Holidays in the Balearic Islands
Even those who have repeatedly visited this country and who seem to know it well usually do not take into account the simple fact that in Europe it is not all of Spain. She also has other areas.
Island Spain
Located in the Mediterranean, the islands are an autonomous territory of Spain. Majorca, the largest island in the archipelago, has long been a center of attraction for tourists from all over the world. This is due to a number of reasons, primarily climatic. The Balearic Islands have a luxurious, evergreen tropical nature and a rich heritage of the European Middle Ages, most of which is well preserved and has successfully survived to this day.
When is the best time to go to Mallorca?
The secret of the popularity of this Mediterranean island is explained by a combination of natural and historical factors. Beach holidays of the highest level are successfully combined here with the opportunity to join the historical and cultural heritage of which the island of Mallorca is a unique part. If the weather here differs by months, then not so much that the island loses its attractiveness. There is simply no such month of the year in which you should not plan a visit to the Balearic Islands. Even considering the fact that the beach season here lasts from April to October, we must not forget that this is Spain. Mallorca, where the weather remains quite comfortable even during the winter months, is an island territory of this country, and it is good at any time. And it is even better to get acquainted with its cultural and historical heritage this season of the year.
Mallorca for holidays in the "high season"
The traditional concepts of "high" and "low" tourist seasons exist in the Balearic Islands, but they are not as pronounced here as on the continent. This is typical for many Mediterranean islands, including Mallorca. The weather differs by months here so much that you can choose the most acceptable temperature regime according to your taste. During the summer months, the island is quite hot, with an average temperature approaching the thirty-degree mark. At the same time, it is impossible to call such a temperature debilitating. It has long been noted that the same air temperature is perceived by a person in completely different ways in the depths of the continent and on the sea coast. The tropical humid climate of the western Mediterranean makes this temperature very comfortable for a person accustomed to the climate of the middle zone. The weather in Mallorca in June and other summer months is just perfect for a beach holiday. The water warms up to 25 degrees Celsius.
Mallorca in spring
Already in early spring, the air temperature on the island warms up to plus 20 degrees. At this time, the tropical nature of the Balearic Islands gradually wakes up after a winter holiday and is experiencing a period of violent flowering. Mallorca is literally immersed in flowers. And it deserves to be seen at least once. Moreover, the weather in Mallorca in April is quite conducive to the beginning of a full-fledged beach season. This period of the year is also characterized by the fact that the beaches, hotels and restaurants are not yet very crowded. The main flow of tourists arrives in the Balearic Islands during the summer months. And along with their arrival, prices in all enterprises of the service infrastructure also increase. This is clearly noticeable already at the end of spring, because the weather in Mallorca in May is already truly summer.
The Velvet season
This period lasts in the Balearic Islands for about two months: from mid-September to the first decade of November. It is the velvet season that weather-sensitive people should pay attention to. the air at this time drops by about five degrees, but the weather in October in Mallorca continues to be comfortable, especially for those who are contraindicated in heat for medical reasons. Among other things, during the velvet season, the noise and bustle on the beaches of the island become noticeably less: a significant part of the tourists return to their places of permanent residence. As a result, both the price level of the voucher and daily expenses are reduced accordingly. The Balearic Islands are especially beautiful during this period of the year, and the evergreen nature takes on the features of a characteristic autumn expressiveness. Among other things, tourists at this time expect abundance at minimal prices. Many of those who were lucky enough to visit these shores note that summer here lasts much longer than on the continent. Indeed, the weather in Mallorca in September is almost no different from the summer. The boundary between the seasons here can be drawn very conditionally.
Some climatic features
Tourists who purchase tickets to popular beach resorts cannot but be interested in the question of how often precipitation occurs in the area where they have to go. But an interesting climatic feature and a significant positive aspect of a beach holiday in the Balearic Islands is the fact that rainy days are extremely rare here. Only a little more often than in nearby Africa. Of course, precipitation occurs here, but they occur mainly in the form of short-term heavy rains. Which, no matter how unexpectedly they fly in, just as suddenly end. And an hour later, the sky is usually clear, and the sun is shining again. This is the climatic feature of the island of Mallorca. The weather here is quite stable over the months, and the level of precipitation is approximately the same. Most of the days here are sunny, and nothing prevents a beach holiday.
