Mallorca is a beacon of calm, sophistication, beauty and A-List celebrity. It is also an Island of great wealth with its 870,000-strong population enjoying the highest per capita level of disposable income in Spain.
To those who believe only what they read in the papers – tales of union jack shorts, binge drinking and abandonment of inhibitions – this classy portrayal may come as some surprise.
LOCATION
Mallorca is the largest island of Spain and is located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the four Balearic Islands; the others being Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca.
The capital of the island, Palma, is also the capital of the Balearic Islands.
CLIMATE
The weather in Mallorca, epitomizes the Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, windy winters.
Sun-seekers hit the beaches from May through to October and the sea is perfect for swimming from June to October. July and August can be scorching and overcrowded, but the Mallorcan coastline can often escape the worst of the summer heat by virtue of the cooling sea breezes.
Mallorca enjoys a milder winter climate relative to those further north, and is thus seen as a perfect destination for those seeking a winter-break. More and more hotels are staying opening during the winter period as tourism increases.
From December through to March it can be chilly and wet at times but the Tramuntana mountain range, running along the north-west coast, protects the island from the worst of the winter weather.
The higher altitudes always experience cooler temperatures and the autumn, winter and spring are ideal times for hiking and cycling in Mallorca. The peaks of the mountains can sometimes be snow-clad even when the sun floods the lower valleys.
TRANSPORTATION
• Car and motorcycle – Mallorca’s roads are generally excellent, though there are a few coastal hair-raisers in the north and west of the island that are not for faint-hearted drivers. The narrow roads on these cliff-flanked coasts and the country roads that thread through the interior are ideal for motorbike touring
• Train – Two train lines run from Plaça d’Espanya in Palma de Mallorca; Transport de les Illes Balears has details.
One heads north to Sóller and is a panoramic excursion in an antique wooden train, and is one of Palma’s most popular day trips. The other line heads inland to Inca, where the line splits to serve Sa Pobla and Manacor.
Prices are generally cheaper than buses and departures are frequent throughout the day. There are plans underway to extend the line from Manacor to Artà, although no one could tell us when the extension would be completed.
WHAT TO SEE
Palma Aquarium, Palma de Mallorca
The aquarium has a large garden area featuring Japanese pools and waterfalls. Here you will also find interactive aquariums (rays, turtles and hammerhead sharks) where you can lend a hand at feeding times.
It’s an ideal spot to enjoy the sunshine while the little ones are having fun with the play leaders, or searching for treasure on board the great Pirate Ship. The facilities in this outdoor zone are rounded off by two cafeterias, a hands-on Touch Pool (where you can pet creatures such as starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers) and a large playground area.
Just off this area is a recreation of the Amazonian tropical rainforest. ‘The Jungle’ is the largest roof garden in Spain and the specially created microclimate ensures the optimum growth of the vegetation.
Mondrago Natural Park, Mallorca
The park is famous for its fine white sand beaches, and the unbelievable turquoise blue sea.
It’s remoteness does not stop it being very popular, so you will need to share the beauty with your fellow travellers!
Llevant Peninsula Nature Reserve, Mallorca
The Llevant Peninsula is found on the north east of Mallorca. This hilly terrain could almost pass for the Scottish highlands with its covering of heathers and shrubs at the higher altitudes.
It was declared a National Park in 2002 and is renowned for its remote and unspoilt beaches, and its colonies of Mediterranean tortoises.
Coves dels Hams, Porto Cristo
The caves were discovered by Pedro Caldentey in 1905 and the electric lighting was added by his son.
Their name means ‘fish hooks’, which the stalactites are said to resemble.
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