Looking to travel to the Balearic Islands but don’t know which one is the best for you? Why not read our handy guide, which should tell you everything you need to know about which of the beautiful islands is most suited to you.
If after reading our guide you’re still unsure, take our fun quiz to see our suggestion!
Majorca
Whether you’re looking for a luxury, all-inclusive holiday or a cheap last minute getaway, Majorca has it all. You can find great deals on flights and accommodation at all of the island’s resort centres including Cala Galdana, Sa Coma and Majorca’s capital, Palma.
Majorca is the biggest of the Balearic Islands and boasts 2,500 restaurants, 41 marinas, and 400 kilometres of cycling trails. You can find anything from beautiful beach holidays to cultural city breaks, and can tailor your Majorca holiday to suit your every need.
Though you can find great nightlife on the island, Majorca’s natural beauty and day-time activities can’t be ignored. Majorca is brimming with vineyards just waiting to be explored, and has plenty of beaches with breathtaking views. If you’re looking for a bit more action, then why not put your inner Bradley Wiggins to the test on Sa Calobra or visit one of the island’s many waterparks.
Palma Nova was one of Majorca’s first, purpose built tourist destinations and is a great destination for all holiday makers. It has three beaches, all of which are very close to the town and easy to access. All beaches are child friendly and have fine sand and clear waters. For those looking to dance the night away, Magaluf is within stumbling distance from Palma Nova, perfect for a late night (or early morning!) stroll back from the nightclubs.
Majorca hotels we recommend:
Self-Catering
A great self-catering option in Majorca is TUI BLUE Alcudia Pins, Playa De Muro. The hotel has some of the best child-friendly facilities with a Caribbean-esque swoop of sand right outside.
Children get their own splash park, which features animal-shaped slides and chutes. There’s also a separate kids’ pool with a waterslide, and a partially shaded paddling pool for the smallest swimmers. The main pool is very roomy, and has a slide and a built-in whirlpool bath. There’s also a separate, quieter pool.
TUI BLUE Alcudia Pins in in a convenient location with the nearest beach, bar and restaurant all within 50m.
All apartments have a balcony, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and a TV. And you’ll have some kitchen appliances too, including a fridge, microwave, toaster and kettle. The closest shop is only 100m away from the hotel, perfect to help you stock up on tasty treats and delicious meals for your stay.
Bed & Breakfast
Catalonia Del Mar in Cala Bona is in a central, harbourside setting, and everything you could need is within walking distance. The adults-only hotel offers chilled glasses of cava with breakfast, perfect for hair-of-the-dog or setting the tone for the day!
Catalonia Del Mar is in the heart of Cala Bona’s seafront promenade. You’ve got restaurants, bars and shops outside, as well as a few coves. Or, you can stroll to Cala Millor’s long, sandy stretch in 20 minutes.
If you want to wake up to blissful coastal views, all room types offer the option to upgrade to a sea-view room, subject to availability.
The lagoon-style pool is lined by sunbeds and steps lead up to a roof terrace with more loungers and a sprinkling of plush daybeds. Inside, there is a spa which has an indoor pool, a Turkish bath and a collection of treatment rooms.
All-Inclusive
For those looking for an all-inclusive, adults-only getaway, then Hotel Platja d’Or, Alcudia is the place for you. Over a quiet road you will find miles of golden sand sandwiched between pine trees and shallow water.
The buffet restaurant caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s a variety of dishes on offer – including favourites like roast beef and fruit crumble. The pool bar offers non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, including soft drinks and beer.
Hotel Platja d’Or is situated 600m from shops, bars and restaurants in Playa de Muro and around 1km away from Alcudia centre. If walking is not your style, why not hire a bike, for a small fee.
As well as daily quizzes, guests can get involved with skittles, boules, darts and table tennis.
Ibiza
Ibiza holidays are sure to help you make some of the most amazing memories and the island is ideal if you’re looking for a jam-packed party holiday. The island has some of the world’s best clubs and a wide range of apartment and hotel choices to suit all party-goers.
If you’re looking to sleep all day, and party all night, then San Antonio is the ideal resort centre for you. In close proximity to A-List DJs and world-famous venues like Ocean Beach Ibiza, Pacha Ibiza and Amnesia, you won’t be disappointed.
Despite it’s renowned reputation for clubbing, Ibiza also has a fascinating history. For those looking to cure their hangover and take in some culture, then Ibiza Town has plenty of architecture and artifacts to explore.
Es Cana is home to Ibiza’s hippy market, which sells fantastic gifts and a variety of handmade clothing. The resort offers the perfect mix of a relaxing and lively holiday, with plenty of chilled lounge bars and bustling pubs.
Santa Eulalia is another resort with a more laid back vibe compared to San Antonio, and is a great destination for family holidays. The resort has established a reputation as Ibiza’s gastronomic and cultural centre, and is home to some of the island’s best restaurants as well as plenty of art galleries.
Ibiza hotels we recommend:
Self-Catering
The El Pinar Apartments are in a great spot, right next to the beach and just a few minutes’ walk away from the seafood restaurants and bars of Cala Llonga.
The pool is the centre of attention at the El Pinar Apartments. It’s trimmed by a lounger-lined sun terrace and matched with a children’s pool. A multi-sports court overlooks the scene. Evening entertainment is usually staged down here, too – it takes place after dinner in the sea-view bar-restaurant.
