Balearics · May to October
The Balearic Islands: which one to choose
Mallorca, with its mountains and stone villages; Menorca, with its unspoilt coves; Ibiza, between partying and the quiet corners of the north; and Formentera, with its crystal-clear water: four very different islands a short flight from the mainland.
Updated 20 October 2026 · How we make our guides
Mallorca
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SpainMallorca
The largest of the islands: the Serra de Tramuntana, a World Heritage Site, turquoise coves and stone villages.
What to see in Mallorca -
SpainPalma de Mallorca
The cathedral above the sea, Bellver Castle and an old town of courtyards and narrow lanes.
What to see in Palma de Mallorca -
SpainSóller
A valley of orange groves reached by a wooden train from Palma, with its port close by.
What to see in Sóller -
SpainValldemossa
A stone village in the mountains with the charterhouse where Chopin and George Sand spent a winter.
What to see in Valldemossa
Menorca
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SpainMenorca
A biosphere reserve with unspoilt coves, the Camí de Cavalls path that circles the island and Talayotic settlements.
What to see in Menorca -
SpainCiutadella
The old capital, with stone streets and a narrow harbour, and the Sant Joan festivities in June.
What to see in Ciutadella -
SpainMahón
One of the largest natural harbours in the world and a town with British heritage and a gin-making tradition.
What to see in Mahón
Ibiza and Formentera
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SpainIbiza
Dalt Vila, the walled upper town, coves, sunsets and nightlife; the north is much quieter.
What to see in Ibiza -
SpainFormentera
Crystal-clear water, Ses Illetes and an island to explore by bike or scooter. It can only be reached by boat from Ibiza.
What to see in Formentera
Frequently asked questions
Which Balearic island should you choose?
Mallorca for a first visit, for its variety; Menorca for coves and peace; Ibiza for nightlife or sunsets; and Formentera for the clearest water, combined with Ibiza.
Which is best for children?
Menorca, for its calm coves and slow pace, and Mallorca, for its variety of beaches and things to do.
How do you get from one island to another?
By ferry or on short flights. Formentera can only be reached by boat from Ibiza, in under an hour.
When should you go?
May to October for the beach; June and September have a warm sea and fewer people than July and August.
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Reviewed 20 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Paul Stephenson (CC BY 2.0), Wikimedia Commons.