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Guide to the Balearic Islands

Guide to the Balearic Islands

Balearic Isles Contents Introduction 1 , , and 8 Getting around 14 United Intineraries: Kingdom Mallorca 15 Menorca 22 Ibiza and Formentera 28 London City visits: Palma 32 Mahón 35 Ciutadella 37 Ibiza 41 Leisure and entertainment 44 Useful addresses 48 Paris

France

Bay of Biscay

Spain

Portugal Madrid

Lisbon

Balearic Isles

Mediterranean Sea

Atlantic Ocean Morocco B a r ce lo n Cap de Cavalleria a Cala Pregonda IslasBalearic Baleares Isles Cap Gros Punta Rodona Punta Nati Fornells

723 Cap de Favàritx 721 Cala Blanca es Gran Cap de Catalunya Cap de Formentor Pta. del Esperó Cap de Artrutx Cala Sta. Cala Sant Vicenç Galdana Maó Playa de Punta Beca Port de Badia de Pollença Cala en Porter Sant Lluís Villacarlos Pollença Cap des Pinar MENORCA Binibèquer Cala d´Alcaufar Pollença AIRE Cap de Menorca Cap des Bisbe A AN Badia Cap de Ferrutx NT U 712 d'Alcudia 710 M Port de Sóller A Can Picafort Cap des Freu TR Deià Sóller E Cala Rajada Punta de sa Foradada D Inca Muro Son Serra A Playa de Son R R Artà IE Alaró 713 Sta. Margalida Cap Vermell S Bunyola Sant Llorenç Cala de Ses Ortigues des Cardassar Petra 711 Badia de Son Servera SA sa Cabaneta MAR PALMA 715 Portocristo MALLORCA Calvià 714 s'Arenal Cala Magraner Magaluf Santa Ponça Portocolom Cap de Cala Figuera Campos s'Algar MEDITERRÁNEO Barc Badia 717 e lona T de Palma arragona sa Rápita Santanyi Portopetro Punta de Cala Beltrán Colònia de Sant Jordi Cap de ses Salines Freu de Cabrera

CONILLERA Parque Nacional Cap de Portinatx Punta des Moscarter allorca Ibiza Marítimo-Terrestre CABRERA Balansat Archipiélago de Cabrera Punta des Jonc Cap d´Aubarca Sant Joan Baptista Palma de M TAGOMAGO Sant Miquel Sant Carles Punta Prima Denia Santa Eulària des Riu CONILLERA 731 733 Platja de Sta. Eulàlia Valencia Cap des Llibrell Sant Josep IBIZA Ibiza (Eivissa) FreewayAutovía HistoricRuinas ruinshistóricas (EIVISSA) Sant Jordi “B”Ctra. Road Red básica 2º orden CaveCueva N Cap Llentrisca LocalCarretera Road local CampCamping site Cap des Falcó Denia S´ESPARDELL RailwayFerrocarril GolfCampo course de golf S'ESPALMADOR MonasteryMonasterio PanoramicVista panorámica view es Pujols AirportAeropuerto NationalParque NacionalPark Punta de sa Pedrera Punta Prima CastleCastillo SpaBalneario sa Savina Sant Francesc de Formentera MonumentMonumento MarinaPuerto deportivo Cala Saona Punta de sa Creu FORMENTERA el Pilar de la Mola Punta Rotja Escala 1:1.000.000 Cap de Barbària 10 0 10 20 30 Km.

C/Conde de la Cimera N¼ 4 © Cartografía digital 28040 Madrid Tfno. 5536033 Año 1999 There are those who maintain that there is no such thing at all as the Balearic Isles. Nestling in the western Mediterranean, halfway between the , the south of and the north of Africa, the Balearic archipelago is made up of a string of islands which, while obviously forming a clear geographical entity, are marked by as many points of disparity as similarity. One of the reasons for these differences is doubtless due to the historical imprint that has been left engraved on each island: Ibiza, impregnated by a lasting Carthaginian and Moorish influence; Mallorca, heir to a pronounced Roman presence; and Menorca which to this day bears the traces of long years of English occupation.

The islands’ respective topographies are at once alike and different, as are the kinds of tourism they receive. The Mallorcan summer season is, in general, a more sophisticated and less tranquil affair than that of Menorca, while in Ibiza the accent is definitely on nightlife. Although such simplistic clichés are often rather casual with the truth, the above definitions contain an undeniable basis of hard fact.

Mallorca. Cala Fornells

1 The archipelago has become a Ibiza. D’en Bossa tourist industry giant and the numerous islets, the most leading holiday destination in notable of which is, without a the western Mediterranean. The shadow of a doubt, Cabrera, islands boast an excellent officially declared a Sea & Land combination of elegant summer National Park. Together, the resorts, coves and , to islands cover a surface area of a say nothing of the many little over 5,000 square fascinating places hidden away kilometres and have 1,239 in the interior. kilometres of coastline.

The Balearics are made up of The Balearics, also formally three major islands: Mallorca, known as Illes Balears, is an Menorca, Ibiza (Eivissa) plus Autonomous Region with its Formentera, as well as own governing Authority. There are 17 such Autonomous Regions in Spain. The island institutions are the Balearic

2 Regional Authority, the Balearic within reach of public transport. Parliament and the three island However, most visitors to the Councils, namely, those of archipelago favour car rental as Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza & their chosen form of transport. Formentera. The Balearic Isles have a The larger islands are permanent population of over interconnected by plane and 700,000, almost half of whom , and a busy schedule of live in the capital, Palma. The direct flights links each of their city is situated 132 miles from airports with principal Barcelona and 140 from destinations around Europe. Valencia, with daily plane- and Only Mallorca has a rail service, ferry-services covering the yet each island operates a crossing to and from the comprehensive bus and coach mainland. Ibiza and Menorca network that puts all points Menorca. Cala Font harbour

3 have approximately 80,000 and Dragonera Island 65,000 inhabitants respectively. attractive tourist destination for Although the islands enjoy a the inhabitants of Northern mild, classically Mediterranean Europe, unaccustomed as they climate, this is characterised by are to such conditions. typically insular features, such as the high humidity. It is this Fresh water was traditionally factor that accounts for the drawn to the surface by means marked differences in the of windmills, which stand seasonal temperature range. silhouetted against the skyline, Temperatures vary from an forming a characteristic island average of around 19.5ºC in backdrop to irrigated farmland spring, to 27ºC in summer, areas, particularly on Mallorca. 20.5ºC in autumn and 15ºC in This placid landscape, dotted winter. average here and there with windmills temperature for the group as a (now fallen idle), can still be whole is in the region of 17ºC, seen in the Pla de Sant Jordi, with negligible inter-island Campos, Muro and sa Pobla differences. districts. Over the course of the calendar year, the Balearics enjoy The most developed industries something like 300 days in the Balearics and those of sunshine, a circumstance having the greatest impact which makes them an especially abroad are undoubtedly those engaged in the production of Ibiza

5 footwear, costume jewellery, island known to the outside furniture and cultured pearls, world. Numerous European the latter two being chiefly artists and writers were concentrated in the Manacor subsequently drawn to the district. islands and were struck by their evocative and varied scenery. However, the revolution that Scores of travel books and a has most profoundly affected considerable number of the islands’ economic and social paintings have not only structures in the entire course of immortalised the period but their history has come from the have come down to us as a post-50s tourist boom. The testimony of that time. vanguard of the current wave of tourists appeared in the 19th Thanks to the clement climate, century, when eminent scenic beauty and special quality travellers, such as Georges Sand, of light, the Balearic Isles were Chopin and the Archduke chosen by numerous writers, Ludwig Salvator of Austria first painters and artists of all kinds visited Mallorca and, through as the place where they could their literary works, contributed develop their art to making the beauty of the Conejera Island

6 form in an atmosphere of the gleaming, whitewashed peace and quiet. In the title he cubes of Ibiza recall the passage gave to one of his works, of the Carthaginians who, in Santiago Rusiñol referred to their wake, left exotic-looking Mallorca as, La isla de la calma houses redolent with the feel (Isle of Calm). It was in the and atmosphere of the towns fifties and, more particularly, in and villages of North Africa. the sixties when the tourist Menorca, for its part, conserves boom really took off. the indelible, unmistakeable stamp of British colonial rule Apart from the standard hotel- (1713–1782). type accommodation on offer, a complementary range of top- quality lodging has been developed -in the form of marinas, golf courses, country cottages and the like- which holds out the possibility of relaxing well away from the main tourist centres.

