Balearic Islands Guide

A popular holiday destination in the Mediterranean Sea, the Spanish Balearic Islands have something to offer visitors of all tastes. The four main islands of the group are Mallorca (Majorca), Ibiza, Menorca (Minorca) and Formentera, the largest of the group is Mallorca. People have been living on the Balearic Islands since about 5,000 BC, possibly coming originally from mainland Spain, although the islands history are shrouded in myth and legend, some going back to the times of the ancient Greeks. Modern day visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the club scene of lively Ibiza, the family resorts of Mallorca, the quiet of Menorca and the charm of unspoilt Formentera.

Historic Mahon Menorca

The elegant town of Mahon (Maó) is the capital of the Balearic Island of Menorca, it is renowned for having one of the best natural harbours in the world, this made it an attractive target for the British Navy, who took the town and the island in 1708, and made Mahon their main port in the Mediterranean. Mahon today is a more peaceful place and is an attractive tourist destination, with many places of interest and a great range of facilities, you are more likely to see a luxury yacht in the harbour these days than a warship although it is still a working port. The town enjoys a wonderful climate and the weather in Mahon is pleasant all year round attracting thousands of visitors both during the hot summer months and also during the agreeable winter months, as a great alternative to mainland Spain, why not try a trip to charming Mahon. Map of Mahon

The Prehistoric Heritage of Menorca

Menorca is without doubt the richest in megalithic sites of all the Balearic Islands of Spain, having hundreds of examples of stone structures from the Talaiotic period (2000 -1000 BC) many still in an excellent state of repair. The bulk of the best sites are located in the south of Menorca (Minorca) below the line of the ME-1, Mahon to Ciutadella road, some are well signposted, other are quite tricky to find, if you are doing the full tour you will need a decent guide book. Some of the best sites on Menorca include Torralba d’en Salort, for the best example of a taula (“T” shaped structure), Naveta d’es Tudons for the finest example of a naveta (upturned boat type structure) and Son Mercer de Baix for the oldest settlement on the island.

Ciutadella Menorca

An attractive town with a picturesque port and a charming old quarter, Ciutadella was the former capital of Menorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain, until the British arrived in 1708. originally founded by the Carthaginians, Ciutadella later became an important trading centre for the Moors until they were ousted by the Christians in the late 13^th century. Sacked by the Turks in 1558, all its citizens were sold into slavery in Constantinople. Largely rebuilt during the 17^th and 18^th centuries, Ciutadella is a typically Spanish town with some beautiful squares and some fine architecture, its 13^th century cathedral was all that remained from the Turkish invasion, was built on the former site of an Arab mosque. Ciutadella was replaced as capital by Mahon, as its deepwater harbour was considered superior by the British, it did however remain as the religious capital of the island. Situated to the north-east of the town of Ciutadella in northern Menorca, a large built for tourism development, takes in 3 or 4 separate resorts which have become popular since their growth from the 1980’s onwards. Known by most as Los Delfines, this complex also includes the resorts of Cala n Blanes and Cala n Forcat, plus the area known as Torre del Ram. Situated in an area of rocky coastline, these resorts are not well known for their beaches, and for beach lovers would not be ideal, although there is a decent (though often crowded) beach at Cala n Blanes. There are a couple of hotels here, but most of the accommodation is self-catering, and there are a good range of amenities between the various resorts and some reasonable nightlife and entertainment to enjoy. The area provides a good base for touring the north of Menorca and for visiting historic Ciutadella. For a map of Ciutadella look here: Ciutadella Map.

Menorca Towns of Contrast Sant Lluis and Binibeca Vell

Two very contrasting towns situated in the south-east of Menorca in the Spanish Balearic Islands, Binibeca Vell and Sant Lluis could not be more different. Sant Lluis was built as a garrison for the French fleet when they invaded Menorca in the eighteenth century and much of the grid layout of the town remains with some of the old garrison buildings also standing. Binibeca Vell is on the coast and is a purpose designed holiday complex, built to fit in with the typical Mediterranean style which it does in many ways. Binibeca Vell offers an opportunity to stay in a holiday resort on this popular island, while staying in a charming fishing village atmosphere. Map of Menorca.

Minorca Travel – Punta Prima and S’Algar

The two most popular coastal resorts in the south-east of Minorca in the Balearic Islands of Spain, S’Algar and Punta Prima were also amongst the earliest resorts to be developed on the island. S’Algar in particular was one of the pioneers in Minorca travel accommodation and luckily was not spoilt by what was kept low-rise and low key, with mostly detached villa style properties and plenty of green areas. Punta Prima has a better beach than S’Algar and is thus more suitable for family holidays, unfortunately though, it does suffer from dangerous sea currents, so warnings must be heeded when swimming. Numerous ships have foundered off this coast over the centuries making it good scuba diving territory, windsurfers are also attracted to this area which offers great conditions for their sport. Latest Minorca Weather.

The Northern Towns of Mallorca

Starting in the extreme north of Mallorca at the Cap de Formentor, located on a long headland at the northern end of the Serra de Tramunana mountains, the Formentor Peninsular is an area of steep cliffs rising to a height of 1,300 feet. From here you can enjoy some breathtaking views of the sea and coastline, you may even catch a glimpse of the neighbouring island of Menorca on a clear day, you can also enjoy the varied birdlife, many species nest in this rugged and remote area. Some of the best views can be enjoyed from the Mirador des Colomer, look out for the Talaja de Albercutx, a 16^th century watchtower built to look out for invading pirates.

The historic town of Pollensa (Pollença), situated in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana, was founded by the Romans, it is still relatively unspoilt and retains much of its traditional Mallorcan charm. Worth a visit in Pollensa is the parish church of Nostra Senyora dels Angels, originally built by the Nights Templar in the 13^th century, the Municipal Museum, houses in the former Convent de Santo Domingo, the Plaça Major (Main Square) where you can enjoy a coffee in one of the many traditional cafés, the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), leading to the El Calvari chapel and the Ponte Romà, claimed to be a Roman bridge but probably much later. Pollensa itself is an inland town, placed to protect it from raiding pirates, its coastal limb being Puerto Pollensa, these days a busy holiday resort, attracting families to its excellent sandy beach and attractive harbour.

Another of the northern town of Mallorca and probably one of the oldest is Alcudia, originally a Phoenician settlement, it was rebuilt by the Romans and called Pollentia and subsequently became the capital of Mallorca until sacked and destroyed by the Vandals in 456 AD. The present name Alcudia originates from the Arab occupation, when their fortress Al-Kudia was built there. Worth a look in Alcudia is the port area, the 13^th century Gothic church of Sant Jaume, the remains of a Roman theatre from the 1^st century BC (the smallest Roman theatre in Spain), the Porta de Moll gateway and the Museu Monographic, with some interesting exhibits from the Roman occupation.

Also worth visiting whilst in the north of Mallorca is the Monastery of Lluc, a place of pilgrimage for over 800 years, the Natural Park of S’Albufera, an important area of wetlands to the south of Port d’Alcudia and the agricultural town of Muro, dominated by the huge Gothic church of Sant Joan Baptista.