Balearic Islands Travel Guide

The Ultimate Paradise Balearic Islands | 1

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Island of Cabrera >

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The Balearic Islands

THE BALEARIC ISLANDS form an archipelago of 4 islands off the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Mallorca is the largest and over the last three decades has become the archetypal and favourite holiday island beloved of Northern Europe tourists due to its fantastic coastlines and mild climate.

Recently the whole island of Mallorca has been given something of a facelift, to restore its unspoiled island image, and some of the oldstyle hotels – built for mass

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< Ibiza

tourism packages, has been destroyed in a valuable effort to rebrand the island. Palma is now one of Spain’s most attractive and trendiest small cities.

IBIZA is world famous for its trendy rave scene, concentrated in the lovely hippy-chic capital of Ibiza Town, the high-rise canyons of San António and in the resort of Playa d’en Bossa. The rest of the island is remarkably unspoiled and rural, offering beautiful coves and crystalline turquoise water.

Generality | Baleraric Islands

FORMENTERA, the smallest and almost inhabited Balearic is separated from Ibiza by only a narrow channel. The island is only accessible by ferry and is bordered by unspoiled soft white sand beaches.

MENORCA is most of all renowned for its picturepostcard coves. Here massive tourism has been largely restrained and the island attracts mostly families, older holidaymakers and tranquillity lovers.

Typical Mediteranean Tree >

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Mallorca

MALLORCA is the largest of the Balearic Islands and is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe thanks to its outstanding location, its balmy year-round climate and most of all its captivating landscapes of white sandy beaches.

Summer is the most intense period on Mallorca, when the tourist resorts fill up with thousands of visitors and famous stars from around the world, creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere and meeting point for people

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< Sa Callobra

willing to really enjoy their holidays.

Yet Mallorca offers much more than beach holidays with vibrabt nightlife. The old quarter of Palma de Mallorca offers Gothic architecture and many corners full of history, waiting to be discovered.

There are unspoilt beaches with incredibly clear waters away from the tourist resorts, small villages in the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interior and mountain regions, where the pace of life is slow form part of the authentic side of Mallorcan life. The

Generality | Mallorca

stunning landscapes have been a source of inspiration for creative geniuses such as the British poet Robert Graves, who is buried in Deià, the Polish composer Frederick Chopin, who spent time at Cartoixa de Valldemossa with George Sand, and the painter Joan Miró, amongst many others.

July and August are the hottest months while May, June, September and October see very good weather also and during these months you can swim in the sea without the crowds of high summer.

Cala Figuera >

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< Mallorca : Cala Tuent

Ibiza & Formentera

The small island of IBIZA (45 kilometres long and 25 wide ) lies in the southern Balearic Islands and forms, with Formentera, the Pitiusas Islands, a name of Greek origin that means â&#x20AC;&#x153;Islands covered with pinesâ&#x20AC;?. In the 1960s, Ibiza was an international gathering place for the hippy movement and its impact on the island is still evident today, above all in the weekly markets.

During the summer season, from May to October, it transforms into a melting

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< Ibiza : Cala Tarida

pot of people of all ages and backgrounds coming from around the world to enjoy their holidays on the Mediterranean Sea and to relax in its fantastic climate.

The nightlife on Ibiza is absolutely incomparable, making Ibiza a unique place.

The Ibizan coast has numerous bays with hidden coves and fine sandy beaches, which are the main attractions for visitors. Tourist resorts have been developed along some of these beaches, providing accommodation

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for thousands of holidaymakers every summer, others have remained unspoiled, like the beaches of Les Salines and Es Cavallet.

FORMENTERA is the smallest and southernmost island of the Pitiusas. It is 19 kilometers long and is located approximately 6 kilometers south of Ibiza.

Its major villages are Sant Francesc Xavier, Sant Ferran de ses Roques, El Pilar de la Mola and La Savina. It is famous for its many pristine beaches and the fact that nude sunbathing is allowed on

most of them.

North of Formentera is the small island of Espalmador (Illa de s’Empalmador), separated from Formentera by a superficial sandbar, and during low tide, it is possible to wade between the two islands. This area is also a popular stopping point for yachts sailing in the Mediterranean Sea.

