Balearic Islands

Magaluf, Mallorca

Magaluf, Mallorca is known as a fashionable vacation resort. Situated on the island of Majorca, located in Spain, Magaluf is chiefly visited by Scandinavian, British, and Russian vacation seekers.

Found in the municipality of Calvià, this beach resort is one of many in a string of towns including other Spanish villages like Torrenova and Palma Nova. Majorca's primary airport hub is located 15 miles from Magaluf.

This resort town features one large beach, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The shore is rimmed with quaint bars, hotels, and souvenir shops. Popular with young singletons and families alike, making Magaluf holidays perfect for everyone. Magaluf's most popular season is in July and August. In winter, the population reverts to 4,335 town residents. Most businesses associated with tourism close during the winter.

Part of its appeal as a stomping ground for young people lies in its plethora of trendy clubs and hotspots. World-renowned DJs have played in Magalluf including superstar spinners like David Guetta, Basshunter, and Judge Jules.

Most of the night-time hotspots can be found on the Punta Ballena area. BCM, the largest and most storied nightclub on Magalluf, features two floors. The bottom level, called Millennium, throws events using foam, popcorn, and water. BCM boasts that it holds the biggest and most famous foam party. A new VIP Lounge complete with bottle service and opportunities to meet DJs was recently unveiled.

Ibiza Rocks, in 2010, launched a new hotel named the Mallorca Rocks Hotel for live concerts. Popular British band The Kooks kicked off the inauguration in June, 2010. These two hotels have been successful in staging live concerts for seventeen weeks during the summer of 2011. Concerts take place on Tuesday nights at the Mallorca Rocks hotel. A crowd of 4,000 can enjoy music from the likes of Calvin Harris and Dizzee Rascal.

Magalluf affords all visitors an opportunity to enjoy a variety of attractions. The Western Water Park offers water rides with an old west theme. Visitors can watch diving exhibitions, participate in falconry, or visit one of the the Western Water Park's dining establishments.

Other attractions include the House of Katmandu, which features themed rooms with robotics, illusions, and games. Pirate's Adventure offers a dinner theater style show. Visitors can also participate in go-karting, horseback riding, and a myriad of water sports are offered such as diving, wind surfing, and water skiing.

Some tourists enjoy swimming to and from the Black Lizard Island, situated in the middle of Magalluf Bay.

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, Europe, featured, Magaluf, Spain

Ibiza, Spain

Ibiza, Spain is an island on the Mediterranean sea and is located just 79 km away from the coast of Valencia, Spain. Of the Balearic Islands, Ibiza is the third largest and is one of the most popular destinations for young tourists, especially those who are looking to enjoy both the day and night life.

The largest cities in Ibiza are Ibiza Town, Santa Eularia des Riu and Sant Antoni de Portmany. Ibiza Town is one of the most well known and is especially popular because of the different opportunities it provides for music lovers. Some of the most popular and famous producers and DJs come to the island to play in the clubs, and often times they use it as an opportunity to try out new music. For those who aren't into the standard club music, Ibiza Rocks is a concert series that was introduced to the island in 2005 and has become a highlight for summer tourists.

Although Ibiza is most known for its summer club parties, the island's government is working to make it a more diverse and cultured environment, so that international tourists of all walks of life can find something of interest in Ibiza.

Besides the night clubs, Ibiza has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. The crystal blue waters are both inviting and refreshing. Tourists can also charter boats in order to explore the perimeter of the island, or they can go diving, learn to kite-surf, or simply enjoy the different sights the island has to offer.

Ibiza has some breathtaking sights, including both man-made and natural ones. Individuals who venture away from the beach can see beautiful churches, monuments, and caves. There are even Hippy Markets in most of the cities that allow visitors to purchase some of the most popular items on the island, including handmade jewelry and clothing. Las Salinas Salt Flats is another popular tourist attraction. These salt fields have been in use for over 2000 years and are the perfect location for capturing sunset photos.

Tourists of all ages can find something to do in Ibiza. Between the restaurants, hotels, resorts, and villas, there is something for everyone.

