Travel to sunny Spain: Barcelona and Mallorca. Organization of the trip and route. Where is the best place to relax: Barcelona or Mallorca? Car rental in Mallorca

Mediterranean Europe is an absolutely stunning travel destination. On the one hand, it is an opportunity to visit European cities and see the sights, and on the other, to pay tribute to the beach holiday. Agree that if you are traveling for 2 weeks, then such a program, most likely, will appeal to all participants of the trip.

Today we will talk about how to plan such a trip to Spain, and more specifically, we will consider the Barcelona - Mallorca route, combining the two most popular places in Spain.

In terms of popularity among our compatriots, Spain has long been included in the top three along with Turkey and Bulgaria. And not surprisingly, the Spanish coast is famous for its beaches. In 2012, Spain took 1st place in the number of "Blue Flags" received - a quality mark awarded annually to the best beaches in the world.

Spanish beaches stretch along the entire coastline from Barcelona to Malaga. When buying a ticket, our tourist usually naively believes that having settled somewhere in the Tarragona region, he will easily visit everything interesting that is in Catalonia, and at the same time he drives to Valencia - they say, how much of that Spain is there!

Don't be fooled. After the first tiring (2 hours by train, a whole day on foot in the heat in the city and 2 hours back) excursion to Barcelona, ​​you will say that well, these sights to hell, we'd better lie on the beach. Or, if you really want to see something, we will buy an excursion from a tour operator - they will pick you up, take you, bring you. Expensive, but not so hard, especially for children.

As a result, instead of a trip to Europe, you essentially get the same Turkey, but with a Spanish accent. It's a shame.

Planning a trip to Spain

To avoid "excruciating pain" for the money spent and lost impressions, we will try to refuse to buy a tour and plan the trip ourselves. Technical details about, and, we will omit - our other articles are devoted to these issues, but let's talk about how to combine a full-fledged excursion program in Barcelona with an equally full-fledged beach vacation.

First, we are looking for a hotel in the city. Do not try to kill two birds with one stone, arguing that 20-30 minutes on the train is nonsense. Not nonsense! Even if you travel for a very short time, it is psychologically difficult to make several trips a day, which means that you will travel to Barcelona as to work - there in the morning, back in the evening - do you need it? Believe me, this changes the mood a lot. If you know that at any time you can return to the hotel to change, relax, leave your shopping bag - but you never know what! - this allows you to relax, not check the timetable of electric trains and not give up on night events. To find a hotel in Barcelona, ​​you can use the hotel map below:

If you are traveling to Spain for a week, then take 2 days to walk around Barcelona. Devote another 2 days to long-distance excursions - to the Montserrat Monastery, to Girona and Figueiros, or to PortAventura. Special tourist buses run there regularly from Barcelona, ​​and it is more convenient to get to PortAventura by train. After the trip, return to the hotel, relax, have dinner, walk around the evening city.

Take your time to the beach - the second half of your holiday will be devoted to the sea.

From Barcelona to Mallorca

Of the more than 500 Blue Flags received by Spain, 40 belong to the beaches of Mallorca - a solid contribution to the country's reputation, isn't it? Mallorca's beaches are really good: white sand, palm trees and crystal clear waters. It is not for nothing that holidays in Mallorca are considered prestigious, and its 5-star hotels are often chosen by stars and celebrities for their holidays.

Again, we will provide you with the choice of a hotel in Mallorca. And there is plenty to choose from, the whole island is a huge resort. You can live in the city, or you can choose a beach hotel, but considering that the "city" part of the trip has already taken place, we would recommend a hotel on the beach. By the way, many of them work according to the "all inclusive" system. To select a hotel in Mallorca, you can use the hotel map below:

How to get from Barcelona to Mallorca? There is a ferry from Barcelona - it is 6-7 hours on the way and 60-70 euros one way. In our opinion, it is long and expensive, so we recommend flying by plane. There are many flights, a wide choice.

One of the airlines serving this route is the Spanish low-cost airline Vueling (Vueling or Vueling, as we often call it). They make 5 to 9 flights a day, from 7 am to 10 pm. Fly from Barcelona to Mallorca in 50 minutes.

Since Vyuling is a low-cost airline, be prepared for the fact that you will have to pay extra for choosing a seat in the cabin (if it is of principle for you) and limit your luggage to 23 kilograms. You will also need to pay extra for baggage registration, and it is cheaper to do it online, for baggage registration at the airport they take 35 euros. But as hand luggage, you can take a bag or suitcase weighing 10 kg into the cabin.

As usual, minor payment troubles common to all low-cost airlines are compensated by an excellent flight price: the cheapest air ticket Barcelona - Mallorca will cost 35 euros one way. For large families (from 3 children), Vueling offers a 5% discount.

You can buy tickets from Barcelona to Mallorca on the official website of Vjeling Airlines: ... The site is Russified.

By the way, Vueling offers both direct flights from Domodedovo to Palma de Mallorca and inexpensive tickets to Barcelona.

Enjoy your stay in Spain!

The author of the article: Katya Kim

Thousands of tourists from year to year choose Spain for a long-awaited vacation with the whole family. The question arises before them: where is the best place to rest? Fabulous Barcelona beckons with its Gothic buildings, museums and shops. Mallorca teases with beautiful landscapes, beaches, nature reserves and ancient castles. To make your choice, you need to know about the peculiarities of rest in these resort centers in Spain.

The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning Barcelona is the famous architectural monuments of this city. The Sagrada Familia (Sagrada Familia) became the work of the whole life of Antoni Gaudi, who declared a taboo to straight lines in architecture. In addition to this grandiose building in Barcelona, ​​there are many of his other brainchildren. They forever changed its appearance and made it unlike any other European city.

But in the capital of Mallorca, Palma, there are also unique buildings in the Gothic style. The Cathedral, too, did not pass Gaudí's attention during its reconstruction. The appearance of Palma was influenced by the influence of the Arabs. A striking example of this is the Almudaina fortress.

History buffs will love Barcelona. There are many museums in it: historical, military, art. Many of them are located in medieval buildings. There are also favorites for tourists: the Gaudi Museum, Picasso, the Egyptian Museum, the Spanish Village complex.

Palma also has museums. Some are housed in private medieval houses. The City History Museum is located in the only round Gothic palace in the whole of Europe, Bellver.

If architectural sights are more to the liking of adults and teenagers, then little travelers will love the aquarium in Barcelona. Thanks to the tunnel through the huge Oceanarium, you can see the life of the underwater inhabitants from the inside.

There are 8 water parks in the vicinity of Barcelona, ​​the closest is a 30-minute drive away. They have entertainment and attractions for all ages, both for adults and children.

Mallorca also boasts several water parks, a zoo and an aquarium.
Beach holidays are the main goal of many tourists. There are many beaches in Barcelona, ​​both for a relaxing family holiday, and for young people with noisy discos. In most cases, they are crowded and have a well-developed infrastructure for entertainment and games.

Mallorca has over 80 white beaches with turquoise waters. They encircle the island around the perimeter. In most cases, these are sandy beaches, there are calm bays protected from waves and wind. Most popular with youngsters and surfers alike, Magaluf with its vibrant nightlife and discos. More suitable for families with children: Palma Nova with a gentle entrance to the sea, Paguera, Santa Ponsa, Alcudia, Cala d'Or.

Mallorca is one of the largest islands that make up Spain, located in the Balearic archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. I believe that this is truly a heavenly place where you can enjoy picturesque landscapes, clean beaches and forget about all everyday problems.

This small island, whose area is only 3.5 thousand square kilometers, is slightly different from the resorts we are used to in Spain, and all because in its entire long history it managed to be at the disposal of the Phoenicians, Romans, and of course, the Arabs. Therefore, the culture here is really very rich!

My acquaintance with this wonderful island began with its capital - Palma de Mallorca. It is here that all its main attractions are concentrated.

As soon as I left the airport, I was struck by the long palm tree lane that led the arriving tourists to the parking lot. The palm trees there are truly stately, the size of three-story houses! You look and cannot believe your eyes that only 4 hours ago you were in a gray rainy city, and now you are already among such beauty!

