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The Balearic Islands are four inhabited islands with very different characters. Mallorca has a capital, mountains and coastline to suit all tastes; Ibiza brings together a walled city, coves and nightlife; Menorca moves at a gentler pace; Formentera is all about the beach.
That’s why deciding where to stay in the Balearic Islands starts with choosing an island, then a town. We’ve reviewed the places to stay in the Balearic Islands featured on our site and picked them one by one for what they genuinely offer and the travellers they suit.
How to choose an island
The islands are close to one another, but travelling between them means taking a flight or a boat. Choose your main base according to what you’re looking for:
- Mallorca: the largest and best-connected island. Choose Palma for a city break, the Tramuntana for villages and hiking, or the north and east for family-friendly beaches.
- Ibiza: Dalt Vila and the port, clear-water coves, sunsets on the west coast and the Mediterranean’s best-known nightlife.
- Menorca: a Biosphere Reserve since 1993, with pine-fringed coves, white villages and little noise.
- Formentera: no airport; arrive by boat from Ibiza. Long beaches and cycling are the island’s special appeal.
Mallorca makes things easy for a first visit. Ibiza and Formentera combine well on one trip; Menorca is best enjoyed on its own and at an unhurried pace.
Mallorca
Mallorca has the largest share of accommodation in the archipelago. Palma, the capital, sits on the bay; to the northwest is the Serra de Tramuntana, a World Heritage Site since 2011; to the north are the bays of Pollença and Alcúdia; and to the east are coves and coastal towns. See all our places to stay in Mallorca and our guide to where to stay in Mallorca by area.
Palma is the most practical base: the airport is about 8 km away, buses run to almost every part of the island, and you can explore the old town between the Cathedral and the Born on foot. For help choosing a neighbourhood, see where to stay in Palma de Mallorca or browse places to stay in Palma. Here are four homes in the historic centre:
Casa Delmonte - Turismo de Interior
An adults-only townhouse almost opposite the church of La Missió and a two-minute walk from Plaça Major. It has a garden and terrace, a rare find in the old town, and rooms for two or three guests. There’s no parking, so it’s a good fit if you’re arriving by plane and getting around on foot.
Vila Damunt
Suites right beside the Cathedral, some with views of the sea and Palma’s rooftops. The two-bedroom suite, at 90 m², has a full kitchen and suits families of up to four; the suites for two don’t have one. There’s no on-site parking either.
Boutique Hotel Posada Terra Santa
A 16th-century mansion with a spa, an indoor pool and an outdoor pool—hard to find in the heart of the old town. Pets are welcome at no extra cost if you request this in advance. The nearby car park is paid and must be reserved; the closest beach is about 700 m away.
Can Alomar Hotel
A five-star hotel 70 m from Passeig des Born, with a sun terrace, a hot tub and a restaurant blending Japanese, Peruvian and Mediterranean cuisine. The suites accommodate up to three people. Breakfast costs extra, as does the garage, which must be reserved.
On the other side of the mountains lies Sóller, an orange-growing valley with its own port, connected to Palma by a wooden train that has been running since 1912. It’s a natural base for hiking in the Tramuntana or visiting Deià and Valldemossa; find out more in our guide to where to stay in Sóller. Our pick in the valley:
Can Verí Suites
Suites ranging from 59 to 76 m², with a living room, equipped kitchen and balcony, patio or terrace: almost like having your own flat in the centre of Sóller. Bikes are available to rent for exploring the mountains. Private parking is free but outside the building, and Wi-Fi is available only in the communal areas.
If you’d rather be by the beach than in the city, Paguera in the southwest combines small coves and a pedestrian boulevard, while Playa de Palma, close to Palma, has kilometres of sand. On the east coast, Cala Millor and Cala Ratjada work well for families; in the north, Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia look out over two peaceful bays.
Check the calendar if you’re visiting in spring: the Mallorca 312 cycle race starts and finishes in Playa de Muro on Saturday, 24 April 2027. Find flights, ferries and buses in our guide to getting to Mallorca.
