Balearic Islands Area Guide

When you think of the Balearic islands you should think of beaches: stunning, sparkling, sandy wonders blessed with the near-perfect climate that draws millions of tourists to the eastern shore of Spain and this Mediterranean island chain. 

There are four main Balearic islands: Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, each with its own distinct character. Mallorca is the largest and best-known Balearic, with a reputation for partying similar to Ibiza. Indeed, the Bay of Palma is crowded with trendy bars, restaurants and discos, but Mallorca also boasts stunning mountains and unspoiled coves, as well as the Balearics' one "real" city and the Balearic capital, Palma.

Nearby Ibiza is the party spot (and also a friendly spot for gay tourists), with a trendy resort reputation that seems to draw every club-going European to the outrageous summery street scene. Daytime hours are spent on the beaches at Las Salinas and Es Cabellet, while nights are danced away in any of the bars and discos which compete for tourist dollars. 

Formentara, in contrast, is more reclusive, a haven for artists and solitude-seeking tourists who enjoy quiet clothes free bathing amongst the wild rosemary bushes and omnipresent bright green iguanas. Windswept Menorca is a bit more conservative and quiet, littered with stone reminders of its prehistoric past, and perfect for tourists looking for peace and beautiful, relatively isolated beaches.

Without doubt some of the best beaches in Spain are located around the Balearic Islands. The beautiful Island of Menorca has its fair share of fantastic beaches including the Cala de Algaiarens being the pick of the Calas or coves dotted all around the island. One the main reasons I visit this part of Spain is to for the "Cala hopping" stopping off for a quick swim at each as I make a slow circle around the Island. Quite a lot of them though are only accessible via the sea and there position only given away by the yachts and small craft anchored slightly offshore around them. Other Calas I would recommend on the island are Cala Macarella, Cala Es Talaier. Cala N,porter, Cala Mitjaneta, Cala Galdana and Cala Pregonda.

Some other treasured beaches in this area would have to include those located around the Colonia de San Jordi in Mallorca including Estanys, Dolc and Carbo. This beautiful stretch of coastline offers clear blue waters and isolated and unused beaches of fine white sand and an abundance of vegetation.

A large number of individual property owners offer their Villas on the Balearic Islands for holiday rentals so it is well worth searching the net for best deals.