Despite the many buildings erected in recent decades to cater for the steady influx of tourists who arrive all year round, the Balearics preserve a rich store of traditional architecture, a legacy of their folk heritage. Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza provide examples of an architecture which, though rooted in tradition, stems from diverse origins. Mallorca, altogether more seigneurial, presents dwellings whose layouts are reminiscent of the villas of classical Rome. Alongside these,

Mallorca. and the City of Palma

7 close on 5,000 ft. in the shape Mallorca, of Puig Major, mountain Menorca, Ibiza scenery can be enjoyed at its and Formentera purest. Situated in this, the steepest part of the island, are Each of the Balearic Isles has towns as picturesque as features that distinguish it from Valldemossa, Sóller and Deià. In its neighbours and more than addition to its rugged sufficient individual appeal to landscape, Mallorca’s northern justify a visit. Mallorca, the corniche, carved and sculpted largest, is home to Palma, by a mountain range that Balearic capital and seat of the parallels the coast for over one Regional Authority. Palma is a hundred kilometres, is the site modern, cosmopolitan city, of attractive coves and beach with its image as Spain’s resorts, such as Cala de Deià, summer capital reinforced and Port de Sóller, Cala Tuent and sa enhanced by the official Calobra. presence, over the vacation period, of the Spanish Royal The hinterland, eminently Family, as well as other leading agrarian, has little in common figures in politics, culture and with the typically tourist image the performing arts. of the island and serves as a constant reminder of the Of all the islands, Mallorca is reason for Mallorca’s being the one that offers most dubbed the “Isle of Calm”. As a possibilities to the tourist. It result of having received far less enjoys a wide variety of scenery. tourist influence, this area is In the Tramuntana Range, not only more given to rising to its maximum height of conserving the old ways but is outstanding for the richness of its scenery and architecture. The south of Mallorca is more arid, and is home to some of the most beautiful of the island’s beaches, that of ses Covetes and es Trenc, as well as the beaches of Mondragó, Cala Figuera and Cala Santanyí.

Mallorca. Can Picafort

8 On the eastern coast of the Menorca. Cabo Fornells island, apart from those calas (creeks or coves), such as Cala on the island. Both the Cala de Mesquida, Cala Agulla or Cala San Vicenç and the Formentor Torta, that are still relatively peninsula are “musts”. unexploited, one can visit a series of impressive caves: Artà, A further tourist Mecca on this in Canyamel; Drac, with its same north-east coast is large subterranean lake; and Alcúdia, with the special Hams, in Portocristo. attraction of its old town wall, the Roman city of Pollentia and Another of Mallorca’s main well-preserved amphitheatre. tourist areas lies along the The wide crescent of Alcúdia sweeping bays of Alcúdia and Bay is lined with a continuous Pollença that fringe the north- stretch of beach, Can Picafort, eastern shores of the island. Son Serra de Marina and the One of the most important Colònia de Sant Pere being the towns in this part is Pollença bay’s most important holiday itself, popularised by artists and resorts. The area is also site of show-business celebrities. The the s’Albufera Nature Reserve, town harbour, a favourite one of five in the Balearics, haunt among a more “select” namely: Mondragó, in Santanyí; set, is one of the most sa Dragonera, in Andratx; cosmopolitan meeting points

9 s’Albufera des Grau, on Ibiza. Botafoch lighthouse Menorca; and ses Salines on Ibiza and Formentera. of the so-called barrancos or ravines: these are wetlands In terms of surface area, which constitute microclimatic Menorca is the second biggest zones with well-defined fauna of the Balearic Isles. Despite its and flora, totally different from proximity to Mallorca, it anything found on the rest of possesses many distinctive and the island. unique traits. It lies to the Throughout the length and north-east of the group. Unlike breadth of the island, two Mallorca, it is devoid of any schools of architecture are in true highland area. Its one evidence. On the one hand, and only point of any height there is the typically is Mount Toro which, situated Mediterranean, whitewashed in the centre of the island, type of building, and on the rises to a mere 357 m. other, buildings designed in the (just over 1,100 ft.). purest of English styles, a direct consequence of the different By and large, the island’s north periods of British occupation. coast is a sharply indented line of cliffs, with pebbled beaches Menorca possesses an and reddish sands. The more invaluable archaeological regular south coast is made up heritage which has made it into

10 what is tantamount to an open- Balearic Isle lying closest to the air museum. The three main Spanish mainland. The city of types of prehistoric monuments Ibiza, the capital, is also are mausoleums (navetas), popularly known by the name, altar-like taules (or taulas), and Vila. It is perched atop a dwellings and/or look-out posts promontory that dominates the ( or talayots). The taules entire port. Rising above the are the island’s landmark Upper Town are the twin constructions, the significance outlines of the Cathedral and of which archaeologists have Castle. Down below in the thus far been unable to agree Lower Town are the sa Penya upon. and sa Marina Quarters, bustling with the boutiques, Mahón (Maó), the island’s restaurants and shops of all capital, is located at the end of kinds that have made this the an extraordinary three-mile- city’s nerve centre. long roadstead, regarded as one of the best natural Towards the end of the sixties, harbours on the Ibiza became famous thanks to Mediterranean. the hippie movement, which endowed it with the status of a Ibiza, which together with Formentera forms the small Formentera with Ibiza Pitiusas archipelago, is the in the background

11 counterculture paradise. located on the one river (the Enduring legacies of this Balcar) in the entire Balearics movement are the island’s group. ebullient festive side and the so-called “Ad Lib” fashion, Sant Antoni de Portmany is a source of revenue and of second only to the city of Ibiza an image projected to the as the most popular and lively world at large. place on the island. In sharp contrast, the north coast, known as els Amunts, is practically virgin and has scarcely any towns or villages. This coast is rugged and sheer, and offers few points of access.

Formentera, viewed by some as the last bastion of earthly paradise on the Mediterranean, is solely accessible by ferry from Ibiza. It is a tiny island with an area of less than eighty square kilometres, separated from Ibiza by a distance of just 11 Ibiza. Typical architecture miles. Apart from the two rocky promontories of La Mola and Dotting Ibiza’s shoreline are the Cap de Barbaria, it is practically beaches of Talamanca, flat and has just one town, that Figueretes, platja d’en Bossa of Sant Francesc de Formentera. and platja des Cavallet, though Owing to its small size and fine the most famous beach on the sands, Formentera is a magnet whole island is, without a for tourists seeking escape and shadow of a doubt, the wide tranquillity. Fortunately, it has stretch of ses Salines, famed for grown in harmony with the being the first nudist beach in surroundings and its own Spain. resources, and has succeeded in maintaining a balance between The Santa Eulària des Riu area modernity and tradition. is another of the island’s holiday centres. The humped form of the Puig de Missa presides over the town, a town Ibiza. Portinatx

