The Balearic Islands are four inhabited islands in the western Mediterranean, and each one suits a different trip. Mallorca is the big one: Palma, a real city with a cathedral on the waterfront, the Serra de Tramuntana mountains along the north-west coast and more beaches than a week can cover. Menorca is quieter and greener, a Biosphere Reserve with coves reached on foot and stone monuments older than Rome.
Ibiza is two islands in one: the club island of summer nights, and the walled old town of Dalt Vila, the salt flats and the pine-backed coves by day. Formentera, the smallest, has no airport: you arrive by boat from Ibiza to long white beaches and flat roads made for bikes.
This page helps you choose and combine. Each island has its own page with the experiences worth booking there.
About 1 to 2 hours Alcúdia to CiutadellaBook ahead
Split a week between Mallorca and Menorca without a flight: high-speed boats cross the strait in about an hour.
What it is
The quick way between the two big islands is the strait between Alcúdia, in Mallorca's north-east, and Ciutadella, at Menorca's western end. Baleària and Menorca Lines run the high-speed boats, and conventional ferries take around two hours.
How to do it
Trasmed also sails from Palma and from Alcúdia to Maó, on the opposite end of Menorca, which suits you if your Menorca base is in the east. Palma also has sailings to Ibiza town, for a three-island trip.
Good to know
Book foot passenger tickets a few days ahead in summer and a vehicle place earlier; with a hire car, confirm first that the rental contract lets it go on the ferry, or hire a second car on arrival.
Swim in a small pebble cove where the Torrent de Pareis gorge meets the sea, with rock walls up to 200 metres above you.
What it is
The cove is at Sa Calobra, on Mallorca's north coast, at the mouth of the gorge, and you swim with the cliffs overhead.
How to do it
The good way in is by sea: boats from Port de Sóller take about 50 minutes along the Serra de Tramuntana coast. By car, the narrow road down to Sa Calobra fills its car park early; from the village a paved path runs through two tunnels in the rock to the cove.
Good to know
Boats are often full in peak season, so book ahead. The water gets deep quickly and the pebbles are hard underfoot, so bring water shoes. Do not walk up the gorge itself if it has rained or rain is forecast.
Pick the night by the resident DJ, then let the Discobus carry you between Ibiza's two clusters of clubs.
What it is
Ibiza's club season peaks from June to September, with opening parties in late April and May and closing parties into October. Amnesia and UNVRS are on the road between San Antonio and Ibiza town, with Pacha at the port; Hï Ibiza, Ushuaïa and DC10 are around Playa d'en Bossa.
How to do it
Buy the club ticket online in advance, which is usually cheaper than the door. Discobus line D1 links San Antonio, UNVRS, Amnesia, Pacha and the port, and D3 serves DC10 and Ushuaïa and Hï, every 30 to 60 minutes from June to September, for about €4 to €5.
Good to know
No glass or cans on board the Discobus.
Time needed
A night, until sunrise
Best time
June to September; opening and closing parties in April, May and October
For a first trip with a city, mountains and beaches, Mallorca. For coves, coastal walking and a slower pace, Menorca. For nightlife, or a mix of clubs and beaches, Ibiza. For a few days of beach and bike with almost no traffic, Formentera, best combined with Ibiza.
Combining islands
Ibiza and Formentera are the natural pair: the boats to La Savina take about half an hour. Mallorca and Menorca are joined by the short crossing between Alcúdia and Ciutadella, about an hour on the fast ferries and around two on conventional ones, and by longer sailings from Palma and Alcúdia to Maó. Palma also has ferries to Ibiza town. If you are hiring a car, check that the contract allows it on the ferry before you book a vehicle place.
How many days
A week on Mallorca covers Palma, a day or two in the Tramuntana and several beach days. Menorca and Ibiza each fill four to six days. Formentera works as two or three nights from Ibiza, or as a long day trip. Two islands in ten days is comfortable; four in a week is mostly ports.
When to go
June to September is beach season, with the warmest sea and the fullest hotels, and August is the busiest month. May, June, September and October suit walking in the Tramuntana or along Menorca's Camí de Cavalls. In winter Palma stays open as a city break, while many beach hotels and seasonal bus lines on the smaller islands close.
Questions travellers ask
Which Balearic island is best for a first visit?
Mallorca. It has the most flights, a real city in Palma, mountains to drive or hike in and beaches all round the coast, so you can mix sightseeing and swimming without changing island.
Can you visit Mallorca and Menorca on the same trip?
Yes. The shortest crossing is Alcúdia to Ciutadella, about an hour on the fast ferries, and there are also sailings from Palma and Alcúdia to Maó. Book a vehicle place ahead in summer if you are taking a car.
Is there a tourist tax in the Balearic Islands?
Yes. The islands charge a tax on tourist stays, per person and per night, collected by your hotel or holiday let. The rate depends on the type of accommodation and the season, and children under 16 do not pay. The Govern's Illes Sostenibles site has the current rates and a calculator.
Is Ibiza only for clubbing?
No. The clubs fill summer nights, but by day Ibiza has a walled old town that is a World Heritage Site, the Ses Salines natural park, coves on every side and the boat to Formentera. Outside the club season it is a quiet island.
