Balearic Islands Travelers Recommend

With three days to dedicate to the island of Mallorca, you can spot dolphins, go kayaking, or cruise off the coast; see the historic highlights of Palma de Mallorca; and enjoy full-day excursions to the island’s many vineyards, villages, and beaches. Here’s how to make the best of three days in Mallorca.

Day 1: Explore the Island

Get an early start to explore the streets of the capital, Palma de Mallorca, taking time to grab a typical breakfast of tostada con tomate (tomato-topped toast) on the way. First-time visitors looking to orient themselves may prefer the ease of a hop-on hop-off bus, which typically passes by landmarks such as Mallorca Cathedral and Bellver Castle. Or, get some exercise as well as insight with a guided city bike ride—tours often are suited to all ability levels.

Alternatively, skip the city and take a full-day island tour instead. Excursions typically focus on the north or west coasts, and often incorporate village visits, boat rides, and time to enjoy the striking natural beauty of the island. Round out your first day with a sunset dinner cruise in the bay or, if you’re traveling with children, board the pirate boat for a live show.

Day 2: Play to Your Interests

Reconnect with your personal interests in Mallorca on day two. Food lovers can opt for culinary and cultural walking tours—which typically introduce places and dishes you might otherwise not have discovered—or get hands-on in a cooking class. Paella is a favorite dish. Meanwhile, would-be sommeliers can venture into Mallorcan wine country for vineyard visits and abundant wine tasting opportunities on half-day excursions.

If immersive food and drink experiences aren’t for you on day two, take to the water—snorkeling trips, scuba diving lessons, and standup paddleboarding are just some of the outdoorsy options available. After an active second day in Mallorca, try classic Spanish tapas for dinner. Taking a tapas tour is ideal if you find the tapas options overwhelming—plus, you usually get a free drink with every order.

Day 3: Get Back to Nature

On day three make the most of Mallorca’s abundant nature and wildlife. Head out to sea for a dolphin- and whale-watching tour or visit multiple beaches with the help of a beach-hopping boat tour. There are also hassle-free, half-day excursions to places such as the Caves of Drach and the Serra Tramuntana. Take a full-day hiking tour to discover hidden spots most visitors do not discover on their own. If you still have the energy for it, finish the day with a privileged bird’s-eye view over the island during a hot air balloon ride.

Most visitors to Mallorca (Majorca) plan on plenty of time relaxing on white sandy beaches lapped by clear, turquoise water. As the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca boasts miles of coastline prime for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Here are some of the island’s best beaches. 

Alcudia

The largest beach in the Balearic Islands, Alcudia features 4 miles (7 kilometers) of soft white sand along the northern coast, backed by the Port d’Alcúdia resort and other hotels. Shallow water and ample facilities like restaurants, beach bars, parking, and chair rentals make this a popular and family-friendly beach. 

Es Trenc

More remote than other beaches and not attached to any resort, Es Trenc is still within easy driving distance from Palma and offers unspoiled scenery plus amenities including restrooms, lifeguards, and restaurants nearby. Take a break from sunbathing to look for migratory birds and other wildlife in the neighboring wetlands and sand dunes along the south shore.

Cala Formentor

This beautiful, narrow beach stretches between a pine forest and the shallow, clear water of a bay that’s ideal for swimming and water sports. Many boat tours stop here, and you can rent a Jet Ski or water skis for a high-speed aquatic adventure. The beach’s popularity can mean steeper prices for parking and rentals, but it’s an essential stop on any Mallorcan beach itinerary.

Sa Calobra

Escape the crowds at this secluded beach tucked into a cove on Mallorca’s northwestern shore. Stellar scenery and a castaway feel are the reward for the journey here, including a drive on winding mountain roads and a hike along a rocky stretch and through a well-lit tunnel. Be sure to bring everything you need, as there are no facilities at this far-flung beach paradise. 

Ibiza attracts partygoers from across the world keen to revel under the Spanish sun. And with around 80 beaches to choose from. there are plenty of options—there’s even room on the sand for some rest and relaxation. See below for info on some of Ibiza’s top beaches.

