Holidays to the Balearic Islands! Some climatic features.
The climatic features of the Balearic Islands region are complemented by the picturesque terrain, which represents mountain ranges and extended sandy shores with lush green vegetation of coniferous forests, fruit trees, olive groves. On the territory of the Balearic Islands, thanks to favorable weather and landscapes, there are nature reserves included in the UNESCO list of protected sites.
In addition, the developed infrastructure allows you to easily reach local resorts. International airports located in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, all year round accept hundreds of flights from different parts of the world. Those wishing to visit mainland Spain, sunny Andalusia or mysterious Catalonia can take a ferry or local by air. To travel around the islands, tourists use buses, taxis, and in Mallorca, railway transport.
The Balearic archipelago is located east of mainland Spain and is one of its autonomous regions. In addition, the closest neighbors of the Balearic Islands are the southern side of France and the northern African coast. total area The island is about 5,000 square kilometers, and the length of the coastline in total reaches 1,500 kilometers. In addition to the large islands: Ibiza, Menorca, Mallorca, Formentera, many small ones also belong to the Balearics. The total number of all islands is 50. Sunny weather on the islands lasts 300 days a year, precipitation is short-lived, mainly in spring and autumn, summer is usually hot and dry.
Each of the large Balearic Islands has its own administrative center. The island of Mallorca and its capital Palma de Mallorca are known throughout the world for their Dragon caves with one of the largest underground lakes in the world. Ibiza, with its capital of the same name, is famous for its noisy youth parties, discos, and world-class dance events, where show business stars love to come. Menorca and its main city Mahon attracts tourists with a rich variety of architectural attractions, according to which they organize most interesting excursions. Formentera offers tourists a quiet, secluded holiday. Undoubtedly, the main component of all the Balearic Islands is their magnificent beaches and Mediterranean weather, refreshed by sea breezes in summer and sunny in winter.
The archipelago of the Balearic Islands has mild weather in the winter months and differs little in different islands. The average temperature in December is 16°C, January 15°C, February 16°C. The nights are cool. As the sun sets, the daytime temperature drops significantly. The night minimum recorded on the coast was 5°C, however, average temperature air fluctuates between 7-10°C. Tourists who come on holiday in Spain in winter to the Balearic Islands sunbathe in the sun, but do not swim in the sea; the water at this time is no more than 15°C. Winter precipitation is about 20% of the annual average; mostly rainy weather in the Balearic Islands occurs in February, 7-8 days of the month. In December and January, the rains are accompanied by wind, but pass quickly, lasting 4-5 days a month.
With the arrival of March, the rainy season begins in the Balearic Islands; during this period, cloudy weather can last 8-9 days a month, in the evenings it rains and the winds blow. The average air temperature in March is 18°C, April 19°C, May 23°C. After winter the water is still cool, in March 15°C. By the end of April, towards the offensive tourist season on the Balearic Islands the thermometer is noticeably creeping up. The spring sun is already warmer, daylight lasts 7-8 hours. The water temperature reaches the initial bathing marks of 18-20°C by the end of May. The beach season opens in May, however, the evenings are still cool at no more than 15°C, so for night walks it is best to take warm clothes.
Summer in the Balearic Islands is famous for its abundance of sunny weather, lack of precipitation, and warm, cool nights. In June, the air temperature rises to 25°C, the water warms up to 21°C, and rain can fall 3-4 days a month. With the onset of July, hot, dry weather sets in, the air warms up to 27°C, in August up to 30°C. The water at this time remains at a comfortable level for swimming, 24-25°C. The nights are warm, at least 20°C. Peak temperatures coincide with the number of vacationers on local beaches. In summer, the islands are filled with tourists, and the daytime bustle develops into night parties, so summer resort life in the Balearic Islands does not subside for a minute. Lovers active rest come to the Balearic Islands for water sports.
