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Mallorca -

Mallorca, also known as Majorca, is the largest and most varied and spectacular of the Balearic Islands archipelago. It's also one of the Mediterranean's most popular island destinations, and its capital, Palma de Mallorca (pictured), serves as a perfect gateway from which to explore coast and countryside.

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Mallorca: Palma Cathedral -

Before discovering the island, make sure you get acquainted with the city and its wealth of visitor attractions. Palma's major landmark is its spectacular cathedral. Built on the site of a Moorish-era mosque and completed in 1601, the beauty of its facade is matched by a stunning interior, designed by Antoni Gaudí and renowned contemporary artist Miquel Barceló.

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Mallorca: Bellver Castle -

Another historic building worth investigating is the 14th-century Bellver Castle. Perched on a hill west of the city center, this Gothic-style stronghold is one of the very few circular castles in Europe. 

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Mallorca: Arab baths -

The Balearic Islands were conquered by the Moors in 902. The single most important remaining monument to the Muslim domination of the island are the Arab baths. Just two underground chambers survive: the caldarium (hot bath) and the tepidarium (warm bath).

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Mallorca: Ferrocarril de Sóller -

If all that sightseeing has left you with sore feet, jump aboard Palma's historic electric train, which runs between the capital and the town of Sóller. The route takes you from Palma across wide-open plains and through the mountains and tunnels of the Serra de Tramuntana, all before reaching its destination.

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Mallorca: Serra de Tramuntana -

The island's rugged Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is dominated by the Puig Major, which at 1,445 m (4,740 ft) is the highest mountain in the Balearic Islands. The range itself enjoys World Heritage Status by UNESCO as an area of great physical and cultural significance.

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Mallorca: Cala Llombards -

Cala Llombards is a beach and resort on the southeast coast of the island. Once a local secret, the location has become better known in recent years but is rarely overcrowded. It's set in an area of great natural beauty, so even if you're not much of a beachgoer you can enjoy an exhilarating walk by following the trail along the coast to Cala Santanyi. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

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Mallorca: Valldemossa -

Nestling in verdant hills well away from the busy coast is Valldemossa. This charming picture-book destination is known for the historic 15th-century Royal Charterhouse and its association with Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and his lover, the French writer Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin, better known by her pseudonym George Sand. Both stayed here in early 1839, during which time Sand wrote 'A Winter in Majorca.'

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Menorca -

Menorca, or Minorca, is smaller than Mallorca but an equally big hit with visitors. Its capital and largest city is Mahón (said, incidentally, to be the birthplace of mayonnaise). Pictured is the tiny picturesque harbor of Cales Fonts, set around a cove in the port area of the city.

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Menorca: Ciutadella de Menorca -

Located on the west coast of the island, Ciutadella de Menorca delights with its atmospheric old quarter and medieval flavor. The town was founded by the Carthaginians and later governed by the Moors before being recaptured during the reconquista.

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Menorca: Santa Maria de Ciutadella Cathedral -

Ciutadella de Menorca's landmark cathedral should be explored for its marble-clad great altar and the baroque chapel of the Angelus with its exquisitely-carved columns.

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Menorca: Mahón cheese -

Named after the city of Mahón, this is Menorca's special delicacy, a soft to hard white cheese made from cow's milk. Considered one of the most versatile cheeses of Spanish gastronomy, Mahón cheese has been made here for centuries.

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Menorca: Mahón gin -

Another local treat is Mahón gin. Made to a centuries-old recipe, gin from Menorca is not derived from grain alcohol but from wine alcohol (eau de vie de vin), making it more akin to brandy. Pictured is Gin Xoriguer, which is named after the typical Menorcan windmill used to make the first gin and which serves as the drink's emblem.

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Menorca: Cala Macarella Bay -

Menorca is, of course, blessed with plenty of fabulous beach locations. A standout, however, is Cala Macarella Bay, which features a wedge of golden sand surrounded by cliffs and lapped by warm, turquoise waters.

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Menorca: Flora and fauna -

The island is a botanist's dream. Over 900 species of flowering plants, many typical of the Mediterranean but some endemic, have been recorded here. And what a bonanza for insects! No less than 30 species of butterfly call Menorca home, including the beautiful two-tailed pasha (pictured).

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Menorca: Festas de Sant Joan -

If you're in Menorca during June 23-25, don't miss the extraordinary three-day Festas de Sant Joan, played out on the streets of Ciutadella de Menorca. The stars of the show are the Menorquín horses, which expert riders encourage to rear up on their hind legs, much to the delight of the cheering crowds.

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Ibiza -

Though celebrated as the Mediterranean's party island destination, Ibiza is much more than heady nightlife and electronic dance music. Ibiza town alone boasts a number of cultural attractions, including a 15th-century cathedral (pictured here crowning the old town), and a noted archaeological museum.

