Balearic Islands attractions

One of the most popular day walks in Mallorca, the challenging Torrent de Pareis hike slices through the Sa Calobra Canyon and offers spectacular views of the Tramuntana Mountains. After completing the hike, enjoy access to remote and pebbly beaches, as well as the charming town of Sa Calobra.

With its beautiful white sand beaches framed in picturesque rocky points, Puerto Pollensa (Port de Pollença) on majestic Formentor peninsula has become a magnet for holiday goers with a taste for the finer things in life. Everyone from families to water sports enthusiasts come for the cafe-lined promenade, marina, and the Bay of Pollensa.

Perched on a dramatic hill, Ibiza Castle (Castell d'Eivissa in Catalan) marks the top of Ibiza’s Dalt Vila, or Upper Town. The island landmark was built over the course of more than 1,000 years and is an architectural hodgepodge of pale-colored stone that combines elements like a 12th century medieval design with 18th century barracks.

The island of Mallorca is known for its turquoise waters and scenic natural beauty, and Plajita des Coll Baix no exception to this. What makes this secluded beach special, aside from its idyllic surroundings, is the fact that it is protected and often deserted. Because it is difficult to reach, crowds are nearly nonexistent and you may even have the beach to yourself.Opening out into a wide sea inlet, the soft and sandy beach is surrounded by tall, rocky cliffs and Mediterranean forest. It is hard to imagine clearer or more vibrantly colored waters. The stunning beach is most popular with those who love the outdoors and don’t mind some hiking — as it is only accessible by boat or foot. Those who go will undoubtedly agree that the trek is worth it. Boat operators often lead tours from town. It’s quietest in the morning and evening.

A Gothic-style church at the heart of Palma’s Old Town, the Basilica de Sant Francesc is one of the island’s most spectacular sights and historically significant structures. The basilica dates back to the 13th century when it was founded as a monastery. It has been known as one of the most famous churches on Palma since the Middle Ages.The current sandstone facade was reconstructed in the 17th century after the original was struck by lightning. Its Baroque style is more typical of the Majorcan style. The inside of the basilica is just as impressive as its exterior, with high vaulted ceilings in classic Catalan Gothic style and ornate altar. Tombs and chapels line its walls, leading to its stunning medieval cloister filled with citrus and palm trees.The statue outside the church is of Franciscan monk Junipero Serra. If his name sounds familiar, it might be because he went on to found the major cities in California - Los Angeles and San Francisco, among others. The church is considered a major landmark of Palma and is included in most all tours of the city.

The tallest point in Menorca is Monte Toro, also called El Toro, where you can see the entire island on clear days. Built atop the summit is the Mare de Déu del Toro sanctuary, a significant pilgrimage place with a shrine to Menorca’s patron saint. There, a whitewashed exterior leads to a small chapel with a carved image of the Virgin Mary.

One of Mallorca’s biggest outdoor weekly markets, Inca Market takes over the island’s leather-making town of Inca every Thursday. Offering more than 100 stalls, the market is a great place for snapping up traditional local leatherware, handicrafts, delicacies, and fresh produce.

This area on the east coast of Ibiza has it all: stunning beaches, quaint towns, and historic monuments. The second most visited location on the island, behind only Eivissa, Santa Eulària has become known for its quieter atmosphere compared to the diehard party scenes elsewhere.

Arguably the most beautiful beach on Mallorca—and certainly the most unspoiled, thanks to its location in a protected park—this 1.75-mile (3-kilometer coastal stretch is a top choice for families and sunseekers. Es Trenc’s shallow waters are ideal for little ones, while adults can enjoy watersports and seafront bars.

Dating back to the 10th century, the Palma Arab Baths (Baños Árabes) are among Palma’s most fascinating archaeological sites and some of the last remaining relics of the Muslim era in the Balearic Islands. It is believed that parts of the baths are the only remnants of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa.

Smugglers once hid their spoils in these 100,000-year-old natural caves in the bay of Puerto de San Miguel. Housing stalactites and stalagmites, fossils, and a 30-foot (9-meter) subterranean waterfall, illuminated with colorful lights, the cave’s exit affords spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding coastline.

Port of Palma (Puerto de Palma) in Palma de Mallorca is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean, welcoming more than 1.7 million cruise ship passengers each year. As the gateway to the island of Mallorca and Spain's Balearic Islands, it’s a popular stop on Mediterranean cruises, with easy access to both Valencia and Barcelona.

Nearly 4-miles (6-kilometers long, this expansive Blue Flag beach on Mallorca’s northern coast has plenty of space for families and water sport enthusiasts alike. From kid’s play areas and paddle-friendly shallows to protected dunes and beach volleyball courts, Playa de Muro is an ideal choice for sun-worshippers in search of classic Spanish seaside.