Almost half of the Balearic Islands autumn is spent continuing beach season. The weather in September is practically no different from summer, there is a slight drop in temperature to 27°C, the water has warmed up to 26°C and is not cooling yet. September the Velvet season, great option for lovers of light coolness and not bright sun. Rainy weather in the Balearic Islands in September lasts about 3-4 days. With the onset of September, the temperature reaches 22°C, on cloudy days about 20°C, at night you can feel the onset of autumn, the temperature is about 14°C or less. In November, the rainy season begins; good sunny weather is increasingly replaced by gusty winds and prolonged downpours. The air temperature is 18-19°C, the water is cooled to 19°C.
If you want to organize a holiday in Spain on the Balearic Islands, you should remember that weather data is approximate, most often repeated for last years, and the temperature on one island may differ slightly from that of another. For a specific resort and time interval, it is best to familiarize yourself with the preliminary forecast. The most successful periods for an organization excursion tours are April, May, October, September. There are significantly fewer tourists than in summer, prices are slightly lower, and the weather is not very hot. Comfortable 20-25°C will allow you to spend a lot of time under open air. There is no need to be afraid of rains, because during these seasons they occur mainly at night or briefly during the day. In winter, many tourists come to the Balearic Islands with a shopping program, buying fashionable new items from leading world designers.
Wanting to spend their holidays on the islands of sunny Spain, many tourists do not know what is better to choose - the Canary or Balearic Islands. It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question which of these two archipelagos is better suited for recreation. To decide on a vacation destination, you should first take into account the goals and time of year of the planned trip.
Canary Islands
The Canary Archipelago is located in Atlantic Ocean. It includes eight inhabited and several small uninhabited islands. Inhabited islands include: Tenerife, La Gomera, Hierro, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
The climate of the archipelago is characterized as tropical trade wind. Constantly blowing trade winds soften the dry climate. The Canary Islands are characterized by the absence of sudden temperature changes and small amounts of precipitation throughout the year.
The largest island of the Archipelago is Tenerife. Its area is 2034.38 km² and its population reached 908,555 in 2012. Tenerife is located at the same latitude as the Sahara Desert, which affects its climate. main feature climate is that the maximum seasonal differences in air temperature are no more than 10-15 °C. That's why the Spaniards call Tenerife sla de la Eterna Primavera, which translates as “the island of eternal spring.”
In summer, the average air temperature ranges from +24 to + 28 °C, and in winter from +13 to 18 °C. On sunny winter days the air can warm up to +21...+22 °C. The water temperature in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Tenerife from December to January is +18...+21 °C.
Mountain ranges Tenerife is divided into two parts: northern and southern. in winter climatic conditions in these parts differ significantly. In the north it rains more often and the climate is more humid. In the south, the climate is dry and precipitation is much less frequent.
On all inhabited Canary Islands, with the exception of La Graciosa, many hotels have been built, including budget and luxury chain hotel complexes. There are no large hotels on La Graciosa, which is not surprising, since it is the smallest inhabited island archipelago.
Balearic Islands
The Balearic archipelago is located in the western part Mediterranean Sea. The largest islands of the archipelago are Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza (Ibiza) and Formentera. Ibiza is a noisy youth resort for lovers of bars and night discos. Stormy nightlife Mallorca can also boast. Therefore, lovers of tranquility are recommended to relax in Menorca or Formentera.
The climate of the Balearic archipelago is Mediterranean. This type of climate is characterized by dry, hot summers and mild winters with an average air temperature of +8...+15 °C. In summer, the average air temperature in the Balearic Islands is +27…+31 °C. The water in the Mediterranean Sea warms up to +25 °C in summer. The beach season in the Balearic Islands begins in April and lasts until about mid-October.
Where to go on vacation?
If your holiday falls between November and March and you want to enjoy the southern warmth, then a holiday in the Canary Islands will be not a bad option. For example, you can go to one of southern resorts Tenerife. On the island of Gran Canaria it is also quite warm in the autumn-winter period - in January the air temperature can reach +20...+21 °C.
For those who do not like the sultry heat, the Canary Islands will also be very comfortable in summer. After all, the climate of the archipelago is softened by trade winds and cold currents. Therefore, even at air temperatures above +25 °C, the heat will be easily tolerated.
A summer rest The Balearic Islands will appeal to lovers of hot weather and sultry sun. The hottest summer months here are July and August. The velvet season begins in the second half of September.
