The Balearic Islands are an archipelago off the East coast of the Spanish Mainland that includes Ibiza, Formentera, Menorca, and Majorca, as well as over 150 tiny islands and islets.
Whether you want to enjoy glamorous nightlife, some of the best beaches in Europe, or fantastic dining, the Balearics are home to everything you could want out of a holiday and more!
With flights just 2-3 hours from the UK (2 hours, 15 minutes from London), the Balearics are perfect for a quick beach, club, or city escape or a short-haul holiday.
I’ve been lucky enough to have visited all of the Balearic Islands over the years, solo, with friends, and with family. The Balearics suit almost any holiday type, but picking the right area to stay on each island is important! For clubbing, Ibiza unsurprisingly comes out on top (followed by Majorca), but if you’re looking for beautiful beaches, a bit of history, boutique shops and high-end dining, you’ll find what you’re looking for on all of the islands!
In this post:
Ibiza
Ibiza has to be my favourite of the Balearic Islands. It’s perfect for every type of trip, whether you’re planning a romantic holiday, a clubbing trip, or even a holiday with children. Ibiza is often misunderstood. While the nightlife is world-famous, the island’s luxury wellness resorts and quiet beaches are equally worth exploring. I’ve visited for a relaxed trip, clubbing trips, and trips with young children, and all were equally enjoyable.
While on the island, don’t miss the Sunday sunset drumming at Benirrás beach, the famous Hippy Market Punta in Punta Arabí, and the sunset at Cala Comte.
Where to Stay: The Top Areas
Ibiza Town: Ibiza Town (Eivissa) is the capital of Ibiza. Walk up to Dalt Vila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and lose yourself in its winding, cobbled streets lined with independent boutiques alongside luxury names like Louis Vuitton. In the evening, Ibiza’s capital comes alive with clubbers before they head to Pacha or the island’s other clubs. It’s the perfect place to go for dinner. Within walking distance of Ibiza Town, you’ll find Talamanca Beach, home to the new Destino 5 Hotel. The nearby El Pacha Hotel is also highly recommended.
San Antonio: San Antonio is aimed more at the clubbing crowd, but it’s also the top spot for daytime pool parties—home to the day clubs Ibiza Rocks and O Beach. Neighbouring San Antonio Bay is more relaxed and has fantastic views.
If you’re looking for somewhere budget-friendly in a good location, Hotel Invisa es Pla is a good option. For something more luxurious, try OKU Ibiza.
From San Antonio, you can go by boat for the day to the beaches of Cala Bassa, Cala Conta, and Cala Salada, or it’s a very short drive (or a picturesque walk) to nearby Cala Gracio and La Gracioneta (home to the renowned Cala Gracioneta restaurant). San Antonio is also home to the world-famous Cafe Mambo (book in advance).
Playa d’en Bossa: This is a great location for a couple’s escape, a beach trip or a clubbing escape, home to one of Ibiza’s largest and longest beaches. The Skyline is dominated by the luxurious Unexpected Ibiza Hotel, home to the Hi nightclub (the no.1 club in the world 2025) and Ushhaua (no.3 club in the world). There are many high-end hotel options here, including theHard Rock Hotel and the Grand Palladium Palace.
Santa Eulalia: The hills surrounding Santa Eulalia have plenty of exceptional villas, many of which are available as holiday accommodation. You can walk into Santa Eulalia for some of them. Santa Eulalia is another place with an authentic Ibizan feel. The Leading Hotels of the World group also has some fantastic options here, including ME Ibiza (Melia) and Aguas de Ibiza Grand Luxe Hotel.
Cala Llonga: A great family destination for a relaxed beach holiday. Day trips to Ibiza Town and Santa Eulalia are available by water taxi. For accommodation, the Mondrian Ibiza Hotel comes highly recommended.
Portinatx: Quiet, authentic, and with an amazing beach, Portinatx is located in the far north of the island, away from the party areas, perfect for a peaceful escape. The resort is home to the Six Senses Ibiza Resort and Spa.
