BALEARIC ISLANDS

The archipelago of the Balearic Islands is in the Mediterranean Sea between the Spanish coast and Sardinia.

About 5,000 square km.

The population of the Balearic Islands counts more than 700,000 inhabitants; half of them live in the capital Palma.

Palma is the main city of Mallorca and is also the capital of the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands in Spain.

Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera.

Menorca International Airport - Menorca; International Airport Mallorca - Palma de Mallorca; International Airport Sant Jordi - Ibiza.

Archaeologists have found evidence of human habitation on the Balearics as early as 5000 BC. Menorca in particular boasts impressive remnants of these ancient peoples. Enormous slabs of rocks arranged in specific formations litter the island: navetas (caves built with large stones), talayots (mounds of stone perhaps used as watchtowers) and taulus (stone tablets balanced in the shape of a 'T') are all much in evidence. The Carthaginians founded Ibiza City in 654 BC and made it one of the Mediterranean's major trading ports. Next came the Romans, who were eclipsed by the Visigoths, who were followed by Muslims in the 8th century AD. Muslim domination, which lasted longer than three centuries, left a lasting impression on the islanders' culture, from their traditional dress to architectural styles. In 1229, the Christians conquered Palma de Mallorca. Ibiza and Formentera followed six years later, but Menorca held fast until 1287, when Alfonso III finished incorporating the islands into the Catalan world. After an initial boom as trading centres and Catalan colonies, the islands fell on hard times in the 15th century. Isolation from the mainland, famine and frequent raids by pirates made life difficult. Adding insult to injury, Menorca's two major towns were virtually destroyed by Turkish forces during the 16th century. Ibiza added fortifications and managed to fight off the Turks, but Formentera fell completely. Menorca was granted to the British along with Gibraltar in 1713 under the Treaty of Ultrecht. British rule lasted until 1802. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Mallorca was repeatedly bombed by Nationalist forces. In the second half of the twentieth century peace has been much better to the sunny isles. With the postwar stability of the 1950s, the Balearics discovered tourism, and the island economy took advantage of that. Tourism contributes nowadays to 48% of GDP of the archipelago. The sector employs a total of 150,000 people; such a number is increased to 200,000 during the high season period.

Festivals on the Balearic Islands are many. Here are the most famous:

JANUARY: San Sebastián - Palma de Mallorca - Mallorca
The program covers almost the whole month of January and includes many activities, such as the well-known fireworks on the saint's day (20th January)
JANUARY (17th ): Sant Antoni Abat - Mallorca
One of the most traditional feasts of the Balearic Islands.
JANUARY (17th ): the patronal festival of Sant Antoni de Portmany - IBIZA
Sant Antoni Abat is probably one of the most celebrated saints in the cities of the Balearic Islands. When the 17th of January comes, everything is ready to pay homage to the patron.

MARCH-APRIL: Festa de l'Àngel - Palma de Mallorca - Mallorca
On the Sunday after Easter the Fiesta del Ángel takes place in many areas of Mallorca. It is a festival whose origins date back to 1407. The most important is held in the castle of Bellver de Palma, where every year more than 20,000 people enjoy a happy atmosphere.
MARCH-APRIL: Carnival of Alaior - Alaior- Menorca
the masked balls, the coach parade, the walk-on competition and the funeral of Figuerola are the main events of the most transgressive festival scheduled in Menorca.

EASTER: Matances de Bujots - Ciutadella de Menorca - Menorca
The Sunday of Easter in Ciutadella a curios tradition takes place. It is named Matances de Bujots and consists in hanging on the streets different puppets representing well-known people; such puppets become then shooting targets.

MAY (second week): Les Valentes Dones - Sóller - Mallorca
The small city of Sóller celebrates the Fires i Festes de Maig (Fairs and Festivals of May) to remember the role of the Valentes dones (courageous women).
MAY: Eivissa Medieval - Eivissa - IBIZA
The Medieval Fair takes place in May in the area surrounded by the walls of the old town of Ibiza; here the show is made by magicians, marionettes, clowns and jugglers who give life to the whole town.
MAY (third weekend): Medieval Market in the castle of Capdepera - Mallorca
Each year the commemoration of the foundation of the town of Capdepera by the King James II in 1300 brings the time back to the Medieval period, showing how the inhabitants of Capdepera lived in that period.