And when you drive directly into the capital itself, your eyes start to run up. You look to the left - a sea of ​​turquoise color, you look to the right - a majestic cathedral, and right in front of you - high mountains.

Here you want to take pictures of absolutely everything, so I advise you to free up memory on your phone, tablet and camera in advance, because you will constantly have a desire to capture this or that place!

How to get there

You can get to Mallorca by two types of transport: air and water.

By far the most commonly used and comfortable option is the airy one. In the capital of the island, Palma, there is an international airport, from where liners of various European airlines depart every half an hour and where they also often land.

As for the water communication, Palma has the main port of the island, where ships from various parts of Spain arrive every day, which is very convenient for tourists who spend most of their time on the mainland, for example, in Barcelona or Valencia, and on weekends go on an excursion to Palm tree.

You can get around the island by bus, car or train.

By plane

The main and only airport of the island, which bears the name Son san joan , located 8 kilometers from the capital, Palma de Mallorca. It is here that both external and internal flights arrive. The airport has very good connections with various European countries, including Russia.

Flights from Moscow

Direct flights from Moscow (Domodedovo airport) fly to Mallorca: S7 airlines, the average cost of a round-trip ticket is 20 thousand rubles. In addition, you can fly to the island by flights with one or more transfers, which are carried out by the Spanish airline Iberia also from Domodedovo airport for the same price (about 20 thousand rubles). It is worth noting that there are several other European airlines that carry transfers to Palma, for example:

• Finnair;
• Lufthansa;
• Swiss;
• Czech Airlines;

But then the flight time will be more than 20 hours, which is completely inconvenient and not worth the money. Therefore, I advise you to choose a direct flight!

In this case, the travel time will be only 4.5 hours, so I recommend not to save on tickets and not spend the whole day on endless transfers.

You can compare prices yourself, for example.

How to get from the airport to the city

You can get from the airport to the city center either by bus or by taxi.

By far the more economical option is the bus. Routes 1 and 17 run here constantly, which will take you to Palma for only 3 €. If you need to go to the resort town of Arenal, then bus number 21 leaves directly to its center.

But a taxi will cost much more - the average cost of a trip is 20 €, and if you are traveling in a group, you can order a minivan for 40 €.

In addition, you can rent a car directly at the airport, there is a wide range of car rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar). The average rental price starts from 50 € per day. Details below.

By ferry

So, the second way to get to Mallorca is to sail from another part of Spain by ferry or high-speed catamaran. The latter are sent daily to the island directly from:

• Barcelona (4.5 hours drive),
• Valencia (4-6 hours drive),
• Menorca (2.5 hours drive),
• Ibiza (3 hours drive)

The average ticket price is 40 € and depends on the characteristics of the vessel.

How to get from the port to the center

The port of Palma de Mallorca is located 6 kilometers from the city center, if you wish and good physical fitness, you can walk to the center along the promenade, enjoying beautiful views and a light breeze, or take bus number 1 for only 1.5 €.

The bus stop is next to the port. Of course, you can catch a taxi and drive to the Cathedral (the trip will cost 10 €).

Clue:

Mallorca - time is now

Difference in hours:

Moscow 2

Kazan 2

Samara 3

Ekaterinburg 4

Novosibirsk 6

Vladivostok 9

When is the season. When is the best time to go

According to local residents, the island of Mallorca reveals itself to tourists in all its glory at the end of spring and continues to delight the eye until mid-autumn. This is the best time to relax!

As for winter, the Spaniards believe that at this time of the year their life becomes very calm, quiet and even a little boring. Although the weather is favorable in winter (about +14 ° C), there is absolutely nothing to do. Because even on the beach you won't lie down, you won't swim, and you won't enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables. Therefore, it is not worth going to Mallorca in the low season (that is, from November to March). The only tourists on the island at this time are employees of companies who arrange business meetings, trainings or business trips here.

Mallorca in summer

Like all resorts, Mallorca is especially beautiful in summer. It is at this time of the year that the temperature of the air and water reaches its maximum mark and all the most beautiful flowers and shrubs of the island bloom everywhere. By the way, it was in Mallorca that I noticed a very large number of those very blooming evergreens, and this cannot but please the eye!

Of course, summer (especially July) is also a vacation time, so there are a lot of tourists here, in fact, as elsewhere. But since Mallorca is still an island and it is not cheap to rest on it, wealthy Europeans and most often those over 35 or young families with children like to come here. It is believed that recreation in Mallorca is quite calm and the pace of life is measured, so all young people who prefer nightclubs to evening boat trips go to the neighboring island of Ibiza. But at the same time, it cannot be said that Mallorca is a remote place suitable only for retirees: here you can also have fun and actively relax. But the most important treasure of the island is its incredibly beautiful nature! Such landscapes as here, you will not see anywhere else!

By the way, the climate here is very pleasant, in summer the air temperature reaches around +30 ° C, and in winter - +15 ° C. Unfortunately, there is nothing to do in Mallorca in winter. Locals say they have a lull at this time of year. In fact, the island is inhabited by about a million people, so at a time when all tourists go home, the island becomes empty and almost deserted. Residents calmly go about their daily affairs, and nothing special happens here. Therefore, I do not advise you to go here in winter, although if you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, then here you can definitely be alone with yourself and nature. No wonder it is here that the residence of the Spanish royal family is located! And also such celebrities as Claudia Schiffer, Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow bought villas in Mallorca. Since Mallorca caters to the demanding taste of the stars of the first magnitude, then you will surely like it too!

Mallorca in autumn

The beginning of autumn in Mallorca is considered a velvet season, so you can enjoy the bright sun and warm sea here until the end of September. But since October, the sun sets at 7 pm, and it becomes noticeably colder, the temperature reaches + 7-8 ° C.

Even in the period from late October to early November, rain and thunderstorms become more frequent on the island. Therefore, it is no longer worth to rest in Mallorca at this time.

Mallorca in spring

Spring in Mallorca gradually begins the high season, already in March - April the air temperature reaches + 20-23 ° C, the warm pleasant sun is shining, and flowers begin to bloom. At this time, you still cannot swim, but you can already take sun baths.

In spring, the island is good because there are still few tourists here, and you can spend a quiet, relaxing vacation.

Mallorca in winter

Winter in Mallorca is a time of complete peace and tranquility. The sun shines here quite often, and snow falls only in the mountains, it rarely reaches the lowlands. December is considered a rainy month, but January and February are characterized by pleasant, comfortable weather. The average daytime temperature reaches + 14-15 ° C.

The only caveat is that it is very boring here in winter, and this is a favorite time of the year for retirees.

Mallorca - monthly weather

Clue:

Mallorca - monthly weather

What are the prices for rest

As I mentioned earlier, holidays on the island of Mallorca can be classified as luxury, and therefore here you will find hundreds of villas and apartments for rent, the price of which starts from 1.5 thousand € for 10 days.

In principle, if you compare this price with hotels, the difference will be insignificant. For the same 10 days in a 3-star hotel in any area of ​​the island, you will pay an average of about 1.7 thousand €, and in a 5-star hotel - about 4 €.

If you consider that in your apartments you will cook yourself, and in hotels use the all-inclusive service, then the costs will be approximately the same.

Therefore, you decide which is more convenient, but personally I lived in a good 3-star hotel, where, in addition to all-inclusive meals, there is a free gym, bar, pool and, of course, theme parties!

TOP 5 best hotels on the island

I would like to present to you my TOP-5 of the best hotels on the island:

• Globales Simar 4 * (from 1.7 thousand € for 10 days for two).
• Barcelo Ponent Playa 3 * (from 1.3 thousand € for 10 days for two).
• Globales Palmanova 4 * (from 2.1 thousand € for 10 days for two).
• Insotel Cala Mandia Resort & Spa 4 * (from 4.2 thousand € for 10 days for two).
• Blue Bay Hotel 3 * (from 1.2 thousand € for 10 days for two).

You can navigate the prices for ready-made tours (with flights, transfers, accommodation and insurance) to hotels of different categories in the Trevelask section.

