Majorca Introduction

As the largest of the Balearic Islands, Majorca or Mallorca is a beautiful holiday destination. Situated off the South East Coast of Spain this island benefits from the sun, sea and sand. It is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, having undergone a huge renovation effort in the 1960's. Due to this the tourism trade in this area has flourished and millions of people flock here every year.

Some may think that Majorca offers only holidays suitable for those looking for neon lights and alcoholic beverages served in fish bowls. Though there are areas of Majorca that offer this there are also parts of the island which show traditional Majorca in all its glory. The capital of Majorca Palma is one such place, with its magnificent cathedral and its beautiful architecture displayed in the grand mansions which can be seen everywhere. In Majorca in general if you move away from the large resorts you will uncover the true beauty of this island. The countryside displays old windmills and quaint farmhouses.

Should you just want to relax then that is most certainly an option. With its fine gold sand and breathtakingly blue water you can relax to your hearts content. With restaurants showcasing locally caught fish then your culinary desires will most certainly also be met.

Ultimately Majorca is an island of contrasts which really make it a perfect holiday destination for all. There are not many places that offer suitable activities for both those who are looking to party the night away and those with young children who are looking for things to be quiet and relaxed. All you have to do is look around to see the true beauty of Majorca. Once you see it you will wonder what kept you away.

Majorca Location

Majorca is one of the Balearic Islands and is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. It is the largest island of Spanish govern.

Majorca Weather

Majorca is blessed with a sunny, pleasant and typically Mediterranean climate. Its summers are hot and mostly rain-free, reaching temperatures approaching 30º Celsius and offering up to 10 hours of daily hours sunshine.

Winters are cooler but remain generally clear and pleasant, with daytime temperatures rarely falling beneath 10º. The south of the island - which hosts popular resorts such as Magaluf, Palma Nova and the island's capital, Palma - has the more consistent weather conditions, which is why such resorts are by far the most popular and busy in the winter months.

The temperate and agreeable conditions help generate the picturesque and contrasting scenery of this beautiful island, with the contrasts of lush, green vegetation, vast stretches of golden and beaches and stunning coves, mountains and landscapes.

The majority of rain falls in October, November and December, and is more common in the mountainous regions than in the lower-lying coastal resorts.

Majorca Beaches

For many of the millions of tourists who have flocked to Majorca - 'the Island of Calm' - the lure of long, sun-soaked days on the island's many beautiful beaches is one of the island's principal attractions. The beauty and variety of them makes so many come back year after year.

Majorca Car Hire

The sheer size of Majorca (it is the biggest of the Balearic Islands) alongside its amazing diversity makes it almost impossible to explore just some of what this fabulous island has to offer without a car.

The South West of the island boasts the sophisticated charm of resorts such as Portals Nous, the hustle and bustle of Magaluf and the history and architecture of Palma. The North and North West is dominated by the colossal Serra de Tramuntana mountain range which leads through to the famous Formenter Peninsula, the site of some of the most stunning scenery and views in Europe. The East Coast offers some of the island's finest beaches, fascinating wildlife and the spectacular Caves of Drach.

Alongside the island's much celebrated coastline, there are a whole array of quaint villages, beautiful stretches of rural expanses and many highly significant cultural and traditional sites throughout Majorca.

With so much to see-and-do it is clear to see why car hire is so highly recommended and so popular. As a major European region the island is clearly marked with internationally recognised signs and the roads are, in the main, of a good and modern standard. Navigating to the major points of interest is also relatively straightforward and maps can be either purchased, found at Tourist Offices or are accessible online.

Car hire prices start from as little as £75 for a week or £12 a day.

Transfers from the airport

Arriving at a foreign airport can often be a strenuous affair and with most customers traveling independently these days having a pre-booked airport transfer is an essential part of your holiday package. Local taxis at the airport can sometimes be limited or with long queues, by booking a pre-booked you can not only make a fantastic saving on your transfer but also avoid all the stress of queues and haggling with taxi drivers. Book your airport transfer service here now >>

Airport Shuttle Bus Service

In most of our gateway airports you can pre-book an Airport Shuttle Service. This is a pre-booked only service that operates between the relevant airport and holiday resort. In normal times you can expect to wait up to 30 minutes for your shuttle bus to arrive however as this is a pre-negotiated service and only available to participating travel companies then expect to pay far less to get from the airport to your destination accommodation than other traditional forms or transport such as local taxis. Book your airport shuttle service here now>>

Shopping in Majorca

After an unforgettable holiday in Majorca, you will be in need of some souvenirs of your stay to share your memories with friends and family. Although, with some of the excellent shopping options available on the island you may be hard pressed to give your purchases away!

