Things to do in Balearic Islands
-
A
D'Alt Vila
D'Alt Vila is the old walled town; a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1999. The Romans were the first to fortify this hilltop, but the walls you see were raised by Felipe II in the 16th century to protect against invasion by French and Turkish forces. A ramp leads from Plaça de sa Font in Sa Penya up to the Portal de ses Taules gateway, the main entrance.
Above the entrance hangs a commemorative plaque bearing Felipe II's coat of arms and an inscription recording the 1585 completion date of the fortification - seven artillery bastions joined by thick protective walls up to 22m (72ft) in height.
Immediately inside spreads Plaça de la Vila, with its upmarket restaurants, g…
reviewed
-
Es Bigotes
Offering bullit de peix (whatever fish was caught that morning simmered with herbs, mixed vegetables and potatoes in a huge vat), followed by arròs caldós (saffron rice cooked in the broth of the bullit de peix), this simple shack is known far and wide. Finish off with café de caleta (coffee prepared with lemon zest, cinnamon and flamed brandy). No phone, no reservations; in July and August, you need to turn up in person at least the day before to book a spot. During other months, arrival by 1pm should get you a table. To arrive by car, take the last turning left before Cala Mastella.
reviewed
-
Panoramic Mallorca Boat Trip to Formentor Beach
4 hours (Departs Mallorca, Spain)
by Viator
Experience the northern coast of Mallorca on this relaxing sightseeing cruise trip to Formentor Beach – one of the most popular and beautiful beaches on the isl…Not LP reviewed
from USD$32.64 -
-
Monestir de Lluc
The present monastery, the Monestir de Lluc, a huge austere complex, dates mostly from the 17th to 18th centuries. There's also a museum and modest gardens and, if you're lucky, you might hear the Els Escolanets (also known as Els Blauets, the Little Blues, because of the soutane they wear), the monastery’s boarding school boys choir. This institution dates to the early 16th century.
Off the central courtyard is the entrance to the rather gloomy, late-Renaissance Basílica de la Mare de Déu (built in 1622–91 and bearing mostly baroque decoration), which contains a fine retablo (altarpiece) done by Jaume Blanquer in 1629, and the statuette of the Virgin Mary.
Outside, …
reviewed
-
Stone Quarries
You’ll get butterflies simply gazing down into the depths of these vast stone quarries, exploited until 1994. The bleached marés, a variety of sandstone extracted here and in other quarries around the island, has historically been Menorca’s main building material. Over decades, powerful machines gouged out huge hollow, inverted cubes. In these deep pits with their superb acoustics, concerts are sometimes organised. In an earlier age, human muscle and sinew hacked away the rock, leaving bizarre shapes and formations. Here, in the older quarry, where nature has resumed possession, Lithica, the association of volunteers that has recovered this monument to human endeavour,…
reviewed
-
Fort Marlborough
Great Britain occupied Menorca principally to gain possession of Maó’s deep natural harbour. It built Fort Marlborough to defend the sound and protect Castell San Filipe, which it had also overrun. Most of the fortress is excavated into the rock beside the charming emerald-green inlet, Cala de Sant Esteve (2.5km beyond Es Castell – known historically as Georgetown to the Brits). A short video sets the historical background to a walk through the tunnels, elivened by figurines, explosions and a well-produced recorded commentary (including an English version). From the central hillock there’s a fine view of Cala de Sant Esteve, the scant above-ground remains of Castell Sa…
reviewed
-
Pedreres de s'Hostal
About 2km east of the town centre is an original 'monument'. The Pedreres de s'Hostal is an extensive series of stone quarries. The bleached marés stone, extracted here and in other quarries around the island, has historically been Menorca's main building material. This quarry was in action until 1994. The bizarre shapes cut into the rock were first hewn by strong men with picks (as long as 200 years ago) and later with machinery.
In the latter - which are a series of giant, deep pits - concerts are organised (the acoustics are great). In the older quarry a botanical garden, with endemic Menorcan species, grows amid the weird 'sculpture'.
reviewed
-
B
Necròpolis del Puig des Molins
The earliest tombs within this ancient burial ground date from the 7th century BC and Phoenician times. Follow the path around and peer into the burial caverns, oriented north to south, cut deep into the hill. You can descend into one interlocking series of these hypogea (burial caverns). The site museum displays finds such as amulets and terracotta figurines discovered within the more than 3000 tombs that honeycomb the hillside. Both museum and site were closed for restoration work at the time of writing
reviewed
-
C
Sa Penya
There's always something always going on portside. People-watchers will be right at home - this pocket must have one of the highest concentrations of exhibitionists and weirdos in Spain.
Sa Penya is crammed with dozens of funky and trashy clothing boutiques and the intense competition between the locally made gear and the imports keeps a lid on prices.