Costs

So, if you decide to stay at a hotel, then there will be no problems with food, and if you decide to rent an apartment or a villa, then you have the option of shopping in supermarkets, of which there are quite a few on the island. One of the most popular, often catching my eye, is Eroski. This is a Spanish supermarket chain where you can buy everything from bread to hand cream at average Spanish prices.

If you buy groceries for a week, the average bill will be about 60 €. You can also visit restaurants and cafes, which will be quite expensive, given that the average bill will be 50-60 €.

You can go on excursions both independently and with a guide. Mallorca is a small island, from Palma to Alcudia can be reached in just an hour and a half, that is, it will not be difficult to travel the entire island far and wide in one day.

You can rent a car for 50–70 € per day and go to explore the island yourself, or you can travel by bus for just 6 €. A guided group tour on your own rented bus will cost you about € 100. A taxi ride around the island will cost around € 80–90.

Major attractions. What to watch

Majorca is renowned for its variety of attractions and incredibly beautiful must-see sites.

If you like to learn all the smallest details and interesting facts about certain attractions, then you can hire a guide or order a full-fledged excursion. And if you like to independently walk in beautiful places and independently discover something new, then you can inspect everything yourself.

It is worth choosing a day for the excursion in advance, it is advisable to single out one of the weekdays (except Friday), since on weekends the locals begin to have a siesta and rest, and there are too many people on the streets who will interfere with you properly considering everything. In Mallorca, bad weather is extremely rare, so you should not be afraid of rain and cold weather, but you can still look at the forecast before walking, just in case.

The island's capital, Palma, is not very large, so you can walk around the city and see the main attractions.

The map below shows the main tourist spots, museums, galleries, bus stops and more.

I bring to your attention my version of one day in the capital of the island of Palma, I advise you to get around on the Citysightseeing tourist bus (ticket price 18.5 €):

• 10:00 - we go to Bellver Castle, which is located a couple of kilometers from the city. Here we will spend about 2 hours.
• 12:00 - we are heading to the Spanish village.
• 13:30 - stop for lunch at Sadrassana Restaurant Cocteleria (Placa Drassana, 15).
• 15:00 - we go to the cathedral. Since this place is considered the main attraction of the city, we will spend about 2 hours here.
• 17:00 - go to the main tourist streets of Palma and walk, go to the Rivareno ice cream parlor (Plaza Llotja, 1) and enjoy the most delicious cold dessert of the island.
• 20:00 - Have a seafood dinner at La Parada del Mar restaurant (Avenida Joan Miro 244 Marivent) and celebrate the end of a great day with a glass of sangria.

Top 5

Below I will provide a list of places that, in my opinion, are definitely worth visiting in Mallorca in order to truly experience the atmosphere and culture of the island.

Cathedral

It is he who is one of the most iconic buildings on the island of Mallorca. The construction of the cathedral began in the 13th century, so now it is officially declared a cultural and historical monument of the island. This place is truly extraordinary!

Inside, the cathedral is decorated with colored stained glass windows by various craftsmen, the main altar with four columns, which is decorated with a canopy made by Gaudí himself. It also houses one of the largest organs in Europe. Agree that this place cannot be ignored!

Address: Plaza Almoina, s / n, 07001 Palma de Mallorca.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6:15 pm.

Ticket price: 7 € / person

Cape Formentor

This is one of the most visited places on the island! To visit Mallorca and not come to Formentor is a real crime. Formentor is located near the town of Poyens and its main port. Its length is about 300 meters above sea level, so the views are incredible: such that it will take your breath away. It is impossible to explain, you need to evaluate it with your own eyes!

Address: Cap de Formentor.

Opening hours: around the clock.

Free admission.

Bellver Castle

A couple of kilometers from the city of Palma on top of a hill is the medieval castle Castell de Belver. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it is the only round Gothic castle in Europe, built in the Middle Ages.

Previously, it was the summer residence of the King of Spain, and later served as a prison, whose prisoners were such famous personalities as the writer Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos and the widow of King Jaime III. The castle has a large observation deck, which offers a beautiful view of Palma and its surroundings.

Address: Carrer Camilo José Cela, s / n, 07014 Palma.

Opening hours: 8: 30-20: 00.

Ticket price: 2.5 € / person

Spanish village

Palma has a wonderful place where tourists have the opportunity to see the most important buildings in Spain and feel the atmosphere of different cities. This place is called the Spanish Village.

In addition to the main attractions, you can visit small souvenir shops and cafes with delicious tapas.

Address: Calle Poble Espanyol, 55.

Opening hours: from 9 am to 7 pm.

Ticket price: 8 € / person

Natura Park

This beautiful nature reserve is located just half an hour from Palma and is home to dozens of different species of animals and birds from all over the world. The park is open air under the shade of trees and includes several routes.

It is home to tigers, monkeys, porcupines, raccoons, turtles, flamingos and even hand-feed lemurs! This is an ideal place for families with children, as well as for those who are not indifferent to our smaller brothers!

Address: Carretera de Sineu, Km 15,400, 07142 Santa Eugenia.

Opening hours: from 10 to 17:30.

Ticket price: 9 € / person.

Beaches. Which is better

Mallorca is an ideal place for a beach holiday, it is on this island that there are dozens of the best beaches in Spain, but what is there in Spain, the whole world! In fact, no matter what beach you come to, it will definitely be quiet, comfortable and clean. Even not far from Palma in resort areas, where thousands of tourists rest, they are very worthy! But the best places to soak up the sun and enjoy swimming in the clear sea water are secluded coves, of which there are many in Majorca.

As I wrote above, I was vacationing in the Cala Major area, a few kilometers from the capital, and one day, quite by accident, I wandered into a cove where there was a small beach, and the sea there was crystal clear! There were not very many vacationers there, mostly locals and tourists like me, who, most likely, also accidentally found this piece of paradise.

And yet, I will give a list of the best of the best beaches in Mallorca that are worth visiting if only to understand what heaven on earth is.

Beach Cala S "Almunia

This beach is located in the bay of the town of Santanya and is surrounded by cliffs, serenity and tranquility reign here. By the way, the beach has all the conditions for diving, and the soft azure waves will allow you to enjoy the sea to the fullest. But it is worth considering that the infrastructure is not developed on the beach, so there are no restaurants, no toilets, no showers and changing cabins.

The type of coverage is pebble, entry into the water is gentle.

Address: Diseminado Poligono 3, 594, 07690 Santanyí.

Cala Mondragó beach

Another truly heavenly place in Mallorca. The beach is located on the territory of the natural park of the same name among pine trees and rocks. Despite the fact that this place is quite popular, you can enjoy peace and quiet here. By the way, this beach is shallow, so it is perfect for families with children. There is an opportunity to rent umbrellas and sun loungers, there is also a cafe where you can buy refreshing drinks and snacks.

The type of beach is sandy, entry into the water is gentle.

Address: Cala Mondragó, Balearic Islands.

Es Trenc beach

Es Trenc is 2 kilometers long. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it is the only beach on the island that has not been affected by urbanization, so it looks very exotic and is ideal for romantic dates and walks. You can also rent umbrellas and sun loungers here.

The shore is sandy, the entry into the water is gentle.

Address: Ma-6030, 68, 07639 Mallorca, Illes Balears.

Playa de Formentor beach

Formentor beach, as you might have guessed, is located not far from the famous cape of the same name. And, of course, it is also famous for its beauty and wonderful views. The beach stretches for one and a half kilometers, it is surrounded by pine trees, under which it is pleasant to lie down in the summer heat. The sea here is shallow and very clean, and there are dozens of cafes and restaurants near the beach where you can have a delicious lunch. Prices in establishments vary, the average bill for a lunch will be around 10-15 €.

Beach type: sandy, gentle entry into the water.

Address: Carrer Zona Formentor, 66A, 07460.

Cala de Sa Calobra beach

And to top it off, perhaps the most magical bay on the entire island, where a small pebble beach is located between the cliffs of the Sierra de Tramuntana. This place is definitely worth getting to! Seeing the splendor that Sa Calobra offers, you will forever keep in your heart the memories of that wonderful day when you got here! But it is worth noting that there are no amenities on the beach, so it is advisable to take care in advance and take everything you need with you.

The type of coast is rocky, entry into the water is gentle.

