Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca have characteristics quite distinct from the remainder of Spain. Because of the influences related to their Historical past and the influences of the external world, the islands developed their own culture, national food and dialects. The natural beauty of the beaches of the Balearic Islands, but also the back country, will surprise you.
General information:
Ibiza: capital, Ibiza/ Mallorca : capital, Palma/ Menorca : capital, Mahon
Geography : The island of Mallorca is located between the small island of Menorca at the North and Ibiza which is in the south of the island. At the south of Ibiza, is located besides the smallest and the least known of all, the island of Formentera. The population of the Balearic Islands is approximately 800.000 inhabitants. The superificy of the islands vary between 100 square meters (Formentera) up to 3.640 square meters for Mallorca. (Mallorca is the largest and the most important of the archipelago).
weather on the islands :The weather of the islands is a Mediterranean weather, which means that the summers are hot and dry, and that the winters are soft, and that it rains sometimes in autumn. The temperature minimum is 10 °C on average during the winter and in July the temperatures can reach 35°C. The temperature of the water is never lower than 14°C. The most pleasant period to leave is before the principal tourist season, at the beginning - mid spring. Then you will be able to apreciate the budding of the pinks and the revival of nature. Nevertheless, be aware that it is not always obvious to find a housing for this period, because the great majority of the hotels close from October until March, but those which remain open, might offer you very interesting prices, because it is still the low season.
How to arrive on the Balearics?
Several means of transport are offered to you to arrive on the Balearic Islands: boat, plane, ferry...
Plane: The islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca lay out each one of an international airport. You will easily find a great number of flights “low cost” which will propose to you return tickets at very interesting prices if you reserve in advance. Attention, if you leave from Spain, it may be that the plane tickets are more expensive without any explanation..The boat:The islands of Ibiza, Mallorque and Formentera all are connected to the continent by various lines of boats. There is only for Formentera where you must take the boat in Ibiza to reach it. There are two principal companies of boats which offer crossings in a regular way between the islands. The boats leave in Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia. To move inside the islands: The best way of discovering the beauty of the islands is by car or by scooter. The airports of the three largerst islands have all agency of agencies of rental cars,but the local agencies generally offer the same service to less lower prices. If you intend to rent a car, be carefull at which period of the year you rent it, because the supply is restricted in high season due to the tourists.Scooters can also be rented in each city of the islands or in the tourist places. The 4 islands have a relatively good road network. The three largerst islands also have a service of bus.
tourism office :Plaça de la Reina, 2 - 07012 Palma (Mallorca)Tél. +34 971712216 Fax +34 971720251Website: http://www.illesbalears.es/visbal/fra/ilesbalears/home.jsp
Lodging in Barcelona : http://www.barcelonapoint.com/ ou
