The Balearic archipelago is one of the 17 autonomous regions of Spain with its own government, parliament and island councils in Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza with Formentera. Also to the Balearic there are many small islets. Their total area is a little more than 5 thousand km ², the coastline is 1239 km. The capital of the Balearic Islands is Palma de Mallorca, it is only 132 miles from Barcelona and 140 km from Valencia.
The Baleares are located at approximately the same distance from the Iberian Peninsula, the south of France and the north of Africa. Today it is one of the largest centers of tourism in the western Mediterranean, and by no means the cheapest.
The main resort islands are Majorca (Mallorca), Menorca (Menorca), Ibiza (Ibiza) and Formentera.
Tourists on the Balearic Islands attract first of all the magnificent beaches (some of the most environmentally friendly in Europe), the duration of the swimming season (from May to November) and the huge number of entertainment facilities (cafes, bars, discos, casinos), which makes recreation here even more tempting
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How to get here
Large Balearic Islands have their own airports, direct flights linking them to major European airports. From Moscow in the "high season" fly charters, at other times easier to get to Barcelona, from which the Balearic Islands established a regular ferry service.
Between large islands there is air and sea communication. The railway is only in Mallorca, and the extensive bus network on each island allows you to get to any point. Between the islands of the archipelago, various types of boats run (ticket price € 15-30). Many rent cars for travel to the islands, the cost of rent depends on the car brand and route, but overall it is not high.
Search for tickets to Palma de Mallorca (the nearest airport to the Balearic Islands)
Climate
The Balearic Islands are characterized by a temperate climate typical of the Mediterranean, but with high humidity and increased temperature differences between the seasons. The average air temperature in winter varies from +8 ° C to +15 ° C, in the summer - from +27 ° C to +29 ° C. At the same time, the summer heat is easily transferred: the sea breeze, called here Embat, always blows from May to September, softening the heat.
But one of the most attractive features for tourists is the amount of sunny hours: 2442 hours or 300 days of sunshine a year (approximately 5 hours on winter days and more than 10 hours in summer). The water warms up to 25-26 ° C in summer. The tourist season in the Balearic Islands opens in April and closes in October.
Features Balearic
Walking alone, you should remember about the traditional Spanish siesta - from 13:00 to 16:00 on most of the islands no one works. At this time, most of the banks, shops and government institutions are closed for lunch - an exception can be made up of separate purely tourist places.
The archipelago has the highest standard of living in all of Spain, expressed primarily in prices for housing and goods "for the local". Goods and services for tourists are as much here as in Barcelona.
Kitchen and restaurants
Spain in general and the Balearics in particular - a gourmet's paradise .To visit here and not to enjoy traditional Mediterranean cuisine will be an annoying omission .The basis of the menu consists of fish, meat, vegetable dishes, for dessert you will be offered a lot of fruits and delicious traditional baking .National dishes are very diverse: Majorcan nourishing soups ,among which the caldera (soup with lobster) is very popular ,excellent paella (a dish of rice with vegetables and meat or seafood) ,sausage of a common garden (prepared from a special black pig breed) ,multi-layer sandwiches of pan de ol (with dried meat and tomatoes ramoet) ,fritos majorkin roast from offal or seafood ,lecheon (baked milk piglet) ,coca de yams (sweet potato buns) ,gato (almond pie) ,figs bread ,Ensaimada (sweet pie in the form of a spiral) and much more
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of the Balearic Islands
Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands .In the capital of the island, Palma de Mallorca, architectural monuments of different styles and eras are collected, among which the Cathedral and Belver Castle, built in the 13th century, are especially distinguished .The historic center houses the so-called Spanish town .During the tourist season, the Knight's tournament is held here regularly - a theatrical performance in the spirit of the Middle Ages .Another traditional entertainment of the Spaniards is the corrida .It is here, in the center, on the Bulls Square, you can witness this unforgettable spectacle with the participation of the torero from different provinces of Spain .
The main attraction of the island of Mallorca is the Drakens Caves: stalactite caves of incredible beauty in the eastern part of the island near Porto Cristo. Here is one of the largest underground lakes in the world - Martel - 177 m in length, 40 m in width and depth of up to 8 m. Each hour there are guided tours to the accompaniment of Chopin's music. In addition to the Drakonovs, in the east of the island there are also the Caves of Art, famous for the variety of stone formations of amazing beauty.