Address: Carrer Port De Sa Calobra.

Churches and temples. Which are worth visiting

Despite the fact that Mallorca is an island, there are a lot of churches and monasteries here. By the way, services are held in all of the existing ones, and any tourist can visit these temples and admire their interior decoration.

Church of St. Francis

The church is located in Palma, it was built in the 13th century, better known as a Gothic monastery, which houses the tomb of the Catalan philosopher Ramon Llull.

Opening hours: 9: 30-12: 30 and 15: 10-18: 00.

Address: Basilica de Sant Francesc, 07001 Palma, Islas Baleares.

Señora de Cura monastery

This monastery is located on the top of a half-kilometer hill in the Randa Valley. Its distinctive feature is that it is from here that you can see most of the island, and more recently a bar and an observation deck were opened here. This place is worth visiting for great views and great photos.

Opening hours: 9: 30-18: 00.

Address: Puig de Randa, S / N, 07629 Randa, Illes Balears.

Monastery of San Salvador

This is the former building of a convent, which is located on the highest hill in Mallorca, near the town of Felanitx. Previously, monks lived here, but now the monastery is a favorite place for pilgrims. From it you can see the entire eastern part of the island.

Opening hours: 8–20: 00

Address: Santuari de Sant Salvador, 07208 Felanitx, Islas Baleares.

Luke Monastery

This medieval monastery is very revered by the inhabitants of Mallorca, it is he who is considered the religious center of the island! There are wonderful gardens here, as well as a large museum. There is even an inexpensive hotel near the monastery, and this is because it is very beautiful here and nearby are the picturesque mountains of the Sierra de Tramuntana.

Opening hours: 10-13: 30 and 14: 30-17: 00

Address: Plaza Peregrins, 1, 07315 Lluc, Mallorca, Islas Baleares.

Museums. Which are worth visiting

There are quite a few museums in Mallorca, perhaps because the incredible nature compensates for all the cultural institutions here. Below I have selected some of the most interesting of them, which are really worthy of the attention of tourists.

Museum of ceramics

In the northeast, not far from Palma, is the small town of Sa Cabaneta, which is considered the center of ceramics production. In 2002, a museum opened here, displaying about a thousand traditional Mallorcan ceramics worth seeing. The museum has a pottery school and various souvenir shops.

Museum address: Carrer del Molí, 4.

Free admission. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 1:30 pm.

Raiha manor

12 kilometers from Palma, on the way to the town of Sawyer, there is a beautiful manor house, which is an object of historical and artistic value in Mallorca. Previously, there was a Moorish building here, and after several changes of owners, it came to the Count of Montenegro and was ennobled. There are incredibly beautiful landscapes, large gardens and wonderful architecture.

Museum address: Palma - Sóller Road, km. 12.2 07110 Bunyola.

Free admission.

Shoe Museum

In Mallorca, very high quality leather goods are made, including footwear. In 2010, a museum dedicated to this theme was opened in the city of Inca; various traditional exhibits are presented here, as well as temporary exhibitions with samples of various leather goods are often arranged here.

Museum address: Antiguo Cuartel General Luque, Avenida del General Luque, 223.

Free admission. Muse th is open from Monday to Friday from 10 to 14:00, and from 16:00 to 20:00, on Saturday the museum is open from 10 to 13:00.

Parks

The island of Mallorca can be called one large park, wherever you go, you will be surrounded by small picturesque coves, green spaces, majestic mountains and endless expanses. Still, there are several noteworthy national parks and reserves on the island.

Parc Natural de Mondrago

It is pleasant to walk in this park during extreme heat, because numerous coniferous trees will shelter you from the scorching sun. There are several specific routes here, walking along which you can meet forest dwellers.

Address: Sudlich von Ma-19 zwischen s "Alqueria Blanca und Portopetro.

Opening hours: 9: 00-16: 00. Free admission.

Parque natural s "Albufera de Mallorca

Here you can enjoy the singing of beautiful birds, as well as watch them in special houses, sit on the banks of a small river and admire its local inhabitants, and, of course, take great photos.

Address: Llista de Correus | Llista de Correus, 07458.

Opening hours: 9: 00-18: 00. Free admission.

Artestruz Mallorca

And here you can look at the most real ostriches! What's more: you can hand feed them, and children are even allowed to ride the ostriches on horseback. This is a small farm owned by an ordinary Spanish family and will be happy to guide you on a tour.

Address: Pmv-6014 Km 40 | Road Llucmajor to Ses Salines, 07630.

Opening hours: 10: 00–20: 00. Ticket price: 12 € / person

Nearby islands

If you are vacationing in Mallorca, then I advise you to choose a day or a whole weekend and devote it to a trip to Ibiza.

Balearia ferries leave from the main port of Palma to the port of Ibiza several times a day. The duration of the trip is approximately 3-4 hours, the average ticket price ranges from 50 to 70 euros per person. There are also Transmediterranea ferries from Mallorca to Ibiza, but it should be noted that they only run on Sundays in summer.

Details and schedule can be found on the official website of the company.

In Ibiza, you can walk around the capital of the island of the same name and look at its protective walls, which were erected here in the Middle Ages. The Punic Necropolis is also worth a visit, as well as the picturesque Cala d'Hort.

Food. What to try

At first, you might think that there are no traditional dishes in Mallorca, and that everyone is eating there the usual Spanish gazpacho, tapas and tortilla. But how surprised I was when I found out that this small island has its own national dishes that cannot be tasted on the mainland of the country.

Majorina soup

It is a broth with vegetables and pork and is served with sliced ​​bread.

The soup is incredibly tasty and very satisfying, which is why the locals love it so much.

Tumbet

It contains vegetables such as potatoes, eggplant and onions.

And also meat or fish is added to them to taste.

Sobrasada

Be sure to try it - this is a moderately spicy sausage made from minced pork and bacon, very reminiscent of the chorizo, popular in Spain, since their cooking technology is very similar.

Ensaimada

And for dessert, don't forget to enjoy this delicious Mallorcan puff pastry. It is rightfully considered the most favorite sweet of the locals.

Ensaimada dough is airy, melting in the mouth, the pie itself is filled with whipped cream or delicate syrup, and sprinkled with icing sugar on top.

The drinks

Popular local drinks include Herbas secas (dry) and Herbas dulces (sweet). They are infused with anise with the addition of various aromatic herbs.

A very popular aperitif on the island is the Palo drink, made by mixing sweet caramel with the bitter bark of the cinchona tree.

Here's a list of the best restaurants on the island:

• Es Raco d "es Teix (average bill is 50–70 €);
• Salvia Restaurant (average bill is 20 €);
• A ma Maison (average bill is 30 €);
• Restaurante Toque (average bill is 35 €);
• Restaurante Peix Vermell (average bill is 40 €)

And a few more establishments at prices.

Budget:

• Kingfisher Restaurant;
• El Norte Sidreria Restaurante;
• QuitaPenas Valldemossa;
• 5illes Eat & Drink;
• Restaurante Luna 36.

Intermediate level:

• Como En Casa;
• Smith "s Cafe-Bar-Restaurant;
• Ca "n BoQueta;
• Bistro Mercat;
• Marsim Bistrobarante.

• Quadrat Restaurant;
• Ribello;
• Restaurant Ca "n Josep;
• Ola del Mar;
• Forn de Sant Joan.

Holidays

As the locals joke, in Mallorca every day is a holiday! And this is quite justified: the wonderful climate, beautiful nature and endless sea contribute to the fact that the inhabitants of the island always have a great mood. But there are also several official holidays here.

Carnival of Sant Rua

A special celebration in Mallorca is the Sa Rua Carnival. Here it is held in winter, in the first half of February.

Dressed people in costumes take to the streets of the capital and arrange a procession. The carnival is held before the start of the Catholic fast.

Mallorca day

This holiday is celebrated on September 12, it was adopted by King Jaime II back in 1276, when the island of Mallorca was liberated from Muslims.

On this day, concerts and fairs are organized on the island.

Safety. What to watch out for

The island of Mallorca seemed to me a very calm and safe place. Of course, pickpocketing, which is widespread in Europe, should not be ruled out, but in general, walking around Palma and its environs in the evening is not at all scary, because in the summer life is in full swing here until late at night.

