attract tourists from all over the world. In the north of Mallorca there is a rocky place called Formentor. There you can climb one of the mountain platforms and enjoy the view of the mountain ranges and the endless sea.
On the southeast coast of the island, places worth visiting include Sala de Or, Cala Santanyi and Cala Lombards. In the south of Mallorca is the Mondrago National Park, where sand dunes near the coast give way to oak forests with orchids in the deeper part of the reserve. Mallorca is also famous for its caves, which are a creation of nature from the Miocene era. Stalactites and stalagmites create bizarre shapes; inside some caves there are lakes and even underground rivers. Particularly popular are the Dragon Caves, Drach and Arta Caves.
Menorca Nature Reserve
The second largest among the Balearic Islands is the island of Menorca. It was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1993 thanks to the conservation efforts of local residents. There are unique representatives of flora and fauna here that are not found anywhere else. Of particular interest is the Albufera Des Grau lagoon, a beautiful quiet place - a paradise for all kinds of aquatic birds. Herons, ducks, coots and eared cormorants nest here, and the lagoon provides conditions for ornithological research. There are more than 30 species of orchids in Menorca. And there are a lot of other plants here. The island is especially beautiful during the flowering period.
Pine Ibiza
Ibiza is classified as a pine island due to the fact that, despite the variability of the topography, almost the entire island is covered with pine forests. It is known that these trees have a wonderful effect on the air, making it healthier. And there are quite a few types of pine trees in Ibiza. You can also find olive and almond trees, palm trees and a huge variety of fruit trees here. In the forests you can find hares, squirrels, and quails. Falcons soar in the sky. The symbol of Ibiza is lizards, of which there are also many here, but dangerous insects or snakes are not found on the island.
Holidays in the Balearic Islands
Each of the Balearic Islands can surprise and delight its guests. Tourists arriving in Mallorca should visit Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the island. Here you can see many architectural monuments from different eras. It is worth paying attention to the Cathedral and Bellver Castle. Since the Baler Islands belong to Spain, Spanish traditional spectacles such as knightly tournaments or bullfights are regularly held here. In addition to architectural attractions, there are many natural monuments, for example, caves with underground lakes.
Balearic resort Magaluf
The most popular resort in Mallorca is Magaluf. Here, a high level of service is combined with excellent natural conditions. Spacious beaches with clean sand, calm bays with clear water - all this is Magaluf. Those who want to spend a holiday with their family should pay attention to Illetas - a cozy place with spacious bays.
There are 76 beaches in Mallorca, about a third of which are highly rated for cleanliness and amenities. Moreover, absolutely all beaches on the island are free. People most often flock to Playa de Palma, Cala Mayor, Calla, Vinas and Palma Nova. And lovers of small, uncrowded bays should choose the beaches of Cala Gran, Cala D'Or, Cala Ferrera or Cala Llonga. There is also a pebble beach here - Son Kalju. On any beach you can find umbrellas, sun loungers, pedal boat rentals and cafes.
People often come to Mallorca for diving. The best months for this sport are September, October, May and June. The underwater world off the coast of the island is amazingly diverse. And diving schools will allow a beginner to dive to the bottom or organize a more complex dive for professionals.
Features of a holiday in Menorca
The capital of Menorca is the city of Mahon. Sometimes it is compared to a museum, because there are a lot of cultural monuments here. Of particular interest is St Mary's Church with its 19th century organ. There are many squares with palaces and other buildings from different eras.
The city of Ciutadella is also interesting, with its entire appearance reminiscent of bygone times. Here you can stroll through medieval narrow streets and explore ancient castles. Of particular interest is the Cathedral, as well as the palaces of Salort, Vivo, Olivas, De Saura.
In Menorca, buildings from the Bronze Age, the so-called Talayot culture, have been preserved. This mysterious civilization lived here about 3.5 thousand years ago and left its memory in the form of bizarre structures.