The so-called hippy markets, street stalls along Carrer d'Enmig and the adjoining streets, sell everything under the sun.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Platja de Migjorn
East of Sant Ferran de ses Roques, towards Es Caló, a series of bumpy roads leads to the south coast beaches, known collectively as Platja de Migjorn. They are secluded and popular, despite their sometimes rocky and seaweed-strewn shorelines (especially towards the western end). The best are at the eastern end around Es Arenals. Most of these beach settlements consist of a handful of houses and apartments, a couple of bar-restaurants and the odd hostal.
reviewed
-
Cova d'en Xeroni
On the main road east of Sant Ferran just beyond Km6, turn right at the Spar supermarket for the Cova d'en Xeroni. This underground cavern rich in stalactites and stalagmites was revealed in 1975 when the landowner was digging a well. It's a one-man band, so treat opening times with a grain of salt. How many visits are organised each day (the most likely times are 1pm and 6pm) depends on demand and whether or not the discoverer's son is around.
reviewed
-
D
Illa s'Espalmador
A 4km walking trail leads from the La Savina-Es Pujols road to the end of the narrow promontory stretching north towards Ibiza. From here you can wade across a narrow strait to Illa s'Espalmador, a tiny uninhabited islet with beautiful, quiet beaches and mud baths. The promontory itself is largely undeveloped. Be careful when wading out - you can easily be caught by incoming tides. Or better, take the Barca Bahia boat from La Savina ferry port.
reviewed
-
E
Torre d'es Cap de Barbaria
A narrow sealed road heads south out of the capital through stone-walled farmlands to Cap de Barbaria, the island's southernmost point. It's a pleasant ride to the lonely white lighthouse at the road's end, although there ain't much to do once you get there, except gaze out to sea. From the far (lighthouse) a track leads east (a 10-minute walk) to the Torre d'es Cap de Barbaria, an 18th-century watchtower.
reviewed
-
Castell de Bellver
Further south of the city, the circular Castell de Bellver is an unusual 14th-century castle (with a unique round tower) set atop a pleasant park. Parts of the castle are shut on Sunday. It is the stage for a summer classical music festival in July.
Constructed by King Jaume II of Mallorca between 1309 and 1311, the castle has been used more for defence and imprisonment purposes than as a royal residence.
reviewed
-
Ecomuseu Cap de Cavalleria
Ecomuseu Cap de Cavalleria is a small, private museum 1km north of Platja Cavalleria’s car park. Panels and videos illustrate the north coast, its fauna, the lighthouse, ancient inhabitants and Roman occupation. Borrow the booklet with full English translations of the captions. The museum’s Les 7 Rutes is a detailed multilingual map showing every feature of the peninsula.
reviewed
-
F
S'Ametller
The 'Almond Tree' offers local cooking based upon fresh market produce. The daily menú (for dessert, choose the house flaó, a mint-flavoured variant on cheesecake and a Balearic Islands speciality) is inventive and superb value. As an indication of its credentials, S'Ametller also offers cookery courses – including one that imparts the secrets of that flaó.
reviewed
-
Torre d’en Galmés
If you only visit one Talayotic site, let it be Torre d’en Galmés, southwest of Alaior. Stop by the small information centre, which has an instructive 10-minute video presentation, then wander at will over the site with its three hilltop talayots, rambling circular dwellings, deep underground storage chambers and sophisticated water collection system.
reviewed
-
Cala Deià
This shingled beach is a popular swimming spot with a couple of busy summertime bar-restaurants. The steep walking track from town takes about half an hour. You can also drive down (3km from central Deià), but competition for a parking spot (€5 for the day) can be intense.
reviewed
-
Es Cranc
If you're happy to pay, head for this congenial spot on a street a couple of blocks inland. It has a simple dining room and a strong reputation. You can splash out on caldereta de llagosta (around €65) or even paella de llagosta (around €130 for two). Fresh delivery of lobster from a half-dozen local fishing vessels is guaranteed.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Restaurant N’Aguedet
Head up the graceful marble stairway to Restaurant N’Aguedet, an elegant den of island cooking that has the stamp of approval of Catalan megachef Ferran Adrià. Here you can dine on typical island meat dishes, such as the melt-in-your-mouth lechón (suckling pig) or conejo con cebolla y alcaparras (rabbit with onion and capers).
reviewed
-
G
Fornells
This whitewashed village is on a large shallow bay popular with windsurfers. Fornells has been made famous by its waterfront seafood restaurants, most of which serve up the local (and rather pricey) specialty langosta, a lobster stew. The most famous of these restaurants, Es Pla on Pasaje des Pla is said to be a favourite of the Spanish royal family.
reviewed
-
H
Europcar
The big boys have car-hire desks at the airport and in Ibiza City, but local (and sometimes cheaper) outfits are scattered around the island. The bulk of those in Ibiza City gather around Carrer de Felipe II and Carrer de Carles III. Europcar has the advantage of being open seven days. It hires out an Opel Corsa for about €48 a day.
reviewed
-
Ca N’Antuna
This is a classic of Mallorcan cooking. It's locally famous for its oven-cooked lamb and other meats, but the calamari stuffed with meat is a great order. The hand juicer on the sill connecting the kitchen with the terrace is a nice touch – order up lots of local orange juice! The village and mountain views from the terrace are worth lingering over.
reviewed
-
I
Cova de Can Marçà
A turn-off to the right just before Port de Sant Miquel takes you around a headland to the Cova de Can Marçà, underground caverns spectacularly lit by coloured lights. Tours in various languages take around 30 to 40 minutes. After resurfacing, pause for a drink on its terrace and savour the panorama of sheer cliffs and deep blue water.
reviewed