The island of Menorca has its capital - the city of Mahon. There are many architectural monuments to which hiking tours are organized - they are all close to each other, making the city look like a museum. Church of St. Mary is famous for the beautifully preserved organ of the 19th century, known for its strength and sound quality. In the squares of Columbus, Bastio, San Frances, Reyail, Miranda and Conquest, the life of the city is concentrated. There are magnificent palaces and historical buildings here.
In addition, on Menorca we recommend visiting the old town of Ciutadella with medieval streets and palaces of aristocrats. The local Catholic Cathedral is considered the most monumental and beautiful structure of the island. The palaces of Olivas, Vivo, Salort, De Saura deserve attention with their appearance and interiors. From the observation deck, located behind the building of the Municipal Council, a beautiful panorama of the port opens.
The third largest island of the Balearic archipelago is Ibiza .Its length is only 40 km, width - 20 km .All cities, including the capital of the island - the city of Ibiza, are located on the coast .During the city tour the most interesting are: the archaeological museum with numerous exhibits of the Carthaginian and Phoenician epochs, the Sas-Taulas gate - the remains of the Renaissance fortress, and the Cathedral Square with the whole cathedral complex .Castle Castel, or Almudaina, with the tower of the Vassal Oath that survived from the 18th century - the highest buildings of the city .From the Dal Villa area, you will have a beautiful view of the port and the ancient quarter of Sa-Peña .
You can take a boat trip along the southeastern coast of Ibiza by the beautiful beaches with white sand to the neighboring island Espalamador. Traveling on a catamaran with a transparent bottom will allow you to enjoy the underwater world and its inhabitants.
And, finally, from Ibiza you can make a trip to the pearl of the Balearic Islands - the island of Formentera. Except for two small rocky capes of La Mola and Cap de Barbaria, the island is practically flat - this is a great place for a secluded holiday. The only settlement is San Frances de Fomentera, more like a tourist village than a city.
- Observe the marine life in a giant aquarium in Mallorca.
- Listen to classical music in the caves in Mallorca.
- Have breakfast in Menorca tartily (omelette with potatoes) or ensaimada (bun with stuffing).
- To ride on menorkinskie horses - a subject of special pride of islanders.
- To confuse the day with the night in Ibiza.
- Lose an account of the days spent on the paradise beaches of Formentera.
The most popular beaches and resorts Balearov
The length of the coast of Mallorca is 555 km - there are 76 beaches here, 22 of which are awarded the "Blue Flag" for arrangement and environmental friendliness. All beaches are municipal and free. The most popular are Playa de Palma, Calla, Vinas, Cala Mayor, Palma Nova, as well as small cozy bays with fine sandy beaches of Cala Gran, Cala Ferrera, Cala D'Or, Cala Llonga. Pebble lovers will like the beach of Son-Kalju. The beaches have everything you need for relaxation: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, bars, rental of water bicycles.
The most popular resort for Russian tourists is the resort of Magaluf. Here are comfortable bays with clean sand, clear water and a well-equipped, almost kilometer beach. For lovers of a quiet family holiday, Illetas resort is recommended separately, on which the beach is a wide picturesque bay with fine sand.
In Ibiza, the beaches stretch for 18 km along the coast. The most famous of them are Talamanca, Figueretas, An-Bossa, Cavalet, Cala Salada, scandalously known San Salinas - the first nudist beach of the island. Today his fame is challenged by the more fashionable Playa de Canaliers. The most fashionable in Ibiza Playa de la Salina with bars and restaurants to any even the most demanding taste.
There are quiet secluded beaches in Ibiza: Cala de Portnath is located in the north in a small bay, Cala D'Ort - a tiny beach overlooking the mountain of Es Vedra, and Bennirra is a small bay-beach where people like to gather hippies. However Ibiza is first of all an island of noisy parties, famous for its music beaches, discos right at the water's edge, not allowing to fall asleep for a minute. Among them, the most notable are Santa Eulária des Riu, Playa den Bossa and Sant Antoni.
On the island of Menorca, the most popular beaches are Kaya Anna and Kaya Galdana in the deltas of withered rivers. Near the sandy beaches are built small hotels. In the south of the island in Son Bou, sand dunes stretch for 3 km, among which there are nudist beaches. The northern coast of the island occupy gently sloping beaches and wide coves with sandy beaches. This is the most peaceful place in the Balearic Islands, chosen by those who like a quiet and secluded holiday.
Photo of the Balearic Islands (73)