If you are interested excursion holiday, then in the autumn-winter period you can go to Mallorca. The most interesting sights of Mallorca are located in the capital of the island - the city of Palma. To this day, medieval churches, cathedrals and the Royal Palace have been well preserved in Palma.
An archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, an autonomous region of Spain with the capital Palma de Mallorca, and the main thing for us is that it is popular tourist destination beach holidays from May to October. The most large islands these are Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza and the island of Fermentera, in addition there are other small islands that are mostly uninhabited.
How to get to the Balearic Islands
Three islands have their own airport, direct flights connect the islands with cities in Spain, and there are busy routes with Madrid and Barcelona. There are many flights from European cities, especially London. In summer you can easily fly here from Kyiv or Moscow. If you want to go on a boat trip, ferries from Barcelona are at your service. Small passenger ships ply between the islands themselves, carrying passengers; the ticket price does not exceed thirty euros.
There is a railway on the island of Mallorca, and you can get to almost any place within the island by bus.
Car rental in the Balearic Islands is quite popular; rental prices are slightly higher than on mainland Spain, but much lower than, for example, in Iceland.
Climate and weather in the Balearic Islands
I’ll say right away that swimming in the sea in winter will be cold. The air temperature during the day is about fifteen degrees Celsius, at night it drops to plus five. In summer it can be plus thirty during the day, about twenty at night. The Mediterranean climate with a pleasant and refreshing sea breeze leaves good impression about relaxation, in the summer it is not stuffy and not hot. The beach season lasts from the beginning of May to the end of October. Water temperature in summer time about twenty-five degrees.
Beaches in the Balearic Islands
For example, in Mallorca there are seventy-six beaches, the total length of which is more than five hundred and fifty kilometers, twenty-two beaches received the Blue Flag, and this is almost every third beach. Tourists are attracted by the virgin nature, cleanliness and well-groomed local beaches. The Balearic Islands are a good place to buy a summer house; by the way, this is exactly what many celebrities and simply wealthy people did. However, a house on the Belearic Islands is comparable in price to a Moscow apartment, so this can be affordable for each of us. But let's return to our beaches.
All of them are state-owned; it is impossible to buy or rent the beach area. You only have to pay for sunbeds and umbrellas; entry to any beach is free. Let me note right away that tourists from the former Soviet Union The resort of Magaluf is popular, perhaps due to the amenities and low prices in the area. If you are planning to fly to the islands with a child, I recommend the town of Illetas, the entrance to the sea is gentle, the resort is maximally adapted for family holidays.
Most of the beaches in the Balearics are sandy, but if you prefer pebbles, we recommend Son Callo beach. The most visited beaches of the islands are Playa de Palma, Cala Mayor, Calla, Vinas, Cala Gran, Cala D'Or. To be honest, it is difficult to single out the most best beaches Moreover, the taste of tourists, as a rule, is not the same.
Divers will not be disappointed, if you have dived in Egypt, then it is not much worse here undersea world. Mallorca is especially popular with divers. This largest island archipelago, the capital is also located here Autonomous Okrug city of Palma de Mallorca.
The beaches of the island of Menorca are not inferior to Mallorca, they are especially magnificent big beaches Caia Galdana and Caia Anna. In the south of the islands are sand dunes and nudist beaches. The northern beaches are not crowded; if you prefer a secluded holiday, then this is the place for you.
The island of Ibiza is considered the most party island, mainly young people come here, there are clubs and discos all around, in the evening and at night the beaches turn into a dance hall. The most popular beaches in Ibiza are Playa de la Salina, Talamanca, En Bossa, Figueretas, Cala Salada and the nudist beach of San Salinas. Most of the beaches on the island of Ibiza have a variety of sports equipment, athletic fields, shaded courts, football and volleyball fields, accessible and aquatic species sports.
More calm beaches Cala de Portnat, Cala D'Ort and Bennirra. In contrast to them there will be the beaches of Santa Eularia des Rio, Sant Antoni and Playa d'en Bossa, where everyone spends their time very actively and cheerfully, the beaches are one whole disco that is open around the clock. Ibiza is the most expensive island, there are many five-star hotels, however, even three-star ones are not moderately priced.