In large stores and supermarkets you will definitely not be deceived, and in small souvenir shops you can, just in case, count your purchase amount and the change received, although it is generally not common here to openly profit from tourists.

Therefore, in Mallorca you should not beware of something serious, but nevertheless, basic simple safety rules should be followed.

Things to do

Mallorca has tons of entertainment, you can explore all the beaches of the island and go snorkeling, or you can immerse yourself in its cultural life and visit the most important museums, temples and other historical sights of the island.

You can also go to Cape Formentor, admire the wonderful landscapes and arrange a photo session there. Or travel to the eastern part of the island to meet local farm owners and taste their traditional food. Do not forget about shopping, you should definitely go to the center of leather goods - the city of Inca. There are a lot of options, choose what you like and enjoy your vacation!

Despite the fact that Mallorca is a rather small island, shopping here is a pleasure! And all because here you can find exclusive items that are produced only in the Balearic Islands!

Majorica

vinguda Jaume III and Passeig des Born Plaza mayor

Porto pi

• 1127 Porto Pi (bus number 1).

TOP 5 best bars in Mallorca:

TOP 5 best clubs in Mallorca:

Extreme sports

If you love water sports such as diving, surfing, snorkeling or windsurfing, Mallorca is the ideal destination for you. After all, it is here in the resort of Alcudia that the center of water sports is located. This is an excellent holiday destination for those who prefer active holidays.

For more than 20 years, the school has been offering travelers training in rowing, windsurfing, the basics of sailing, sailing. Guests of the center can also go paragliding and mountain biking. And if you are interested in yachting, you can take an introductory course here. In general, you will certainly not be bored!

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

From the island of Mallorca, you can bring a lot of original gifts to your friends and family. You can buy the traditional summer sandals, which I wrote about above, by the way, you can even buy a magnet in the shape of such sandals here! Be sure to take an ensaimado pie with you, which can be kept closed for 2-3 days, and please your friends with this delicacy in the first days after arriving home (the average price per kilogram is 7-10 €).

And do not forget that in the city of Inca they sew high-quality leather goods, so feel free to buy bags, belts and shoes.

Shopping and shops

Despite the fact that Mallorca is a rather small island, shopping here is a pleasure! And all because here you can find exclusive items that are produced only in the Balearic Islands!

A great example is the traditional summer sandals - Avars. The neighboring island of Menorca is considered their homeland. They are made of genuine leather, in various colors - standard solid colors or decorated with beads, bright prints, rhinestones. In Mallorca, they are sold both in small shoe stores and in tanneries, for example, in the city of Inca. These unusual sandals can be a great souvenir for family and friends, and will look great with both shorts and flying dresses. Their cost varies depending on the materials from which they are made, but the average price of avars is around 30 € per pair.

And it is also here that the famous artificial pearl factory is located. Majorica ... If you find yourself in a company store, you will definitely not be left without a purchase! Pearl beads and bracelets, earrings and pendants are distinguished by their elegance and excellent quality. Pearl prices are different, for example, the average cost of a pearl necklace is about 300 €, but a pearl bracelet will cost you 100 €. By the way, the factory's products are guaranteed for 10 years!

Of course, do not forget about leather goods. Head straight to the city of Inca, where tanneries and shoe and accessories shops are located at every turn. Popular shoe manufacturers here are: Camper, Bestard, Jaime Mascaro, Barrats, Tomeu, Bestard.

In Palma, go shopping in: A vinguda Jaume III and Passeig des Born, as well as many shops on the pedestrian street around Plaza mayor... The tourist map of Palma will help you not to get lost again, where all the main streets are marked.

As in all of Spain, the most popular shopping center here is El Corte Ingles (Address: Alexandre Rosselló, 12-16). There are 3 stops near the shopping center:

• 422 Grans Magatzems (buses # 1, 15, 23, 30 stop here).
• 195 Grans Magatzems (buses No. 2, 6, 12, 19, 41, 46).
• 48 Grans Magatzems (buses No. 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 24).

And also 2 kilometers from Palma there is a large shopping mall Porto pi(Avinguda de Gabriel Roca, 54). There are 2 stops next to it:

• 65 Porto Pi (buses # 3, 20 stop here).
• 1127 Porto Pi (bus number 1).

Sales in Mallorca are traditionally held in winter from January to March and in summer from July 1 to the end of August.

Bars

TOP 5 best bars in Mallorca:

• Cuba 58 (working hours can be specified by phone +34 653 32 34 50, average price per drink - 15 €);
• Cafe Atlantico Cocktail Bar (opening hours: 13: 00–02: 30, average price per cocktail - 10 €);
• El Ancla (working hours: 19: 30–02: 30, average price per drink - 7 €);
• Samoa Bar (opening hours can be specified by calling +34 971 26 37 01, average price for a drink is 5 €);
• Waikiki - Cocktail Bar (opening hours: 11–01: 30, average price per drink - 8 €).

Clubs and nightlife

TOP 5 best clubs in Mallorca:

• Pacha (working hours: 00: 00–07: 00, the cost of tickets depends on which DJ plays in the club, the average price will be 40–60 €);
• Tito "s (working hours: 23: 00–06: 00);
• Jazz Voyeur Club (working hours: 9: 15–03: 00);
• BCM Planet Dance (opening hours: 22: 00–07: 00, average ticket price is 25–30 €);
• RIU Palace (opening hours: 21: 00–05: 30, admission is paid, but you can get a flyer for a free party from the promoters who distribute them on the beaches).

Majorca - holidays with children

A vacation in Mallorca with children is a great idea, because here you can really enjoy the peace and quiet, and children will be impressed by the picturesque landscapes and encounters with wild animals that you can find in Natura Park, on the ostrich farm or in nature reserves. To travel with a child, you should pay attention to the southwestern, northern or eastern part of the island - in such places there are few noisy young people and parties, so here you can really relax and gain strength.

Ski vacation

Conditional areas. Descriptions and features

Majorca is divided into 7 main areas:

• metropolitan,
• central,
• northwestern,
• southern,
• southwestern,
• southeastern,
• northeastern.

Metropolitan area

Located closer to the southwestern part of the island, it is here that the main attractions and the residence of the royal family are located. If you want to be in the center of all events, then it is worth settling here.

The city itself is quite noisy, crowds of tourists walk, it is very hot and stuffy during the day, so I recommend renting an apartment or staying in a hotel located a few kilometers from Palma. I lived in the vicinity of Cala Major Beach, which is a typical Spanish resort suburb with many hotels, cafes, shops, a large public beach and several museums. In general, an ideal place for those who like a measured, but not too boring vacation. Housing here will be more expensive than in other areas, since it is the capital, that is, the most important area of ​​the island.

Southwest region

This area of ​​the island is the most densely populated. Here are located such large cities as Illetas, Portals, Santa Ponsa, Paguera. It is best to come here with family and children, because in these places you can relax and enjoy the tranquility.

It is also here that the large golf club Bendinat is located, so the area is considered very prestigious and by no means cheap.

Northwest region

Along the coast, in the shade of trees, there are townhouses and villas, which, if desired, can be rented for the summer, and here you can also observe beautiful mountain landscapes. Isn't it a heavenly place?

Northern region

This area is famous for its unforgettable views and pristine beaches. It is here that the highest point of the island is located - Cape Formentor, from which a magnificent view of the sea opens. Housing in this place will be quite expensive due to the extraordinary beauty of nature and due to the proximity to "star" villas.

The major cities of the area are Alcudia and Poyensa. Near Poyensa is the port from where you can sail around the island by yacht.

North-east of the island

It is distinguished by its beauty and serenity. Having settled here, you will forget about all the problems and bustle of the city.

The area is full of traditional farmhouses and farms, as well as mingling with friendly locals, and perhaps they will invite you to taste their garden-grown oranges or homemade ham (cured pork).

Southeast

In fact, it is very similar to the northeast, agriculture and sailing are also common here, so if you want to get to know the local life better and taste fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood, as well as immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the island, get acquainted with its cultural and historical component, then this is a great option!