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Getting around quaint electric train which relies mainly on tourists Most tourists visiting the visiting Sóller. The second is Balearic Isles arrive by plane. the Inca railway, the last of a Each of the three major once extensive network of islands, Mallorca, Menorca trains that connected many of and Ibiza, is served by an Mallorca’s towns. international airport, linked by direct flights to Europe’s Coaches and rental cars are main capital cities. Palma the most usual means of Airport, Son Sant Joan transport for tourists visiting ( 971 78 90 99), is not only the islands. Tariffs are very the biggest locally but one of economical and there is a the chief tourist airports in wide range on offer. Europe. It lies eight kilometres from the city centre. There is a The Balearics are covered by bus (No. 17) to the airport comprehensive network of every 20 minutes from the roads. Three toll-free Paseo Mallorca. highways lead from Palma, to Palmanova, Cala Blava and Should travellers decide to go Inca respectively. to Mallorca by ship, the Trasmediterránea ferry line runs a scheduled passenger service ( 902 45 46 45). From Palma, run regularly to Mahón, Ibiza, Valencia and Barcelona. There are only two railway lines in the Balearics, both on Mallorca. One is privately owned and links Palma with Port de Sóller ( 971 75 20 51). It is a

14 Cala de Deià Punta de sa Foradada Deià Itineraries Tex 1064

MALLORCA Banyalbufar Valldemossa Estellencs Esporles Galatzó Cala de 1026 Itinerary 1: Palma, ses Ortigues 710 P. NATURAL Andratx, Estellencs, SA DRAGONERA SIERRA DE Banyalbufar, Esporles, SA DRAGONERA TRAMUNTANAPalma Cala Andratx Palma Sant Elm Calvià Port d'Andratx Paguera PM-1 719 Can Pastilla Cabo d'es Portals Nous Llamp Ensenada de Santa Ponça Palmanova Bahía de This route follows the Palma Santa Ponça Palma-Andratx highway Cala Portals Vells

(PM-1) as far as Andratx, Cabo de Cala Figuera where one takes the C-710 to Banyalbufar, and interesting aspects of the thence on to Esporles and town are the alleys and lanes back to Palma via the PM-10 in the es Quarter, the and PM-12. The excursion Gothic-style church with its involves a roundtrip of approximately 70 kilometres.

For hundreds of years the name of Andratx was associated with fierce resistance to Mediterranean pirate raids and a steady stream of migration to the West Indies. The most

Granja d’Esporles mansion-museum

single aisle and the commanding view from the cemetery. Estellencs, with its steep streets, is perched on a cliffside to the west of the crags of Puig Galatzó . It

Andratx

15 overlooks a picturesque cove. of Valldemossa via the Banyalbufar (from the PM-111, branch off to Deià original Arabic, Ban-al-bahar) from the C-710 to Sóller. is situated on a terraced The return trip from Sóller hillside, amidst irrigated fields to Palma follows the C-711. and orchards. The town has Valldemossa is synonymous several defensive towers, the with a long line of celebrated most notable being the Talaia names. This town inspired (watchtower) de ses Ànimes, Georges Sand, Frédéric known as the Mirador Chopin, Rubén Darío, Miguel (belvedere) de ses Ànimes, de Unamuno and Azorín, from which the entire north- among others. Worth visiting western coast of the island are the Carthusian Monastery, can be seen. Nearby are a known as La Cartuja number of pebbled coves and ( 971 61 21 06) and the inlets. parish church. Outstanding Esporles. In the vicinity of the sights here include the town, a visit can be paid to monastery belfry and cloister, the Granja d’Esporles, a as well as the frescoes painted mansion-cum-ethnographic by Goya’s brother-in-law, Friar museum open to the public Miguel Bayeu. There are many ( 971 61 00 32). Though interesting country estates originally a Cistercian -known in Mallorca as monastery, the Granja later “possessions”- such as Son became a stately home, which nowadays displays an interesting collection of farm implements, utensils and artifacts connected with rural life on Mallorca.

Itinerary 2: Palma, Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller, Palma

The Valldemossa-Sóller route is one of the most popular among tourists to Mallorca. Leaving Palma in the direction

Valldemossa

16 Moragues, Son Gual, sa Coma Deià and Son Mas. A narrow winding road takes one to the Flanked by its graceful belfry Trinitat Hermitage and Port de rebuilt in the 18th century, the Valldemossa. By turning off reconstructed façade of the the access road to the Port, parish church is emblasoned one reaches Caló de s’Estaca, with the seal of the school of an old fishing village. the architect, Antoni Gaudí. A Sóller sits encircled by delightful, old-fashioned tram mountains, in a valley basin ride takes one down to the planted with fruit trees, natural anchorage of Port de orange orchards and olive Sóller, the town’s outlet groves. Close by, the Puig to the sea.

Major massif, the highest Cala de sa Calobra Roig 1000 point on the island, raises its sa Calobra head. The town boasts a Mayor number of palatial 18th- and Port de Sóller 1445

19th-century mansions. Cala de Deià Punta de sa Foradada Sóller Deià Son Marroig Tex 1064 711 710 Inca Banyalbufar Valldemossa Santa Maria 713 Estellencs Esporles del Camí Galatzó 1026 Marratxí Cala de ses Ortigues PM-27 sa Cabaneta P. NATURAL SA DRAGONERA ses Olleries SA DRAGONERA SIERRAPalma DE TRAMUNTANA Cala Andratx 715 Sant Elm Calvià Son Sant Joan Paguera Algaida Port d'Andratx PM-1 719 Can Pastilla PM-19 s'Aranjassa Cabo d'es Portals Nous Platja Llamp Ensenada de Santa Ponça Bahía de de Palma Santa Ponça Palmanova Palma s'Arenal Itinerary 3: Palma, Inca, country fair that brings Pollença, Alcúdia, Palma together people from all over the island. The footwear From Palma to Inca, the route produced hereabouts has to take is the PM-27 highway. brought the town The road into Alcúdia, the international renown. Visitors C-713, is the continuation of are urged to taste a local this same highway. favourite, the savoury oval- shaped biscuits (a distant Inca is the main town in the relative of the traditional district. Bordered by ship’s biscuit) known as the Tramuntana Range and galletes d’Inca. Though Gothic the Pla district, it embraces originally, the Church of Santa towns and villages scattered María la Major (St. Mary over the island’s central plain. Major) was transformed into a The “Dijous” market, the most Baroque edifice in the 18th important in the area, is held century. The cloister of Sant on Thursdays, while the Francesc is Baroque and the second Thursday in November Sant Domingo monastery has heralds in the “Dijous Bo”, a a Baroque portal. The Puig de Santa Magdalena, four kilometres outside Inca, is an old chapel built atop the 1,000-foot outcrop of the Puig d’Inca

Pollença, situated at the foot of the Tramuntana Range, is

dominated by two hills, the Cala de san Vicen

Cala de sa Pollença Port Calobra Roig Polle Pollença. Cala Figuera 1000 710 sa Calobra Alcúdia

Mayor Port de Sóller 1445 PARQUE S´ALB Cala de sa Pobla Deià Punta de sa Foradada Sóller Deià Tex Muro 1064 Lloseta 711 Inca 710 Valldemossa Binissalem Banyalbufar Llubí Santa Maria 713 Estellencs Esporles del Camí Consell Galatzó Sineu 1026 Marratxí Cala de Sencelles ses Ortigues PM-27 sa Cabaneta ses Olleries SIERRAPalma DE TRAMUNTANA Vilafranca Andratx Montuiri de Bonany Calvià 715 Son Sant Joan Algaida Paguera PM-1 719 Can Pastilla PM-19 s'Aranjassa Cabo d'es Portals Nous Platja Llamp Ensenada de Bahía de de Palma Santa Ponça Palmanova Palma s'Arenal Llucmajor Santa Ponça

