Things to Do in the Balearic Islands: Sights by Island

If you only book one excursion on Mallorca, make it the caves at Porto Cristo. The Coves del Drach and the neighbouring Coves dels Hams cave system sit side by side on the east coast, so one morning covers both. In the north, the old town of l'Alcúdia and the Roman ruins of Pollentia make a natural pairing, and the road to the Far de Formentor lighthouse, out on the cape beyond Port de Pollença, is the drive most visitors remember.

Ibiza's highlights are its coves: Cala Salada and Cala Bassa near Sant Antoni de Portmany, Cala Llonga, Cala Pada and Platja des Niu Blau around Santa Eulària des Riu. On Menorca, the archaeological sites of Sa Cudia Cremada and Cornia Nou give a quieter, older side of the islands, all within easy reach of Maó.

Northern Mallorca is the richest corner. Alcúdia has the walled village of l'Alcúdia and Pollentia; Port de Pollença adds the Bocchoris archaeological site and the Far de Formentor; Pollença sits just inland. A little further along the bay, Can Picafort has the Son Real necropolis and the Dolmen de Son Bauló de Dalt. Can Picafort is about 38 minutes from Palma airport.

On the east coast, Porto Cristo is the base for the two caves, while Cala Millor has Punta de n'Amer, a protected cape for a coastal walk. In the south-west, Magaluf, Santa Ponsa and the wider municipality of Calvià are the closest resorts to Palma airport, at 16 to 20 minutes, and make a sensible base if you plan to hire a car and range across the island.

On Ibiza, Sant Antoni de Portmany (12 minutes from the airport) is handy for Cala Salada and Cala Bassa, and Santa Eulària des Riu (16 minutes) for Cala Llonga, Cala Pada and Platja des Niu Blau. On Menorca, Maó is four minutes from the airport and close to Sa Cudia Cremada and Cornia Nou.

The Porto Cristo caves are the easiest win with children: underground, out of the sun, and two of them close together. Families staying in Alcúdia or Can Picafort can mix beach days with short visits to Pollentia or the Son Real necropolis, which turn a history lesson into an outing.

On Ibiza, the coves around Santa Eulària des Riu and Sant Antoni de Portmany are short hops from the resorts, which matters with young ones. Bear the heat in mind: Palma averages 32°C in July and August, so plan cave visits and ruins for the mornings and keep the afternoons for the water. May and June, at 24°C and 29°C, are gentler for sightseeing with children.

You can compare tours and tickets for the islands on this page, alongside car hire if you prefer to reach Formentor, the caves or the Menorca sites under your own steam. Excursion options are listed for twelve resorts, from Alcúdia to Maó.

The best months are May and June, when it is warm and dry. September brings the wettest spell of the year, around ten rain days, so keep a cave visit in reserve for a damp morning. If you are travelling on a package with Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays or On the Beach, you can compare those deals here too, then add excursions separately.