Ses Salines Natural Park is made up largely of water (a whopping 75 percent of the area) and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's known for its beaches and biodiversity, as the home to 178 plant species and some 210 species of birds, including flamingos, Audouin’s gull, and Balearic shearwater.

Among the prettiest spots on Mallorca’s southeast coast, Cala Figuera hems a low-cliffed, turquoise-watered inlet bobbing with fishing boats. The absence of a beach has protected this small, working fishing town from overdevelopment, making it great for relaxing, enjoying the coastal scenery, taking boat trips, and savoring traditional Mallorcan life.

Framing a picture-postcard inlet in southeastern Mallorca, Cala Santanyi hits the sweet spot between a fully-fledged beach resort and a quiet Balearics village. Visitors spend their time lazing on the white sand beach, enjoying watersports, and savoring the unspoiled scenery, all while relishing the gently traditional vibe.

Rising from the Mediterranean Sea near the resort of Cala Santanyi in southeast Mallorca, Es Pontàs is a natural, free-standing limestone sea arch standing just offshore from the coast. At around 65 feet (20 meters) high, the arch lures sightseers who visit the nearby cliffs to admire and take photos, as well as experienced climbers and high divers.

In northern central Menorca beneath Mt. Toro, Es Mercadal is one of the island’s oldest and most picturesque towns. Visitors come here to experience a slice of old-time island life and soak up its whitewashed houses, terracotta-flagged streets, traditional shops, and laid-back atmosphere.

The island of Mallorca is home to more than 200 caves and the Cuevas del Ham, or Caves of Hams, are one of the most popular to visit. Located along an underground river called the Sea of Venice, these caves are notable for their spiral and hook-shaped stalactites. Many travelers visit these caves during a multi-destination day trip.

Get to know Mallorca beyond its beaches during a visit to the old stone city of Valldemossa, located high in the Tamuntana Mountains, or to La Granja, a former convent surrounded by gardens. Many visitors climb winding roads up into the mountains via bus, taxi, or rental car during a day trip to see these popular sites.

With more than 8,000 animals from 700 different species, Palma Aquarium emulates ocean ecosystems from around the globe. Here, you can admire one of the largest shark tanks, as well as one of the biggest live coral collections in Europe. The jellyfish and black-tip reef shark exhibits are both highlights.

Descend 36 meters underground for a guided subterranean exploration at the Genova Caves (Cuevas de Genova). The caves, which are hidden under a restaurant, offer beautiful rock formations as well as pools of water, corridors, and columns and are enhanced with a variety of colorful lights in an audiovisual show.

Travelers looking for a way to cool off on Menorca without heading to the beach will enjoy Splash Waterpark (Splash Sur Menorca), an attraction-packed destination. This family-friendly park has slides for the kids and lounge areas and Jacuzzis for the adults, plus food, drinks, and sunbeds to guarantee a comfortable visit.

Music, dance, acrobatics, and lavish costumes combine in spectacular style at the Son Amar Dinner Show in Mallorca. Staged at the House of Son Amar, a beautiful 16th-century manor house near Palma, these ever-changing theatrical shows promise an unforgettable evening out. In summer, the 700-seat theater offers early-evening performances ideal for families and late-evening spectaculars for older audiences.

See a diverse collection of wildlife at the Menorca Zoo (Lloc De Menorca), a park that is home to a variety of rescue animals, from goats to macaque monkeys. Highlights include the kid-friendly displays and an area where you can interact with lemurs, plus the on-site Bronze Age monument.

The Necropolis del Puig des Molins comprises more than 4,000 tombs from the Phoenician-Punic times, considered the world’s finest collection of Punic remains. The island’s first cemetery, dating back to the seventh century BC, features small caves containing sarcophagi and burial sites filled with jewelry, coins, and baked mud figures.

One of Mallorca’s biggest aqua parks, Western Water Park boasts a wide array of rides and pools, including The Beast—the world’s 11th-highest slide—to keep all ages entertained. Fittingly set in western Mallorca near the resort of Magaluf, the park has a Wild West theme, giving it extra family appeal.

Let loose at Aqualand El Arenal, Mallorca’s biggest water park. Situated just south of Palma on the island’s west coast, this popular park is stacked with slides, pools, and amusements for all ages and tastes, from adults who simply want to relax to teens wanting to brave daredevil rides.

Located in central Magaluf, weird and wacky Katmandu Park throws steampunk-style attractions, illusions, and escapades into the regular theme-park mix of rides and slides. Explore an upside-down house, scream through 4D adventures, and enjoy a splash park, all in a small but exciting park suitable for all ages.

Just outside Maó in Menorca stand rock pilings that leave people awe-struck. Talatí de Dalt is home to a series of T-shaped stone monuments—known as taulas—dating from 1000 to 300 BC, which were part of the Talaiotic culture. While not much is known about this prehistoric site, it is considered to be one of the most fascinating on the island.