JUNE (60 days after Easter): Feast of Corpus Christi in Pollença - Pollença- Mallorca
After the religious procession the ball de les aquiles takes place; it is danced by two women dressed in white and covered with jewels in Morocco style with gold jewels given by the town families for this special occasion. On the wrist they wear a cardboard crowned hawk which is adorned with laces of several colours; such laces give evidence to their movements. The paces of their dance are stressed by castanets.
JUNE (24th): Sant Joan (Saint John) - Ciutadella de Menorca - Menorca
During the festivals of Sant Joan the horse is the protagonist. This animal is the most important element of the patronal festivals in Menorca.
JUNE (23th):Revetla de Sant Joan - Mallorca
On the eve of San Juan the magic night is celebrated in many villages and towns of the Balearic Islands. The fire is the symbol of purification and people dance around the bonfires.

JULY (25): Sant Jaume (Saint James) - Formentera
A week of entertainments honour the patron of Formentera

AUGUST (first week): Festes de la Terra - IBIZA
The city of Ibiza becomes a lively entertainment centre during the first eight day of August. It is the celebration of the Festes de la Terra (Festivals of the earth) to honour the patron Santa Maria de les Neus and Sant Ciriac, to remember the Catalan conquest of Ibiza on the 8th of August 1235.

SEPTEMBER (first weekend): Feasts of the Blessed - Santa Margalida - Mallorca
The procession of the Blessed Sor Catalina Tomás is one of the most popular feasts on the island of Mallorca.
SEPTEMBER (first week): Feasts of the Mare de Déu de Gràcia - Maó - Menorca
Each year Maó, the chief town of the island of Menorca, "dresses up" during the patronal festivals to honour the Mare de Déu de Gràcia. Elegant jockeys perform skilfully while people induce horses to rear up.
SEPTEMBER: Festa des Vermar (Vintage Festival) - Binissalem - Mallorca
In September, the vintage month, Binissalem celebrates its major festival. It is the 'Festa des Vermar', which in nine days transforms this village into an open-air tavern.

DECEMBER: Festival of the Vi Pagès - Sant Antoni de Portmany - IBIZA
The Festival of the Vi Payés is a tribute to Bacco. On this day good wine is drunk and accompanied by sobrasadas and butifarras, which are roasted on wood fire in the open-air.

CHRISTMAS: Christmas Feasts - Mallorca and the other islands
For further information visit the website: www.illesbalears.es

The islands belong to the Kingdom of Spain (the Balearic Islands politically form a province of Spain).

The Castillan and the Catalan are the most widespread languages on the Balearic Islands. Italian is understood mostly everywhere.

Catholic religion.

No difference with Italy. Spain uses the Daylight Saving Time.

No entrance visa is required.

The monetary unit of the Balearic Island is the Euro.

CHECK THE CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE

The main international credit cards are accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants.

No vaccination is required.

The best period to visit the islands is from April to October.
The high season period on the Balearic Islands corresponds to the summer period (June, July and August), when the temperature is almost stable around 27°C. For people who do not like crowed periods and prefer to visit the islands in more economical periods, the suggested months are May, June, September and October, when the climate is mild and the tourism structures are more affordable.

CHECK THE WEATHER FORECASTS IN REAL TIME

The electric current is supplied at 220v, even though sometimes the voltage is 125v.

Calling Italy from the Balearic Islands is rather simple: dial 0039, then the Italian area code - including zero for fixed net numbers - and the number you wish to call. To call the islands from Italy, dial the country code 0034, followed by the area code and then the number you wish to call.
As for mobile phones, as soon as you enter the Spanish territory your operator will automatically connect to the Spanish one, it is trading with.
Internet points are present everywhere.