What to see in Mallorca
The total length of the coastline of this island exceeds five thousand kilometers. Here in abundance there are long beaches with clean sand, coastal cliffs, large and small bays and bays. But the highest level of beach holidays - this is not the only thing that Mallorca is famous for. The weather varies from month to month here not as noticeably as on the continent, and it does not interfere with acquaintance with the historical and natural attractions of the island. Even during the so-called "low season". It is low mainly in terms of prices for tourist infrastructure services. A unique combination of bright tropical nature with historical architectural heritage gives the island a unique expressiveness. Much has been well preserved here from the Middle Ages and the Moorish period of Spanish history, but in Mallorca, monuments from the times of the Roman Empire have also survived. A characteristic detail of the landscape on the island are terraced mountain slopes, overgrown with lush gardens and vineyards. It is not difficult to guess that Mallorca, among other things, is also famous for its winemaking. You can try and appreciate it both in the capital and in small villages in the depths of the territory. A very good option for traveling around the island are two railway lines connecting the capital of Mallorca with two other cities. Both routes pass through the most picturesque places and are traditionally used for excursion purposes.
Island capital
But most of the historical and architectural attractions are concentrated in the capital city of Palma de Mallorca. This is a fairly large city with more than a thousand years of history. Such outstanding examples of Gothic architecture as the La Seu Cathedral, founded in 1229, and the Palau del Almudaina Palace, the traditional residence of local monarchical dynasties, give it special expressiveness. In the architecture of Palma, traces of both Aragonese and Moorish influences can be seen. The entire central part of the city behind the cathedral has retained its original historical layout. Particularly noteworthy is the Church of Saint Eulalia located here, this is one of the oldest religious buildings not only on the island of Mallorca, but throughout southern Spain. One day to get acquainted with the historical center of the capital of the island is often not enough.
How to get to the island
At the height of the "high" tourist season, you can fly to Palma de Mallorca by scheduled plane from Sheremetyevo. In other seasons of the year, only charter flights from this airport operate to the island. Therefore, you will have to get there with a change in Barcelona or Madrid. There are also flights from a number of other cities on the European continent. But the island can also be reached by water transport. There are regular connections to the port of Palma de Mallorca from Barcelona, Valencia, Menorca and Ibiza.
An autonomous region of Spain, a large tourist area, which is an archipelago of small islands. The Balearic Islands lie in the western Mediterranean at equal distances from the Iberian Peninsula, southern France and northern Africa.
The archipelago consists of two groups of islands: the Gimnesias Islands (Menorca, Mallorca and Sabrera and the small islands of Dragonera, Isla de Aire, etc.) and the Pitiusas Islands (Ibiza, Formentera and the small islands surrounding them).
Attractions
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Connection
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Wanting to spend their holidays on the islands of sunny Spain, many tourists do not know what is better to choose - the Canary or Balearic Islands. It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question which of these two archipelagos is better suited for recreation. To decide on the choice of a vacation spot, first of all, you should take into account the purpose and time of the year of the planned trip.
Canary Islands
The Canary archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean. It includes eight inhabited and several small uninhabited islands. The inhabited islands include: Tenerife, La Gomera, Hierro, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
The climate of the archipelago is characterized as tropical trade winds. Constantly blowing trade winds soften the dry climate. The Canaries are characterized by the absence of sudden changes in temperature and a small amount of precipitation throughout the year.
The largest island of the Archipelago is Tenerife. Its area is 2034.38 km², and the population in 2012 reached 908,555 people. Tenerife is located on the same geographical latitude as the Sahara desert, which affects its climate. The main feature of the climate is that the maximum seasonal fluctuations in air temperature are no more than 10-15 °C. Therefore, the Spaniards call Tenerife sla de la Eterna Primavera, which translates as "the island of eternal spring."