Rooms at El Pinar Apartments come with air-conditioning from May to October, a furnished kitchenette, lounge and TV. There are studios available or you can opt for an apartment for a bit of extra space. Plus – for a bit more – you can also upgrade to a sea-view studio with balcony or terrace.
Location-wise, Santa Eulalia is only 4km away and Ibiza Town just 10km. If you want to venture to lively San Antonio Bay, it is just a 30 minute car ride across the island.
Bed & Breakfast
The Grupotel Ibiza Beach Resort is set on the island’s quiet north coast, and looks over a sandy beach. The all-white motif is livened up by neon colour pops, while rooms feature glass-fronted balconies and multi-coloured furnishings.
The restaurant has a buffet set-up, with show-cooking stations and Ibizan specialities on the menu. Floor-to-ceiling windows open up panoramas of the horizon at mealtimes.
The Grupotel Ibiza Beach Resort has direct access to the beach via steps and is only 200m from local bars and restaurants. The hotel also has a trendy lounge bar where, a few nights a week, live entertainment accompanies after-dinner cocktails.
All-Inclusive
TUI Sensatori Ibiza is in a standout spot on the White Isle. It comes with a great beachfront setting and brilliant sunset views. The resort has a look and feel that’s in keeping with the natural beauty of the local area with chalk-white painted buildings and accents of local cobbled stone are present throughout the complex.
The hotel has six pools available, including an adults-only pool with built-in loungers and a splash pool just for children.
For dinner with a view, head to the rooftop Sunset Restaurant & Lounge Bar, which plates up Mediterranean favourites like tapas and paella. There’s also Italian, Pan-American, sushi and other speciality restaurants available.
Double rooms offer extras like a sea view or a terrace with a hydro-massage whirlpool. For a little extra, you can book a swim-up room. Many of these rooms can be reserved in the adults-only section of the resort. If you’re here with children, family rooms are available, too.
Menorca
Menorca is one of the quieter Balearic Islands and is perfect for a tranquil escape. The island has lots of family run restaurants, enticing coves and shallow beaches which are sure to make your Menorca holiday a memorable one.
Son Bou is a small resort on the south coast of Menorca and has a long beach with shallow water. The two-kilometre stretch of sand is lined by dunes which separate you from the world behind you. Most restaurants in Son Bou provide children’s menus, and there are plenty of activities for youngsters adding to the family-friendly vibe.
As with many Menorcan towns, Santo Tomas is very laid back. There’s plenty of space on the beach and sunbeds available to hire. In less than an hour, you can get to Menorca’s capital, Mahon, where you can explore the beautiful Santa Maria Cathedral or enjoy a tipple at the 18th Century Xoriguer Gin Distillery.
Cala’n Bosch is a great spot for families, and it’s sheltered bay makes for a perfect paddling spot for little ones. Near to the marina is Goody Goody Park which has indoor amusement games, bumper cars, trampolines and much more. The resort also has a waterpark, Aquarock Menorca.
Menorca hotels we recommend:
Self-Catering
The Talayot Apartments are a big hit with families due to the wide-range of pools to choose from. Some are lively, others peaceful, and they include one that’s like a river and a children’s splash pool with slides.
There’s entertainment seven nights a week. As well as quiz nights and a mini-disco, there are live music nights. The resort centre of Cala’n Forcat is 800m away, meaning local bars and restaurants are well within walking distance – perfect for a romantic walk home after a memorable evening.
Rooms here come with a kitchenette, lounge and a balcony. You can choose a one bedroom apartment. Or, if you’d like a bit of extra space, two bedroom apartments are also available.
Bed & Breakfast
The Sol Milanos Pinguinos pairs its sandy, seaside postcode with an action-packed list of activities. This hotel has a best-of-both-worlds location. It’s nestled in between one of the longest beaches on Menorca and Son Bou’s shop-filled centre.
The activities list here includes everything from darts and table tennis to minigolf and dance classes. Plus, children can give zip lining, rock climbing and trampolining a go in the fun park.
You’ve got the choice of two pools here – one’s a big, lagoon-like number, and the other’s a smaller, rectangular option where you can play water polo. If you’d prefer to splash around in the sea, you can spend the day on the nearby beach. It’s a few yards from the pool courtyard.
Sol Milanos Pinguinos is within walking distance to shops, bars and restaurants.
All-Inclusive
TUI BLUE Grupotel Turquesa Mar puts family fun at the top of the agenda. The activity line-up is jam-packed. In the summer, you can hire bikes or take the kids for a swimming lesson at the Swim School. Plus, the pool scene includes a kids’ splash zone with mini-slides and fountains.
There are two beaches within 10 minutes’ walk. If you pick the white-sand cove at Cala’n Bosch, you can easily stroll over to a marina full of restaurants and tapas bars in a matter of minutes.
At The Taverna, you’ll be able to sample the local flavours and enjoy some traditional Spanish and Menorcan cuisine, alongside your usual home-from-home favourites. Just so you know, one visit per week is included in your holiday. Themed evenings are the buffet restaurant’s forte, with special mini buffets for children.
Facility-wise, this place has plenty to keep kids and adults happy. There’s a handful of outdoor pools, plus a paddling spot just for little ones. The main pool is crossed by a bridge, and comes with a raised whirlpool bath to one side.
Still undecided? Take our fun quiz!
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