Cala Portals Vells Cabo Enderrocat Puig de Pollença and the Pollença Bay Calvari (literally, calvary). It is the birthplace of the poet, bridge. A curious sight is the Miguel Costa i Llobera. A stroll Calvari hill, which one ascends through the town’s streets via a long, cypress-bordered brings to light several stone stairway of 365 steps. Only fountains, a charming parish five kilometres from Pollença church, the Roser Vell Oratory is the tranquil resort of Port and the Baroque Monastery of de Pollença, with its small Santo Domingo (St. Dominic’s), beach and select tourism. with its impressive cloister, Alcúdia lies at the base of the 16th-century retable and peninsula separating the Bays 18th-century Valencian organ. of Pollença and Alcúdia. Local On the town’s outskirts highlights include the nearby is a well-preserved Roman ruins of Pollentia, the small amphitheatre, and the enç Cala Figuera remains of the town wall with Cabo Formentor its three gates. The parish Cala Murta FORMENTOR church houses the Chapel of Bahía de rt de Pollença the Santísimo Sacramento ença (Holy Sacrament), with two Port d´Alcúdia interesting retables, one

Bahía de Gothic, the other Baroque. E NATURAL Alcúdia BUFERA Near Alcúdia is Port d’Alcúdia, with its albufera marshland 712 area, the island’s main stretch of wetlands and an officially designated Nature Reserve ( 971 89 22 50).

Petra 715

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714 Itinerary 4: Palma, Algaida, Sineu, Manacor, Cala Rajada, Palma

The Palma-Cala Rajada road (C-715) traverses the whole island and opens out an excellent range of possibilities for the tourist. In Algaida, make sure to take the branch road to Sineu (PM-313), Sineu particularly if it is a Wednesday, the day on which mystic and father figure of the town’s picturesque weekly Catalonian culture, wrote market is held. some of his works. Sineu is undoubtedly the Algaida is a stone’s throw most interesting town in the from the Puig de Randa, the central part of the island. It tiny village of Randa and the was in Sineu that King James oratory of Nuestra Señora de (Jaume) II ordered a Royal Gracia (Our Lady of Grace), Palace built, a palace of which dating from the 15th century. very little now remains. The At the top of the Puig, from town is the site of the majestic which the view is simply Church of Santa María, with breathtaking, stands the Cura the Lion of St. Mark presiding Monastery (Santuario over the stairway. Sineu is a Monasterio de Cura), where town of great elegance, Ramón Llull, the 14th-century

Cala Figuera philosopher, theologian, Cabo Formentor

Cala de Sant Vicenç Cala Murta FORMENTOR Bahía de Port de Pollença Cabo Pinar Cala de sa Pollença Pollença Calobra Roig 1000 sa Calobra 710 Alcúdia Port d'Alcúdia

Mayor Port de Sóller 1445 PARQUE NATURAL S'ALBUFERA Bahía de Alcúdia Cabo Farrutx Cala de Deià sa Pobla Sóller Deià Muro 712 Tex Lloseta Cala Raja 1064 Inca 711 Capdepera Valldemossa Binissalem Llubí Santa Maria 713 Artà del Camí Costitx Consell Sineu C SIERRA DE TRAMUNTANA de Marratxí Sencelles sa Cabaneta Petra Son Servera PM-27 Cala Bon ses Olleries Cala Millo 715 Palma Vilafranca Cuevas Montuiri de Bonany dels Hams 715 Manacor Cala Moreia Son Sant Joan Algaida Cala Morland Portocristo s'Aranjassa Can Pastilla PM-19 Cuevas Platja Bahía de de Palma del Drac Palma notable for its seigneurial recommended in the town, houses, famous Wednesday situated in the district livestock market and cellers 63 kilometres from Palma, is (wine-cellar-type bistros) its medieval walled fortress, offering tasty regional known as the Almudaina, cooking. complete with crenellated Manacor is one of the island’s ramparts. Inside awaits St. industrial centres, with the Saviour’s Church (Santuario de emphasis on furniture, Sant Salvador) and, in the old cultured pearls and objects town at the foot of the walled carved from olive wood. Local hilltop, are the archaeological buildings of note are the museum, the cloister of the Gothic parish church, parts of 17th-century Sant Francesc which were reconstructed in monastery and the parish the same style in the 19th church, built in 1563. Points of century, and the town hall, interest along the coast housed in an old 17th-century include the Colònia de Sant Pere and the beaches of Cala Torta, sa Canova, es Matzocs and es Caló. The local fiestas held in honour of St. Anthony (Sant Antoni) on 17th January are famous, and feature bonfires, cavalcades and processions. Cala Rajada was one of Mallorca’s pioneer tourist resorts. Despite the sweeping Artà. Talayots (prehistoric monuments) changes seen in recent years, this town of seafarers and monastery with a stunning fisherman has lost none of its cloister. old-world charm. This part of Artà. The considerable the coast marks the point number of archaeological where Mallorca is the shortest sites, of which the settlement distance from the of ses Païses is the outstanding neighbouring island of example, bears eloquent Menorca. It is well worth ada testimony to Artà’s rich past. calling ahead in order to The Artà Museum is definitely arrange a tour of the March worth seeing ( 971 82 95 95). family mansion Cueva Another sight to be ( 971 56 30 33). de Artà ona or a 21 da MENORCA Binibèquer Vell is the best- known tourist resort on the Itinerary 1: Mahón, Sant Lluís coast. It was Binibèquer, Cala en Porter, designed along the lines of a Alaior, es Mercadal, Monte small fishing village. Nearby Toro, Fornells, Mahón are the beaches of Binisafúa, Binidalí, Biniparratx and Cala In and around Mahón, one Torret. should take time out to visit Cala en Porter is one of the the impressive natural most popular beaches along harbour, as well as the Menorca’s southern coast and Binibèquer and Cala en Porter is the site of a major resort residential developments. and residential area. From the Inland, Alaior, es Mercadal sea, one can spy Cova den (C-721) and of course Mt. Xoroi, high up in the cliffs and Toro, are all worth the trip. now converted into a The point to make for in the discotheque, the cave that north is the portside town of -legend has it- was once the Fornells (C-723). haven and hideout of a shipwrecked buccaneer. Alaior was founded in 1304

Cala en Porter

22 Cap de Cavalleria Cala Pregonda Punta Rodona Cap Gros Punta Nati Fornells

723 Ciutadella 721 Cap de Favàritx es Mercadal Ferreries Alaior Cala Blanca Cap de Artrutx Cala Sta. Maó Galdana Pta. del Esperó Playa de Son Bou Sant Lluís Cala en Porter Villacarlos Binibèquer Cala d´Alcaufar AIRE Cap des Bisbe

kilometres from Mahón and its dairy industry is the source of most of the brands of cheeses sold under the Mahón seal of origin. Aside from the numerous villas, outstanding sights in the locality include the Hermitage of Sant Llorenç de Binixems, the prehistoric settlement of Torre d’en Gaumés, the Megalithic burial site of Roques Llises and Fornells harbour. Es Mercadal the Palaeochristian Basilica of Son Bou. by James II. Points to see here are the parish Church of Santa Eulàlia (17th century) and the former cloister of the Church of San Diego (17th century), with the quadrangle known as es Pati de sa Lluna (Courtyard of the Moon). Of equal interest is Casa Salort, a noble mansion on the calle Mayor (calle, street). Alaior lies 12

