THE BALEARIC ISLANDS OF SPAIN

Among the truly astonishing tourist destinations of this world, the Balearic Islands have a particular place, visited by millions of tourists each year, but still mostly preserving their unique and authentic charm, some place even remaining as remote wild sanctuaries. This archipelago is an amazing sight for anyone, stranded in the charming Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Africa and offering some amazing experiences to anyone who wishes to visit or even make them their home.

There are many things to say about the Balearic Islands and describing all their beauty in mere words is almost impossible, but we can certainly make a short presentation and give you all the information about the various attractions and landmarks of the islands, as well as the many things to do and try there. The most important destination is certainly the biggest island of Mallorca, recognized as an exquisite holiday place, with pristine beaches and a vibrant nightlife, with luxury resorts and small private guesthouses, an unspoiled nature and a rich cultural heritage.

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The Balearic Islands are an archipelago located off the eastern coast of Spain and in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea. The four main islands of the archipelago are Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, each with its own charm and particularities, popular destinations for tourists. There are many smaller islands around, such as Cabrera, Es Conills, Dragonera, S’Espalmador, Ses Bledes, Tagomago and others. The Balearic are also an autonomous community of Spain, as well as a province, with Palma de Mallorca as the capital. With a total area of just under 5,000 square kilometers, it makes for just about one percent of the Spanish territory. The archipelago has a population of over 1,1 million inhabitants, while the official languages are Catalan and Spanish. There are many theories regarding their name, the most important referring to Greek and Latin words. The islands of the archipelago are known from ancient times, with plenty of mysterious legends and myths linked around them, with inhabitants that had strange and unusual customs, serving as mercenaries for the Carthaginians and Romans.

Along the course of the centuries, the islands and their inhabitants have seen many changes and were conquered by many powers, including the Roman Empire, Vandals, Vikings, Cordoba Emirate, Italian Maritime Republics and so on. Famous in the whole Mediterranean as a strong base for pirates and sailors, the archipelago was even invaded by crusaders, until finally passing under the rule of the Spanish kings. The turmoil of war never ceased around these small territories, with Barbary pirates, Ottoman sailors, British, French, Austrian, Italian and other influences over the years. All these have given the islands a unique heritage and culture, with many influences and local traditions. Today, the Balearic Islands are a distinct province of Spain, with their own administration.

Mallorca, the main island, is located in the middle of the archipelago, with Ibiza and Formentera to the southwest, Menorca to the northeast and the other smaller islands surrounding them. Each of them is different and features unique characteristics, making a visit totally unforgettable.

Mallorca, the largest and most important island of the Balearic Archipelago, has something from everyone, from amazing beaches to fascinating mountain scenery and from luxury resorts to small traditional villages.

The capital of Palma is also an extremely interesting destination, with half the population of the island and a beautiful old architecture.

Ibiza is the definition of entertainment and nightlife, one of the best party destinations in the world, but also features excellent beaches. Menorca is rather the opposite, with remote beaches and coves, ancient monuments and unspoiled nature, while the small Formentera is the perfect escape from the tourist crowds, with beaches and traditional villages. Each and every one of them has a thriving tourism industry, with plenty of hotels and resorts of the ultimate quality. But for the truly ultimate experience, moving to Mallorca or the other islands for a few months or even forever can provide an unsurpassed level of satisfaction.

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The island of Mallorca or Majorca is certainly the main destination of the Balearic Islands, with an overwhelming variety of things to see and do, starting with the capital of Palma de Mallorca, one of the most specific Mediterranean cities in Europe, featuring old buildings and impressive monuments, beautiful architecture and a vibrant cultural life.

Still preserving much of its authentic charm, the coast of the island is simply stunning, with limestone cliffs perched over the crystal blue waters, with small bays and coves that are only accessible by foot or with yachts, with traditional fishing villages and pristine beaches. The interior features a diverse landscape, with the coastal mountain ranges of Sierra de Tramuntana and the green central part with farms and old villages. The main industry of the island is tourism and a grand majority of the population works in the hundreds of tourist establishments all around the coast. With modern hotels and millions of tourists visiting each year, some might think that Mallorca has lost its character, but they could not be more wrong, the traditional culture still thriving in many places.