On the island of Fermentera you can find a quiet and relaxing holiday on the beach, the island is almost uninhabited.
Prices in the Balearic Islands
It is quite expensive here, especially for the youth resort of the island of Ibiza
Restaurants and cuisine of the Balearic Islands
The restaurants will offer you Mediterranean Spanish cuisine with a large selection of seafood. Be sure to order the local caldera soup, rice paella, sobrassada, potato buns, almond cake, spiral cakes and fig bread. It's worth visiting tapas bars, such as those near the beaches. I note that it is better to go to those restaurants where people go local residents, restaurants designed only for tourists are different high prices. Please note that restaurants close for siesta from 1pm to 4pm.
Sights of the Balearic Islands
What to do in the Balearics? Of course, lie on the beach and swim. In Mallorca, in the capital of the archipelago, Palma de Mallorca, you can visit archaeological museums and various architectural attractions, such as Bellver Castle and the Cathedral. You can visit a bullfight, take a walk in a Spanish town. The main natural attraction of Mallorca is the Arta Caves, the Dragon Caves and the underground Lake Martelna in the east of the island.
On the island of Menorca, pay attention to the city of Mahon, take a walk around the historical center, the city is very small, so all the architectural attractions are within walking distance. It is worth going to the city of Ciutadella, there is a beautiful old part of it settlement with a magnificent Cathedral and many palaces. Ancient history represent local megaliths.
In Ibiza, the main attraction is the club culture. Among the architectural heritage I will highlight Archaeological Museum with finds from the Roman era, the Ibiza Cathedral, the ruins of the fortress of Sas Taulas and Kastel. From all three islands you can take a short boat trip across the waves, and from Ibiza it is easiest to get to Fermentera Island. In the Balearic Islands you can successfully practice golf, diving, windsurfing, visit various water parks, go on excursions to ancient villages and witness cultural and sporting events.
Even those who have repeatedly visited this country and who seem to know it well usually do not take into account the simple fact that in Europe this is not all of Spain. She also has other territories.
Insular Spain
Located in Mediterranean islands- This autonomous territory Spain. The largest island in the archipelago, Mallorca has long been a center of attraction for tourists from all over the world. This is due to a number of reasons, primarily climatic. The Balearic Islands have luxurious, evergreen tropical nature and a rich heritage of the European Middle Ages, most of which was well preserved and has successfully survived to this day.
When is the best time to go to Mallorca?
The secret to the popularity of this Mediterranean island is explained by a combination of natural and historical factors. Beach holidays of the highest level are successfully combined here with the opportunity to join the historical and cultural heritage the most distinctive part of which is the island of Mallorca. The weather here varies from month to month, but not so much that the island loses its attractiveness. There is simply no month of the year in which you should not plan a visit to the Balearic Islands. Even taking into account the fact that the beach season here lasts from April to October, we must not forget that this is Spain. Mallorca, where the weather remains quite comfortable even in the winter months, island territory of this country, and it is good at any time. And getting to know its cultural and historical heritage during this season of the year is even better.
To Mallorca for a holiday in the "high season"
Traditional concepts of “high” and “low” tourist seasons exist in the Balearic Islands, but they are not as pronounced here as on the continent. This is typical for many Mediterranean islands, including Mallorca. The weather here differs enough from month to month that you can choose the most acceptable temperature to your liking. During the summer months, the island can be quite hot, with average temperatures approaching thirty degrees. At the same time, it is impossible to call such a temperature debilitating. It has long been noted that the same air temperature is perceived completely differently by a person in the depths of the continent and on sea coast. The tropical humid climate of the western Mediterranean makes this temperature very comfortable for a person accustomed to the climate middle zone. The weather in Mallorca in June and other summer months is simply ideal for a beach holiday. The water warms up to 25 degrees Celsius.