Alaior. Caves

23 Rising from es Mercadal are single factor responsible for its the slopes of Mt. Toro (just greatest growth has been over 1,100 ft.), the highest tourism. Not to be missed here elevation on Menorca. The are the restaurants serving the town is situated at the island’s typical caldereta de langosta geographic centre, midway (caldereta de llagosta - between Mahón and lobster stew made with Ciutadella. It is renowned for peppers, onion, tomato, garlic its food and for producing the and herb liqueur). well-known “albarques”, the shoe typical of Menorca. Itinerary 2: Ciutadella, Fornells. Lying just eight and Ferreries, Cala Galdana a half kilometres off, this small fishing harbour falls Ciutadella, Menorca’s former within the es Mercadal capital, is an ideal “base municipal area. The village camp” for a number of side originally grew up in the trips. The C-721 leads to shadow of the 17th-century Castle of San Antonio, and the Ciutadella

26 Ferreries and, from here, one then takes the PM-714 to Cala Galdana, the chief tourist resort in the area.

Ferreries, at roughly 462 ft. above sea , is the highest town on Menorca. Grouped around the Church of Sant Bartomeu (1870) are the town’s oldest buildings. Aside from Cala Galdana, the Cala Galdana municipal boundaries encompass the beaches of area. Curving along the river Cala Calderer, Cala Moragues mouth at the point where it and Cala del Pilar. On the opens out from the Algendar Santa Agueda hillside lie the barranco, this is one of the ruins of the Moorish Castle of most popular beaches on Sent Agayz, and the remains Menorca. Cala Mitjana and of an old Roman road. Cala Trabalúger are also in the Cala Galdana is Ferreries’ vicinity. tourist resort par excellence, though part of the development actually extends into the Ciutadella municipal

Cap de Cavalleria Cala Pregonda Punta Rodona Cap Gros Punta Nati Fornells

723 Ciutadella 721 Cap de Favàritx es Mercadal Ferreries Alaior Cala Blanca es Migjorn Gran Maó Cap de Artrutx Cala Galdana Pta. del Esperó Playa de Son Bou Sant Lluís Cala en Porter Villacarlos Binibèquer Cala d´Alcaufar Cap des Bisbe AIRE

27 IBIZA AND FORMENTERA

Itinerary 1: Ibiza, Santa Eulària, Portinatx, Corona, Sant Antoni, Salines

The entire isle of Ibiza can be toured by taking a route that leaves the city of Ibiza and circles back, after visiting the most important towns, Santa Eulària and Sant Antoni de Santa Eulària des Riu Portmany, plus Portinatx beach, the Corona country a distance of 11 kilometres. district and the area of Local sights include the saltpans and saltmarshes. Roman bridge and ruined necropolis. One should climb Santa Eulària des Riu. After the Puig de Missa on foot, , Santa right to the summit where the Eulària des Riu lays claim to starkly white 16th-century the largest municipal area on fortress-church stands. Ibiza. Until a few years ago the Santa Eulària river ran for

Punta des Moscarter Cap de Portinatx Balansat Punta des Jonc Cap d´Aubarca Sant Joan Baptista TAGOMAGO Sant Miquel Sant Carles Punta Prima Cala Salada Santa Eulària des Riu CONILLERA 731 733 Platja de Sta. Eulàlia Sant Antoni de Portmany Cap des Llibrell Sant Josep IBIZA Ibiza (Eivissa) (EIVISSA) Sant Jordi Cap Llentrisca Cap des Falcó S´ESPARDELL S'ESPALMADOR es Pujols Punta de sa Pedrera Punta Prima sa Savina Sant Francesc de Formentera Cala Saona Punta de sa Creu el Pilar de la Mola Punta Rotja Cap de Barbària

28 Portinatx, formerly a small fishing village, has become one of Ibiza’s tourist landmarks. The coast along this particular stretch of shoreline is sheer, making approach difficult. Nearby, Cala Xarraca is outstanding. The best panoramic view of Portinatx and the adjacent coast can be enjoyed from the Port de Portinatx Tower. Sant Antoni de Portmany. Cape Nono The Pla de Corona is not only one of the island’s most fertile Sant Antoni de Portmany is regions but is also one of the Ibiza’s second largest town in terms of population and the chief leisure and entertainment centre on the island. It embraces the parishes of Santa Agnès de Corona, Sant Mateu d’Albarca and Sant Rafel de Forca. To the it was Portumany and to the Romans, Portus Magnus. Located on a bay of the same name, it is an Portinatx important terminal for ferries plying between Ibiza, remaining strongholds of rural Formentera and Denia (on Ibiza, with relatively few mainland Spain). Its 14th- buildings and a population century parish church that is mainly composed of warrants special mention. The smallholders. The village of beaches on the west of the Santa Agnès de Corona (Ibizan island are extremely popular: villages are in truth more a Cala d’Hort, , Cala collection of houses grouped Llantia, Cala Llosar, Cala under the umbrella of the Codolar, Cala Roja, Cala local parish church) is Comte, , Cala Salada representative of a number of and Cala Gració. rural parishes scattered about the island.

29 Ses Salines lies in the Itinerary 2: La Savina, Sant environs of the airport. This Francesc de Formentera, es area is an important nesting Pujols, La Mola. and stopover site for migratory seabirds, water fowl The Isle of Formentera is and waders. The saltpans and perfect for touring by bicycle. marshland are separated from The distances and the climate the sea to the south, east and not only make this possible but west by a system of beaches of positively encourage it. local chalkstone and sand. Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Isles (82 sq. km.). Sant Francesc de Formentera is the only town on the island and acts as the focal point and hub for the four areas of settlement: Pilar de la Mola, es Pujols, Sant Ferran de ses Roques and la Savina. Situated near Estany Pudent, halfway La Savina harbour between la Savina, the island’s sole port facility, and Sant Ferran, practically all official services are concentrated here.

Punta des Moscarter Cap de Portinatx Balansat Punta des Jonc Cap d´Aubarca Sant Joan Baptista TAGOMAGO Sant Miquel Sant Carles Cala Salada Punta Prima

CONILLERA Santa Eulària des Riu 731 733 Platja de Sta. Eulàlia Sant Antoni de Portmany Cap des Llibrell IBIZA Sant Josep Ibiza (Eivissa) (EIVISSA) Sant Jordi Cap Llentrisca Cap des Falcó S´ESPARDELL S'ESPALMADOR es Pujols Punta de sa Pedrera Punta Prima sa Savina Sant Francesc de Formentera Cala Saona Punta de sa Creu el Pilar de la Mola Cap de Barbària Punta Rotja

30 Migjorn beach In the olden days, the Church of Sant Francesc was used as a fort to fend off marauding corsairs. Es Pujols is the main tourist resort on the island, home to the majority of hotels and nightspots. The Pilar de la Mola is the highest point on Formentera, the ancient Frumentaria of the Romans. Before reaching the Pilar, a panoramic view of the entire island opens up, with the beach of Migjorn on one side and es Pujols, on the other.

Windmill

31 Conqueror were to take in City visits 1229. The new victors translated the place name and called the (Palma, Mahón, Ciutadella city, Ciutat de Mallorques. They and Ibiza) main Moorish buildings were razed to the ground and the Palma Gothic Cathedral erected. Then, in 1715, under the terms of the The Balearic capital is set along Nueva Planta Decree, the a bay 20 kilometres across and Catalonian place name was 25 kilometres long. Half of formally banned and, in its Mallorca’s population lives in stead, the Roman “Palma” Palma, a name already given to restored. this city by the Romans as long ago as 120 B.C., when they Travellers arriving by sea get a founded it on a hilltop superb vista of all the “musts”: dominating the bay. All that Bellver Castle, sa Llotja (old remains of the Roman Palma commercial exchange), the are some remnants of the walls Almudaina (the old Citadel) and in the Almudaina. In the 10th the Cathedral. The whole route century, the Moors placed a should be done on foot. Hardly curtain wall around Medina any distance at all separates the Mayurka, the city that the Palma. Cathedral and Almudaina Catalonian troops of James I the (fortress/residence)

32 (11th-13th centuries) before being converted into a palace by James II (14th century).