Cala Conta

With turquoise waters, white sand, welcoming beach bars, and spectacular coastal views, Cala Conta is widely considered one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in the Balearic Islands. Take to the waves by stand-up paddleboard and watch silver fish darting through the water below, then catch the sunset with a cocktail in hand as DJs spin relaxing beats on the beach. In summer, you can reach Cala Conta by ferry, which departs regularly from the harbor in San Antonio.

Cala Xarraca

Cala Xarraca sits on Ibiza’s northern shore, in one of the most remote and untouched corners of the island. Flanked by tall pine forests, Cala Xarraca offers everything an outdoor adventurer could ask for. Snorkel among colorful schools of fish, cast a line for blue marlin, or follow rugged hiking trails up into the high hillsides for sweeping coastal views. Isolated Cala Xarraca can be accessed only by road, and sits on the route to Portinatx.

Cala Bassa

Whether you’re looking for sun-soaked relaxation or adrenaline-fueled adventure, you’ll find it at Cala Bassa—one of the most popular beaches in Ibiza. Drop anchor to paddleboard or swim in the shallow waters, rent a private cabin to soak up the sunshine in peace, sip cocktails in the beach clubs, or dive off the high cliffs into the Mediterranean Sea.

Cala Martina

If it’s peace and quiet you want, Cala Martina is your oasis. It sits off the beaten track to the south of bustling Es Canar, offering visitors a wonderfully private feel. There’s plenty of opportunity for water sports like sailing and windsurfing, but Cala Martina remains most popular for those keen to relax with a book and watch the sultry sea.

Playa d’en Bossa

Party animals flock to the mile-long Playa d’en Bossa, keen to enjoy the vibrant bars, clear waters, and lively atmosphere for which this stretch of shoreline is famous. The largest beach on Ibiza, Playa d’en Bossa offers cocktail-fueled fun all day long. Beachside bars welcome thirsty revelers who enjoy all the sun, sand, and surf they can handle. You can reach Playa d’en Bossa easily by car, bicycle, or bus from Ibiza Town, only 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away.

Ibiza may be best known for its beaches and nightlife, but there’s much more to the Balearic island than that. From history and food to kayaking and cruises, here’s how to spend three days in Ibiza. 

Day 1: On Land

Spend the morning orienting yourself in Dalt Villa, Ibiza’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town; get an insider’s perspective on a walking, bike, or scooter tour. After lunch in town, rent a scooter and head out on your own, or go off-road on a Jeep tour to Ibiza’s more secluded beaches—set aside a couple of hours to spend on a white-sand beach as you’ll want to relax a bit before an evening of partying Ibiza-style. There’s no shortage of places to dance and drink on the island, but some of the best clubs can be found in Playa d’en Bossa, San Antonio, and Ibiza Town.

Day 2: In the Water

Dedicate today to enjoying the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Choose your own adventure—spend the day beach hopping around the island, learn how to scuba dive in turquoise waters, kayak to Xarraca Bay, Jet Ski in San Antonio Bay, or parasail high above the island. No matter how you choose to spend your day, wind down with a sunset catamaran cruise along Ibiza’s coastline; some cruises feature an open bar, which allows you to sip cocktails and sample Spanish tapas as the sun begins to set.  

Day 3: Fabulous Formentera

Devote your final day to exploring the neighboring island of Formentera, known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels worlds away from the clubs of the White Isle. Most day trips include round-trip boat rides, opportunities to swim and snorkel in the Mediterranean, and lunch either onboard the boat or at a beachfront restaurant. Some excursions also stop at Espalmador Island, an uninhabited islet that sits between Ibiza and Formentera. For the ultimate day of relaxation, opt for a private tour by luxury catamaran. 

From long, sandy stretches dotted with boats to hidden, cliff-ringed bays, tiny Menorca offers seemingly endless options to swim, sail, and soak up the Mediterranean sun, all in a more relaxed setting than glitzy Ibiza. Here are some of the island’s best beaches to help you find your bliss. 

