This time we will let the little masterpieces of Gaudi in Barcelona and the tapas in Madrid and we will head at the two island complexes of Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands. From Ibiza, the island of eternal partying, to the unknown Lanzarote that looks like the wild part of Africa, all the islands have to offer distinct emotions. Discover them below!
Ibiza
It is the most famous party island in the world. Every summer jet setters and young people from all over the world flock to the tiny Mediterranean island for endless dancing and drinking while the decks of clubs are hosted by the most famous Dj’s. During the day the city of Ibiza and San Antonio is full of flea markets and apart from the beaches it is worth visiting the Can Marca cave in the north of the island.
Minorca
While the music vibrates in Ibiza and Mallorca, Minorca offers the perfect contrast of calm. Thousands of visitors outside Spain, mostly artists have fallen in love with its pristine beaches, relaxed daily life smoothly and megalithic monuments standing for 3,500 years. For these small, whole stone sister of Mallorca tourism is now a second home. The whole island is protected by Unesco, so the frenzy of huge hotel business passed without leaving scars. The diversity of the landscape continues inland: forests, deep valleys, hills with lush greenery that is more like New England despite Mediterranean. Even the coastal cities, Mahon and Ciutadella, is a British colonial heritage, Moorish roots and modern Spanish identity is much quieter than the respective towns of Mallorca.
Lanzarote
The most eastern island of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic reminds a desert since it has no trees and owes its existence to enormous volcanic eruptions that occurred millions of years ago. The largest and most recent eruptions took place in 1730 in the area where today the National Park Timanfagia. Here the ground is still hot and the water evaporates as soon as it hits the ground.
Formentera
The smallest Balearic island is a paradise for nudists and light years away from the frenzy of neighboring Ibiza. Turquoise waters, sugary beaches, colorful cocktails and afternoon siestas without electronic music blaring from the nearby beach bar is the scene looking for the fanatics. The ideal temperatures for swimming hold until the end of October, the bohemian atmosphere but remains throughout the year. The limited surface area makes it easy to explore, has two rare beauties lagoons and the capital of a small, likeable village with 18th century castle, which at night becomes very atmospheric.
Mallorca
The largest island of the Balearic Every year millions of visitors flock to exotic beaches and luxury resorts located mainly in the southern and north bound nature lovers for mountain biking and hiking in unspoilt mountain villages with whitewashed houses. Hot spot are the monasteries that are hidden in the Tramuntana mountains and give incredible views.
View more here: Majestic Hotel and Spa | Barcelona, Spain, Where to go in Madrid | Spain.
By Nicole P.
Islands in Spain photos: Marcos Fernandez, Davide Baraldi, Marc, COMAR1983, Binu Nair.