The Mallorcan Museum ( 971 71 75 40), housed in the what was formerly the Desbrull mansion, and the 10th-century Moorish Baths (Banys ) - the best preserved remains from Mallorca’s Moorish period- form part of the Cathedral Quarter. Palma. Bellver Castle The courtyards (patios) of Cathedral from the Almudaina, Palma’s old seigneurial mansions the Mallorcan Museum and the are in a class of their own. Moorish Baths. Sa Llotja ( 971 71 17 05), a The Cathedral ( 971 72 31 30) veritable masterpiece of stands on the site of the former Mallorcan civic Gothic, served as Moorish . Gothic in style, the seat of the governing body work on its construction began of the Merchants’ Guild, as well during the reign of James II, as the site of the old commercial with the building being finally exchange. These days it consecrated in 1601. In addition occasionally acts as a hall for to the church itself, there is a temporary exhibitions. fine Baroque cloister and an Adjoining the sa Llotja, is the interesting Cathedral Museum, Maritime Consulate (Consolat displaying excellent Gothic de Mar), which nowadays paintings and sculptures. houses the Balearics Regional

Opposite the Cathedral, just across the Plaza de l’Almoina, is the Almudaina ( 971 71 43 68). Nowadays the H.Q. for the Balearics Military High Command, it began life as an alcázar (fortress/residence) of the Moorish Walis’ Caliphate

Palma. Consulado del Mar (Maritime Consulate)

33 Authority. The Maritime Palma. Sa Llotja (commercial Consulate (17th century) was exchange) originally a Merchant Shipping The Church of St. Eulalia, in Tribunal which settled the square at the rear of the commercial and -related City Hall, was the first Christian disputes. The façade is notable church built in Palma and is a for its superb good instance of Catalonian arches. Gothic. Sant Francesc, Santa Clara, El Socorro, Sant Miquel The City Hall (Ayuntamiento) and Monti–Sion (on the site of ( 971 72 77 44) is a fine an old synagogue) are further example of Mallorcan Baroque churches of note in the Old and one of the city’s landmark Quarter. buildings. Popularly known as the Cort, it was built on the site Highlights in the newer parts of what had been a hospital. of the city include the The present structure dates from modernist buildings on the the 16th and 17th centuries and Plaza Weyler, particularly the is spectacular for its façade. Gran Hotel, now restored and Inside, visitors are limited to refurbished as the head office those parts of the building that of the La Caixa Foundation are officially open to the public. (a Catalonian savings bank)

34 and, in its time, the first hotel Mahón ever built in Palma. It’s an easy walk from the City Hall, via the The origins of the capital of Plaza Mayor (Main Square). Menorca are somewhat cloudy but tradition attributes the Bellver Castle was foundation of the first constructed in the 13th century settlement to the Carthaginian at the time of James II and, general, Magón, brother of though never used as a Hannibal. defensive stronghold, served as a prison in different periods. It Mahón lies at the innermost is the only building which is end of one of the world’s not within easy walking largest natural harbours. With distance of the city centre. its three-mile long channel and From October to March it is a width that ranges from 780 to open to the public from 8 a.m 2,600 feet, it is one of the key to 6 p.m., and from April to strategic points on the September from 8 a.m to 10 Mediterranean. As with p.m. The Castle overlooks the Mallorca, the Mahón city tour El Terreno Quarter and the Bay should be conducted on foot: of Palma. ( 971 73 06 57). all points lie close to one another and can be seen during Mahón harbour the course of a leisurely stroll.

35 During office hours, visitors are allowed into certain parts of the building; be sure to try and see the Great Hall that is reserved for plenary sessions, its walls hung with portraits of Mahón’s most illustrious sons.

The Carrer Nou pedestrian precinct, to which one gets from the City Hall, is one of the city’s busiest sections. Of special tourist interest here are the Mahón. Stately mansion in Plaza del shops selling traditional Principe Menorcan produce and wares, A sight not to be missed is the such as cheese, gin, costume Church of Santa María, with jewellery and footwear. its splendid organ. This is Mahón’s largest church and its Great part of Mahón’s daily life sturdy bell tower is a distinctive revolves around the Colón, silhouette on the city’s skyline. Bastió, Sant Francesc, Reial, Inside, one of its outstanding Miranda and Conquesta features is the 19th-century squares (plazas), with their organ, which has been roundly elegant bourgeois mansions praised for the power and and historic buildings. quality of its sound. In the port area be sure to visit The noble edifice of the City the distilleries that make Hall (Ayuntamiento) Menorcan gin, using the very ( 971 36 98 00) lies adjacent same methods followed under to the church. It is also known British rule. Also in this area are by the name, Sa Sala, and on its façade still conserves the clock brought to Menorca at the behest of Kane, the then British Governor.

Mahón. San Roque Gate

36 Ciutadella

Ciutadella had always been the capital of Menorca until the British, who held sway over the island during the major part of the 18th century, moved the capital to Mahón. The city lies 45 kilometres from Mahón and is still the official seat of the Menorcan bishopric. It is well Mahón. Market worth visiting the Old Quarter, some of the island’s best with its medieval streets and restaurants, plus a score of noble palaces. As with the nightspots, open-air cafés and other Balearic cities, Ciutadella bars where one can have a has to be seen on foot. The best drink at any time of the day or advice is to lose oneself in the night. maze of narrow lanes and alleys criss-crossing the Old Quarter. Among the chief sights Ciutadella. Sant Nicolau Castle to be seen are:

37 The Olives Mansion, with its Ciutadella. Salort Mansion severe Neoclassical façade, is and Saura Palace located right opposite the main the city’s hallmarks. door of the cathedral. On The Salort Mansion, near the display inside are some Cathedral, is the only house interesting frescoes bearing open to the public, though animal motifs and a Roman access is restricted. It is open statuette unearthed at the during the morning over the Pujol Antic archaeological site summer months. The entire on the island. building is a museum that is The Vivó, along with the Salort worth exploring. Mansion, overlooking the Born, has a Neoclassical façade The Palace of the Count of painted red with traditional Saura, also near the Cathedral, Menorcan motifs. It is one of is graced by one of the most beautiful façades in Ciutadella. Although visits are not allowed, from the street one can hazard a pretty accurate guess at the interior beauty of this building, last refurbished in the 17th century. From the look-out point, situated behind the City Hall, one is treated to a magnificent view of the harbour area.

Ciutadella. Marina

38 Ciutadella Harbour is no erstwhile minaret. The church, more than a deep creek that Catalonian Gothic in style, penetrates into the very heart possesses a single spacious aisle of the city. It is nevertheless of and six side-chapels. sufficient depth to accommodate deep-draught One of Ciutadella’s most typical vessels. sights is the calle Josep María Quadrado, with its arcades, The Born, with an obelisk at its known locally as Ses Voltes. It is centre, was formerly the plaza this feature that lends the de armas (i.e., main ceremonial common touch to Ciutadella’s square and gathering place in times of upheaval) and is now the venue for a number of public events during the year, the most memorable of which are the fiestas and daring equestrian displays held to mark St. John’s Day (San Juan).

The Cathedral is regarded as the most monumental church on the island. Historians tell us that the Menorcan cathedral was constructed on the site of a Ciutadella. Cathedral mosque bigger in size than that of Medina Minurka, and that noble architecture, which tends the only extant remains are to to abound in convents, be found in the belfry, the monasteries, churches and palatial mansions.

St. Clare’s Convent (Santa Clara) stands in the centre of a charming quarter of cobblestone alleyways, and today hardly retains anything of the original building, which was sacked by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th century.

