Things to do and see in the Balearic Islands of Spain

Surrounded by the waters of the Mediterranean, this archipelago made up of the islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera meets the needs of every type of traveller. Quintessentially Mediterranean, the Balearic Islands in Spain are the ideal summer holiday destination. The Balearic Islands‘ exceptional location offers travellers anything they could want in order to escape reality and connect with nature for a while.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

What to see in the Balearic Islands, Spain?

What to see in Mallorca

Nestled in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Mallorca is the most important island of the Balearic Archipelago. Discover its undeniable beauty, the different activities to do and also its rural landscapes. From water sports and hiking, to climbing and boat trips, this island will make you fall in love with it from the moment you land.

This island’s capital, Palma de Mallorca, is a cultural and historical hub so you can see the mixture of influences through the centuries. The huge Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria was built in the 13th century, and the Almudaina just next door is a Moorish-style fortress that was converted into a royal residence. It is a city full of restaurants, markets, galleries and craft studios.

If you are looking for a rural experience, Mallorca has a multitude of charming villages and hiking routes. Visit the villages of Pollença, Deià or San Telmo, a must for travellers who want to immerse themselves in nature. If you want to know more about the island, read our post: Things to do and see in Mallorca.

Menorca

This island is an idyllic place that attracts travellers due to its archaeological wonders and picture-perfect beaches. Menorca is the second largest island of the Balearic archipelago and one of the must-see paradises in the Mediterranean. It is made up of a wide range of colours from the turquoise of its waters, the dark green of its forests, as well as the white of its sandy beaches. With 216 kilometres of coastline, Menorca is an island with a seafaring tradition, full of beautiful landscapes and charming villages. 

Menorca has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Cala Turqueta is one of the best known, along with Cala Macarella or Cala Mitjana. All of them have stunning crystal clear, turquoise waters. Another of Menorca’s great attractions are its lighthouses, with 7 lighthouses distributed around the island. The Cavallería lighthouse is at the northernmost point of Menorca, so it’s an ideal place to watch the sunset. The Favàritx lighthouse is located in the Natural Park of S’Albufera des Grau, in the east of the island and is characterised by its black and white stripes.

Fall in love with Menorca’s charming towns of Ciutadella, Binibeca or Fornells as you stroll through their narrow streets. Find shops selling handicrafts, local clothes and decorative items. Wander around the narrow streets of the old town, admire the Cathedral or the Castle of San Nicolas and take in the magical atmosphere of the small port of Ciutadella with its boats, bars, terraces and restaurants. 

Ibiza

Ibiza may be the Balearic Island most noted for its hippie Mediterranean vibe, nightlife and free spirit, but this island also boasts a more intimate, rural side filled with dreamy beaches. The island of Ibiza has some of the most stunning scenery and crystal clear waters in the world. This makes the island one of the best places to travel to at any time of the year.

Visit Dalt Vila, a fortified Phoenician city that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Lose yourself in the maze of cobbled streets that take you back in time. Enter the castle of Dalt Vila, made up of the Castle, the Keep and the Governor’s House. Discover the craft markets and the legends of witches, knights and princesses, and fall in love with the typical whitewashed houses that adorn this beautiful walled city. 

Ibiza’s street markets are a must for a summer on the island. The markets of Sant Jordi, Cala Llenya, Punta Arabí and Las Dalias are very popular; here you’ll find the true hippie essence of the island, full of treasures that you’ll love to discover. You’ll find handicrafts, local products, boho decoration and hippie clothes, sometimes there’s also live music providing the soundtrack to your trip around the island.

Discover more details about what to see in Ibiza in our post: Things to do and see in Ibiza.

Formentera

Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Islands, but has ethereal beauty and turquoise waters. In addition to its intense colours and beautiful nature, you will find endless things to do in Formentera that will make you never want to leave.

Ses Illetes has been considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world on more than one occasion, and is probably the most iconic image of the island of Formentera. This beach is located within the Ses Salines de Eivissa and Formentera Natural Park, and is a must during your trip.

Its lighthouses are among the most iconic in the Mediterranean and you’ll never forget the scenery. Cape Barbaria is one of the most famous places in Formentera, dominated by a lighthouse 100 metres above sea level; it is the most popular spot to enjoy the sunset. Likewise, the Faro de la Mola lighthouse is without a doubt another of the mandatory stops to make on the island, where you can admire the landscape of Formentera from all angles.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Tips for your trip to the Balearic Islands, Spain

• To avoid the crowds during the high season and still take advantage of the good weather, we recommend travelling to the Balearic Islands in the months of May, June and September.
• The Balearic Islands can be reached by ferry or plane. Most travellers visiting the Balearic Islands go by plane to Palma de Mallorca Airport, as it is an international airport and hundreds of flights arrive every day from different destinations in Europe and Spain, including American airlines. The islands of Menorca and Ibiza also have national airports. Formentera can only be reached by ferry.
• Make sure you book your accommodation in advance, as the Balearic Islands are very popular summer destinations.
• The island of Formentera is about 18 kilometres long. Due to its small size, you can easily get around Formentera by bike, helping the island’s sustainability. The roads are very suitable for cycling and have bike lanes.

How to plan your travel itinerary to the Balearic Islands?

Sign up to the Passporter website and plan your trip in an organised and simple way, according to the days and places to see in the Balearic Islands Spain.

With the app you can:

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save anything useful for your trip.
• Save tickets and reservations.
• Plan your route with your accommodation as the starting point.
• Find out the best travel option for each location.
• Save and publish your own photos and experiences in each place as you go along.

If you are interested in learning more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.