Ibiza
Ibiza is about 40 km from end to end, but each coast has its own feel. The capital sits beneath Dalt Vila, the walled city that has been a World Heritage Site since 1999; the west, around San Antonio, faces the sunset; the east, around Santa Eulària des Riu, is more laid-back. Browse places to stay in Ibiza and find out about the different areas in our guide to where to stay in Ibiza.
Since 1 April 2026, the island has had a new bus network, with up to 65 routes, including beach and night services, making it easier to get around without a car. For Dalt Vila and the boat to Formentera, stay in the capital (see where to stay in Ibiza city). Here are our two picks there:
Hostal Marblau Ibiza
A few steps from Platja dels Molins and less than half a kilometre from Dalt Vila, with a garden and rooms with balconies overlooking the sea; the suite adds a 50 m² living room. There’s no parking, free Wi-Fi is limited to the communal areas, and it’s best to let them know your arrival time.
Can Jaume by Ocean Drive
A restored country estate among orange trees, with a pool and garden, on the outskirts of the city and with free private parking. The buffet breakfast costs extra and can be ordered to go. Talamanca, the nearest beach, is almost 3 km away, so this is a better choice if you have a car.
San Antonio brings together a port, a promenade and a bay facing west, and it stays lively late into the summer evenings. Read our guide to where to stay in San Antonio; for a more family-friendly option, take a look at Santa Eulària des Riu, and for your journey, see how to get to Ibiza. In San Antonio, we’d choose:
Hotel Portmany
Studios and a penthouse with a kitchen, balcony and sea views, 250 m from San Antonio beach. The restaurant serves Indian, Italian and Mediterranean food for days when you don’t feel like cooking. Breakfast isn’t included, and nearby public parking is paid.
Menorca
Menorca is the most laid-back island in the archipelago. It has been a Biosphere Reserve since 1993, and its Talayotic heritage has been a World Heritage Site since 2023; the Camí de Cavalls, the old trail that circles the island, links its coves. Maó, home to the airport, and Ciutadella, the former capital, are at opposite ends. Browse places to stay in Menorca and our guide to where to stay in Menorca.
Our picks are in Ciutadella, whose old town is easy to explore on foot and close to the unspoilt coves in the south. In late April, look out for the Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls: it runs from 30 April to 2 May 2027, starting and finishing in Ciutadella, with a 185 km race around the island. Find out more in our guide to where to stay in Ciutadella; here are three places we like:
S'Enclova Petit Hotel
A small adults-only hotel in the heart of the historic centre, 150 m from the Bastió de sa Font. Double rooms come with a coffee maker, minibar and air conditioning, and one has a balcony and terrace. There’s no parking, and Sa Platja Gran is just over a kilometre away.
Boutique Hotel RifugioAzul
An adults-only hotel with soundproofed rooms, 160 m from the cathedral. Suites have a hot tub and private terrace, a treat for a couples’ getaway. Breakfast, either Italian or gluten-free, is served only from 15 June to 31 August, and there’s no parking.
Riviera Hotel Menorca
A four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, garden and terrace, about 500 m from Platja Gran: a city stay with a chance to unwind. It has a restaurant and bar, buffet or à la carte breakfast, and suites of up to 35 m² for three people. Free parking is available in a nearby public car park.
Formentera
Formentera is the smallest island and the only one without an airport. Boats from Ibiza port take about 30 minutes to reach La Savina. In return, you get Ses Illetes beach in Ses Salines Natural Park and country roads made for cycling. Browse places to stay in Formentera and our guide to where to stay in Formentera.
There are three clear bases: La Savina, beside the port; Sant Ferran de ses Roques, in the centre of the island; and Es Pujols, the liveliest spot by the sea. Here’s one pick in each:
Can Micalet
Suites with kitchens less than half a kilometre from the ferry terminal, so you can settle in as soon as you step off the boat. There’s an outdoor pool, restaurant and bar, and one suite is wheelchair-accessible. There’s no parking, and breakfast costs extra.