Ciutadella. Olives Mansion

39 The cloister of the Church of Ciutadella. Plaza del Born Socors is another of the city’s highlights. By going up the medievally clad riders and their calle Castell Rupit and keeping mounts pick their way through to the Seminary wall, one the thronged streets, going comes out at the point where right in amongst the crowd, the the building stands on the calle pirouetting steeds being urged Santíssim. Originally an up onto their hind legs (the Augustinian monastery, the Jaleo). In the immediate locality cloister -one of Ciutadella’s of Ciutadella, one can visit the truly unique gems- was built beaches of Cala Santandria and using money raised by the friars Son Saura, as well as the from the sale of noble titles famous Megalithic mausoleum which they had procured from of Naveta des Tudons, just five Philip IV. kilometres outside the city limits. As regards fiestas and festivities, Ciutadella reigns supreme. Menorca’s most classic fiesta is the city’s annual celebration held on 23rd and 24th June to mark St. John’s Day. In a 600-year-old tradition,

Ciutadella. Naveta des Tudons (prehistoric mausoleum)

40 Ibiza points and the mills (i.e., “molins”) refer to flour mills The capital of the Pitiuses that existed in the area during Islands (Ibiza and Formentera) the last century. Close on 4,000 preserves many vestiges of its tombs dating from the Punic and past. By the 6th century B.C., it Roman periods have been found was already a very important on the site of the necropolis. Phoenician-Punic colony for its time. From ’s point of Ibiza’s historical Old Quarter view, the city was a strategic and main sights are centred in base from which it could the Upper Town (Dalt Vila), dominate the Mediterranean. declared a World Heritage City by the UNESCO, where one can The necropolis of Puig des visit the Archaeological Museum Molins is a clear example of this ( 971 30 17 71), with its pinnacle in the city’s early extensive collection of Punic history. As its name and Phoenician exhibits. The (i.e., “Puig”) indicates, the site is usual way into the Upper Town situated on one of the city’s high Ibiza

41 interesting buildings and the tour ought therefore to be done on foot.

The outstanding feature of the Episcopal Palace, which stands on the Cathedral Square, is its splendid door. On payment of a small entrance fee, the Cathedral may be visited during the following times: summer, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.; winter 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. In harmony Town view with the remainder of the is through the so-called Portal island, the Cathedral is sober in de ses Taules, one of the gates style. Visitors should see the of the walled Renaissance adjoining Cathedral Museum, citadel which once served as a fortress. Located inside the View from Dalt Vila walls are most of Ibiza’s (Upper Town - Old Quarter)

42 where the prize piece is the Ibiza harbour monstrance (custodia), a work of art wrought in precious In addition to the stately metals. mansions, the Church of St. Dominic (Sant Domingo), the The Castle or Almudaina seminary and narrow lanes marks the city’s highest point. leading into the Old Quarter From the sea it rivals the are all “musts”. Cathedral in prominence, with From the Dalt Vila, one gets a its stout defensive walls and superb view of the port below, original old keep, probably with the old and very typical sa Moorish in origin. The whole Penya Quarter in the was gradually built over the foreground, the perfect place period from the 6th to the 18th for a relaxed exploratory stroll. centuries. Also near the port is the Paseo The City Hall (Ayuntamiento) de Vara de Rey, the very heart ( 971 39 75 00) is housed in of city life. From here one the Predicadores Monastery, a continues down to the harbour. building affected by the Almost half the island’s entire disentailment and sale of population live in this one city. church property. Restored and The rest of the inhabitants are adapted to new needs, it too is divided among the four worth seeing. remaining towns.

43 Menorca or Ibiza where harness Leisure and or sulky races are held, a type of entertainment racing that is extremely well established in the islands. Races Golf are usually run on the The Mallorcan winter has weekends. The Balearics enjoy a recovered the former splendour long tradition of horsemanship of that distant age when it and visitors wanting to go riding will find that most of the main tourist areas have innumerable ranchos (stables) with horses for hire.

Sailing Sailing is, without doubt, the one sport that has truly rocketed in popularity in recent years. Dotted along the Balearic

Ibiza. Santa Eulària des Riu. Golf course attracted the first visitors to the island. The Balearics’ many golf courses have made the islands a truly privileged place to play the game. The negligible travel time separating Mallorca from any point in northern Europe has served to dispel any possible doubts golfing enthusiasts Mallorca. Pollença. Horseriding might otherwise have had when opting for one of the shoreline, there is a plentiful islands’ 14 available courses. supply of sailing clubs and yacht basins offering a comprehensive Horseracing range of services, apart from Yet, if a tourist really wished to the standard facilities of yacht immerse him/herself in local berth and hire. Furthermore, colour and atmosphere, there’s no doubt that he/she should make a beeline for any of the racecourses on Mallorca,

44 marinas and pleasure harbours activities. Of the three, Palma are, as often as not, a home offers by far the widest choice. base for scuba-diving schools, Eleven cinemas, one of which which are in heavy demand. screens films in the original version, plus more than five Aquaparks theatres, ensure a varied bill Aquaparks have become an that is rounded off by a interesting and very successful considerable number of art attraction, especially among galleries, exhibition rooms and young children. Aqua Park in a lively programme of lectures Magaluf and Aqua City in and cultural events. s’Arenal, are two of the biggest. On the Sant Llorenç des Nightlife Cardassar coast, sa Coma is Island nightlife positively hums home to a car safari park, that with possibilities, depending is open all year round only on individual preferences ( 971 81 09 09). Animal lovers and tastes. The resort areas can also visit Marineland, with suffer no shortage of its unforgettable show, featuring trained dolphins, seals and parrots ( 971 67 51 25). It is situated in the Calvià district in Costa d’en Blanes, adjoining the beach.

Entertainment Palma, Mahón and Ibiza, the respective capitals of the trio of main islands, tend to account for the lion’s share of cultural Menorca. Ciutadella. Marina

discotheques and nightspots. The pace is not quite as frenzied in the cities, though clubs and bars can be found open at any time of day or night.

Ibiza. San Rafael. Sulky racing

45 Local cuisine In any corner of the Balearic Isles one will have no trouble in finding restaurants specialising in international cuisine, yet it is somehow more difficult to come across good restaurants serving up the superb specialities of island cuisine. With its inevitable local peculiarities, Balearic cooking is a reflection of Mediterranean cuisine. In addition to the succulent sobrasada (a spicy red sausage spread made of finely minced raw meat, cured and seasoned from being of the consommé with paprika and cayenne type, are a nourishing blend of pepper), pork is the basic meat and a variety of vegetables ingredient for many of the in season, plus thinly cut slices of principal dishes. Along with the (brown) bread, onion and ensaimada (a sweet, magically tomato. Another very tasty item fluffy, half-bun half-pastry with a is tumbet, a ratatouille-like flattened coiled turban-like baked vegetable dish, usually shape, made from flour and saïm cooked in a greixera (casserole) or lard), Mahón cheese and and containing potatoes, fried mayonnaise (the original salsa peppers and aubergines mahonesa) are just some of the (eggplant), all covered with delicacies of an island cuisine tomato sauce and seasoned with which is also rich in spirits and bay leaf. This can be liqueurs, with pride of place accompanied by meat or fish. going to palo (a drink Rice dishes with fish (brut) are resembling vermouth, made also much appreciated. Yet the from the carob bean), the local simplest and perhaps most gin, a range of sweet and dry popular dish is pa amb oli, which herb liqueurs, and, last but not consists of several slices of bread least, the Ibizan frígola. generously sprinkled with olive oil and rubbed with tomates de Among Balearic cuisine’s classic ramillete, these being a smaller, dishes, special mention should be softer and riper variety of made of the Mallorcan soups tomato, bound together and (sopas mallorquinas) which, far sold in strings. Once prepared,