Mallorca in spring
Already in early spring, the air temperature on the island warms up to plus 20 degrees. At this time, the tropical nature of the Balearic Islands gradually awakens after winter holiday and is experiencing a period of vigorous flowering. Mallorca is literally buried in flowers. And it deserves to be seen at least once. Moreover, the weather in Mallorca in April is quite conducive to the beginning of a full-fledged beach season. This period of the year is also characterized by the fact that the beaches, hotels and restaurants are not yet very crowded. The main flow of tourists arrives in the Balearic Islands in the summer months. And along with their arrival, prices in all service infrastructure enterprises rise. This is clearly noticeable already at the end of spring, because the weather in Mallorca in May is already truly summer.
The Velvet season
This period lasts about two months in the Balearic Islands: from mid-September to the first ten days of November. It is the velvet season that weather-sensitive people should pay attention to. the air drops by about five degrees at this time, but the weather in October in Mallorca continues to remain comfortable, especially for those for whom the heat is contraindicated for medical reasons. Among other things, during the velvet season there is noticeably less noise and fuss on the island’s beaches: a significant part of tourists return to their permanent habitats. Both the price level of the voucher and everyday expenses are reduced accordingly. The Balearic Islands are especially beautiful at this time of year, and the evergreen nature takes on the characteristic features of autumn expressiveness. Among other things, tourists at this time can expect abundance at minimal prices. Many of those who were lucky enough to visit these shores note that summer here lasts much longer than on the continent. Indeed, the weather in Mallorca in September is almost no different from summer. The boundary between seasons here can be drawn very arbitrarily.
Some climatic features
Tourists purchasing tickets to popular beach resorts, one cannot help but be interested in the question of how often precipitation occurs in the area where it is to go. But an interesting climatic feature and significant positive thing The best thing about a beach holiday in the Balearic Islands is the fact that rainy days are extremely rare here. Only slightly more often than in the nearby African country. Of course, precipitation does occur here, but it occurs mainly in the form of short-term rain showers. Which, no matter how unexpectedly they come, end just as suddenly. And an hour later the sky is usually clear and the sun is shining again. This is the climatic feature of the island of Mallorca. The weather here is quite stable over the months, and the level of precipitation is approximately the same. Most days here are sunny, and nothing prevents a beach holiday.
What to see in Mallorca
total length coastline This island is more than half a thousand kilometers long. There are an abundance of long beaches with clean sand, coastal cliffs, large and small bays and bays. But of the highest level beach holiday- this is far from the only thing that Mallorca is famous for. The weather here does not vary as noticeably from month to month as on the continent, and it does not in any way interfere with exploring the historical and natural attractions of the island. Even during the so-called " low season". It is low mainly in terms of prices for services tourism infrastructure. The unique expressiveness of the island is given by the unique combination of bright tropical nature with historical architectural heritage. Much has been well preserved here from the Middle Ages and the Moorish period of Spanish history, but monuments from the Roman Empire have also survived in Mallorca. A characteristic feature of the landscape on the island are terraced mountain slopes overgrown with lush gardens and vineyards. It is not difficult to guess that Mallorca, among other things, is also famous for its winemaking. You can try and appreciate it both in the capital and in small villages in the interior of the territory. A very good option for traveling around the island are two railway lines connecting the capital of Mallorca with two other cities. Both routes pass through the most picturesque places and are traditionally used for excursion purposes.
Capital of the island
But most of the historical and architectural attractions are concentrated in the capital city of Palma de Mallorca. It's pretty Big city with more than thousand years of history. It is especially expressive due to such outstanding examples of Gothic architecture as the La Seu Cathedral, founded in 1229, and the Palau del Almudaina, the traditional residence of local monarchical dynasties. Traces of both Aragonese and Moorish influences can be seen in the architecture of Palma. The entire central part of the city is behind cathedral retained its original historical layout c Of particular note is the Church of St. Eulalia located here; this is one of the oldest religious buildings not only on the island of Mallorca, but throughout the south of Spain. One day to meet historical center The capital of the island is often not enough.
How to get to the island
At the height of the “high” tourist season, you can fly to Palma de Mallorca by regular plane from Sheremetyevo. During other seasons of the year, only charter flights from this airport. Therefore, you will have to get there with a transfer in Barcelona or Madrid. Flights are also operated from a number of other cities on the European continent. But you can get to the island by water transport. There are regular connections to the port of Palma de Mallorca from Barcelona, Valencia, Menorca and Ibiza.