In summer, the average air temperature ranges from +24 to + 28 °C, and in winter from +13 to 18 °C. On sunny winter days, the air can warm up to +21...+22 °C. The water temperature in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Tenerife in the period from December to January is + 18 ... + 21 ° С.
Mountain ranges divide Tenerife into two parts: northern and southern. In winter, the climatic conditions in these parts differ significantly. In the north, it rains more often and the climate is more humid. In the south, the climate is dry, and precipitation is much less frequent.
On all inhabited Canary Islands, with the exception of La Graciosa, many hotels have been built, among which there are budget and elite chain hotel complexes. There are no large hotels on La Graciosa, which is not surprising, because this is the smallest inhabited island of the archipelago.
Balearic Islands
The Balearic archipelago is located in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea. The largest islands of the archipelago are Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza (Ibiza) and Formentera. Ibiza is a noisy youth resort for lovers of bars and night discos. Mallorca also boasts a vibrant nightlife. Therefore, connoisseurs of tranquility are advised to relax in Menorca or Formentera.
The climate of the Balearic archipelago is Mediterranean. This type of climate is characterized by dry hot summers and mild winters with an average air temperature of +8…+15 °С. In summer, the average air temperature in the Balearic Islands is + 27 ... + 31 ° С. The water in the Mediterranean Sea warms up to +25 °С in summer. The beach season in the Balearic Islands begins in April and lasts until about mid-October.
Where to go to rest?
If your vacation falls between November and March and you want to enjoy the warmth of the south, then a holiday in the Canary Islands would be a good option. For example, you can go to one of the southern resorts of Tenerife. It is also quite warm on the island of Gran Canaria in the autumn-winter period - in January the air temperature can reach +20 ... +21 ° С.
For those who do not like the sultry heat, it will also be very comfortable in the Canary Islands in summer. After all, the climate of the archipelago is softened by trade winds and cold currents. Therefore, even at air temperatures above +25 ° C, the heat will be easily tolerated.
A summer vacation in the Balearic Islands will appeal to lovers of hot weather and hot sun. The hottest summer months here are July and August. Velvet season begins in the second half of September.
If you are interested in sightseeing holidays, then in the autumn-winter period you can go to Mallorca. The most interesting sights of Mallorca are located in the capital of the island - the city of Palma. Medieval churches, cathedrals and the Royal Palace have been well preserved to this day in Palma.
An archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, an autonomous region of Spain with the capital Palma de Mallorca, and most importantly for us, is that it is a popular tourist destination for beach holidays from May to October. The largest islands are Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza and Fermentera Island, in addition there are other small islands, mostly uninhabited.
How to get to the Balearic Islands
Three islands have their own airport, direct flights connect the islands with the cities of Spain, busy routes with Madrid and Barcelona. Many flights from European cities, especially from London. In summer, you can safely fly here from Kyiv or Moscow. If you want to sail on a boat, ferries from Barcelona are at your service. Small passenger ships that carry passengers run between the islands themselves, the ticket price does not exceed thirty euros.
The railway is available on the island of Mallorca, by bus you can get almost anywhere within the island.
Car rental in the Balearic Islands is quite popular, the rental price is slightly higher than in mainland Spain, but much lower than, for example, in Iceland.
Climate and weather in the Balearic Islands
I must say right away that it will be cold to swim in the sea in winter. The air temperature during the day is about fifteen degrees Celsius, at night it drops to plus five. In the summer it can be plus thirty during the day, about twenty at night. The Mediterranean climate with a pleasant and refreshing breeze from the sea leaves a good impression of the rest, in summer it is not stuffy and not hot. The beach season lasts from the beginning of May to the end of October. The water temperature in summer is about twenty-five degrees.
Beaches in the Balearic Islands
For example, in Mallorca, there are seventy-six beaches with a total length of more than five hundred and fifty kilometers, twenty-two beaches have received the Blue Flag, and this is almost every third beach. Tourists are attracted by virgin nature, cleanliness and well-groomed local beaches. The Balearic Islands are a profitable place to buy a summer house, by the way, this is exactly what many celebrities and just wealthy people did. However, a house in the Belearic Islands is commensurate in price with a Moscow apartment, so this can be affordable for each of us. But back to our beaches.
