Of all the people who fly out of Heathrow Airport every day, some of them will be heading to various destinations in mainland Europe.
But there will be other people who will fly out to one of a small group of islands known as the Balearics. And at least three out of these five islands will be very well known (and well loved) by many people. Let’s find out a bit more about them.
Where are the Balearics?
The Balearic Islands are situated off the east coast of Spain. Algeria is to the south, and the island of Sardinia is off to the east of Menorca.
Majorca is the biggest of the five islands, with Menorca sitting off to its right. Ibiza, the popular clubbing spot for many young people, is to the south west of Majorca. Formentera is immediately to the south of Ibiza (it’s easy to go for a day trip to this island from Ibiza and back again), and the smallest island of all, Cabrera, is directly to the south of Majorca.
Why should you visit Balearics?
The Balearics offer the traditional summer holiday, with beaches, sun, sand, sea and much more besides. There are quieter spots to enjoy for those who don’t want to go clubbing – and that holds true for Ibiza as well.
Ibiza is the more lively of all the Balearic Islands though, so be warned if you are heading here!
There is plenty to enjoy as far as the scenery and landscape is concerned though, so you are in for a great holiday if you decide to visit one or more of the Balearics.
What main areas are there to stay in?
Let’s take Majorca first. You can get a flight to Palma airport in Majorca direct from Heathrow, and thanks to its location not far south of Spain, the flight time isn’t too long either.
The Cala d’Or region of Majorca is particularly pretty, and if you like a quieter time on holiday then places like Porto Petro are pleasant. It’s a distance from the beach, but there are still plenty of places to soak up the sun.
Palma Nova offers more in the way of sand, with three beaches all very close together. And if you fancy a taste of the nightlife during your visit, head for Magaluf – the undisputed centre of it on Majorca.
Moving on to Menorca, Cala’n Porter is a good bet for taking the rest of the family to on a day out to the beach. This small but perfectly formed resort is well set up for the many tourists who frequent its beach during the summer months.
Arenal d En Castell is well loved among those who don’t like too noisy a holiday. You have plenty of facilities here and a nice beach to use all day, so you won’t go short of everything you could need. It has more than some other resorts such as Punta Prima, which are more advantageous for those who just like to lie in the sun all day.
The other main island is of course Ibiza. Ibiza Town doesn’t give you a beach to enjoy, but it does make up for it with its nightlife. And this is what most of the young people come to the island for!
But don’t assume that every location in Ibiza will be as noisy and raucous as the town. If you head to Portinatx on the other side of the island, you can enjoy a holiday that is perfect for the whole family. You’ve got everything you need here to relax for a week or two, and the kids will love it too.
What type of holidays are the Balearics good for?
Clearly the main type of holiday here is of the sun, sea and sand variety. Some people are put off by the fact that there are a lot of clubs around – particularly in Ibiza and in some areas of Majorca – but if you know where to go you can quite happily have a quiet time without being disturbed by those who like to party.
The scenery is attractive too, and you can go exploring for a day inland if you like; hiring a bike or a car to do this is the best way to get around.
In conclusion
Some people visit one of the Balearic Islands and never go anywhere else, while others are happy to try all of the main three before deciding which island they like the best.
It’s true that some people are put off by certain stories about Ibiza, but that shouldn’t deter you from having a holiday there. During the day Ibiza Town itself is a delight to wander round – and you can always book accommodation elsewhere for the evenings!
In short, Heathrow Airport provides the perfect place to begin your journey to the Balearics, so don’t miss out – book your flight now.