Other luxury stays: The 7 Pines Resort (Hyatt) is the ultimate retreat with private villas, infinity pools and sunset views of Es Vedrà.
Clubs
I can’t write this article without talking more about Ibiza’s clubbing scene. I’ve visited most of the clubs on the island and had a great time at all of them (although the ones outside of San Antonio are better). Start your night watching the sunset at Cafe Mambo or Cafe Del Mar (book a table well in advance). My top clubs are Ushuaïa, Hi, Amnesia and Pacha. Which are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below.
Ibiza is my favourite of the Balearic Islands. It’s perfect for almost every type of holiday!
Formentera
If your idea of a holiday includes amazing beaches, boutique shops, fine dining, and a relaxed atmosphere, Formentera is the perfect destination!
The smallest of the Balearics, Formentera, is a popular day trip from Ibiza (40 minutes by ferry), but it’s well worth a longer stay. Its waters are some of the clearest in Europe, and there are plenty of luxurious hotels and dining options. The island is made up of salt flats, pine forests and beautiful beaches!
Shopping here is all about artisan shops in places like Sant Francesc and Es Pujols. Don’t miss an island tour, including a visit to Far de la Mola lighthouse. Other things to do include snorkelling, cycling along the flat coastal trails, and exploring the Ses Salines Natural Park.
Book your accommodation (and dining reservations) well in advance, as they are limited and sell out every year!
Here are the top spots to visit:
Ses Illetes beach is located within Ses Salines de Eivissa and Formentera Natural Park. It’s famous for having some of the clearest waters in Formentera and has been regularly voted one of the world’s best beaches. It’s also a popular spot for yacht-watching, particularly in peak summer. Don’t miss dining at Es Molí de Sal, one of the best seafood restaurants on the island. Restaurante Juan Y Andrea is highly recommended, and somewhere you can spend AMEX Platinum restaurant credit.
Es Pujols is one of Formentera’s most popular beaches, with shops and restaurants along the promenade. I recommend Hotel Roca Bella, which has direct beach access. The surrounding town is one of the best places on the island for nightlife and is home to the island’s evening market. Chezz Gerdi comes highly recommended for dining (it also accepts AMEX restaurant credit).
Sant Francesc is Formentera’s main town. Explore the chic boutiques, artisan shops, and local cafes. Head to the main square for al fresco dining. It’s also where you’ll find the island’s historic church and seasonal craft markets. particularly at Café Matinal or Panadería de Sant Francesc. In the evening, you can enjoy artisan markets and live music.
Caló des Mort: A tiny, picture-perfect cove with some of the clearest waters on the island!
Menorca
Menorca keeps things low-key with UNESCO-protected biospheres, wild beaches, and turquoise waters. This is the island for relaxed luxury and authenticity.
You can enjoy cycling and hiking trails, such as the Camí de Cavalls, with routes leading to secluded coves and viewpoints. For beach stays, look at Cala Galdana or Son Bou, both with easy access to amazing beaches. Also, don’t miss the beaches of Cala Macarella and Cala Mitjana.
For something different, visit the impressive Fort Marlborough near Es Castell. You could also enjoy a sunset boat tour from Ciutadella’s harbour.
Tip: While on the island, make sure you sample Xoriguer gin, which is made in Maó.
Where to Stay: The Top Areas
Mahón: Menorca’s capital and the hub of local life. If you’re looking for Authentic local experiences, markets, and harbourfront dining. During our visit, we came across the Menorca cheese festival and a cycling race, which was a lovely surprise. I enjoyed my stay at the Artiem Capri. It has a lovely rooftop pool with stunning views and a delicious breakfast (read my review here). In Mahon, you can explore the authentic local side of the island away from the many all-inclusive resorts. Even if you’re staying elsewhere on the island, I highly recommend a day trip.
Ciutadella: Historic and atmospheric, with cobbled streets and a traditional feel. Explore the local shops and enjoy waterfront dining. Don’t miss Restaurante Mon, which holds a Michelin star.