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, featured, Ibiza, Spain

Formentera, Spain

As the smallest of the Balearic Islands, Formentera, Spain is the perfect destination for a private getaway in the heart of the Mediterranean. Getting to the island is extremely easy. Boats regularly travel between Formentera and the Spanish mainland. The island has a multitude of unscathed white beaches that provide excellent views of sunsets for families and romantic couples. On top of this, the waters surrounding Formentera are perfectly transparent, allowing for some of the best snorkeling in the world.

Formentera is infused with a local culture that visitors cannot help but to get wrapped up in. The island’s size, nineteen kilometers long, helps enhance this feeling of centrality and locality since visitors can easily traverse the entire stretch of the island within a day. Most of the island is easily accessible with roads, and cars are rentable in the port, it is more convenient to rent a moped to speed along the coastline. Doing such adds to the experience of visiting Formentera. The smell of the pristine, beautiful sea dazes travelers while the wind blows through their hair. Cliffs that drop to the sea enhance the scenery. These provide unrivaled views witnessed anywhere else in the Mediterranean world.

Many small villages line Formentera’s coastline, all of which are excellent opportunities for exploration. The people of the island are friendly, happy to have visitors from afar, and their accommodating spirit makes any length of stay on the island one that will not be easily forgotten. Adding to the sense of adventure on the island is the language. While Spanish is spoken widely, as the island is administered by Spain, a unique dialect of Catalan is the main language. Hearing it spoken in markets, shops, and restaurants across the island will entrance travelers. Do not be worry about feeling disheartened by language, though. Other major languages are spoken widely across the island, including English, German, French, and Italian, all coming from Formentera’s proximity to these language centers in the Mediterranean. This unique blend of cultures has made cuisine on Formentera wonderful, and there are many small restaurants to try out during a stay on the island.

Any stay in Formentera is bound to be safe since the island has a very small crime rate. Safety is a main concern when traveling to any foreign country. Formentera is an island that will capture any traveler’s heart with its unspoiled beaches, language, people, and food.

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, featured, Formentera, Spain

Balearic Islands, Spain

An archipelago of Spain, the Balearic Islands are located in the western Mediterranean. Comprised of four large islands — the Mallorca, Menorca, Formentera, and Ibiza — the archipelago forms a province with a shared capital city, Palma de Mallorca. Numerous smaller islands such as Sa Dragonera, Es Conills, Es Vedrà, Sa Conillera, L'Aire, Na Redona, S'Espalmador, S'Espardell, Ses Bledes, Santa Eulària, Plana, Foradada, Tagomago and Colom also make up the Balearic Islands and draw tourists.

During the months of January and February, the Balearic Islands are awash with flowers as the 7 million almond trees that grace the islands bloom. Tourists from around the world flock to the islands to marvel at the trees' flowers which range in shades of white to pink. Visitors can enjoy the locally grown almonds toasted or as part of local cuisines. Almond beauty products also abound at the local perfumeries.

The moderate climate of the Balearic Islands draws family cruise holidays year round. The islands feature about 300 days of sunshine per year. Visitors can enjoy lounging on one of the many golden beaches or take in the culture of the region. The islands are dotted with fishing villages that feature quaint shops.

History buffs may want to tour the island of Ibiza. The island was declared a World Heritage site by the UNESCO. It has several archeological sites such as the historic centre of Eivissa Phoenician, the site of Sa Caleta and the necropolis of Puig des Molins. Ibiza also has a reputation for a thriving nightlife with numerous clubs and ample dancing opportunities.

Mallorica is the largest of the Balearic Islands and is home to the capital city Palma de Mallorca. Visitors can tour several of the island's water parks or try their hand at a bit of gambling at the Casino, located near Magalluf. Outdoor enthusiasts may want to explore the island's mountain range, Serra de Traumunta, or try a but of scuba diving.

Menorca has the reputation of having some of the best white sand beaches along the Mediterranean. Numerous pine shrouded coves also exist around the island. Archeological ruins, fishing villages and small towns that feature medieval architecture all draw tourists to the island.