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Ibiza: Music scene -

There's no denying, however, that Ibiza is known the world over for its wild nightlife and summer club scene. Actually, it all got a bit out of hand a few years ago, and local authorities are trying to promote a more family-oriented tourism product. But the music plays on, and Ibiza still attracts some of the biggest DJs on the circuit to host dusk till dawn parties. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Ibiza: Puig des Molins -

Unique to the Balearic Islands is Ibiza's Necropolis of Puig des Molins. A cemetery and archaeological museum complex of considerable significance, Puig des Molics  is noted for its wealth of rare and valuable Carthaginian artifacts, most of which are displayed in museums on the mainland. However, Ibiza has been left some choice finds to exhibit. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Ibiza: Sa Caleta Phoenician Settlement -

UNESCO has declared Ibiza a World Heritage Site for its ancient Punic treasures and the Sa Caleta Phoenician Settlement. It's dated back to around 650 BCE and consists of an urban area with the foundations of streets and a small square clearly visible. Sa Caleta is located on the southwest coast of the island, about 10 km (6.5 mi) from Ibiza town. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)

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Ibiza: Torre des Savinar -

Located at the southwest tip of the island is the Torre des Savinar, a defensive tower dating back to 1756. Squatting on a cliff 200 m (656 ft) above sea level, the tower was once open to the public. Despite its closure, it's still worth making your way up to the point for jaw-dropping views of the Es Vedrá islet.

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Ibiza: Es Vedrà -

This small, rocky, and uninhabited island off the south western seaboard is part of the Cala d’Hort nature reserve. It's home to the endangered Eleonora's falcon, among other wildlife. The location is steeped in myths and legends: the island is said to be home to sirens and sea-nymphs, who tried to lure Odysseus from his ship in Homer’s 'Odyssey.' (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Ibiza: Cala de Sant Vicent -

Clear, clean, shallow waters and a quiet, child-friendly bay make this unspoiled beach resort village a favorite with families. The resort lies in the isolated north-eastern tip of the island, near the traditional hamlet of Sant Vicent de sa Cala.

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Ibiza: Sant Antoni harbor -

Ibiza town's busy Sant Antoni harbor is where ferries to and from Barcelona, Majorca, Dénia, and Valencia dock. There are also connections to Formentera. In addition, the majority of sightseeing cruises and yacht charter operations are based at the port.

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Formentera -

The smallest of the Balearic Islands, Formentera is reached by ferry from Ibiza. Renowned for its Caribbean-like waters and vast finger-like beaches, the island is a popular day trip destination in the summertime.

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Formentera: Visitors throughout history -

Holidaymakers have been coming here for millennia. The Carthaginians hit the beaches first, followed by the Romans. Over time, the Visigoths, the Byzantines, the Vandals, and the Arabs all laid claim to the island's pristine landscape. In 1109, Formentara was the target of a devastating attack by the Norwegian king Sigurd I at the head of the so-called "Norwegian Crusade."

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Formentera: Sant Francesc Xavier -

The tidy and attractive village of Sant Francesc Xavier is worth a wander. Effectively the "capital" of Formentera, the destination's visitor attractions include an engaging cultural center where you can learn more about the island's history.

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Formentera: Es Cap de Barbaria lighthouse -

While Formentera's soft golden beaches are its principle draw, it's worth exploring further afield to discover sights like the Es Cap de Barbaria lighthouse. Bob Dylan no less spent some time living in the lighthouse. Elsewhere Joni Mitchell wrote her 1971 album 'Blue' on the island.

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Formentera: La Savina harbor -

The tiny harbor of La Savina exudes a nautical atmosphere. The boardwalk is lined with a plethora of bars, cafes, and restaurants. Boutiques and artisans' workshops are also found here.

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Formentera: Windmills -

Formentera is home to six windmills that in bygone days were used to grind most of the cereals harvested on the island. Protected today as part of the cultural heritage of the region, the mills stand as relics of a once thriving agricultural community. The example sited on the Mola plateau (pictured) is the best preserved.

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Formentera: Watchtowers -

Visitors to Formentera will no doubt notice a number of ancient watchtowers scattered across the island. Built in the 18th century to deter pirate incursions from North Africa (from 1400 to the early 18th century the threat of Barbary pirate attacks rendered Formentera uninhabitable), the towers played a vital role in protecting the island’s inhabitants right up until the mid-19th century.

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Formentera: Cala Saona -

Formentera has its own share of fabulous beaches, and Cala Saona is known as the jewel of the island's west coast, being the only sandy beach to be found among the cliffs that characterize the southwestern region. The best way to get there is to rent a bicycle out of La Savina harbor. And hey, why not pack a picnic?

See also: Idyllic islands of the Mediterranean.

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