Cala Macarella

Considered one of Menorca's most beautiful beaches, Macarella offers an undeveloped cove of turquoise water surrounded by pine trees and cliffs. Enjoy some of the best views on the island on a cliff-top walk between Macarella and the smaller, neighboring beach of Macarelleta, frequented by nude sunbathers.

Punta Prima

Head to Menorca’s southeasternmost point for one of the island’s top water sports destinations. Fringed by resorts, this long sandy crescent is also one of the island’s largest beaches, with plenty of room to drop a towel and umbrella. It’s a great launch point for windsurfing and sailing, and calm waters attract flocks of swimmers. Just be wary of occasional strong currents, and look for a green flag signaling that it's safe to swim.

Cala Turqueta

Found on the southern shore of Ciutadella, this secluded cove is just a short drive from one of Menorca’s main cities. A 15-minute hike down a rocky trail leads to a white sandy beach and clear, shallow waters. Try to arrive early, as the parking lot fills up in summer.

Cala Mitjana

Beloved by locals and tourists alike, this gorgeous, clean beach on the island’s southern shore offers a slice of white sand leading into a pristine blue cove, all surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Get here via a short walk from the parking lot, or arrive in style on a boat, kayak, or jet ski. 

Es Grau

Tucked into a protected nature reserve on Menorca’s sleepy north coast, this family-friendly beach abuts the fishing village of the same name. Rent a sea kayak or swim in shallow waters along the expansive shoreline. Make a day of it by exploring the nearby S’Albufera wetlands and getting a taste of Menorcan cuisine at a village tavern.

Ibiza has a well-earned reputation as Spain’s party capital, but it also appeals to beach lovers and outdoor adventurers. With only one day on the island, you’ll still have enough time to get a taste of history, nature, and nightlife. Here’s how.

Morning: Around Town

Spend your morning in Ibiza getting your bearings. Depending on your travel style, take a self-guided tour of some of the island’s hidden gems; pedal through the Old Town on a bike tour; soak up the scenery on an off-road Jeep tour; or join a local to see a side of Ibiza that most first-time visitors miss. Consider a private tour that allows you to customize your itinerary so you don’t miss anything on your must-see list.

Afternoon: On the Water

No trip to the Balearic Islands would be complete without spending some time on the water, and this afternoon is your opportunity to do so. See the island from above while parasailing, take a speedboat cruise along the coast, or get active during an afternoon of wakeboarding, flyboarding, or kayaking. The White Isle also boasts many pristine beaches, so you could also soak up the sun on Cala Bassa or Cala Comte.

Night: Party in Ibiza

After the sun goes down, find out why Ibiza is internationally renowned for its nightlife. Kick off your evening with a sunset sail on a catamaran with an open bar and then make your way to one of the island’s clubbing resorts—Playa d’en Bossa, San Antonio, and Ibiza Town are top picks. If you’re visiting in summer, be sure to see which famous DJs are spinning on the island, or for a quieter evening, head to Santa Eulalia on the east coast for dinner and a nightcap. 

While visitors tend to flock to Menorca for its beaches first and foremost, this pocket-size Balearic gem offers plenty more. With three days at your disposal, there’s time to enjoy its pretty towns, prehistoric relics, and sleepy countryside, as well as sailing trips and water sports. Here’s how to get the most out of 72 hours on Menorca.

Day 1: Sea, Sands, and Sailing

Devote day one to Menorca’s top draws: the sandy coves and turquoise waters that offer up all manner of water-sports opportunities and the chance to simply lounge in the sun. Take a Jet Ski tour to whiz past beaches and bays, join a boat trip, or choose a kayaking tour to learn how to paddle and follow a guide to hidden coves and swim stops. In the afternoon, take a catamaran trip—it’s a relaxing way to enjoy the coast and access bays perfect for snorkeling. Alternatively, swap the beach for a spot of culture at the Binissues Natural Sciences Museum. Set in the countryside, this indoor-outdoor attraction showcases traditional life with craft demos, re-enactments, and food tastings. Come dusk, view the sunset and the island from the water on an evening sailboat cruise.

