Balearic islands

One of the best Spanish resorts - Balearic Islands is situated in the Mediterranean Sea, between Pyrenean peninsula, Southern France and Northern Africa. It’s an archipelago consisting of four big and some smaller islands. These four are Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

They all have a lot in common – 300 sunny days a year, good climate and warm sea, but long centuries of history, when these islands made their own way explain their contemporary differences. Ibiza was under the influence of the Arabs, Mallorca was once conquered by the Romans and Menorca still have the traces of the English presence on its territory.

In the middle of XX century Balearic Islands began to attract a lot of tourists and now Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza are among the most popular and prestigious European resorts. The infrastructure has been developed a lot, but the most significant monuments of the past are carefully kept. Every island of the archipelago has its own attractions and special features.

Mallorca is the largest Balearic island and more than half of its inhabitants live in its capital – Palma-de-Mallorca. It’s a modern cosmopolitan city with some ancient architectural monuments like Belver castle dating back to XIV century.

Mallorca receives the most of the tourists coming to Balears. It has a lot of picturesque mountain landscapes and beautiful towns. The northern part of the island can also boast numerous beaches and secluded bays. Tourist life on the island exists mostly on the coast. The inner part of Mallorca is an agricultural district explaining the reason for the nickname of Mallorca – “island of the quietness”.

Menorca is archipelago’s second largest island with the capital Mahon. The city is situated behind the unusual haven considering one of the best natural ports of the Mediterranean. Its main sights are the building of the municipality and the churches of Saint Maria and San Francisco. The architecture of the island is a mix of Mediterranean and British styles.

Ibiza is the closest to the Pyrenean peninsula Balearic island, known for its nightlife and once very popular among hippies. Its capital is also called Ibiza, but the citizens call it just “Villa” (City). The most famous beach of the island is Sas Salinas – the first nudist beach in Spain.

Formentera is a small island with the only settlement – San-Frances-de-Fomentera. It’s the perfect choice for those seeking seclusion and peace.

Author: www.nbportal.com