The Balearic Islands offer wonderful landscapes and sunsets to lovers of naturalistic pictures. There are no restrictions to take pictures or make amateur videos for private use. Many beaches are for nudists. In this case respect is advised.

The offer of crafts varies according to the island. You can buy arts and crafts in glass, ceramics, embroidery, fabrics, shoes, silverware, trinkets, jewellery, pearls and all the latest trends in fashion. The islands create a "trend" and everything is trendy comes here. If you want to be part of the local style then buy the avarcas, the most typical and traditional shoes of Menorca. They are sandals with a sole made of India rubber and the leather vamp; they also have a strip on the heel made with the same material. In the ancient times they were used by shepherds and farmers, today they are worn by everyone. The several leather shops make them by hand day after day, according to the demand. The dress shops are many and with a hippie style; this time the hippie style is new and can be adopted by anyone. Hundreds of models and colours make it impossible not to find the right article. If you are touring on the islands, it is advisable to shop on Ibiza and not on Formentera, where the prices soar and there are no sales even in mid-August. This wonderful small island hosts every Wednesday and Sunday an outdoor crafts fair named the Fiera de La Mola with workshops where craftsmen creates fashion products from different materials such as wood, silver, stone etc. to give birth to one of the island's most popular tourist attractions. Coming here means renting a moped or a car. But the trip is well worth taking; near the fair there is a lighthouse overhanging the sea, el pilar della mola, which offers a breathtaking sight.

Let's start with the delicatessen. The most typical product of the Balearic Islands is the ensaimada of Mallorca. A sweet spiral-shaped pastry which has become the breakfast not only for the inhabitants of Mallorca but also for many visitors. The gatò is another typical cake served with the ice cream while the greissonera de brossat is a cake of fresh cheese. The sobrassasa of the island, on the contrary, is salty and very tasty and is registered as Protected Geographical Indication Sobrassada de Mallorca. For honey lovers, Menorca has a millennium-long tradition; in 1400 honey was sent directly to the King, who seemed to have a weakness for it. Gin is one of the most typical liquors of the archipelago, it is prepared with grape wine and aromatized with juniper berries. This brandy has been produced for almost one century in the distilleries of Gin Xoriguer following the traditional methods. In the evening, in the cellers, the cellars of the capital, it is possible to order warm soups with vegetables and meat, the paella and the stuffed calamaries served with bread without salt, the pa mallorquì. If you are staying in Ibiza and if you are love refined gastronomy, stop in Santa Eulalia: here you will find barbecues or the famous Ibiza-style fried fish. Formentera can be reached by sea, so have a break at the port and order the tapas, real Spanish delicacies.

Music is a must on the Balearic Islands; here you will find clubs and discos of any kind, from the most techno and psychedelic discos in Ibiza to the lunge rhythms of the cocktail bars in Formentera. It is difficult to make suggestions on dancing but, do not worry, it will be easy to find the right way when to arrive....

As for nightlife, on the Balearic Islands it is necessary to calculate a time zone of two hours ahead Italy. If you go to the beach at 12.00, if you have lunch at 3.00 p.m., aperitif from 8.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m., dinner at 11.00 p.m., then at what time do you think people go to the disco? Not before three or four in the morning. Which disco do we suggest? They are many, here we mention just some of them: in Mallorca Tito's, Abraxas, Sarabanda and many others. In Menorca Ars, Si, Mamas e Papas. In Ibiza El pachà, Amnesia, El divino. In Formentera Xueño. Ibiza is the capital of entertainment. Trans, gay, bisexual and hetero meet in perfect harmony in the most famous clubs of Europe with the best deejays and the most exclusive scenographies. Formentera should be the most quiet island and is very lively up to four in the morning. Let's figure out what happens on the other islands...