Day 2: Getting Out and About

Now that you’ve enjoyed Menorca’s beaches, delve into its towns, countryside, and sights. Get an all-round picture on a grand tour that covers highlights such as historical Ciutadella, Mt. Toro, and the island’s megalithic sites—ancient stones left by the Talaiotic peoples around 3,000 years ago. If you prefer to explore independently, rent a scooter for the day to zip around Menorca’s country lanes and villages. Outdoor enthusiasts, meanwhile, can hike the Cami de Cavalls footpath that winds along Menorca’s southern coast. Or, if you’re hungry for adventure, take off on a Jeep safari, heading off-road to discover secret coves and gorges and checking out landmarks such as the Cavalleria lighthouse.

Day 3: Water Sports and Water Parks

Menorca’s beaches and water sports beckon again today. Go all out for thrills with a high-in-the-air flyboarding session, or try snorkeling with a motorized sea-scooter to expand your exploring range and speed effortlessly through the water. Alternatively, book a stand-up paddleboarding tour—learning the technique from an instructor and discovering coves inaccessible from land—or opt for luxury on a private catamaran cruise along the island’s rugged coast. For family fun, make tracks for Menorca’s water parks. If you haven’t already taken a catamaran trip, save it for tonight—cutting through the waves and watching the sunset over drinks and nibbles. Alternatively, go restaurant-hopping at Menorca’s seaside towns—perhaps hitting Mahon or Ciutadella for the pick of harborfront eateries.

Two days on the third-largest Balearic Island give you plenty of time to enjoy spectacular beaches, party hard at a nightclub, and get off the beaten track. Here’s how to make the most of two days in Ibiza.

Day 1: Outdoor Adventure

**Morning:**Devote your first morning to exploring the island. Take a Jeep tour to discover off-road natural wonders or rent a scooter and explore the island at your own pace. A speedboat cruise also offers a fun introduction to the island, and allows you to escape the crowds on land. 

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon cooling off in the Mediterranean Sean. Take a kayaking tour of Xarraca Bay; discover Mediterranean marine life while snorkeling or scuba diving; or zip through the waters of San Antonio Bay on a Jet Ski. For a bird’s eye view of the island, opt for an afternoon of parasailing.

**Night:**Conclude your day with a sunset catamaran cruise along the coast. Many excursions include an open bar, so that you can enjoy a drink and some Spanish tapas as you sail.

Day 2: Culture & Nightlife

**Morning:**Dedicate this moring to Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn more about the city’s history on a walking or biking tour, or get fit and oriented on a running tour of Ibiza Town.

**Afternoon:**Explore Ibiza through the lens of your personal interests this afternoon. Learn to make the island’s traditional liqueur during a hands-on hierbas workshop, unwind at a yoga class, or learn about the medicinal plants of the Mediterranean on a foraging walk.

**Night:**Spend your final evening at one of the island’s pulsating nightclubs. You’ll find the heaviest concentration of options in Playa d’en Bossa on the east coast, San Antionio on the west coast, or Ibiza Town itself.

There are few better ways to explore Ibiza than by scooter. You can zip around the hilly terrain without so much as breaking a sweat, enjoy that wind-in-your-hair sensation, and find parking spots easily, even in busy locations. Here are your options for Ibiza scooter tours. 

Highlights

• Opt for an independent scooter rental to design your own itinerary and navigate your way around the beautiful island of Ibiza. 

• Weave through Ibiza Town’s Old Town (Dalt Vila), a UNESCO World Heritage–listed enclave surrounded by 16th-century walls.

• Cruise along the Mediterranean coastline from beach to beach, and admire views of the rock island of Es Vedrà. 

• Discover rural inland Ibiza, following quiet roads that lead to one-church villages and hilltop hamlets, stopping for a traditional lunch and passing by pine forests, vineyards, and sleepy farming towns along the way.

