Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Mallorca and Menorca attracted over 6.4million tourists to their sandy shores last year. OK, Mallorca had 5.7 million of them but still, these are popular islands and for good reason.
With wonderful beaches and seemingly endless summers, Mallorca and Menorca are affordable, close, and the ideal antidote to a British August. So to help you make the most of your stay in the Balearics, here’s a handy Menorca & Mallorca travel guide.
Mallorca Travel Guide
The largest of the Balearics, Mallorca is reinventing the typical British summer holiday to Spain. The island is investing in tree-lined promenades and stylish hotels and now targeting winter tourists as well. Cycling, golf, and walking breaks are becoming more and more popular amongst tourists and Mallorca is getting in on the action.
Photo by: Henrie/Fotolia
When’s the best time to visit Mallorca?
What sort of holiday are you looking for? The yearly average temperature on Mallorca is 21°C so you’re pretty safe whatever the month.
Perhaps the best time to visit the islands is in spring whilst prices are still fairly low. The blossom and wild flowers are in bloom and the temperature isn’t too hot whilst allowing a nice beach holiday.
As summer approaches, prices increase rapidly as does the temperature. August regularly sees the mercury hitting the 45°C mark so remember your sunscreen!
Photo by: Gina Sanders/Fotolia
If you fancy a late break to keep you going through winter, September and October still offer good weather and low prices.
Where to stay – Mallorca Accommodation
Quieter areas
Exclusive and still relatively unknown by package tourists, Illetas is close to Portals Nous and popular with independent travellers. Although close to Palma it is surprisingly quiet and well worth a visit. Beach wise, Illetas is well served by small sandy coves and rocky headlands for great ocean views.
Calas de Mallorca is another quiet resort and comes with 3 beaches. The resort is mainly quiet although there is a lively nightlife should you require it. A great choice if you want to relax and let your hair down occasionally.
Louder
Magaluf. Need we go on? Popular with the younger crowd, Magaluf is the place for partying. There’s not much else to recommend. Accommodation in Magaluf ranges from cheap and cheerful to high end but we’d recommend somewhere a bit quieter!
Another resort with 3 beaches, Paguera is a lovely town not far from Andratx. An attractive promenade, a lively nightlife, and upmarket shops and boutiques are all on offer here. There are some great golf courses nearby too should you fancy a round before the sun gets too hot.
Where are the best beaches?
Cala Millor
Considered one of the top beaches on the island, Cala Millor is a wonderful spot to relax. White sand gives way to turquoise coloured waters on this Blue Flag beach. Activities include water sports and windsurfing.
Cala Torta
In the northeast you’ll find Cala Torta, another spot with fine white sand and turquoise water. The clear water makes it perfect for snorkelling and is popular with both locals and tourists.
Photo by: Pep Bernat/Fotolia
Playa de Muro
Staying in the north, another great option is Playa de Muro. This Blue Flag beach is surrounded by pine trees and sand dunes and is has disabled access. Activities include pedalo hire, water sports, and boat trips.
Which are the best restaurants?
Restaurant Es Molí den Bou, Sa Coma
The first restaurant on the island to get a Michelin Star, Es Molí d’en Bou is a must visit. The weekday lunch menu is great value and superb but you can’t beat dinner here.
Restaurant D’alt des Coll, Soller
A lovely restaurant with cool terraces. Local cuisine is the order of the day and doesn’t disappoint. The octopus is excellent and well worth ordering.
Bar Nou, Pollensa
Popular with the locals, this is a small and charming restaurant that focuses on good, simple food. The terrace is wonderful on a warm summer’s evening.
Explore Mallorca
- Visit Cap de Formentor. Take in the stunning views from Mallorca’s north eastern peninsular.
- Head to Lluc, Mallorca’s most sacred pilgrimage. The former monastery is found in the Serra de Tramuntana.
- Estellencs. The watchtower here offers wonderful views out over the Mediterranean.
Menorca Travel Guide
Mallorca’s little sister, Menorca is a relatively unspoilt destination which remains quiet even in peak season. Its sandy beaches, fantastic climate, and clear, turquoise waters combine for the perfect holiday.
Photo by: Henrie/Fotolia
When’s the best time to visit Menorca?
The busy summer period falls between June and September when the weather is at its best, and peak season is mid-July to mid-September. However, Menorca is great any time between May and October.
Menorca has a yearly average temperature of 20°C and its autumn is very mild so don’t be afraid to book later if you want the place to yourselves.
Where to stay – Menorca Accommodation
If you’re looking for an attractive and quiet resort with stylish accommodation, you can’t go far wrong with Binibeca. Mostly villas, there are some great restaurants and bars here as well as a striking, modern fishing village. There is also a nightclub should you wish to stay up late!
Perfect for those with children, Cala Galdana is located on the south west coast and offers a number of hotels, apartments, and villas. Self-caterers are well provided for with a number of supermarkets and there are a number of activities to keep the kids entertained including mini golf.
Photo by: tuulijumala/Fotolia
Home to the protected nature reserve of S’albufera, Es Grau is great for nature lovers. A small resort, it boasts a handful of restaurants and bars, a supermarket, some shops, and no banks. The beach is a good size with calm, shallow waters which are perfect for children.
Where are the best beaches?
Cala Macarella
10 miles from Ciutadella lies Cala Macarella, a gorgeous cove with sandy beaches and crystal clear water. Its rocky cliffs are topped by a forest of pine trees and there’s a great restaurant should you get hungry.
Cala’n Porter
Another cove, Cala’n Porter offers a gentle, shelving sea bed that makes it perfect for children. Life guards are on duty during summer months. Activities include pedalo hire.
Cala en Turqueta
Perhaps the most attractive beach on the island, Cala en Turqueta offers white sand beaches and a number of caves to explore. A free car park is a short walk away but there’s not much else here.
Photo by: CLHuetter/Fotolia
Which are the best restaurants?
Café Balear, Ciutadella
Unpretentious, excellent food and Caldereta de Langosta (the Menorcan speciality) – what’s not to like? Café Balear uses fresh, local produce and does it brilliantly.
Restaurante Salitre, Binibeca
A fantastic little restaurant that serves great food. Tricky to find, it shares a terrace with a couple of other restaurants so make sure you choose the right on. Fresh fish, lovely pasta, the list goes on. Try it!
Es Forn de Torre Solí Nou, Alaior
Complete with romantic terrace under 2 canopies, Es Forn de Torre Solí Nou is a wonderful choice for couples. Choose from the specials off the grill and you’re in for a treat. It’s a good idea to book as it’s popular with both tourists and locals.
Explore Menorca
- Xoriguergin distillery. A fascinating place to discover the history of gin on the island and the role of the British navy in bringing the spirit here.
- Have a drink at a cliff side bar. Cova d’en Xoroi at Cala’n Porter is 25m above sea level and features terraces and natural caves.
- Bay of Fornells. A spectacular bay on the northern coast, the Bay of Fornells was frequently raided by Barbary pirates in the 18th century resulting in a fort being built here.
Enjoy your trip!
Hopefully this has made your choice easier, if you do visit one of these places or have already been, let us know below.
If you’re thinking of visiting a different island in the Mediterranean, check out which Greek island is best for you. Also, make sure you sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest travel tips and news.
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