The capital of the island and the province is Palma de Mallorca, the only true city and a major destination on its own. Located in the western side of the island, at the northwestern tip of a beautiful bay, Palma de Mallorca has a great variety of attractions, starting with its exquisite historical centre, featuring many old buildings and a pleasant atmosphere. The most interesting landmarks in the old centre include the magnificent Mallorca Cathedral, with its unique interior designed by Antonio Gaudi and Miquel Barcelo, its sheer impressive size, the location by the sea and the religious museum inside, is one of the most beautiful in the world, the Banys Arabs, or the Arab baths representing an old remnant of the Muslim domination, an art museum inside an old mansion, Plaza del Mercat and the Bull Ring, to name just a few. Still within the city, the Almudaina Palace is an old Islamic fort transformed into a palace for the royalty. The Bellver Castle is a stunning sight, set inside a park and overlooking the city, it has a single tower, built in the 14th century and features an interesting museum. Other important landmarks of the city include the Pueblo Espanyol architecture museum, the Paseo Maritimo area with lively nightlife and pleasant walks, as well as many other museums, churches, palaces and markets.

Leaving the enchanting capital, new and fascinating landscapes uncover at each step, all beginning with the beaches, packed with tourists during the summer. There are an impressive number of beach destination all around the shores of the island, with both popular beaches flanked by hotels and with all the modern necessities, and also smaller and quieter beaches, perfect for romantic getaways or just to escape the noisy crowds. Naming all of the beaches would be difficult, but the most important and popular ones include the Alcudia Beach with its charming bay, Cala D’Or in the east of the island, Calla Major to the west of Palma, Cala Millor, Cala Ratjada, Colonia de Sant Jordi, Magaluf, Palma Nova, Porto Cristo and beyond. These, together with the beautiful marinas and ports of the shore, filled with yacht and boats, give the island a permanent holiday atmosphere.

In the north of the island, the ancient town of Alcudia is a great discovery, with its impressive restored defensive walls and charming atmosphere, with boutique hotels and traditional restaurants, as well as a great location close to the Port and beach of Alcudia. Other small towns or villages worth visiting in Mallorca include Algaida, Arta, Binis Salem, Campos, Felanitx, Inca, Monturi, Orient, Petra, Pollenca, Sineu, Valldemosa and others.

Beyond all these, Mallorca is also a great place to live in, embracing new inhabitants with the warmth of the Mediterranean and an undeniable soothing rhythm of life. For people looking for a villa or apartment in this enchanting paradise, Balearic Properties is the perfect partner for your investment in Mallorca or Ibiza.  Even if this is what most visitors see mostly, Mallorca is much more than its beaches and resorts, with a magnificent nature that can be admired in all its splendor during trips in the countryside or mountainside. The Tramuntana mountain range is located in the northwest of the islands and features some fascinating sights and landscapes, perfect for people looking for some adventure. With unusual limestone formations, pine woods and a wild shoreline, these mountains are great for hiking and trekking, or even cycling for those brave enough. Through the valleys of these mountains some old farmlands still can be found, many abandoned, but the one of La Granja is perfectly maintained and shows the authentic way of life some centuries ago. Other destinations of Mallorca include the Valldemossa village, where Chopin and Georges Sand used to reside for a period and the old La Cartuja Monastery, the Natural Park of S’Albufera, a beautiful marshland where thousands of birds can be admired, the impressive Dragon Caves, the huge Lluc Monastery, the medieval fortress of San Salvador, the Capdepera Castle, and many others.

Activity lovers will also be overwhelmed with the number or variety of things to do in Mallorca, from water to mountains and from nature to entertainment. First of all, the most popular activities revolve around water and beaches, with sailing as a favorite to many tourists. Having or renting a boat or yacht around the island and discovering the remote beaches and coves, the limestone walls of the mountains on the northern shore or even some unknown villages is one of the best ways to experience Mallorca. Besides this, there is always something at reach on the beaches, from waterskiing to water-jets, parasailing, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite surfing, catamarans, diving tours and so on. In some places and in perfect conditions, even surfing is possible on the east coast of the island. With so many choices available, one would have a hard time choosing between all these thrills, making Mallorca one of the best destinations in Europe for water activities. It is also a sea fishing heaven, with boats and special fishing tours taking guests in amazing trips. If the sea sound too dangerous, especially for families, there are several water parks around the island offering a similar experience and plenty of entertainment.

Beyond the beaches and the water, Mallorca is also known as a perfect destination for golf, with plenty of excellent fields and great facilities. Throughout the island, there are over twenty courses available for all players, regardless of their level, from people who just want to learn this beautiful sport to pro golfers who need to practice their play. The warm and pleasant climate, as well as the natural settings, make Mallorca a great cycling destination, even professional teams choosing to prepare on the island. Besides them, thousands of amateur cyclists and tourists who love to exercise take one of the many beautiful routes around the island. Hiking and trekking are also popular activities for visitors of the island, with some outstanding trails, especially in the Tramuntana mountains, but also in the rest of the Mallorca. While not as active as other things to do here, there are a good number of amazing spa resorts and destinations, offering complete relaxation and energizing treatments to those searching for lost health or youth.