The island of Formentera appeals to sailing, diving and water sport enthusiasts. The island also boasts numerous bars and restaurants.

With so many islands to choose from, tourists to the Balearic Islands will find a wealth of attractions, accommodations and resorts.

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, featured, Mallorca, Menorca

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca is one of the Balearic Islands located off of the Spanish coast south of Barcelona. Palma de Mallorca, Spain is both Mallorca’s largest city and the capital of the Balearic Islands. It is one of the favourite tourist destinations in Europe, known for its mixture of old world historical charm and new world conveniences, and a world-class beachfront. The city is easily accessed by plane and is a common port for cruise ships.

Palma has a long and varied history. It was founded by the Romans, sacked by the Vandals, conquered by the Byzantine Empire, occupied by the Muslims and the Moors, and claimed by James I of Aragon. The city was an important port for each of these empires, and teetered between piracy and formal trade throughout its history. The islands were divided from Spain in 1833 but soon suffered economically from competition with other maritime islands. It was not until the tourist trade accelerated in the 1950s that Palma began to rebound from its slump.

Cathedral de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

For travellers interested in the historical sites, start with Cathedral de Mallorca, the enormous Gothic cathedral built on the site of a former mosque. It took nearly four hundred years for the cathedral to be completed. Behind the cathedral is the area of the city known as The Old City. Wander the narrow streets and admire the diverse architecture reminiscent of both Barcelona and Florence. Find a charming souvenir in one of the quaint little shops. Located in The Old City, the only remaining Arabic site in Palma is the Banys Arabs, a sauna-style bath dating back to the tenth century.

Palma has its own bull arena, which is open to sightseers when events are not on. The Museo de Arte Espanol Contemporaneo offers pieces from various Spanish contemporary artists including Picasso and Dali. Children will love both the Aqualand water park and the Marineland aquarium.

The beaches are the main attraction for tourists, featuring white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. The Can Pere Antoni beach also has one of the nicest cycling paths in the city. Most beaches offer boat rentals. Stroll along the palm tree-lined promenade along the seafront.

Palma de Mallorca has so much to offer with its beaches, high-end and boutique shopping, vibrant nightlife, rich cultural history, historical buildings, and Mediterranean cuisine. Make sure you take full advantage of the Mediterranean island lifestyle while you are there.

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, featured, Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Menorca, Spain

Menorca, Spain is also known as the "Island of Pleasant Breeze." It is the second largest of the Balearic Islands. The island is home to many beautiful beaches that are typically less crowded than those of nearby islands. At 3 km, Son Bou is the longest beach in Menorca and is known for it's calm waters.

When you first arrive in Menorca, you may want head to the Placa Alfons III to visit the town's tourist information center. The information center is housed in a windmill that is a very popular tourist attraction in itself. You may also want to check out the island's harbors; tours are offered daily.

Among many others, some places to visit in Menorca are it's impressive churches, Es Freginal Park, the Xoriguer Gin Distillery, and the Museu de Minorca. Es Freginal park is often home to cultural events and musical performances, but even when there is nothing going on here, it makes a great place to relax and picnic. Xoriquer Gin Distillery was built in the 18th century, but if you stop here during your trip to Menorca, you are still able to purchase alcohol that it produces. For the history buff, the Museu de Minorca showcases the earliest history of the island. For those not as interested in history, it also has paintings from more recent times.

Keep in mind that the island's waters are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving, but if you prefer to stay above the water, Menorca's waters are also great for fishing. Cycling and hiking are also popular leisure activities on the island. These can provide exercise while allowing you to experience Menorca's beautiful scenery. The highest point on the island, Monte Toro, gives you an unbeatable view of the island.

By day, you can enjoy some of Menorca's most popular restaurants, such as the Windmill Restaurant, Es Cranc, La Ribera and Son Granot. By night, you can grab a drink at a local bar or nightclub. Menorca's nightlife is relatively low key, but Menorca is still home to some noteworthy spots. Be sure to check out Sa Sinia, a bar located in Carrier de Sant Jordi. One unique nightclub that you should be sure to visit is located in a cave. It is called Cova d'en Xoroi. Wherever you end up, be sure not to stay out too late because you need your rest.