• Take a self-guided scooter tour around Ibiza’s sleepier sister island, Formentera, traveling to hideaway beaches, Las Salinas National Park, traditional towns, and Roman ruins. 

Two days in Menorca gives you time to explore the countryside, try out watersports, and discover the island’s historic towns, ruins, and culture. See below for how to get the best from two days on this small yet adventure-filled island.

Day 1: Sights and Heritage

**Morning:**Familiarize yourself with Menorca on an island tour, which lets you skip the hassle of car hire. Tours typically cover highlights such the wetlands of Albufera Natural Park, Mt. Toro, and Mahon, the capital.  For extra adventure, ride a Jeep to hidden coves and lighthouses, or hike part of the Cami de Cavalls coastal path.

**Afternoon:**Devote the afternoon to uncovering Menorca’s traditional culture at the Binnisues Natural Sciences Museum. This indoor-outdoor museum brings bygone ways to life with exhibitions, re-enactments, folkloric shows, and food tastings. Otherwise, rent a scooter and go off the beaten track to uncover remote villages and beaches.

**Evening:**Menorca’s sunsets are something special and boats make prime viewpoints. Cap your day on a sailboat cruise to savor drinks and nibbles as you absorb the sundowner views. If you prefer staying on land, book a table at one of the island’s many waterfront restaurants. 

Day 2: Aquatic Adventure

**Morning:**Today’s all about fun in the sun. Jump on a Jet Ski to zoom across the waves, or opt for a gentler kayak or boat trip along the southern coast. Alternatively, use Menorca’s calm and clear waters to try out adventurous watersports such as flyboarding, stand-up paddle boarding, and snorkeling with a handheld, motorized seascooter.

**Afternoon:**Continue the water-based activities this afternoon at one of Menorca’s family-oriented waterparks. Ride the lazy river and slides at Splash park, or book an admission-ticket-and-transfer tour to AquaCenter, so you can dive into the fun without worrying about transportation.

**Evening:**After an action-packed day, spend the evening enjoying the island’s rustic, seafood-based cuisine. Cherry-pick a fish restaurant along Mahon’s harborfront or take a romantic table in Ciutadella’s backstreets.

Even with just one day in Menorca, it’s possible to enjoy the highlights of the Balearic island. From a rugged coast and sandy coves to pretty ports and action-packed waterparks, here’s how to experience the best of Menorca during a 1-day stay.

Morning: Ocean Waves and Country Ways

Surrounded entirely by the Mediterranean Sea, Menorca has a myriad ways to enjoy the beach and sea. Rent a Jet Ski and zoom past the south-coast beaches, or join a cruise that drops anchor at a series of secluded bays. Go deeper during a sea scooter snorkeling adventure, which involves a handheld propulsion device that lets you go faster and deeper. 

Menorca has lots for landlubbers, too—take a Jeep tour around the rugged countryside or join a sightseeing tour that covers gems such as the whitewashed village of Fornells and medieval Ciutadella.

Afternoon: Slides and Scooters

Menorca’s family fun isn’t confined to beaches and boats; it takes center stage at the island’s family-friendly waterparks. Dive into Splash, which boasts the Black Hole chute and other high-speed adventures, or enjoy the giant slides of the Aqua Center near Cala’n Blanes— opt for a package that includes round-trip transport and admission tickets for maximum convenience. To set your own sightseeing schedule, hire a scooter and follow Menorca’s country lanes, delving into the historic capital of Mahon or seeking out secluded coves.

Evening: Sunset Sails

As dusk falls, catch sunset views on an early-evening cruise from Fornells. Opt for a small-group sailboat trip for a more intimate experience, and watch coastal lights flicker into life over onboard drinks and snacks. Alternatively, choose a later-start catamaran cruise to add a frisson of after-dark romance. 

If you prefer a classic drinks-dinner night out, stroll along the seafront and you’ll find abundant waterside restaurants, bars, and clubs. Up the pace in Mahon or west-coast Ciutadella— both have harbors alive with seafood eateries, cafes, and music spots.