Southern part of the island

But it is famous for its long beaches, sports bars and noisy discos. The largest resort town is Arenal. It is here that the largest water park on the island is located, an amazing aquarium with sharks and rays, and many more bars. The place is considered to be quite budgetary for recreation, so all young people live in this part, respectively, the prices for living here do not bite in comparison with expenses in other areas.

If you like a bright, cheerful holiday, then you are here. And a little to the south is the longest beach of the island - Es Trenc. It is distinguished by its white sand and light blue sea.

central part

These are picturesque estates, almond orchards, pastures and olive fields. Another great place to relax in peace, while being only half an hour from Palma.

Here is the large city of Inca, which is famous throughout the world for the production of quality leather goods, as well as the city of Sineu, which is definitely worth a visit to see the magnificent churches and the former royal palace, as well as go to the largest fair on the island, which is held in it. Wednesdays.

I usually look for hotels on Booking - and you can check if there is a more attractive price.

The offers for renting private apartments can be found here.

How to get around the island

You can move around the city and around the island itself in different ways.

The most interesting one is on the historical electric train of the island. It starts from Palma de Mallorca train station (Carrer Eusebi Estada, 1), travels along the island, winding between mountains and plains, and stops at Sawyer train station.

In addition, there are high-speed trains on the island that run on several routes:

• Palma Inca-Sa Sobla;
• Palma-Manacor.

The train starts from the underground station in Plaza de España in Palma. A ticket for it can be purchased from the conductor or at the box office of the city.

And it is certainly possible to rent a car.

Taxi. What features exist

And another comfortable option for getting around Mallorca is by taxi. The average cost of the trip is 20 €. List of popular taxi companies on the island:

• IB Taxi;
• Mallorcataxitransfer;
• Mallorca Taxi Car;
• Taxi PMI;
• Majorcabdriver;
• Fono-Taxi.

Public transport

The most convenient way to get around Mallorca is by bus. If you are planning to travel around Palma and its surroundings, you can purchase a 10-ride pass for 10 €, which is very beneficial, since a ticket for 1 trip costs 1.5 €.

Booking sites! Don't overpay. This is !

Rent a Car- also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

Old quarters, interesting museums, rainbow mosaics, Mediterranean cuisine, gorgeous beaches - these are just some of the reasons why you should visit Spain!
My husband and I, as always, planned our trip to Spain long before the trip and, of course, on our own. We have not used the services of travel agencies for a long time, as we prefer to develop routes and choose hotels ourselves. And preparing for the next trip is an extremely exciting business.
This was our first trip to Spain (we usually choose Asian countries). But this time we were practically persuaded to choose Spain, and we did not regret it. The warm sea, stunningly beautiful landscapes, an abundance of fruits, cheeses and jamon, as well as the friendliness of the local population made our stay excellent.

Barcelona

Barcelona

Tickets were bought several months before departure. The choice was this: either expensive tickets with a direct flight from St. Petersburg to Barcelona, ​​or cheap ones, but with transfers. We are not looking for easy ways, besides we travel quite often, so we chose tickets through Helsinki and with a transfer in Riga. AirBaltic tickets came out cheap (about 15,000 rubles per person in both directions with a flight from Helsinki), but they had their own limitations: baggage was paid for separately (we flew with hand luggage), and it was also necessary to check in online. If you do not check in online, you will have to pay additional airport check-in fees. Hotels in Mallorca were booked almost six months in advance, as in the summer there is a very high demand for good hotels.

Embankment

Travel itinerary to Spain

Two weeks passed quickly. Five days were allotted to Barcelona. We didn't try to cover as much as possible in one trip to Barcelona. Indeed, the Catalan capital has so many interesting places: cathedrals, basilicas, monuments, beautiful squares and narrow streets! And I want to consider everything, not in a hurry. In addition, the suburbs of Barcelona: Figueres, Girona, Sitges - also attract tourists from all over the world.
For the first visit, we decided that we definitely want to visit the Gothic Quarter, see the Sagrada Familia of the great architect Antoni Gaudí, climb Montjuïc, walk along the central Rambla, look at the Boqueria market and, of course, visit one of the most popular parks in the world. entertainment - Port Aventura.

Most of all, I like to combine a dynamic vacation in big cities and the tranquility of a beach holiday in one trip. This time we stopped our choice on the Spanish pearl - Mallorca, and managed to live on two opposite parts of the island. So, first things first!

Spanish market

The trip was strictly planned by day, and we did not deviate from the plan. To briefly describe our journey, this is what happens:
1 day: departure to Finland. Since we have Finnish Schengen, the trip through Finland was beneficial for us (we didn't need to go there specially). So, early in the morning we went by bus from St. Petersburg to Helsinki airport (we ordered a transfer). In the evening we took off from Helsinki to Riga. We had to spend 6 hours at the Riga airport, during which time we had dinner and even slept a little. In the morning we were already in Barcelona, ​​tired, but looking forward to a great holiday.
Day 2: Barcelona greeted us with great weather! In the afternoon we checked into the apartment we had booked in advance on booking.com. Despite the tiredness, after checking in, we immediately went for a walk around the city. And the first attraction on our way was the Sagrada Familia.

Sagrada Familia

Then we went for a walk along the famous Rambla, on the way looked into shops, visited the old Boqueria market. And already late in the evening we managed to go to the Arena shopping center.

Arena in Barcelona

Day 3 held in PortAventura amusement park and water park. And it was a very emotional day!

Port Aventura

4th day. We did not plan it in advance. We just went for a walk to the city center. And they found an amazing place - the Citadel Park.

Barcelona

We walked along the old streets of the Gothic Quarter and, of course, could not pass by the Picasso Museum.

Picasso Museum

Day 5. On the morning flight, we flew from Barcelona to the heavenly place - Mallorca. We took a taxi to the hotel located at the westernmost point of the island. Sant Elm is a picturesque and tranquil beach destination.
6, 7, and 8 days we spent at the lovely Universal Aquamarin & Aquavilla. The main attractions of Sant Elmo are the beautiful beach, walking along several streets and amazing cuisine at the hotel.

Day 9. In the morning we packed our things and took a taxi to the eastern part of the island of Mallorca - the small town of Porto Colom. The popular sandy beach of Cala Marsal is located here.
9 - 11 days we stayed at the JS Cape Colom hotel, located among the picturesque cliffs. Its hallmark is the observation deck on the top floor, which offers a breathtaking view. The hotel has an all-inclusive system, but the kitchen did not please at all. But I was very pleased with the presence of a good tennis court, the use of which was included in the cost of living. It should be noted that this hotel accommodates adults only. And this is correct, since the beach at the hotel is very peculiar, entry into the sea is by stairs from the cliff.
12th day. In the morning we moved to a hotel in the capital of the island - Palma de Mallorca. We spent only a day here. On the first day, we saw the main sights of the city - the Cathedral and the central square, as well as the Bellver Castle.

Day 13. In the morning we walked around the main square of Palma de Mallorca, devoted a couple of hours to shopping. After lunch we flew to Barcelona. We spent a romantic evening in Barcelona in one of the restaurants in the Gothic Quarter.

Seafood in Spain at every turn

Day 14. The last full day in Barcelona was very busy. In the morning we went to the Park Labyrinth d'Orta, located next to the hotel where we were staying.

Barcelona

Then we went to the center, planned to visit the great creation of Gaudí - Casa Batlló. But due to the huge queue, we postponed his visit until the next trip to Spain. Instead, we took the cable car to the famous Montjuïc castle, admired the beauty of the National Art Museum of Catalonia, walked around the Olympic village, and even dined in the cafe of the Olympic stadium.

Barcelona Olympic Park

Also on this day we saw Spain in miniature at Poble Espanyol. This so-called Spanish Village turned out to be just a large cluster of retail outlets and overpriced restaurants.

Spanish village

We spent the evening, of course, in our already beloved Gothic Quarter.
Day 15. In the morning we bought cheese / ham in the shops closest to the hotel. In the evening we flew to Riga. It turned out that on this very day - August 13 - Riga celebrates the City Day. We hardly found our little hotel, had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant (the food seemed insanely tasty to us compared to the Spanish). We did not go to the square to watch the fireworks, as we were tired and did not want to freeze.
Day 16. In the morning we walked along the central streets of Riga, looked at all the ugliness that was happening on the streets after the celebration of the city day. After lunch we flew to Helsinki, from where we finally got to St. Petersburg by evening bus.