There are many more things you must do on your trip to Menorca!

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, Europe, featured, Menorca, Spain

Mallorca, Spain

The beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca is a popular tourist destination. Largest of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea, travelers can enjoy the beautiful beaches surrounding the entire island. The most popular cities for tourists is Palma, Mallorca's capital. The second most popular city is Inca, loved for its wine cellars. Another well-visited Mallorca city is Manacor. Visitors flock to Manacor for its pearl factories and products made from olive tree wood.

The picturesque island treats guests to exquisite and sunny beaches, museums, gardens and more. Visitors have several options when it comes to musems. One popular local museum is the Museu de Mallorca, which houses Baroque and medieval paintings. Visitors can browse contemporary art from Spanish artists at the Museu d'Art Espanyol Contemporani. Visit Museu Krekovic, a musem dedicated to artwork by Kristian Krekovic as well as Spanish and Latin American artists.

Taking guided tours is a popular option for many Mallorca travelers. One favorite guided tour is a tour of the island's finest wineries. Tourists get to taste wines, tour facilities and even learn about the grapes and the wine production. Another enjoyable day excursion popular among Mallorca tourists is a tour of an olive farm on the island. The tour allows visitors to view the traditional oil mill to see how olive oil is produced, and of course sampling is included! Another tour that Mallorca visitors love is the Balearic Island sailing trip. This trip takes visitors in groups of four or more on a private sailing trip from Mallorca to Menorca, the smaller island in the region.

It's no surprise that tourists flock to the island's 70 or so beaches. Magaluf is one of the most popular beaches. Many tourists come to this 900-meter-long beach for banana-riding and nightlife. Tourists love coming to Playa de Palma for walking and bicycling along the beach and popping in the bars, restaurants and beach shops. Beach Arenal is another destination that tourists love because of the beautiful view of the sunset that it provdies and for its nightlife. This beach is perfect for individuals that like to party all night. The bars and nightlife venues stay open nice and late for this crowd.

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, Europe, featured, Mallorca, Spain

An archipelago of Spain, the Balearic Islands are located in the western Mediterranean. Comprised of four large islands — the Majorca, Minorca, Formentera, and Ibiza — the archipelago forms a province with a shared capital city, Palma. Numerous smaller islands such as Sa Dragonera, Es Conills, Es Vedrà, Sa Conillera, L'Aire, Na Redona, S'Espalmador, S'Espardell, Ses Bledes, Santa Eulària, Plana, Foradada, Tagomago and Colom also make up the Balearic Islands and draw tourists.

The moderate climate of the Balearic Islands draws tourists year round. The islands feature about 300 days of sunshine per year. Visitors can enjoy lounging on one of the many golden beaches or take in the culture of the region. The islands are dotted with fishing villages that feature quaint shops.

History buffs may want to tour the island of Ibiza. The island was declared a World Heritage site by the UNESCO. It has several archeological sites such as the historic centre of Eivissa Phoenician, the site of Sa Caleta and the necropolis of Puig des Molins. Ibiza also has a reputation for a thriving nightlife with numerous clubs and ample dancing opportunities.

Majorica is the largest of the Balearic Islands and is home to the capital city Palma. Visitors can tour several of the island's water parks or try their hand at a bit of gambling at the Casino, located near Magalluf. Outdoor enthusiasts may want to explore the island's mountain range, Serra de Traumunta, or try a but of scuba diving.

Minorca has the reputation of having some of the best white sand beaches along the Mediterranean. Numerous pine shrouded coves also exist around the island. Archeological ruins, fishing villages and small towns that feature medieval architecture all draw tourists to the island.

The island of Formentera appeals to sailing, diving and water sport enthusiasts. The island also boasts numerous bars and restaurants.

With so many islands to choose from, tourists to the Balearic Islands will find a wealth of attractions, accommodations and resorts.

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, Europe, featured, Spain