The Balearics are four main islands with very different personalities. Mallorca is the biggest, with Palma, the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and hundreds of beaches. Menorca is quieter and greener. Ibiza is famous for clubs but also has quiet villages and coves. Formentera is the smallest and most relaxed.
They are among the most expensive places in Spain to buy or rent.
Climate
Mediterranean: hot, sunny summers and mild winters, with some rain from October to March.
Best time: May, June, September and October. July and August are very busy.
Food and drink
Ensaïmada pastries, sobrassada sausage, tumbet, Menorcan cheese and gin, and seafood stews.
What it’s like
Very seasonal: many businesses close or slow down from November to March, especially outside Palma.
Living here
Palma is a real year-round city with international schools and a large German and British community. Housing is expensive and scarce, and the islands have been adding limits on tourist rentals. Flights to mainland Spain and Europe are frequent.
Getting around
Good buses on Mallorca; a train runs from Palma to Sóller and inland towns. Ferries link the islands and the mainland (Barcelona, Valencia, Dénia).
Towns and cities in Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands
Palma de Mallorca
A real city on an island: Gothic cathedral on the seafront, old-town courtyards, beaches nearby, international schools and a large German a…
€€€€ 2 to 3 days
Balearic Islands
Mahón (Maó)
Menorca’s capital on one of the world’s largest natural harbours: Georgian houses from British rule, gin, cheese and calm coves around the …
€€€€ 2 days
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Balearic Islands?
May, June, September and October. July and August are very busy.
What is the weather like in Balearic Islands?
Mediterranean: hot, sunny summers and mild winters, with some rain from October to March.
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