Formentera : Cala Saona >

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Ibiza by night >

< Formentera : White sandy beach

Menorca

MENORCA is the westernmost of the Balearic Islands, and in 1993, UNESCO declared Minorca a Biosphere Reserve, recognizing the natural beauties the people of Minorca absolutely want to preserve. It represents also a proof of a sustainable economic growth that protects the environment at the same time.

Menorca contains two very distinctive natural areas: The Tramontana, to the north, has gentle hills and valleys, long capes and coves that

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< Son Bou

are difficult to get to. In the Migjorn area in the south, the land is flat with just the occasional gulley cutting its way through. The coast is more uniform and the longest beaches on the island are to be found here. The environment of the island remains very well preserved and visitors are still able to admire its unspoiled coastline.

In the interior of the island, the rural landscape worked by man blends into the natural surroundings.

Unspoiled beaches and

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coves, breathtakingly beautiful and often hard to reach, are the main attraction in Menorca. The crystal-clear, turquoise-blue waters and the incomparable natural surroundings provide perfect conditions for swimmers and sunbathers alike.

Menorcaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environment, culture and history make it a unique destination for holidays on the Mediterranean, as it has preserved not only its ancient customs and traditions but also its outstanding natural landscape.

Crystalline waters >

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Menorca : Town of Mahon >

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< Menorca : Cala Es Talaier

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Sports & Leisure

Sailing in the Balearic >

Nautical & Water sports

NAUTICAL ACTIVITIES are the figurehead on the prow of Balearic Islands, naturally devoted to the sea.

Nautical competitions are the high point of the sports calendar and a number of sailing regattas of well-earned international prestige are disputed in its waters. The Princess SofĂ­a Trophy, the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup and the Almirante Conde de Barcelona Trophy in Mallorca, the National Almirante Ferragut de Snipes Trophy in Menorca, Ruta de la Sal and International Sailing

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< Diving

Week for Cruise Ships in Ibiza are just some of them.

The Balearic Islands are also an arrival point for many Mediterranean yacht cruises and the crystal waters around these islands are perfect for swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Diving and fishing lovers will find a multitude of opportunities to enjoy themselves in the Balearic Islands, which offer a wide range of these activities.

Ibicenco Fish >

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Cycling

CYCLING The Balearic Islands is an ideal setting for cycling, whenever you are professional, amateur or simply enjoying it as a means of transport that allows to admire the surroundings to the maximum.

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< A pause in Formentera

Hiking & Adventure Sports

HIKING

ADVENTURE SPORTS

Probably the best way to discover and enjoy the islandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; landscape and nature is hiking. Doing this you will be able to observe closely the beauty encountered along the way, whether you prefer mountains, valleys or plain, you will find a route that suits you best.

As a result of the variety of landscapes, including mountains and valleys, the Balearic Islands are a perfect place for rock climbing, descents into ravines, trekking, etc., adding a touch of adventure and action in your holidays.

Mallorca : Torrent des Verger >

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Golf

GOLFING IN BALEARIC A sport that is increasingly raising in the islands is golf, partly thanks to its mild climate all year round.

The Balearic Islands are indeed quite attractive for golf lovers: the offer to attract winter tourists golf player has increased so much that there is now a total of twenty five top flight clubs, twenty two in Mallorca, two in Ibiza and one in Menorca.

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< Mallorca : Rivieramaya Golf

Equestrian Activities

EQUESTRIAN PARADISE Menorca is legitimately proud of the beauty of the local breed and its particular style of dressage and horse lovers will be surprised by the local popularity of harness racing.

The Balearic Islands will offer as well numerous riding schools where you will find the opportunity to enjoy your favorite activity and attend excellent jumping competition.

We recommend you to contact the Tourism Offices on the islands to confirm the latest additions to the activities you wish to enjoy.

Menorca horse >

www.infomallorca.net www.formentera.es www.ibiza.travel

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History & Culture

Mallorca : Nostra Senyora dels Angels (Pollenca) >

History & Culture

MALLORCA The capital of Mallorca, is a charming city beautifully situated on the Bay of Palma.

The golden sandstone cathedral is a masterpiece and the 14th-century Castle of Bellver, overlooking the town, is remarkable as well.