Prices in Spain

Holidays in Spain left a lot of positive emotions. What I liked especially was the general benevolence and openness of the Spaniards. And their language is just music to my ears! I even wanted to learn it in order to understand not only the well-known ones - “gracias”, “ola”, “buenos diaz”, etc.

Barcelona from the observation deck

Of course, while traveling, we involuntarily compared holidays in Spain with Asian countries that we had visited. And everywhere there are pros and cons. The biggest disadvantage of Spain is the rather high prices for food, transportation, souvenirs, excursions. But this is all in comparison! But the guarantee of a good trip is not to compare with the previous vacation. But, when planning an independent trip to Spain, take more money! The average bill in a cafe is 30-60 Euro for two without alcohol, a taxi in the city - 10-20 Euro, entrance tickets, for example, to Park Aventura - 47 Euro per person.

A little about food

The only thing we got a little disappointed with in Spain is the local food. Perhaps because of too high expectations. Before the trip, we read that Spanish cuisine can be considered one of the main attractions of the country, it is so good. We had lunch and dinner in many restaurants of different price ranges, from cheap cafes to a famous restaurant in Mallorca. But they didn't get much pleasure. Paella, gazpacho, tapas (various appetizers), chorizo ​​- this is all delicious, of course! But after a few days you want something completely different. This does not apply to our beloved brie cheese, jamon and, of course, sangria!

Spanish salad

When it comes to holidays in Mallorca, everyone can find something to their liking. Either a relaxing beach holiday and an evening promenade through the local streets (such as in Sant Elm), or unbridled fun for young people in the Arenal resort.
In a short time of travel, we saw a large number of Barcelona attractions, rested on the most famous island in Spain and even managed to see Riga a little. We will start our next trip to Spain from Madrid, and then we would like to see Seville, Zaragoza, Valencia, and the island of Tenerife. But in Barcelona, ​​we did not see all the sights, besides, we would like to visit PortAventura amusement park again.

It is a good tradition for the second year in a row to extend the summer and exchange the Moscow autumn rains for sun and warmth. If last year the exchange was slightly conditional (there was no sea in Prague and Vienna), then this year we made up for lost time: we went to sunny Spain and spent first a week in Mallorca, and then on the mainland, in Barcelona.
Perhaps this was the first full-fledged Vacation in my life (with a capital letter), the way it should be - with the sea and the sun, parties, with a historical and cultural component and, of course, a two-week one.
Long after such a rich and multifaceted vacation, the post-vacation syndrome lasted, when in the gloomy Moscow reality nothing but photos, discussions, memories and new contacts on Facebook reminded of the beautiful Spanish days.

Planning is our everything
When you are planning a vacation in September, and in most of the resort towns it is already getting cold, the choice for the destination becomes not so wide (if you choose from Europe). Initially, we wanted Spain (anticipating the appearance of the six-month Schengen on our hands), so the choice eventually narrowed down to its insular part, because at the beginning of autumn it is still quite warm there.
As usual, we did everything ourselves - to the Spanish Visa Application Center; on the vueling and ozone website (via Air Europa) book three flights: Moscow - Palma de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca - Barcelona and Barcelona - Moscow; hotels at home booking; read Vinsky and go ahead to study guidebooks.

Majorca,El Arenal
Experience: beach, cocktails and clubs
Joy knew no bounds when we finally checked into the hotel and put on swimsuits, got to the beach. Excellent water, sand, sun!
A local feature is to drink cocktails (mainly sangria with ice and sprite, but you can also use any other) from huge buckets with a bunch of tubes, lying right on the beach. This is my favorite photo from this trip:

It looks funny when you come to the beach with a 12-liter bucket, three of us, girls, and you start making a cocktail vigorously. By the way, it turns out to be not as alcoholic as it might seem: don't forget about a whole bag of dangerous ice!

The myth that Mallorca is a fashionable resort was completely debunked. Nothing of the kind, quite ordinary hotels and ordinary beaches, without frills and bells and whistles. The locals told us that in Spain and surrounding countries, Mallorca is considered a budget vacation (as I understand it, like Turkey for Russia).

90% of tourists in El Arenal are Germans. In Magaluf (another resort, west of Palma), on the other hand, it is predominantly English. It remained a mystery at what historical moment such a division took place, but the fact remained a fact: during our stay on the island, we heard German speech much more often than Russian.

Perhaps, focusing on German preferences in music and parties, the owners of El Arenal clubs chose a specific format that we did not like at all: there are no usual beautiful clubs where everyone is in dresses, and the music is not in the style of "tum-tum-tum" with German motives a la march. Therefore, in search of a good club atmosphere, it was decided to go to Palma (20 minutes by car / bus from El Arenal), to the Tito’s club, which was recommended by the locals as the best club in the city. The girls liked it, and that day, unfortunately, I was lying in the hotel, struggling with acclimatization syndrome.

Excursions around the island
The ideal option, of course, is to take a car and drive by yourself. But, if, like me, you use your rights solely as an ID when paying for purchases in a store, you can always use the services of local travel agencies that sell excursions in the surrounding area. We took a route through the Lluc monastery in the mountains, the port of Soller and the Fornalutx settlement to another pretty village, Valdemossa. Basically, the road was represented by a mountain serpentine, passing along which on a huge bus it seems that now you will touch oncoming cars and overhanging rocks. Whoever is seasick (like me), take pills for seasickness ..

When we arrived at monastery Lluc, I wanted to quote Lermontov: “ A few years ago / Where they merge, they make noise / Embracing like two sisters, / The streams of Aragva and Kura, / There was a monastery»..
Pilgrims from all over the island flock to Lluc, as it is here that there is a statuette of the patroness of the island - St. Virgin Mary Luke.
How the monastery was built is completely incomprehensible, since getting there is quite difficult. Nearby is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen: the sea turns into the sky.

At the next stop - portSoller, time seemed to have stopped .. A beautiful harbor with many snow-white yachts, hillsides with lovely houses, the warming sun, delicious food and magical music played by the Indians on the street.

Fornalutx and Valdemossa- two small island villages. It is incredibly nice and cozy there and you want to stay at least a little bit, but the schedule of the excursion beckons further.

Valdemossa known for the fact that Chopin and George Sand lived here for some time. It was here that several of the most famous works of the composer and the book "Winter in Mallorca" by the writer were written.

I would like to give a few words to our guide, Rafael, a native of Mallorca. In his, I think, about 60 quite vigorous years, he spoke 6 (!) Languages: ordinary Spanish, Majorcan dialect, German, French, Russian (since he is married to Russian Natasha), and English, of course. Wanting to make his story understandable for all tourists on the bus, Raphael duplicated the information in 5 different languages ​​(excluding the local dialect).

Palma de Mallorca
In the "capital" of the island, you can walk for one day, it will be just right. The town is very nice, a beautiful embankment, an old palace-castle towering over it, lovely streets, many shops, a port with yachts, and, as I said above, the Tito’s night club!

The song Call me maybe will remain the anthem of Mallorca, which was the soundtrack of the last unforgettable night, which smoothly transformed into a real teleportation to Barcelona ..

From unvisited
Ferries leave from Palma every day to the neighboring island of Ibiza. Unfortunately, we did not get there, because:
1) we need to spend two full days there (arrive at 7 in the morning by ferry, throw things at the hotel, wander around the island, go to the club in the evening, and return the next morning), and out of the six we have at our disposal, it was a pity to spend them not on the beach;
2) on the days when Tiesto, Van Buuren and Guetta performed, the ferry ticket cost several times more + entrance to the clubs themselves was also paid.