All of them are state-owned, it is impossible to buy or rent a beach area. You will have to pay only for sunbeds and umbrellas, entrance to any beach is free. I note right away that the resort of Magaluf is popular with tourists from the former Soviet Union, perhaps due to the amenities and low prices in the area. If you are going to fly to the islands with a child, I would advise the town of Illetas, the entrance to the sea is gentle, the resort is most adapted for family holidays.
Most of the beaches in the Balearic Islands are sandy, if you prefer pebbles, then you can advise the beach of Son Calho. The most visited beaches of the islands are Playa de Palma, Cala Major, Calla, Vinas, Cala Gran, Cala d'Or. To be honest, it is difficult to single out the best beaches, especially since the taste of tourists, as a rule, is not the same.
Divers won't be disappointed if you've been diving in Egypt, the underwater world isn't much worse. Mallorca is especially popular with divers. This is the largest island of the archipelago, here is the capital of the autonomous region, the city of Palma de Mallorca.
The beaches of the island of Menorca are not inferior to Mallorca, especially the large beaches of Kaya Galdana and Kaya Anna are magnificent. In the south of the island there are sand dunes and nudist beaches. The northern beaches are not crowded, if you prefer a secluded holiday, then this is the place for you.
The island of Ibiza is considered the most partyy, mostly young people come here, there are clubs and discos all around, in the evening and at night the beaches turn into a dance hall. The most popular beaches in Ibiza are Playa de la Salina, Talamanca, An Bossa, Figueretas, Cala Salada and San Salinas nudist beach. Most of the beaches of the island of Ibiza have a variety of sports equipment, athletic fields, shady courts, football and volleyball fields, and water sports are also available.
The quieter beaches of Cala de Portnat, Cala d'Ort and Bennirra. In contrast, they will be the beaches of Santa Eularia des Rio, Sant Antoni and Playa d'en Bossa, where everyone spends time very actively and cheerfully, the beaches are one whole disco that works around the clock. Ibiza is the most expensive island, there are many five-star hotels, however, three-star hotels are not distinguished by moderate prices.
On the island of Fermentera you can find a quiet and relaxing holiday on the beach, the island is almost uninhabited.
Prices in the Balearic Islands
It is quite expensive here, especially for the youth resort of the island of Ibiza
Restaurants and Cuisine of the Balearic Islands
The restaurants will offer you Mediterranean Spanish cuisine with a large selection of seafood. Be sure to order the local caldera soup, rice paella, sobrasada, potato rolls, almond pie, spiral pies and fig bread. It is worth visiting tapas bars, such as those located near the beaches. I note that it is better to go to those restaurants where locals go, restaurants designed only for tourists are distinguished by high prices. Please note that restaurants close for siesta from 1pm to 4pm.
Attractions of the Balearic Islands
What to do in the Balearic Islands? Of course, lying on the beach and swimming. In Mallorca, in the capital of the archipelago, the city of Palma de Mallorca, you can visit archaeological museums, various architectural sights, and these are Bellver Castle and the Cathedral. You can visit a bullfight, take a walk in a Spanish town. The main natural attraction of Mallorca is the Arta Caves, the Dragon Caves and the underground lake Martelna in the east of the island.
On the island of Menorca, pay attention to the city of Mahon, take a walk around the historical center, the city is quite small, so all architectural sights are within walking distance. It is worth going to the city of Ciutadella, here is a beautiful old part of this settlement with a magnificent Cathedral and many palaces. The oldest history is represented by local megaliths.
In Ibiza, the main attraction is the club culture. Among the architectural heritage, I will single out the Archaeological Museum with finds from the Roman era, the Cathedral of the city of Ibiza, the ruins of the fortress of Sas Taulas and Castel. From all three islands it is possible to recover by boat on a short journey through the waves, and from Ibiza it is easiest to get to Fermentera Island. In the Balearic Islands, you can successfully practice golf, diving, windsurfing, visit various water parks, go on excursions to ancient villages and witness cultural and sporting events.