The most popular beaches in Menorca are Caia Galdana and Caia Anna. Comfortable hotels are located next to them. There are also quite a few beaches in the south of the island, including nudist ones. For those who prefer a quiet and secluded holiday, it is better to go to the northern coast. Here nature is better preserved, and cozy bays with crystal clear water invite you to rest and relaxation.
For impressions in Ibiza
Wanting to spend their holidays on the islands of sunny Spain, many tourists do not know what is better to choose - the Canary or Balearic Islands. It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question which of these two archipelagos is better suited for recreation. To decide on a vacation destination, you should first take into account the goals and time of year of the planned trip.
Canary Islands
The Canary archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean. It includes eight inhabited and several small uninhabited islands. Inhabited islands include: Tenerife, La Gomera, Hierro, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
The climate of the archipelago is characterized as tropical trade wind. Constantly blowing trade winds soften the dry climate. The Canary Islands are characterized by the absence of sudden temperature changes and small amounts of precipitation throughout the year.
The largest island of the Archipelago is Tenerife. Its area is 2034.38 km² and its population reached 908,555 in 2012. Tenerife is located at the same latitude as the Sahara Desert, which affects its climate. The main feature of the climate is that the maximum seasonal differences in air temperature are no more than 10-15 °C. That's why the Spaniards call Tenerife sla de la Eterna Primavera, which translates as “the island of eternal spring.”
In summer, the average air temperature ranges from +24 to + 28 °C, and in winter from +13 to 18 °C. On sunny winter days the air can warm up to +21...+22 °C. The water temperature in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Tenerife from December to January is +18...+21 °C.
Mountain ranges divide Tenerife into two parts: northern and southern. In winter, climatic conditions in these parts differ significantly. In the north it rains more often and the climate is more humid. In the south, the climate is dry and precipitation is much less frequent.
On all the inhabited Canary Islands, with the exception of La Graciosa, many hotels have been built, including budget and luxury chain hotel complexes. There are no large hotels on La Graciosa, which is not surprising, since it is the smallest inhabited island of the archipelago.
Balearic Islands
The Balearic archipelago is located in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea. The largest islands of the archipelago are Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza (Ibiza) and Formentera. Ibiza is a noisy youth resort for lovers of bars and night discos. Mallorca also boasts a vibrant nightlife. Therefore, lovers of tranquility are recommended to relax in Menorca or Formentera.
The climate of the Balearic archipelago is Mediterranean. This type of climate is characterized by dry, hot summers and mild winters with an average air temperature of +8...+15 °C. In summer, the average air temperature in the Balearic Islands is +27…+31 °C. The water in the Mediterranean Sea warms up to +25 °C in summer. The beach season in the Balearic Islands begins in April and lasts until about mid-October.
Where to go on vacation?
If your vacation falls between November and March, and you want to enjoy the southern warmth, then a holiday in the Canary Islands would be a good option. For example, you can go to one of the southern resorts of Tenerife. On the island of Gran Canaria it is also quite warm in the autumn-winter period - in January the air temperature can reach +20...+21 °C.
For those who do not like the sultry heat, the Canary Islands will also be very comfortable in summer. After all, the climate of the archipelago is softened by trade winds and cold currents. Therefore, even at air temperatures above +25 °C, the heat will be easily tolerated.
A summer holiday in the Balearic Islands will appeal to lovers of hot weather and sultry sun. The hottest summer months here are July and August. The velvet season begins in the second half of September.
If you are interested in an excursion holiday, then in the autumn-winter period you can go to Mallorca. The most interesting sights of Mallorca are located in the capital of the island - the city of Palma. To this day, medieval churches, cathedrals and the Royal Palace have been well preserved in Palma.
An autonomous region of Spain, a large tourist area, which is an archipelago of small islands. The Balearic Islands lie in the western Mediterranean Sea, equidistant from the Iberian Peninsula, southern France and northern Africa.
The archipelago consists of two groups of islands: the Gimnesias Islands (Menorca, Mallorca and Sabrera and the small islands of Dragonera, Isla de Aire, etc.) and the Pitiusas Islands (Ibiza, Formentera and the small islands surrounding them).
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