Barcelona, ​​capital of Catalonia
No matter how we tried, we did not find anyone like Javier Bardem. As it was found out a little later, he himself is not from Catalonia at all, therefore, you may have to go to Las Palmas, where he was born, and search there.
Catalonia, as you know, is a province of Spain that is strongly striving to become independent. Catalan flags are hung everywhere, everyone adores Lionel Messi, the inscriptions are duplicated in two languages ​​- general Spanish and Catalan. As our friend the Spaniard Sergio said, if there was a referendum on independence from Spain, he would vote “for”, citing not only economic issues, but also by the fact that the originality of Catalonia, customs and traditions are suppressed by Spain (Catalonia was conquered by the Spaniards. some time ago).

Where to live in Barcelona
Since we were going to spend exactly a week in the city, it was important to live as much as possible in the center and close to the necessary transport routes. After a short search, an apartment was found Feel Good Apartments Plaza Cataluña on Santa Ana, 35 (street perpendicular to the Rambla, 5 minutes from Plaça Catalunya and about 10 minutes from Columbus in Portal de la Pau in the port). The place is excellent, and a special color was added by a small entrance door in the center of a busy street - we felt like natural townspeople when we opened it with our key, and did not go to any reception.

The check-in system is as follows: first you need to come to the office at Ferran, 11 for the keys. On the day of departure, the door will be locked at 11 am, so if you need to leave your things, you can walk, again, to the office, or (which is much more convenient), for a couple of euros, check in your luggage to the locker on Carrer d'Estruc (literally 5 minutes from the apartment) ...

LaMerce, feast of the patron saint of Barcelona
The day of arrival in Barcelona coincided with the national holiday La Merce (September 24): all the Barcelona people were walking, there were many concerts and street performances. Surprisingly, among the crowds of people wandering around the city, not a single policeman was noticed, everything was quiet and peaceful. It was striking that the column within the framework of the Festival of Giants consisted entirely of joyful and contented residents of the city, even mothers with strollers walked, in contrast to the forced-forced processions associated with May 1 or June 12 in Russian cities. The holiday ended with a beautiful light show projection on the building of the city hall, which we watched, sitting right on the square on the paving stones together with the residents of the city and other tourists.

National cuisine and where to try it
The most popular are, of course, paella and sangria. I forced myself to eat real seafood paella - incredibly tasty, despite the unpleasant-looking scallops and shells! Sangria was pouring with jugs, and the city became even more beautiful and more pleasant from this!

In Barcelona, ​​you should definitely eat fish and seafood, everything is freshest and delicious.
A great place serving a whole mountain of seafood literally - El Rey de la Gamba-2 in the Barcelonetta beach area. I read about this place in Vinsky, thank you very much, it's gorgeous. And finally, they bring shots, just like that :)

In the city center, the favorite restaurant with the most delicious sangria has become Ambos mundos at Plaça Reial, 10.
We liked breakfast the most in Pastisseria del Pi on Ferran, 12, where after the second visit we were already recognized. Coffee, croissants, pies, bruschetta, puddings, etc. (and at the time, closer to dinner, and more substantial food).

And why jamon is eaten with melon, I still did not understand. Maybe you haven't tasted it?

Port
The harbor of Barcelona begins at the Columbus Column, where, according to history, he sailed after the discovery of America to inform the royal couple about this. On the embankment, right by the water, they sell tickets for a 2-hour sailing on a pleasure boat, which will take you from the harbor to the open sea with real huge waves. The entire Barcelonetta beach will be in full view.
It is good to sit on the embankment in the evening, drinking something unobtrusive, and looking at the stars.

Barcelonetta beach
It was a little cooler in Barcelona than in Mallorca, but we couldn't pass by the beach. An ordinary city beach with sand, starting immediately behind residential areas. The sea here is completely different: strong waves, on which you can swing to insanity and then shake the sand out of a swimsuit for a long time. Well, it was colder, of course, compared to the calm waters of Mallorca.

Walking from Barcelonetta towards Hotel W Barcelona along Sant Sebastian beach, you will find an amazing bar Salt located right on the shore. Wicker chairs are on the sand, lounge style music, cocktails are pleasant, the sea is splashing at your feet, the night sky .. It was very good.

ClubOpiumMar andCDLC
Some of the best clubs in Barcelona located on Barcelonetta a stone's throw from each other. It's great when the club is right on the beach, and you can go out on the sand with a cocktail and listen to the waves. The music is excellent, the people are pleasant and international, the entrance is 20 euros, you can get there by taxi (they expect a huge number of those who want to ride around the city at night on the Rambla and generally in the center).

Tibidabo park
Everyone who has watched Vicky Cristina Barcelona will remember the old amusement park and the red airplane - this is the park on Mount Tibidabo, where the seducer Bardem brought his two girls.
The park is more than a hundred years old, but you can ride the rides without fear that they will fall apart. Slides a la American are not scary at all, even I liked them. Cool wildly high speed train and roundabout on chains.
Tibidabo offers an excellent view of the city, and it even seems that the statues of Christ at the top of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart are touching the clouds.
You can get to the mountain from the Avinguda Tibidabo metro, first by the Blue Tram, and then by the funicular.

Montjuic
Montjuic is another observation deck opposite Tibidabo. You can get there by a cable car that runs through the entire bay (scary, by the way), starting from m. Barcelonetta. In general, there is a park on Montjuic, and a Spanish village with the main attractions of Spain in miniature, and Olympic pools, but since the visit to Montjuic was scheduled for the penultimate day, I just wanted to take a walk and take another look at the city. Therefore, having reached the end point of the cable car, we began to descend to Plaza de España in order to look at the Magic Fountain at the National Palace.

On the way, a cool bar Noa-Noa was found at Carrer de Lleida, 23, with a cheerful atmosphere and a Russian-speaking owner.

Port Aventura
How to visit Barcelona and not go to PortAventura amusement park. Even if you are afraid of roller coasters. There is a direct train from Passeig de Gracia station (via Tarragona towards Salou), and at the station you can buy a ticket to the park + return ticket. Helpful hint: check the timetable of the return trains and if there are any interruptions in transport connections for that day.

We didn’t ride the two most slides (Dragon Khan and Shambhala), because I personally was even scared to look at them, and when I learned that on Shambhala they wear only the belt, and my arms dangle, I decided that it was too much .. So, even if you are not a fan of extreme slides, in Port Aventura it is all the same there is something to ride.

Furius Baco, for example, belongs to the "black", but I gladly rode it even twice (it is located at the very beginning of the park). Oh my God, I just read that it accelerates to 135 km / h! .. This is not felt at all (tried to calm down).
I liked all the water attractions - Tutuki splash (Polynesia), Grand Canyon Rapids and Silver River Flume (Wild West). I advise you to buy a raincoat!

Return from PortAventura back to Barcelona made me nervous .. The required return train did not arrive at the scheduled time. He did not come and an hour later. And two hours later, too. It was already dark outside and even colder. The people on the platform became nervous, no one knew how to get back to the city. Only the local Spanish rastamans did not strain, who, in order to heat them, kindled a fire right next to the station and urged everyone to relax. As a result, taxi drivers quickly found out about the traffic collapse, and we left back (2 hours by car) for 200 euros per car ... The Spaniards, what to take from them, are constantly on strike, you see, and there was another strike on the railway!

I won't write anything about Gaudi and Park Guell, you just have to go there, it's a must see!

Transport in Barcelona
It is best to avoid the metro whenever possible. I have never seen such an ill-conceived and inconvenient system. Firstly, it is incredibly stuffy there (on the platforms while you wait for the train) - after 10 minutes an irresistible desire appears again to see the light and breathe in air. Secondly, you can wait for the train, but it will not come (by analogy with the railway). Well, the system of signs - where to go in order to go further, obviously suffers. Better to use ground transportation. The same applies to the way to the airport: it is better to take a bus or call a taxi (about 30-40 euros from the center) than it is not known how long to wait for the metro.

Shopping in Barcelona
Was left for the last day. In the area of ​​pl. Catalonia has three large shopping centers, El Corte Inglés, as well as many small shops.
Needless to say, they did not have time to bypass everything, already when they were dragging their suitcases to the bus to the airport, they saw a wine shop and ran there, to celebrate, but realizing that we could not take away much, we returned. I didn't want to fly away like never before! Barcelona is a wonderful hospitable city that you need to visit for at least a week. This is one of the cities to which one would like to return.

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