Ask anyone in the street where the Balearic Islands are and chances are you’ll be met with a look of bemusement. This reaction is because Balearics holidays are more commonly referred to by their individual island destinations. Therefore it’s rather humorous that almost everyone would unwittingly recall each of the islands with ease if asked a Family Fortunes style question to name popular holiday destinations for Brits. Menorca is a haven of tranquillity perfect for families, Ibiza is the planet’s number one clubbing destination, Formentera is the laid back yin to Ibiza’s yang while Majorca combines a little bit of everything. The varying appeals of Menorca, Majorca, Ibiza and Formentera result in cheap Balearics holidays being the epitome of an ideal vacation; golden beaches, crystal clear waters, bountiful sunshine and good times.
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Ibiza’s “Upper Town” was the destination for the islands’ first tourists. Yes, long before the ravers and the hippies Ibiza was being visited by the Phoenicians, an ancient civilisation. The Phoenicians were just the first of many to leave their mark on Ibiza; in 1234 an agreement between future Portuguese conquerors resulted in the building of the Cathedral of Ibiza. The Cathedral still looks down on the city from its World Heritage Site hilltop location behind the walls of D’Alt Vila. The walls were first put up by The Romans before they were raised to protect against French and Turkish invaders in the 16th Century. Who’d have thought such history would be there to be explored in hedonist heaven?
In the South of Majorca away from the main tourist destinations of the North and East coasts is Palma (formerly Palma de Mallorca), the island’s capital city. With a population of over half a million the urban area of Palma is one of the biggest in Spain and accounts for over half of the population of Majorca. It’s unsurprising to learn then that Palma has many sights for tourists to explore. The Old City is composed of mazy streets and Florentine-style buildings, while the city’s Catalan Gothic cathedral – referred to as La Seu - is an impressive landmark from the 17th Century whose restoration project was once led by the enigmatic genius Antoni Gaudí.
Yes it’s a cliché, but it’s a cliché because it’s true (in itself a cliché), that some of the top Ibiza attractions are the nightclubs. Famous the world over for its large capacity night clubs, Ibiza is the go-to destination for holidaymakers wanting revelry and debauchery in the name of dance music. Boasting the title of party capital of the world and clubs that are frequently voted as the very best there are, if you find yourself in Ibiza on your cheap Balearic holidays chances are you’ll be partaking in the night time excesses.
Menorca is the quietest of the Balearics and is perfect for family Balearic holidays (link), offering just as much sunshine but a slightly lower temperature as its neighbour islands. Some say their shunning of Franco, which resulted in development embargos on the island, has led to Menorca’s reputation as a quiet haven with unspoilt beaches. One of the best reasons to pick yourself up off the beach is for the glass bottom boat rides available in most coastal towns on the island, most notably from Cala’n Bosch. Giving you a view of the ocean below, the boat rides also take you to even quieter beaches for a stop off. Best of all, in most instances kids go free.
Quite possibly the best beach you’ll find on Balearic holidays, Formentera’s Playa de ses Illetes is the embodiment of the Balearics’ chill out island. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see with beautiful white sand from the port of Formentera to the small island of Espalmador. Illetes’ warm, crystal clear waters make it perfect for a snorkel, while the weather makes it impossible not to enjoy basking on the lustrous sand.
Essential info
Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish and Catalan
Visa: N/A
Vaccinations: N/A
Dress code: N/A
Other info: N/A