
Cala Esmeralda, Cala d'Or © Spanish Tourist Board
The island of Mallorca (also spelled Majorca), off the east
coast of Spain, is the largest in the Balearic Islands group, which
collectively form one of the most popular holiday destinations in
the world. Of all Spain's Mediterranean destinations, Mallorca is
by far and away the most popular, drawing millions of holidaymakers
to its shores each year.
Mallorca took off as a tourist mecca in the 1960s, when a
development boom saw the construction of hundreds of high-rise
hotels, apartment blocks and shopping centres, which now dominate
the island's coastline. The capital, Palma de Mallorca, still
retains some of its historical flavour, sporting grand mansions and
a magnificent Gothic cathedral in its bustling centre. The
northwest coast offers some secluded coves below the peaks of the
Serra de Tramuntana mountain range and several quaint old towns and
villages; while in the south, the flatlands are home to picturesque
olive and almond groves.
Most visitors to Mallorca head there for sun and fun - and with
thousands of annual sunshine hours, and more bars than you could
hope to visit in a lifetime, it is highly unlikely that a holiday
in Mallorca will disappoint on this front. For those who like to
mix in some sightseeing with their holiday revelry, it's possible
to take a break from the beach resorts and to tour the island by
car or bicycle, allowing you to discover Mallorca's romantic
fishing villages, historic monasteries, monuments, museums and
spectacular landscapes at your own pace.