Useful tourist information to go to the Balearic Islands, which are the islands of this archipelago of Spain, all things to know, best times to go.
Balearics in a nutshell
- Capital: Palma de Majorca
- Area in sq km: 4,992 sq km
- Population: 1,029,139 (first half of 2008)
- Catholic religion
Where are
The Balearic archipelago is located in the western Mediterranean Sea facing the Gulf of Valencia, the eastern Spanish coast. The Balearic Islands politically form an autonomous community of Spain.
What are the islands
The major islands, which make up the Balearic archipelago, are Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, as well as other smaller islands. Ibiza and Formentera are part of the small Pitiuse archipelago.
Mallorca is the largest island in the Balearics.
The Sierra di Tramontana develops parallel to the north western coast of the island, from Andratx and Calvià to the south, to Pollenca to the north, and is a limestone mountain range whose peaks rise majestically over the sea, covered with oak forests and splendid terraced valleys.
In the central part there is a fertile plain, very beautiful from a landscape and architectural point of view. To the southeast there are reliefs that hide caves with spectacular limestone formations.
The coast is formed by a succession of beautiful sandy beaches, between cliffs and enchanting bays.
Majorca's most renowned beaches are Platja d'Es Trenc, which is located south of the island, S'Arenal, the largest large beach in the capital Palma de Mallorca, Formentor, located in the north of the island, in addition to the beaches of Cala Mesquida, Cala Torta, Cala Agulla and Cala Petita.
Menorca is the second largest island in the Balearic Islands, located east of the island of Mallorca and declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
The territory is mainly flat.
To the north is the area called Tramuntana, like the north wind, a gently undulating territory, with the jagged coastline and interrupted by suggestive bays with reddish sand.
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In the center, the Mitjana area is occupied by the highest elevations of the island, covered with woods and interspersed with pastures and fruit and vegetable crops, Mount Toro with 357 meters above sea level is the maximum height.
To the south, the area called Migjorn, like the south wind, is the largest and consists of a vast limestone plateau marked by deep valleys characterized by the cultivation of orange and citrus fruit, which runs out with cliffs interspersed with bays and beaches of golden sand.
The capital of Menorca, Mahon, is located at the end of a long inlet, along which stands the port of the same name.
Mahon is the largest natural harbor in the world, after Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
Some of Menorca's most popular beaches are Cala En Turqueta, Cala Pregonda, Cala Macarella and Macarelleta, Cala Mitjana, Son Bou and Cala Galdana.
Ibiza is the third largest island in the Balearic Islands.
Its territory is undulating and rocky in the northern part, while in the southern part it is flat, where there are the most frequented tourist structures and beaches, such as Cala Vedella, Cala Bassa, Cala Tarida and many others.
Formentera, the smaller island among the four main islands of the Balearic Islands, is occupied in the western part by an area with salt pans, while in the eastern part the territory rises up to the Altopiano della Mola, 200 meters above sea level, where the coast is characterized by high cliffs overlooking the sea.
Among the most popular beaches are Platja de ses Illetes, Platja de Llevant and Cala Sahona.
Hydrography
In the Balearic Islands the hydrographic network is mainly formed by streams.
It should be noted that in some areas the limestone soils favored the karst phenomenon with the formation of numerous caves.
Climate
The climate of the Balearic islands is Mediterranean.
Average temperatures fluctuate, in the winter around 15 ° C, and in the summer around 27 ° C. The rains are generally concentrated in November and between February and April.
Population
The population is made up mostly of Spanish-Castilian, Catalan, Galician and Basque.
Time zone
The Balearic Islands have the same time as Italy.
Spoken language
The official languages are Catalan and Castilian.
Economy
The main voice of the Balearic economy is tourism. Agriculture is present with the cultivation of citrus fruits, grapes, olives, figs, almonds and vegetables.
When to go
From a climatic point of view, the best time to visit the Balearic islands is the summer, the months of June, July and August.
The months of May-June and September-October are preferred for those who want to find less crowding and better prices.
Necessary documents
Italian citizens are required to enter the Balearic Islands with an identity card valid for travel abroad or a passport.
Phone
- The international prefix for telephoning from Italy to the Balearic Islands is: 0034
- The international prefix for telephoning from the Balearic Islands to Italy is: 0039
Cell phones work regularly.
Internet centers are widespread.
Electricity
The electric current is 220 V 50 Hz. We recommend that you bring a power adapter.
Currency
The official currency of the Balearic Islands is the euro. The main credit cards are widely accepted.
How to get
plane
The main airport of the Balearic islands is San Joan in Majorca. From this airport the main local airlines connect with daily flights, Palma de Mallorca to Madrid, Barcelona, Menorca and Ibiza.
Menorca and Ibiza also have an airport, while Formentera does not have an airport and to reach it you need to take the plane to Ibiza and then the ferry that connects Ibiza to Formentera with a short journey.
In the summer period the low cost airline Easy Jet offers direct flights Milan / Majorca (from June to October) and Milan / Ibiza (from May to August).
Air Europa connects Rome Fiumicino to Mallorca and Ibiza via Madrid.
Iberia offers flights from various Italian airports to Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, with a stopover in Madrid. With Meridiana fly flights from Rome Fiumicino to Palma de Mallorca and from Milan Malpensa to Ibiza.
Ferries
From Barcelona, Valencia, Denia, (Alicante), Sete '(France), there are ferries that connect with the Balearic Islands.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to enter the Balearic Islands.
Public health care is guaranteed to all citizens of the European Union, on a temporary visit to a member country, by the European Health Insurance Card.
