Page 514 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

512  SP AIN ’ S ISLANDS

Exploring the Balearics

Though the Balearic islands are often associated with
high-density, inexpensive package tourism, they offer
enough variety to satisfy everyone’s tastes. For those
unattracted by the bustle of the coastal resorts and their
beautiful beaches, the countryside and the old towns
of Palma, Ibiza, Maó and Ciutadella are relatively
undisturbed. Mallorca is by far the most culturally
rich of the Balearics, with its distinguished collection
of modern and traditional galleries, and interesting
museums. Menorca is strong on Neolithic remains and
Neo-Colonial architecture, while Ibiza is for lovers of clear,
painterly light and rustic peasant houses; it also has some
of the wildest nightclubs in Europe. Formentera – for
many, the most alluring island – has crystal water, white MENORCA
sand, a pure, parched landscape and total tranquillity. Poblat des Pescadors in the tourist Cap de Cavalleria
village of Binibeca Fornells
FERRERIES
CIUTADELLA
Cap de ES MERCADAL
Formentor Cala Sta Galdana Alaior
POLLENÇA Port de Pollença Cap
Sa d' Artrutx MAÓ
Calobra
Alcúdia CALES COVES
SANTUARIO Binibeca Sant Lluís
Badia
MALLORCA SÓLLER DE LLUC d'Alcúdia
Deià Fornalutx Sa Pobla
ALFÀBIA Capdepera Cap des Freu
VALLDEMOSSA Santa Cala Rajada
Estellencs LA Inca Sineu Margalida Artà Coves d'Artà
GRANJA
Petra Son Servera
ANDRATX PALMA Montuïri Manacor
Coves dels
Port d'Andratx PUIG DE Hams Portocristo
Palma Nova Badia de S'Arenal RANDA COVES DEL DRAC
Palma Llucmajor
FELANITX
Campos
Castell de Santueri
Cap Blanc CAPOCORB
Early-morning mist on the waters of Port de Pollença in Mallorca VELL Santanyí Portopetro
Colònia Cala Figuera
Sant Jordi
Cap de
ses Salines
Getting Around
Nearly all foreign visitors to the Balearics CABRERA
IBIZA arrive by plane – the no-frills airlines making
ELS AMUNTS Sant Vicenç it all the more popular. Mallorca, Menorca
and Ibiza connect to major Euro pean cities
SANT ANTONI SANTA EULÀRIA as well as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
Several airlines fly to most other Spanish
Jesús
SANT JOSEP cities out of Son Sant Joan Airport in Palma.
Sa Talaiassa IBIZA (EIVISSA) Another way of arriving is by boat from
475m Barcelona, Valencia or Dénia. Between the
Ses
Salines islands there are regular ferry services, run
by Transmediterranea, Balearia and Iscomar.
Mallorca is the only island with rail services,
which run between Palma and Inca (now
Sant Francesc FORMENTERA extended to Sa Pobla and Manacor), and
Cala Saona Es Caló
Platja between Palma and Sóller. Roads vary from
Cap de Barbaria de Migjorn Punta Roja excellent to poor. The best way to get
around is by car, except on Formentera,
where cycling is best.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp574–5 and pp602–4
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