Country Facts And Traveller Information
The Balearic Islands are composed of four main islands - Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera - nestling in the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by a number of small, rocky islets. They cover an area of roughly 500 sq km and are situated between Spain and the North African coast, but have a largely Spanish speaking community whose notable hospitality and sense of cultural pride makes the Balearic Islands a particularly popular holiday destination for tourists the world over. During the summer months from June to September, the many hotels, guesthouses and self catering holiday villas and apartments in the Balearic Islands are fully booked, occupied by the invading seekers of sun, sandy beaches and hedonism that are autonomous with the Balearics.
The climate is typically Mediterranean with relentless sunshine in the summer and pleasant temperatures during the spring and autumn. Even winter can offer acceptable weather, especially for those whose interests lie in other aspects of the islands besides the beaches, and the boast of 300-days-a-year-sunshine would virtually guarantee an ideal vacation at any time. Despite their popularity, the Balearic Islands have managed to retain an air of peace and medieval mystery, and their natural heritage and historic importance are evident wherever you go. Stone-age ruins and Gothic cathedrals appear amongst the many orange orchards and olive groves, and tranquil fishing villages with charming examples of Balearic Island cottages and farmhouses offer a feeling of traditional rural calm.
Many young people flock to the Balearics to take advantage of not only the exceptional weather, superb beaches and good food, but the decadent nightlife that has evolved in certain areas where the nightclub culture has a global reputation. But the Balearic Islands are not just crammed with fun-seeking youngsters; this is a holiday hot-spot for the whole family and has many attractions, from water sports and beach games to quiet excursions into the countryside to explore the ancient monuments, stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes. Whatever type of holiday you need to escape the routines and rigours of modern life, and whatever budget you have, holiday accommodation in the Balearic Islands can be found to suit your requirements and give you the freedom to exploit the endless possibilities the Balearics present.
Mallorca: The Island of Mallorca, often called Majorca, is the largest of the Balearic Islands covering an area of around 3,500 sq km. The capital, Palma, is home to almost half the island's population, and is a bustling, cosmopolitan community that stretches for 15 km along the coastline. The many visitors to Mallorca tend to stick to the coastal resorts, taking advantage of the exquisite beaches and ample facilities, including a vast selection of bed and breakfasts and self catering holiday villas and apartments, but further inland, the magnificent landscape begs to be discovered. The back-bone of Mallorca is the impressive Serra de Tramuntana - a mountain range that peaks at Puig Major (1445m) and affords a scenic backdrop of unrivalled beauty overlooking unspoilt plains and olive groves. You'll find exciting examples of Gothic architecture and tiny, charming hilltop villages looking down on quiet, rocky coves and harbours, all fringed by the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean.
If you're after a more active type of vacation, then the beaches offer every type of water sport you can imagine, from jet-skiing to riding an inflatable banana! The towns have a heady mix of old traditions and modern decadence, with stylish shops rubbing shoulders with street markets and ancient architecture nestling amongst newer buildings. Restaurants cater for every taste from British home cooking to conventional Spanish cuisine, and every other variation in between, although local dishes need proper investigation to add a real Balearic flavour to your holiday! There is nightlife and entertainment to appeal to any age group, much of which is outdoors so you can fully appreciate the sheer beauty of the Mallorcan landscapes silhouetted perfectly against a Spanish sun-set, and a holiday villa in Mallorca can give you the ideal base from which to enjoy every aspect of this summer island.
Menorca: The Island of Menorca is 47 km long and roughly 15 km wide, but it has a magnificent coastline of some 200 km giving the impression that this Balearic Island is not much more than beach! In reality it is so much more, with several unique ecosystems within the island's natural environments earning it the accolade of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. Menorca is largely flat, but rises up to the highest point of Mount Toro from where the breathtaking views can be shared with the shrine to the island's patron saint. With a population of 62,000, Menorca has been the island least affected by tourism, but holiday home accommodation is easily found among the dazzling, whitewashed villas and farmhouses and the welcome is as warm as the Mediterranean sea that features so significantly in the everyday lives and traditions of the locals.
Menorca attracts hundreds of summer visitors who can enjoy an assortment of water-based activities from the many luxurious beaches and undeveloped, rocky coves that surround this island, as well as absorb its tangible sense of cultural heritage. There are more than 90 caves in the coastal cliffs that once would have served as homes for the islanders, and the wealth of archaeological sites and prehistoric stone formations that litter Menorca is more history than could be taken in over the course of one trip. A holiday apartment in Menorca is perfect for those who seek peace and tranquillity - it is the least overrun island and the ideal place to rent a self catering holiday villa or apartment in the Balearics for a relaxing break away from the pressures of everyday modern life. And the choice of bed and breakfasts is more than enough to completely indulge yourself without having to even think about cooking or washing up! The laid-back attitude of this island, combined with idyllic weather and stunning scenery are the perfect antidote to stress and you can start to unwind as soon as you feel that warm sand between you toes.
Ibiza: The third largest island in the Balearic archipelago is Ibiza, covering an area of roughly 540 sq km, with its smaller neighbour, Formentera, situated close to it's southern coast. It has a hilly terrain and great swathes of the countryside are heavily wooded, mainly with pine, but also almond, fig, olive and even palm trees grow particularly well in this land of perpetual sunshine. Rainy days on Ibiza are very scarce and the historic use of water-wheels and windmills is kept alive in many parts of the island today to make the most of any available precipitation. There are many upland areas of outstanding beauty, and picturesque villages and towns from where stunning views can be had across the island and out over the sparkling Mediterranean. One such place is Ibiza town, the capital; a bustling port built into the side of a mountain beside the sea, where traditional white painted villas demonstrate the architectural heritage handed down through generations of Balearic islanders, and historical cultures mingle happily with a cosmopolitan, up-beat pace of life.
Spring-time seems eternal in the Island of Ibiza, interspersed with blistering temperatures in high summer, making this destination a magnet for tourists virtually all year round. Holiday villas and cottages in Ibiza are as plentiful as the beach hotels and apartments, but such is this island's reputation, accommodation needs to be booked well in advance during the busiest months of July and August. A holiday in Ibiza could mean a vacation in 'party central' ! - this is the epicentre of all things festive, lively and decadent and many young visitors come to enjoy the night-club culture that has few parallels elsewhere in the world. Despite this, Ibiza is still a holiday destination for the whole family, and water sports and children's activities are well catered for at the beach resorts, and many of the island's attractions can be found if you travel inland a little. A hotel or bed and breakfast near the beach is perfect for disciples of sun, sea and sand, but a self catering, apartment, casita, or villa in Ibiza with its own pool can give you a base from where you can investigate this fascinating island and enjoy a vacation of privacy, peace and quiet.
Formentera is the fourth inhabited island in the Balearic archipelago and forms a perfect contrast to the hectic hedonism of Ibiza. It is a haven of natural beauty and its tranquil environment attracts many visitors to its unspoilt shores. The only access to Formentera is by ferry from Ibiza, running up to ten times a day during the peak season. With its breathtaking landscapes and traditional white painted villas, this island has a peaceful atmosphere and easy pace where a clothes-optional attitude has been adopted in many parts, and holiday apartments in Formentera are highly sought after.