Son Bou: One of Menorca’s best beaches. Stay at the Royal Son Bou Family Club for a family-friendly resort near Menorca’s longest beach.
Inland, you can find many boutique stays at the islands’ restored farmhouses. Torralbenc is one of the top options and also an excellent place for wine tasting.
Majorca
As the largest of the Balearic Islands, Majorca has a reputation for clubbers and package holiday tourists, but there’s so much more to the island. From city breaks in the capital, Palma, to countryside retreats and some of the best beaches in Europe, Majorca is perfect for a luxurious escape if you know where to look.
It’s a cycling mecca, home to the Tramantura mountain range, the beautiful capital of Palma, and the scenic Soller train. Not to mention hundreds of stunning beaches. Being such a large island, choosing the right place to base yourself is even more important. Majorca is also the perfect year-round destination!
Don’t miss a scenic drive to Cap de Formentor for fantastic coastal views. Alternatively, visit the charming village of Valldemossa for cobbled streets, historical sites, and traditional Majorcan pastry, ensaïmada.
Where to Stay: The Top Areas
Palma and Around: You can’t visit Majorca without exploring the beautiful capital, home to the world-famous La Seu Cathedral. The capital is small and walkable, with boutique shops. For fine dining, book a table at Marc Fosh (Michelin-starred) or El Camino for tapas. The Castillo Hotel Son Vida near Palma is perfect for five-star luxury.
Alcudia: Family-friendly with beautiful beaches. The Zafiro Palace Alcudia offers a luxurious all-suite stay. The nearby Alcudia Old Town is also worth exploring.
Soller: Known for its beautiful old town, orange groves, and the local delicacy—Sóller red prawns. The best way to get here is by taking the historic wooden train from Palma through the Tramuntana mountains. Nearby Port de Sóller also offers a picturesque beach and excellent waterfront dining.
Port de Pollença: A beautiful beach with a laid-back vibe. There’s a village feel here and plenty of seafood restaurants,
Deià: A small coastal village in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains that just can’t be missed! At the Belmond La Residencia, you can experience rustic luxury with fantastic dining and a celebrated spa. Deià is also home to the famous Ca’s Patro March restaurant, perched above a cove and known for fresh seafood.
Other Luxury Stays: Richard Branson’s Son Buyola Resort is definitely one for the bucket list!
Getting to the Balearic Islands + Redemptions
While short-haul Avios redemptions aren’t always the best value (especially in Economy), you can get better value during peak season/school holidays when flight prices are at their highest. You’re looking at 11,750-12,750 Avios in Euro Traveller or 20,000-22,250 Avios in Club Europe. BA runs flights to Ibiza and Majorca from LGW, LCY, and LHR, or you can book Menorca from LGW (operated by Titan Airways).
You can use Reward Flight Finder to view the availability and Avios pricing for your dates.
Other airlines with direct flights to the Balearics from the UK include Wizz Air, Jet2, Tui, EasyJet, Ryanair and Iberia. Most flight routes are seasonal.
To travel onwards to Formentera, you’ll need to travel to Ibiza Town from Ibiza Airport and catch a ferry. These run frequently throughout the day. There are also plenty of ferries to the Balearics from Mainland Spain.
Final Words
The Balearic Islands offer an incredible range of travel options – whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in the Balearics. The secret to the perfect holiday in the Balearic Islands is choosing the right island for you – and more importantly, the right location to suit your budget, travel style and pace. Each island brings something unique to the table, whether you’re dreaming of the unspoilt beaches of Formentera, the mountain ranges and beach resorts of Majorca, Ibiza’s diverse offerings or Menorca’s slow pace of life.
Winged Boots can help design a custom itinerary that captures the best of the Balearics, balancing comfort, luxury, and value.
With years of industry knowledge, their personal travel concierges support you throughout your trip – from booking the best restaurants to managing your travel logistics – so you can relax and enjoy the journey. Get in touch with them here.
Which is your favourite Balearic island? Let me know in the comments below:
