Vacation Rentals on the Balearic Islands
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Travel destination Balearic Islands.
You can choose from 911 vacation rentals and holiday rentals.
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Destination
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(82)
Carles Peralta (9), Beniras (1), Cala D’Hort (2), Cala Moli (1), Cala Tarida (1), Cala Vadella (1), D'en Bossa (1), Es Cubells (1), Ibiza Stadt (4), Platja den Bossa (1), San Antonio Abad (10), Sant Agusti (4), Sant Josep (10), Sant Llorenc (1), Sant Rafael (5), Sant Vicens (1), Santa Eulalia del Río (13), Santa Gertrudis (3)
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Overview of the Balearic Islands
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| Size |
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5,014 sq km (1,930 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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796,483 |
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| Language |
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Spanish and Catalan. |
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| Time Zone |
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1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). |
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| Electricity |
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Electricity is, in general, 220/240 V, although you could find 125 V on occasions in old buildings. |
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| Clothing |
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Clothing varies according to the season. Autumn - Winter: Jackets or coats are necessary
although we do have sunny days when we enjoy very pleasant temperatures. Spring - Summer: Light clothing
is very suitable, particularly in summer, although it can sometimes be cooler at night. |
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| Religion |
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Roman Catholic |
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| Currency |
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Euro (EUR)
Currency Converter |
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Location of the Balearic Islands
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The Balearic Islands are an archipelago in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the coast of Spain.
The main islands are Mallorca (Majorca), Menorca (Minorca), Ibiza (Eivissa), all popular tourist destinations.
Plus there are three smaller pieces of land by the names of Formentera, Cabrera and the uninhabited Dragonera. |
Climate of the Balearic Islands
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The Balearic Islands enjoy mild weather, characteristic of the Mediterranean climate, while tinged with typical
insular features such as high levels of environmental humidity. As a result, the difference in temperature
between seasons is accentuated. The average temperature varies between 19°C (66°F) in spring, 27°C (81°F) in summer,
21°C (70°F) in autumn and 15°C (59°F) in winter. The yearly average temperature for the entire archipelago is
approximately 17°C (62°F), with minor fluctuations between the various islands. Throughout the year, the
Balearics enjoy 300 days of sunshine. |
Best Time to Travel to the Balearic Islands
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The Balearic Islands boast 300-out-of-365 days of sunshine, but the peak season is summer (June, July
and August). At this time the resorts are packed, beaches are bursting and accommodation and
restaurant prices are upped. You will get the best weather though, with sunny tan-friendly temperatures
and a pleasantly bath-tub-like sea. In May-June and September-October prices are lower, the islands
are less busy and the weather is still pleasant. Even in winter (December, January and February)
the sun sometimes makes an appearance, but be warned - many businesses shut between November and April. |
Attractions on the Balearic Islands
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Every year the Balearic Islands are a magnet for millions of holiday-makers. Mallorca is the
largest island and the most commercial. Much of its countryside has given way to large expanses of
hotels and holiday apartment complexes, although there are still some parts of the island that remain
untouched. Here you will find the capital of the Balearic Islands, Palma. Ibiza is known for
its attraction to the party-goers but many tourists are alos attracted to its white sands and clear
blue waters. Menorca is the most serene of the islands and the last to succumb to the tourist
invasion. Much of the island has been protected by the government to stop the wild tourist development
of the past. Formentera was for many years, known as the forgotten Balearic. At just 30 square
miles it is the smallest of the islands and the least developed. Most people visit the island for the
day as there has been a strict limit on the number of hotels that have been allowed to be constructed.
All of the islands are so very different from each other that you can guarantee you will find what
you want on one of them. |
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Events on the Balearic Islands
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Among the typical festivities that are held in the different towns and villages of the Balearic Islands,
one of the most important is that at Ciutadella around June 18th, 23rd and 24th. The festivities of
La Devallament at Pollensa (March 23rd), Sa Pobla (January 16th and 17th) in honour of
San Antonio Abad, and the Day of La Beata at Santa Margarita (September 3rd), are all of interest
to tourists. |
Food in the Balearic Islands
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On Mallorca the most popular dishes are the soups, of which there are two main varieties. The first are
of a more liquid nature, composed of fish or meat, while the second - considered true Majorcan soups -
are drier and more substantial and are nowadays much more difficult to find. They probably originate from
the ancient cabbage soup and are the piece of resistance of a rural community. They consist of vegetables,
in particular cabbage, slices of bread soaked in the cooking broth, paprika, tomatoes, and garlic. The
end result is soft, light and very juicy. After the soups the main dish consists of port (known locally
as porcella), which is prepared in variety of styles, especially roast (known as rostit). It can also
be stuffed with an incredible mixture of pig's liver, eggs, bread, spices, apples and plums. Mention should
also be made of the famous sobrasada, a mixture of soft lard and paprika. One of the most popular vegetable
dishes is el tumbet, a kind of pie which has a layer of potatoes and another of aubergines. It is then
covered with a sauce made from tomatoes and peppers. Aubergines, which are a typical ingredient in this
local cooking, can also be stuffed with meat or fish or even baked. Egg dishes include huevos al estilo Sestnuts.
As far as desserts and confecionery are concerned, the most well-known sweet dish is the ensaimada,
an exquisite kind of large bun which requires a complicated elaboration and is made using lard.
On the island of Menorca the most important dishes are those based on fish and shellfish, both of
which are found in great quantities off the coast and are of an exceptionally high quality. Perhaps
the most outstanding dish of all is lobster stew, consisting of pieces of lobster, peppers, onion,
tomato, garlic and a liqueur made from herbs. Other typical dishes include lobster with rice, tunny fish
with mayonnaise, partridge a la menorquina and roast goat with sobrasada. The cheese from Mahsoned with
an almond sauce; lobster with squid and herbs; and el guisat de marisc - a succulent stew made with fish
and shellfish. Throughout the Balearic Islands there are a large variety of coques - rectangular tarts
that are covered with minced vegetables, fish or meat.
As for wines, Mallorca is the only islands which produces them. Nevertheless, these islands do have other
interesting drinks. For example, Menorca is noted for its gin production, which is used in the preparation
of the very popular pallofas, and on Ibiza there is a very strong herb liqueur known as frigola
which is normally served with ice. |
Society on the Balearic Islands
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It is customary on the Balearic Islands to tip maids and porters at hotels, taxi drivers and waiters
at cafes and bars. In these cases, 10–15% of the fare or bill is a standard tip. Service charges
are usually included in restaurant bills so leaving a tip in these cases is up to each individual. |
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