46 this bread can then be used as a leading role. Ciutadella’s St. base for the widest variety of John’s Day celebrations, held on toppings, though the most usual 23rd and 24th June, open the are cheese, sausage meats and cycle of summertime festivities in ham, always accompanied by the Menorca. While the fiesta has traditional bitter olives undergone many (trencades). transformations, its wellspring is

Fiestas and festivities The single most outstanding event in the Balearic festive calendar is the St. John’s Day (Sant Joan) Fiesta in Ciutadella. This is the Menorcan fiesta par excellence. The remaining celebrations involving horses and horsemanship might be similar, yet not one attracts as much attention or boasts the character Ibiza. Typical country dance or tradition of the Sant Joan Fiesta, which must rank among said to be religious. the most colourful and eye- It should be remembered catching of all those held in however that the fiesta calendar Spain. involves all the months of the Of uncertain origin, the summer year. In Mallorca, the St. Anthony feast days celebrated in Menorca bonfire festivities in mid-January star horses and riders in the are very popular. Over Easter, many religious activities take place in all towns on the islands and, in the days following Holy Week itself, pilgrimage excursions are organised to nearby hermitages and shrines. In summer, practically all towns in the Balearics celebrate their seasonal fiestas. On Christmas , churches on the island of Mallorca respect the ancestral tradition of singing the Sibil.la at midnight mass.

Menorca. Fiestas

47 USEFUL ADDRESSES 07590 Cala Rajada (Capdepera). Plaza dels Pins Area Dialling Code 971 56 30 33. Fax 971 56 52 56 International: 34 07638 Colònia de Sant Jordi (Ses Salines). Doctor Barraquer, 5 971 65 60 73. Fax 971 65 64 47 TOURIST INFORMATION 07108 Port de Sóller (Sóller) TURESPAÑA 901 300 600 Canonge Oliver, 10 971 63 30 42 www.tourspain.es 07680 Portocristo (Manacor). Calle Gual, 31-A Balearic Tourist Board / Fax 971 82 09 31 Calle Montenegro, 5, 07012 Palma 07600 S’Arenal (Llucmajor) 971 17 61 91. Fax 971 17 61 85 Plaza de la Reina Mª Cristina IBATUR 971 44 04 14 (Balearic Tourism Institute) 07170 Valldemossa. Cartoixa de Calle Montenegro, 5, 07012 Palma Valldemossa 971 61 21 06 971 17 61 91 Fax 971 17 71 55 Foment de Turisme de Mallorca Menorca (Mallorcan Tourist Promotions) 07700 Mahón. Mahón Airport Constitució, 1, 1r., 07001 Palma 971 15 71 15 971 72 53 96. Fax 971 71 35 40 07703 Mahón Foment de Turisme de Menorca Plaza de Esplanada, 40 (Menorcan Tourist Promotions) 971 36 37 90. Fax 971 36 74 15 Calle del Nord, 4, 07702 Mahón 971 36 23 77. Fax 971 35 20 66 Ibiza Foment de Turisme d’Ibiza (Ibiza Tourist Promotions) 07800 Ibiza. Antonio Riquer, 2 Calle Historiador Josep Clapés, 4, 971 30 19 00. Fax 971 30 15 62 07800 Ibiza 07840 Santa Eulària des Riu 971 30 24 90. Fax 971 30 22 62 Mariano Riquer Wallis 971 33 07 28. Fax 971 33 29 59 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany Balearic Central Hotel/Holiday Passeig de ses Fonts Apartment Booking Office 971 34 33 63. Fax 971 34 41 75 971 70 60 06. Fax 971 47 09 81 Formentera Tourist Information Offices 07870 Sant Francesc de Mallorca Formentera. Port de la Savina 07012 Palma. Plaza de la Reina, 2 971 32 20 57. Fax 971 32 28 25 971 71 22 16. Fax 971 72 02 51 Palma Airport 971 78 95 56 USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS 07002 Palma. Plaza Espanya Emergencies 112 (Stand) 971 71 15 27 07001 Palma. Sant Domingo, 11 Airports: 971 72 40 90. Fax 971 72 02 40 Palma: 971 78 90 99 07184 Calvià. Can Vich, 29 Ibiza: 971 80 90 00 971 13 91 09. Fax 971 13 91 46 Menorca: 971 15 70 00 07410 Alcúdia. Carretera de Artà, 68 Trasmediterránea (Ferries): / Fax 971 89 26 15 Palma 902 45 46 45 07560 Cala Millor (Son Servera). Passeig Marítim Road & Highway information / Fax 971 58 58 64 900 123 505

48 SPANISH TOURIST INFORMATION New York. Tourist Office of Spain OFFICES ABROAD 666 Fifth Avenue 35 th floor Canada. Toronto NEW YORK, N.Y. 10103 Tourist Office of Spain 1212 / 265 88 22 2 Bloor Street West Suite 3402 Fax 1212 / 265 88 64 TORONTO, Ontario M4W 3E2 e-mail: [email protected] 1416 / 961 31 31 Fax 1416 / 961 19 92 EMBASSIES IN MADRID e-mail: [email protected] Canada: Núñez de Balboa, 35 Great Britain. London 91 431 43 00. Fax 91 431 23 67 Spanish Tourist Office Great Britain: Fernando el Santo, 16 Manchester Square, 22-23 91 319 02 00. Fax 91 308 10 33 LONDON W1M 5AP 44207 / 486 80 77 Japan: Serrano, 109 Fax 44207 / 486 80 34 91 590 76 00. Fax 91 590 13 21 e-mail: [email protected] Russia: Velazquez, 155 91 562 22 64. Fax 91 562 97 12 Japan. Tokyo United States of America: Tourist Office of Spain Serrano, 75 Daini Toranomon Denki Bldg.4F 91 587 22 00. Fax 91 587 23 03 3-1-10 Toranomon. Minato-Ku TOKIO-105 CONSULATES 813 / 34 32 61 41 Great Britain: Plaza Mayor, 3 D Fax 813 / 34 32 61 44 07002 PALMA. 971 71 24 45 e-mail: [email protected] Avda. Isidoro Macabich, 45 Russia. Moscow 07800 IBIZA. 971 30 18 18 Spanish Tourist Office Sa Casa Nova, Camí de Biniatap 30 Tverskaya-16/2 Business Center “Galeria Aktor” 6ª floor 07720 MENORCA. 971 36 33 73 Moscow 103009 United States of America: 7095 / 935 83 97 Avd. Jaime III, 26 Fax 7095 / 935 83 96 07012 PALMA. 971 72 26 60 e-mail: [email protected] Singapore. Singapore National Tourist Office of Spain 541 Orchard Road. Liat Tower 09-04 Written by: Bartomeu Amengual Gomila Singapore 238881 65 7 / 37 30 08 Translated by: Fax 65 7 / 37 31 73 Michael D. Benedict e-mail: [email protected] Photographs: United States of America Turespaña photographic archives Los Angeles. Tourist Office of Spain Graphic design: 8383 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 960 Florencio García BEVERLY HILLS, CAL 90211 1323 / 658 71 95 Published by Fax 1323 / 658 10 61 © Turespaña e-mail: [email protected] Secretaría de Estado de Comercio Chicago. Tourist Office of Spain y Turismo Water Tower Place, suite 915 East Ministerio de Economía 845, North Michigan Avenue CHICAGO, ILL 60-611 1312 / 642 19 92 Printed by: Fax 1312 / 642 98 17 e-mail: [email protected] Grafoffset, S.L. Miami. Tourist Office of Spain 1221 Brickell Avenue D. L.: M. 30.387-2000 MIAMI, Florida 33131 1305 / 358 19 92 NIPO: 104-00-018-5 Fax 1305 / 358 82 23 Printed in Spain e-mail: [email protected] 3rd Edition Ministerio deEconomía de Comercio yTurismo Secretaría deEstado Tu I r españa

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