Hostal Bon Sol
On a pedestrian street in Sant Ferran, with restaurants next door and beaches less than 2 km away. Couples can choose double rooms with a terrace, while families can opt for a quadruple room with a balcony. Reception closes at 20:00, so plan around your boat’s arrival; parties aren’t allowed.
Hotel Sa Volta
A family-run hotel 200 m from Es Pujols beach, with a rooftop pool and terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. Every room has a balcony, and the triple rooms work well for small groups. There’s no on-site parking.
When to go
Peak season runs from June to September, with August the busiest month; May, June and September offer the best balance of pleasant sea temperatures and quieter coves. In winter, Palma and Ibiza city are still lively, and the Tramuntana is ideal for walking, while many places to stay in Menorca and Formentera close. In June, Ciutadella celebrates Sant Joan on the 23rd and 24th, with horses taking centre stage.
Getting there and travelling between the islands
Palma, Ibiza and Menorca all have airports, which handled 47.1 million passengers in 2025, with Palma far ahead. Ferries run from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia. Between the islands, boats from Ibiza to Formentera run frequently, while fast ferries connect Alcúdia and Ciutadella in about an hour.
If you’re thinking of bringing your car, check the rules first: Ibiza and Formentera limit the entry of vehicles from outside the islands in summer (in 2026, from 1 June to 30 September), and Mallorca and Menorca are working on similar measures for 2027. It’s usually worth hiring a car at your destination. Find all the details in our guide to getting to the Balearic Islands.
This is our general guide to the archipelago. For more detail, see our island guides to Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, as well as guides to destinations such as Palma de Mallorca, Sóller, Ciutadella and Ibiza city.
Frequently asked questions
Some of the most common questions when planning a trip to the Balearic Islands.
Which Balearic island is best to stay on?
It depends on your trip. Mallorca is the most versatile: Palma for city life, the Serra de Tramuntana for villages and mountains, and beach resorts on the north, east and southwest coasts. Ibiza combines Dalt Vila, coves and nightlife, with a quieter east coast. Menorca is the slower-paced choice, with coves and white villages. Formentera is for unwinding on the beach and getting around by bike; you can reach it by boat from Ibiza.
Where should I stay in the Balearic Islands on my first visit?
For a first visit, Palma de Mallorca is the easiest base: its airport has more flights than any other in the archipelago, buses run to almost every part of the island, and you can explore the old town on foot. From there, you can take the train to Sóller or spend the day at other beaches. If you’d rather have beaches and a lively atmosphere, Ibiza city is another good first base, with boats to Formentera leaving from its own port.
Can you combine several islands on one trip?
Yes, and some combinations are easy. Ibiza and Formentera are about 30 minutes apart by boat, with frequent departures, so you can stay on both or visit Formentera for the day. Mallorca and Menorca are linked by boat between Alcúdia and Ciutadella, and by air from Palma. For a week-long trip, it makes sense to visit no more than two islands and spend at least three nights on each.
Do you need a car in the Balearic Islands?
It depends on the island and where you’re based. You can manage without one in Palma, Ibiza city or Ciutadella: the centres are walkable, and buses go to many beaches. A car gives you much more freedom in the Tramuntana, inland Menorca or at remote coves. If you’re bringing your own car by ferry, remember that Ibiza and Formentera limit the entry of vehicles from outside the islands in summer; hiring one at your destination is usually the most practical option.
Which island is best for travelling with children?
Menorca and the north or east of Mallorca are the easiest choices with children: shallow sandy beaches, seafront promenades and peaceful towns. In Mallorca, Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa and Cala Millor have plenty of family-friendly options. In Ibiza, Santa Eulària des Riu is more laid-back than San Antonio. Note that several places in this guide are adults-only; we mention this in each listing.