You can also make a pilgrimage to beautiful Valldemossa and visit the monastery. The Palace of Rei Sanç forms the original part of La Cartoixa (Carthusian monastery). King Jaume II of Mallorca commissioned the building of the palace

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and it was finished in 1310. A large part of the monastery site can be visited, and it is one of the most visited monuments in Mallorca. There is a 17th century store next to the courtyard of El Pati de les Murteres, and along the corridors, which lead from the courtyard to the cells, there are reminders of Frederick Chopin and George Sand´s stay here, such as the Plevel piano which the composer used in the composition of some of his pieces, and there are also remains of the life of the monks here. The

< Church of Arta (above) & the castle of Bellver (below)

History & Culture

monastery site also houses the Municipal Museum, which has a Guasp printer from 1622, a room dedicated to Archduke LluĂ­s Salvador of Ă&#x20AC;ustria, another room dedicated to painters who have lived in and painted the Serra de Tramuntana, and the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art. The monastery also functions as a cultural centre and the Chopin Festival is held here every year in August, along with performances of traditional dances.

The Almudaina (detail) >

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Mallorca : Monastery de Valdemossa >

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< Mallorca : the Almudaina

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History & Culture

MENORCA At the western tip of the island of Menorca is Ciutadella de Menorca, the former capital, which stands on the seashore and has a small port. Hidden among its narrow streets are traces from its centuries of history. These selfsame streets witness the revelry of the festivities on the eve of St. John’s Day, in which the horses of Menorca play a big part.

One of the most important stone sites is the Talatí de Dalt, Menorca’s famous

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< Ciutadella harbour

prehistoric formations from the Talayot civilisation of the 2nd millennium BC. The taula (T-shaped stone monument) of Talatí is singular due to the fact that the pilaster fell against the capital of the taula after its break from the base. The precinct is a sacred place where bonfires, animal sacrifices and ritual banquets were celebrated to propitiate the fertility of the soil and animals. It was possibly built between the 6th and 4th centuries BC and was used for ritual purposes until the

History & Culture

Roman period.

The Naveta des Tudons is one of the oldest monuments in Europe, and date from circa 1400BC. The site is near Ciutadella on the West of the island.

the deepest natural harbours in the world and exists since Antiquity. It is a perfect shelter for boats and is today one of the city’s main attractions.

Other more recent monuments on Minorca include the fortifications along the coast, especially at Maó Port, which were built to protect the island from attack from the sea.

Maó (or Mahon) Port is one of The Naveta des Tudon >

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Menorca : Talati de Dalt >

< Menorca : Ciutadella

History & Culture

IBIZA Ibiza Town, with a medieval fortress, and Dalt Vila (the old town) full of narrow, cobbled streets, pretty squares and hippy-chic shopping is worth to be visited. The earliest human settlements on Ibiza date from prehistoric times.

The island has important remains from the Phoenicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s era, who founded the current city of Ibiza, known as Dalt Vila, and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

evaporating seawater.

Traditional architecture on Ibiza is more like Andalusia and North Africa than the rest of the Balearics, as the houses on the island are small and whitewashed with a flat roof.

The Phoenicians also started the salt works, where salt is still produced today by

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< Ibiza typical architecture

Dalt Vila >

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Ibiza : Eivissa >

< Ibiza : Dalt Vila

How to get there

Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza airports are well served by flights to and from the major cities of Europe and is also well connected by sea to the ports of Denia, Valencia and Barcelona on the Spanish mainland and to Palma Port on Mallorca.

Regular lines from the Spanish mainland are now available to Formentera.

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Local flights between the islands and mainland Spain: • Iberia www.iberia.com • Air Europa www.air-europa.com • Spanair www.spanair.com

How to get there

Car ferries & fast ferries to the main ports (Palma, Mahón & Ciutadella): From Dénia & Barcelona: • Balearia Eurolines Maritimes www.balearia.net From Alicante, Barcelona & Valencia: • Acciona Trasmediterránea www.trasmediterranea.es There are regular ferries from Ibiza to Formentera (journey time - 45 minutes).

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Issued by Florence Marthe | Graphic & Book Designer flormarthe@gmail.com