Mallorca and Ibiza are very well known, and it is difficult not to have heard of or visited them. It is one of the best-known and desired destinations worldwide, either for its biodiversity, magnificent beaches, and coves or for the party. But there are three other amazing islands in the Balearics called Menorca, Formentera, and Cabrera.
The Balearic Islands are the third Spanish region with the highest number of foreign tourists, behind the Canary Islands, and Catalonia. About ten million tourists visit the islands annually, where the main destination is Mallorca with 65% of visitors, followed by Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera respectively. A big percentage comes from Germany, the United Kingdom, and the rest of Europe.
Whom visit Mallorca falls in love with its more than 300 beaches and coves that are distributed along its coast. Its crystal-clear and turquoise waters are the delight of tourists of all ages. Some of the beaches that should not be missed are Torrent de Pareis, Cala Sàmarador, Caló del Moro, Cala Tuent, Playa de Formentor, Caló des Màrmols and Cala Fornells.
But Mallorca also can surprise visitors with a lot of history and architecture such as its impressive Cathedral, the Almudaina Palace, or the Bellver Castle. Walking through the streets of the historic center tourists will find vestiges of other cultures such as the Roman, and Jewish, and enjoy the beauty of the Mallorca courtyards, among others.
La Sierra de Tramontana declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site is pure nature with large wooded areas and impressive cliffs that blend with the Mediterranean Sea, and the dozens of villages that have a special charm. There are hundreds of routes and trails to enjoy this wonderful place that conquers everyone who visits it.
Ibiza is known worldwide for being the European paradise of electronic music and where the best DJs like David Guetta congregate. It also holds the Guinness World Record for having the largest nightclub in the world, Privilege. In addition to the legendary Pachá, and the mythical Ushuaia, Amnesia or Bora Bora.
We must also mention the wonderful coves bathed by the Mediterranean, the great extension of pine forests that reach the sea, its charming rural villages, luxurious maritime clubs where sailboats, boats, and yachts seem as are prints of the natural landscape. Tourists visiting Ibiza can also experience a philosophy of life that surrounds the freedom and hippie atmosphere of its markets and fashion. Ibiza is so special that visitors can seamlessly combine the most fun night out in the world with a historic ensemble and marine biodiversity declared a World Heritage Site.
Formentera is one of the smallest islands of the Balearic Islands and its beauty is not proportional to its size. The beaches and coves of this island are not only amazing but transport visitors to a state of permanent peace and relaxation thanks to its crystal-clear waters and the green-turquoise colors of the seabed.
Formentera is a place to be in direct contact with nature and disconnect, and one of the ways to do this is to visit the natural park of Ses Salines and the lagoon of Estany Pudent. We also recommend taking a route through the lighthouses and viewpoints of the island, visiting the markets, and tasting the gastronomy, especially with dishes based on fish and seafood.
Menorca is a noticeably quiet island and is ideal for snorkeling since its seabed is dominated by Posidonia (a marine plant that serves as a reserve for fish, mollusks, and crustaceans). The coves have a shallow bottom and very crystal-clear waters which favors visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery with a variety of colorful fish that swarm quietly through its waters. Our recommendation is to rent a car or a motorcycle to discover the different corners of the island and discover almost virgin beaches and coves.
Mahón is the capital of Menorca and is considered the most beautiful town on the island, and its main attraction is the spectacular natural port of more than five kilometers in length. When taking a walk through Mahón you can also enjoy the architecture of the Fortaleza de la Mola, the Town Hall, the church of Santa María, and visit the Museum of Menorca.
The Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Cabrera Archipelago is the island of Cabrera, which has no inhabitants, although there is a hostel with only twelve rooms where you can spend a maximum of two nights. Cabrera is ideal for snorkeling, long walks, and disconnecting from the world. The only way to access the island is by hiring an excursion that sets sail from Mallorca.
The island has an extraordinarily strong control since only a maximum of fifty boats are allowed a day and with a prior request, in addition to being prohibited from fishing, diving without permission, or dropping anchor. Thanks to this surveillance, the thirteen square kilometers of island, keep a unique ecosystem and is considered the best-preserved coastline in Spain, where 500 varieties of plants and 950 marine species coexist.
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