As a major holiday destination you will of course find all of the essentials on offer in pretty much every corner of the island - from groceries to postcards to sun tan lotion. However, those who cast their net a little further will find the island has a great deal more to offer.

Much of the best shopping can be done in the capital, Palma (otherwise known as 'Palma City' or 'Palma de Mallorca') and whether you chose to stay here, visit for the day or just take a pit stop before your flight home you better make sure you bring your credit card! There are many superb boutique clothes shops and craft works on offer tucked away on the winding, cobbled streets. It also plays host to Majorca's premier department store - 'El Corte Inglés' (for address and contact details see below). Other shops particularly worthy of mention include 'Loewe' and 'Pink' which specialise in leather and accessories and 'Casa Bonet' selling textiles and embroidered goods (see below).

Elsewhere on the island you will find certain areas specialise in specific industries, and you can often pick up high quality items in towns. Manacor has a large glassworks industry and there are many excellent artifacts available. Binissalem is the island's wine capital and some fine local wines can be picked up in stores here. For leather goods visit Inca, where there are many high quality products available.

Eating out in Majorca

Majorca geography plays an important part of its many excellent gastronomic options. The long stretch of coastline is populated with many working fishing ports that bring in plenty of fresh fish and seafood. Likewise there are many long stretches of pastureland and agricultural regions where olives, fruits and vegetables are grown and many farm animals are raised. Likewise, the island's history has shaped its cuisine and there are Arabic influences and other European dishes presumably originating in Majorca's history as an important stop for traders for nearly two thousand years.

Many Majorcans enjoy the traditional 'Ensaimada' buns shaped into spirals. The dish comprises of flour, yeast, eggs, water with the addition of pork lard and paprika which gives it its distinctive flavour. There are sweet versions also available including a popular variant including pumpkin. Likewise, 'Fideua' offers a unique variation on the classic Spanish 'Paella' replacing rice with noodles.

Sausages are equally an important part of the Majorcan diet - so much so that there is annual festival held in Sant Joan celebrating the many local variants (the 'Festa dies Butifarro'). One popular sausage is the 'Sobrassada' - a cured sausage served uncooked combining pork, paprika, seasoning and often Cayenne Pepper to add some extra pep. Those tied by white string are without pepper and those with red are the spicier version. Another popular sausage is the 'Botifarro' - pig intestine that is filled with large pieces of pork, liver and seasoned with aniseed. Rather than being grilled or fried these sausages are boiled before serving.

As the majority of tourists visiting the island come to visit the many costal resorts, most will have the wide variety of fish and seafood dishes on offer. Monkfish, prawns, bream and sardines are commonplace and lobster is often available at the island's best restaurants. A local speciality is Sea Bass baked in a bed of rock salt. Desserts are also a key part of Majorcan gastronomy and particularly worth seeking out is the 'Gato de Almendras' (Almond Cake).

To wash down these many fine dishes there are many excellent wines made on the island - the majority of which is made in the region surrounding the town of Binissalem. The biggest names in Majorcan wine come from the three of the oldest wine growing families on the island - 'Ferrer', 'Marcia Batle' and 'Ribas'. Also popular are Sherries, Brandy (which is often added to coffee) and a variety of more obscure liqueurs such as 'Cana' made from sugar cane or 'Hierbas' which has a distinctive aniseed flavour.

Nightlife in Majorca

As with so many Mediterranean destinations, Majorca's long, sunny days are just simply too hot to get much done. Therefore, for locals and tourists alike, it is at night when Majorca comes to life. Whether you are seeking the cocktails and clubbing of resorts such as Magaluf, or the theatres and shows of sophisticated Palma City, or even the traditional fiestas celebrated in the many charming towns and villages of the island - there is something to suit all.