For classic Med beaches, a good dose of Spanish culture, and nightlife that rivals the rest of Europe, it’s got to be a holiday to the Balearics.
Islands in the sun
This collection of islands – east of mainland Spain – are tried-and-tested holiday favourites. And while they’ve all got sandy beaches and camera-ready scenery to brag about, they each have a personality of their own.
Menorca
Menorca is decidedly low-key. This natural beauty is all about peace and quiet, with pine-clad hills, traditional towns and more beaches than Majorca and Ibiza put together. Son Bou has the longest sandy stretch, while Cala’n Bosch lines up open-air cafés and trendy bars.
Majorca
The biggest island of the bunch, Majorca, has been pulling in the punters for decades. It’s a bit of an all-rounder, with great beaches, waterfront restaurants and buzzing clubs. In the north, you’ve got family-friendly resorts like Alcudia, while the south is home to party-hard Magaluf.
Ibiza
Speaking of partying, Ibiza’s clubs are world-famous – the best are in Playa d’en Bossa and San Antonio. But the island also has a laid-back side, from Portinatx’s quiet coves, and Formentera’s untouched natural beauty, to Santa Eulalia’s boutiques and classy restaurants.
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Ibiza
Ibiza’s beaches are almost as famous as its clubs. At Playa den Bossa, the island’s biggest, you can carry on the previous night’s party at the bars lining the sand. At the other extreme, you’ve got pint-sized Puerto San Miguel, where seclusion is pretty much a given.
Majorca
All Inclusive holidays to Majorca have always been a safe bet – it's one of those places you can book, knowing you're on to a winner. But in the last decade or so, it’s gone big league, with celebs proclaiming it perfect second-home territory. Thankfully, though, you don’t need their bank balance to appreciate this Med classic.
Menorca
Granted, it’s less hip than Ibiza and less happening than Majorca, but that’s exactly this Balearic isle’s pull. All Inclusive holidays to Menorca don’t do flashing neon, but roll out pretty harbours and golden beaches instead.
AT A GLANCE
- Ride the Soller railway along Majorca’s northwest coast
- Bag a bargain at the hippy market in Es Cana, Ibiza
- Sunbathe on Cala Galdana – Menorca’s ‘queen of beaches’
Weather
Average monthly temperature and rainfall for
TEMPERATURE (°C)RAINFALL (mm)
WHEN TO GO
The Balearics’ temperatures are a big part of their pull. In summer, you’re looking at average temperatures of around 29°C and around 11 hours of sun a day. If you prefer things a little cooler, head for Menorca – the mercury tends to sit a couple of degrees lower than on Majorca and Ibiza. Spring and autumn see mild temperatures in the high teens and low twenties, so they’re a good time to visit if you want to hike or wander around the sights. As for winter, there’s no need to pack hats and scarves –average temperatures hover at an agreeable 10 to 12°C.
Things To Do View all »
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Make like Jack Sparrow at Pirate Towers
Blow away the cobwebs at the top of one of Ibiza’s pirate towers. Once upon a time, these funnel-shaped buildings were avital…
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