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a network of small cobbled paved streets, wooded avenues, churches and high fashion shops. The solemn gothic cathedral, La Seu, was built between 1230 and 1600. On the ceiling there is a wonderful wrought iron sculpture by Gaudì. In front of the cathedral there is the Palau de l'Almudaina, an Islamic castle turned into the royal palace. Not too far we find the Museu de Mallorca, hosted in a palace of the XV century and displaying archaeological finds, antiques and pictures showing several local notables. The Banys Arabs (the Arab Baths) are in the same district. The Castel de Bellver is west of downtown. In the historic centre, the hear of the nightlife, there are clubs and pubs of any kind, from the nice clubs for tourists to the bodegas where to drink a good beer with local people.

Menorca

Menorca, the second island of the archipelago, named the "smaller" sister, is the island less visited by mass tourism. It has been declared as a Reserve of the Biosphere by the UNESCO, it has several ecosystems unique in the world, such as the marshes of S'Albufera d'es Grau and some wonderful archaeological sites. The island is rich in megaliths and has more than 90 caves dug into the cliffs (it seems that they were used for funerals or as houses). The main city in Menorca is Ciutadella, known as "Vella i Bella" (Old and Nice), an interesting town with a nice welcoming port.

Ibiza

If Ibiza is the paradise of night birds, its capital is the origin of entertainments and society life. But it is also a city with its own identity, with a nice historical centre and several interesting areas. Sa Penya, the heart of the old port of Ibiza and the ideal place for those who love wandering, is rich in typical small shops, cobbled paved passages and alleys. Light-heartedness is constantly in the air. The ancient high city, D'Alt Vila, is the primitive nucleus of Ibiza. It was built on a rocky high ground and it was surrounded by walls (built in the XVI century by Philip II), today it is the oldest fortress in Europe. Today it hosts the Museum of Contemporary Arts.

Formentera

Formentera, charming and quite island, is the ideal place for those who want to escape from the discos and the never ending nights of Ibiza and, on the contrary, want to make small excursions with a moped or take long walks on the beach. Here also, anyway, an intense social life can be developed visiting the pubs downtown. The life in Formentera is mainly spent on the beach. You eat by small gazebos and have the aperitif in the crowed cocktail bars. The nicest beaches worth to be noticed are: Cala Saona, Es Calo and Es Pujols. Formentera can be reached from Ibiza with ferry-boats leaving one every hour.

The main activity of tourists in Formentera is drinking the aperitif on the beach in the four most famous bars managed by Italians: the Blanco, the Big Sur, the Blue bar and the Giallo. They can be reached by moped, the music is very high, people dance on the beach holding big "community" pots of mojito and at the sunset an applause declares the end of the pre-evening phase and the return to the hotel to leave the flip flops and start the noche loca.

1) The tour of the discos in Ibiza
2) The aperitif on the beach in Formentera
3) The Dragon Caves in Mallorca, one of the biggest underground lakes in the world.
4) The majestic gothic Cathedral La Seu in Mallorca. Inside it hosts a wrought iron sculpture by the architect Gaudì.
5) The beach of Cala Saona in Formentera.
6) The marshes of S'Albufera d'es Grau and the 90 caves dug into the cliffs in Menorca.
7) The most ancient fortress in Europe located in Ibiza.
8) The island of Cabrera, maritime and land national park.
9) The port of La Savina in Formentera.
10) Cala Boquer in Mallorca.

- Tips- Even though at visitor's discretion, tipping the water is a common habit.

- Taxi- In Formentera they are few because most of the tourists rent mopeds. They are easy to find on the other islands.

-Safety- There are no particular problems concerning safety, except for exaggerating in drinking alcohol and using drugs.

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E-mail: italiaturismo@retemail.es
www.ambmadrid.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Madrid 

CONSULATE IN PALMA DE MALLORCA:
Pasaje Juan XXIII, 6 - Palma de Mallorca
Phone: 0034 9 7172 4214
Fax: 0034 9 7171 9729

CONSULATE IN IBIZA:
Calle Juan de Austria, 5 - IBIZA
Phone: 0034 9 7131 5428
Fax: 0034 9 7131 5428