The Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands have been a privileged destination for centuries, welcoming countless famous figures: artists, writers and painters from all around the globe have made our islands their home. In this sense, the archipelago is far more than merely one of the foremost tourism centres in the Mediterranean. It is an environment that generates creativity, art, music and gastronomy. A paradise with a captivating landscape.
The Balearic Islands are pure diversity. An archipelago where each island has its own distinct character and features. Islands full of history, with a cultural and monumental heritage that embodies the footsteps and the testimony of all the cultures that have sailed to their shores.
Factsheet
Map and Details of the Islands
The UIB: the 16th-largest Town
The UIB is home to nearly 18,200 students, 1,000 lecturers and researchers, and 500 administrative and services professionals. If the UIB were a town, it would be the 16th-largest in the Balearic Islands, out of a total of 67.
Proximity to Europe
Distance from Palma
| City | Kilometres | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| London | 1,345 | 02:30 |
| Berlin | 1,660 | 02:40 |
| Rome | 869 | 01:35 |
| Paris | 1,034 | 01:45 |
| Amsterdam | 1,435 | 02:30 |
| Brussels | 1,262 | 02:10 |
Hours of Sunshine
| City | Days of sunshine | Days of rainfall | Average annual temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palma | 300 | 51 | 16ºC |
| Paris | 200 | 164 | 11.5ºC |
| London | 200 | 164 | 9.6ºC |
| Berlin | 250 | 113 | 12.9ºC |
| Amsterdam | 180 | 185 | 9.7ºC |
| Copenhagen | 250 | 113 | 8ºC |
| Stockholm | 260 | 105 | 6.7ºC |
| Brussels | 230 | 132 | 10.3ºC |
Source: http://www.climatedata.eu/
Breathtaking Beaches
With crystal-clear waters, the nearly 300 beaches of the Balearics offer an unrivalled variety for visitors, ranging from virgin coves to beaches with all kinds of services.
Cala de Deià. Eduardo Miralles. Image courtesy of the Govern de les Illes Balears / Conselleria de Turisme i Esports / Agència de Turisme de les Illes Balears (ATB)
Water Sports
Water sports are one of the major attractions in our island region. The Mediterranean offers a privileged backdrop for countless internationally renowned regattas. Moreover, the islands boast a comprehensive network of boating companies and facilities.
Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell. Giorgio Gatti. Image courtesy of the Govern de les Illes Balears / Conselleria de Turisme i Esports / Agència de Turisme de les Illes Balears (ATB)
The Tramuntana Mountains and Hiking
One of the best ways to discover and enjoy the landscape of our islands is to set out along some of its hiking trails. The Serra de Tramuntana Mountains—the top area for hiking—were declared a World Heritage Site in 2010 and are now the second most sought-after mountain destination in Spain amongst international travellers.
- SPANISH INSTITUTE OF TOURISM (2008). ‘Tourism Product Report: Mountain Tourism’ [Online article]
Cycling in Ses Salines. Manfred. Image courtesy of the Govern de les Illes Balears / Conselleria de Turisme i Esports / Agència de Turisme de les Illes Balears (ATB)
Balearic Cuisine
Balearic cuisine is both original and exquisite. Rooted in Mediterranean traditions, the food of the Balearic Islands is similar to the cuisine found in Catalonia and Valencia. Thanks to their location, the Balearics are a cultural crossroads that have welcomed Arabic, Jewish and Italian culinary influences. In Minorca, the legacy left behind by French and English rule is also clear.
Nowadays, the archipelago is proud to be home to several Michelin-starred chefs who have often rekindled traditional recipes and adapted them to today’s more modern tastes. The mastery and quality of their cooking have cemented the reputation of Balearic cuisine around the world.
School of Hotel Management
Ever since it was founded by the Balearic Islands Government and the UIB in 1995, the School of Hotel Management has been an essential institute for recovering, preserving and promoting Balearic cuisine. The school has been home to top chefs such as Macarena de Castro, who was awarded a Michelin star for her restaurant El Jardín, and instructors such as Tomeu Caldentey, who also earned a Michelin star for his restaurant, Es Molí d’en Bou.
The school's programmes train specialists in kitchen and restaurant services, restaurant and bar management and administration, as well as haute cuisine. Its approach uses an interactive system that aims to improve the scientific and technological skills of hotel and catering staff. Placements are an essential part of this training and incorporated into the syllabus at the half-way point in the learning process, providing students with first-hand insight into the reality at some of the best businesses in the Balearic Islands.
In addition to its vocational programmes, the School of Hotel Management also reaches out to cooking aficionados and fine food lovers. For those who enjoy cooking, the school offers a wide range of workshops and classes, where students learn alongside Majorca’s top chefs. For those who love a good meal, the school hosts an entire programme of themed cooking conferences, in addition to offering a daily menu and its special Friday banquet, all at very affordable prices.
Image courtesy of the Fundació de Turisme Palma de Mallorca 365