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The Balearics are relatively short on historical monuments and fascinating museums, but are replete with lovely beaches and unspoilt countryside, so if all you want to do is see some great scenery, this is the right place.
The largest of the islands, Mallorca , is about the only place in the Balearics where you’ll find opportunities for seeing sights other than beaches. Mallorca’s capital, Palma de Mallorca has many interesting old monuments, the most impressive is the medieval cathedral, a limestone structure which towers over the old quarter of town, surrounded by a maze of old alleys and lanes. The area around the cathedral encompasses several palaces, including the Archiepiscopal Palais and La Almudaina , built on the ruins of a Muslim alcazar, and once a royal residence.
The cathedral was constructed between the 14th and the 19th centuries, and houses a museum with some good baroque art. Worth a visit is the elegant Gothic Castillo de Belver , a fortress which stands atop a hill overlooking Palma.
A walk through the area around the castle will bring you to other interesting sights- Arabian baths, old plazas, and several old churches, many of which are very well-preserved. If you’re keen on medieval architecture, include the churches of Iglesia de Santa Catalina and Iglesia de San Francisco , and the buildings of Ayuntamiento (the Town Hall) and Casa Berga (the courts of law) on your itinerary.
The second largest of the islands, Menorca has lots of prehistoric stone structures, mostly primitive ones known as navetas, taulas and talayots. If you’re very keen on prehistory, they’re worth a visit; otherwise, the island’s a quiet, rather peaceful place with not much happening- perfect for a relaxing vacation on one of its lovely beaches. The capital of Menorca, Mahón , has a number of rather quaint old plazas which can be great for getting a feel of the town. Just walk around, sit at a café to have an ice cream, or feed the pigeons. Just about 8 km from Mahón is the lake park of Albufera des Grau , where there’s lots of scope for birdwatching.
Ibiza is the touristy heart of the Balearics- brash, crowded and noisy with round the clock parties. This is the island of beaches, beaches and beaches, and if all you want to do is swim, sunbathe, laze and party in the evenings.
Ibiza is highly recommended and most tourists spend their entire day on the beach, then spend the evening shopping or walking around, till it’s time for the discos and clubs to start filling up.
Other than the beaches, there’s little to see, although like Mallorca, Ibiza too has some historic monuments- but they’re fewer in number. The City of Ibiza has a wonderful Gothic cathedral, and two good museums- especially one of Punic art, which is generally regarded as the best in Europe- but that’s about all. Old Ibiza lies atop a hill, surrounded by forbidding stone walls, and it is within these walls that most of the island’s major tourist sights- barring the beaches, of course- are situated.
The smallest of the islands, Formentera is best known for its beaches - the cleanest, longest and loveliest in all of Spain - though it’s literally crawling with bright green lizards, great if you’re a reptilian buff, but unpleasant if you’re not.
If you must see a monument, make your way to Formentera’s capital, San Francisco Javier , and visit the local church, a fortified structure which once had its own cannon.
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