Spain Guide
The Balearic Islands
East of the Spanish mainland, the four chief Balearic islands maintain a character distinct from the rest of Spain and from each other. Ibiza is wholly unique, its capital Ibiza Town loaded with historic interest and a Mecca for thousands of clubbers and gay visitors, while the north of the island has a distinctly bohemian character. Tiny Formentera has even better beaches than its neighbour – if nowhere near the same cultural interest.
Mallorca, the largest and best-known Balearic, also battles with its image, popularly reckoned as little more than sun, booze and high-rise hotels. In reality, you'll find all the clichés, most of them crammed into the mega-resorts of the Bay of Palma and the east coast, but there's lots more besides: mountains, lovely old towns, some beautiful coves, and the Balearics' one real city, Palma. Mallorca is, in fact, the one island in the group you might come to other than for beaches and nightlife, with scope for plenty of hiking.
Finally, to the east, there's Menorca – more subdued in its clientele, and here, at least, the booming modern resorts are kept at a safe distance from the two main towns, the capital Maó, and the charming, pocket-sized port of Ciutadella.
Access to the islands is easy from Britain and mainland Spain, with plenty of flights in summer, though in winter only Mallorca is really well connected. In addition, ferries and catamarans link Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Dénia with the islands, and there are plenty of inter-island ferries, too, though these can be pricey and fully booked in summer.
The main fly in the ointment is cost: as prime "holiday islands", the Balearics charge considerably above mainland prices for rooms – from mid-June to mid-September rates can double, and rooms can be in very short supply. Rental cars can also be hard to come by at this time. Travelling around by bus, moped, scooter and bicycle are all perfectly feasible.
Catalan is spoken throughout the Balearics, and each of the three main islands has a different dialect, though locals all speak Castilian (Spanish).
Highlights
1 Dalt Vila Explore Ibiza Town's souk-like walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2 Ibiza's clubs The mother of all dance scenes fired by the globe's leading turntablists.
3 Formentera's beaches Sweeping white-sand beaches and pellucid waters.
4 Palma's old town Charming Renaissance mansions cluster this delightful part of Mallorca's capital city.
5 Deià, Mallorca One of Mallorca's prettiest villages, perched high above the ocean.
6 Downtown Ciutadella A delightful little Menorcan town of mazy lanes and fine old mansions.