Which Balearic Island Is Best For You?

Last updated on 19th June 2024

Tan-worthy temperatures, beaches brimming with photoshoot potential, dance clubs that know how to bring the house down… whatever your holiday vibe is, the Balearic Islands have got your next Spanish beach break in the bag! The tough part? Deciding which of these Med island gems is your perfect pick.

Whether you’re all about sipping Fanta lemon from the comfort of your all-inclusive resort or you’re a beach bum raring to hit the waves for a surf sesh, we’ve got the lowdown on the Balearic Islands so you can find which one ticks all your package holiday boxes.

Majorca

The largest of the Balearic Islands, Majorca has more variety than a cocktail menu.

Going all in? Majorca is your top choice for all-inclusive getaways – we’re talking endless beachfront resorts, unlimited lounging from the moment you wake up and all-you-can-eat buffets that SERVE. Keep it chill in Alcúdia or Santa Ponsa or check out Magaluf’s livelier resorts for poolside tunes by day and all-out dance parties come night.

For laidback beach days with something for all the family, the island’s east coast is the place to be. Cala Figuera, Cala d'Or and Cala Millor are pretty-as-a-picture towns with good value hotels and self-catering stays available. The beaches are fabulous, too. Pine-fringed coves with shallow waters make ideal swim spots for little ones while Cala Millor’s epic sandy sweep has got all the big-kid watersports you could want, plus plenty of beachfront bars and restaurants.

Or for a bit of beach and city mixed together, it’s got to be Palma. Majorca’s capital is where you want to be for shopping, sightseeing and some seriously good food. Check out the iconic cathedral (it’s huge, you can’t miss it), stock up on souvenirs from the old town before pulling up a seat at an al fresco restaurant and tucking into heaps of tapas – this is Spain, after all!

Cala Mesquida beach, Majorca

Ibiza

Ibiza needs no introduction. Its world-famous party scene has put it on the map as one of the best nightlife destinations in the Med, let alone in the Balearics! Get ready to rave at DJ sets, make a splash at pool parties, hit the dance floor at all-night clubs and make the most of beach bar happy hours – this is one party you won’t want to miss, trust us!

Ibiza Town and Sant Antonio have got the biggest reps for nightlife. Luckily, they’ve both got lush sandy beaches and heaps of restaurants and cafes to help you refuel and relax after any late nights. Ibiza’s old town is also a great place to explore during the day. The cobblestone streets are packed with cute shops, galleries and markets, all leading to Ibiza’s Instagram-ready hilltop castle.

But don’t go thinking that this Balearic Island is just DJs and dancing. All you have to do is head to the likes of Cala Llonga, Portinax or Santa Eulalia and you’ll discover the island’s quieter side – one with white-washed fishing villages, little beaches as stunning as the turquoise water that lap them and swish harbours with some of the best seafood going. Need we say more?

Cala de Portinatx, Ibiza

Menorca

Like your beach holiday to move at a slower place? Ideally with a side of knockout scenery and traditional Spanish charm? Look no further than Menorca. This Balearic Island may be less than half the size of Majorca, but boy, does it pack a punch with its dreamy beaches and countryside!

Holidays here are all about catching up on a little R&R, so you won’t find big all-inclusive resorts with never ending entertainment schedules. Instead, take your pick of boho hotels, apartments and villas and prepare for mesmerising sea views and lazy beach days aplenty.

Not that you’ll need convincing – Menorca is a treasure trove of white-sand bays with water so deliciously blue you’d think you were in the Caribbean. Families will love the calm sea and beach facilities of Cala Galdana and Cala’n Porter. Rally the troops for a game of volleyball or grab a snorkel to take a peep at the colourful fish beneath the waves. Cala Pregonda is a favourite with couples seeking the ultimate off-the-beaten-track bliss while any wildlife lovers should make a beeline for pine-fringed Cala Trebaluger.

Away from the sand, there’s enchanting streets and churches to be explored in Ciutadella, miles of hiking and biking trails for coastal rambles and drop-dead gorgeous sunsets to admire from Mahón’s twinkling harbour.

Cala en Brut, Menorca

Formentera

Milk-white sand bars surrounded by topaz sea, beach bungalows sitting pretty on the shore, hippy markets selling handmade crafts… sounds dreamy right? Beach paradise is Formentera’s default setting so if your idea of holiday heaven is sandy toes and sun tans, this island’s got your name all over it! There’s no airport here, so you’ll need to catch the ferry from Ibiza – but that’s all part of the castaway vibe.

You’ll find some of the best sandy stretches at Ses Illetes and Playa de Llevant in the north. Be warned though, once you get a taste of their silky-soft beaches and panoramic views, there’s no going back! Bring a picnic and beach brolly and laze to your heart’s content before making the most of the impossibly blue water by snorkelling and swimming. Reliable offshore winds also make Playa de Llevant a top surf spot so bring a board and hit those waves.

When you’ve had your fill of beaches (we’re not sure that’s possible on Formentera), there’s fresh fish stews to taste and lovely inland villages to explore. El Pilar de la Mola’s flea market is a thrift shopper’s jam – think crochet clothes and artsy trinkets.

Did we mention that Formentera also has flamingos? As if this island wasn’t idyllic enough, you can spot the pink-feathered beauties prancing in La Savina’s salt flats.

Ses Illetes beach, Formentera