As previously said, Mallorca is much more than your usual tourist destination, with an infinity of faces that can be uncovered layer by layer, from the beach and holiday heaven to the rich cultural heritage and beyond. Mallorca is a state of mind and the Mallorca experience cannot be described in words. To fully understand the flavor of the island, tourists should also try to discover the delicious Mediterranean cuisine, one of the most praised in the world, with unique recipes and healthy ingredients. There are plenty of traditional and authentic restaurants and bars around the island, some adding unique touches with magnificent locations. Beyond the food and the wine, visitors will also definitely be dazzled by the vibrant nightlife. While not as crazy as in Ibiza, the party is also permanent in Mallorca, more so than on the continent. With such a diverse selection of bars, clubs, pubs, open air parties, festivals, concerts and an open minded atmosphere, it becomes obvious why there are so many young tourists in the Balearic Islands. And on top of everything, a true treasure of Mallorca are its people, warm and friendly with anyone who comes to visit their island.

Leaving the main destination of Mallorca, the other islands of the Balearic archipelago are also enticing, each with its own flavor and charm. To the northeast of the bigger Mallorca stands Menorca or Minorca, maybe the most tranquil and remote destination, with much less agitation and buzz than the other, but that much more beautiful. The true attraction of this island comes precisely from its peaceful atmosphere, with more beaches than Mallorca and Ibiza combined, many of them secluded and still wild. There are plenty of things to see and do here, besides just relaxing and enjoying the beaches. The capital of Mao is a small town by the coast, with an amazing port and a charming architecture. The Old Ciutadella is the former capital of the island before the first British occupation and represents perhaps the most interesting visit of the island, with the old cathedral of Menorca, the medieval cobbled streets with simple white houses and beautiful small churches, the fascinating palaces and the small traditional restaurants. Other important landmarks and attractions of Menorca include Sant Antoni Castle, Son Catlar historical site, Fortalessa de la Mola fortress, San Felipe Castle, Marlborough Fort and others. Besides these, most of the activities that can be experienced in Mallorca can also be found here, with sailing, hiking and cycling as favorites.

To the southwest of Mallorca, the island of Ibiza is synonym with nightlife and entertainment, becoming a party destination recognized worldwide and millions of tourists dreaming about it. Just about 70 km away from the Spanish mainland and the city of Valencia, Ibiza is also easily reachable from there. Unknown to many, the island is not all about the night time entertainment and the beaches, having an extremely diverse and rich cultural heritage, with some exceptional landmarks. But for the outside world, the destination is mostly famous for the nightclubs and the rave music, with summer parties that seem to never end and many European DJ’s moving to Ibiza. The beaches are also packed with tourists during the warm season, with some perfect destinations. On top of these, visitors can also discover the heritage of the island, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Eivissa, with its medieval streets, the Dalt Vila fortified historical centre being like an open air museum, with the castle and the beautiful cathedral. The Phoenician ruins of Sa Caleta are also a UNESCO protected site, with some of the most impressive remains of this ancient culture. Among other attractions of the island, we can include Ibiza Town, the Can Marca Caves, the Sant Josep de sa Talaia, the Necropolis Punica del Puig des Molins, the national park of Ses Salines d’Eivissa e Formintera.

The last big island of the archipelago is the small Formentera, an enchanting destination that seems to combine something of the other bigger ones, with plenty of beaches, both popular and unspoiled, with a vibrant entertainment during the summer, plenty of activities to experience and several cultural sights, although much fewer than elsewhere. Accessible only by boat from nearby Ibiza, Formentera has kept some of its authentic and wild charm, with clear waters and some of the most enchanting landscapes. The beaches are the big advantage of the island, with some that almost remind of the Caribbeans, featuring fine sand and azure blue waters. There are also some landmarks, including megalithic sites, a roman road, watch towers and some others. The nature of Formentera is mostly protected inside nature reserves and designated areas. The community is more and more directed towards sustainable tourism, protecting the heritage and the authentic charm of the island. Among the activities available on Formentera, the most popular are sailing, cycling and snorkelling.

All in all, the Balearic Islands  are a unique destination in the Mediterranean Sea, a diverse and rich destination that combines the beauty of the beaches with some amazing cultural sights, the relaxed atmosphere with some incitingly entertaining locations. Whether visiting or looking to move forever on the islands, their guests have always fell in love with them, having something different that cannot be found anywhere else. With so many things to try and see, with beaches, mountains, monuments, culture, fine dining, entertainment, shopping, activities and adventures, with the charming people, the Balearic Islands are the perfect destination for anyone.