5 Things You Need to Know Before Travelling to the Balearic Islands This Summer
As a highly populated and exceptional destination, the Balearic Islands are an archipelago of sun-drenched islands to the east of the Spanish mainland and are dominated by stunning islands such as Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera.
Last year alone, the island welcomed around 16.5 million visitors, thus approaching the figures before the pandemic.
One of the main reasons why so many tourists visit the Balearic Islands is because this region enjoys a hot summer climate, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
In addition, Spain’s official tourism website has compiled five of the most important things that a new visitor to this Mediterranean archipelago should know before travelling to these islands.
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Tourists Must Pay a Tourist Tax During Overnight Stays
Like its continental neighbour, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands became the second region of Spain to impose a tourist tax in 2016. This tax called the Sustainable Tourism Tax, means a fee between €1 to €4 per person per night in accommodation facilities.
Through this fee, local conservation efforts are channelled, such as the preservation of seagrass, the oxygen-producing Posidonia that gives the Balearic Sea its famous turquoise glow, and the restoration of various mountain lodges in Mallorca’s rugged Serra de Tramuntana as well.
>> Spain’s Tourist Taxes for 2023 – Everything You Need to Know
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Mild Weather Is More Suitable for Visiting
Considering that the Balearic Islands are characterised by hot temperatures during the summer season, the period between November and April is much more suitable for visiting because the mild weather is perfect for walking or cycling along the coastal roads of Cami de Cavalls or Formentera to Menorca- s.
Yet, even during August, you can visit a well-known beach in Mallorca in a place not centimetres away from other sunbathers.
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Tourists Are Fined If They Misbehave
Over the past few years, the government of the Mediterranean archipelago has cracked down on unsafe and anti-social behaviour in spots such as Magaluf in Mallorca and the West End in Sant Antoni de Portmany where many tourists can discard any preconceptions they may have about these regions.
Tour operators and bars in these areas will no longer be allowed to offer or promote pub crawls, happy hours, party boats or give away free drinks. The Balearic Islands government issues fines in these areas for offences such as objectifying women and encouraging excessive drinking.
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Plastic-Free Holidays
In an effort to protect the wealth of the Balearic Islands and the natural environment, the island is now one step towards becoming a single-use plastic-free destination.
Thus, in Formentera, plastic bags are already prohibited. At the same time, the Balearic Waste Law has pushed hospitality businesses away from single-use plates, cutlery, glasses and bottles in favour of local reusable products.
In addition, since February of last year, all the hotels in the Balearic Islands are preparing a circular plan that includes aspects such as water use and clean energies in order for the islands to become the first circular destination in the world.
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There Are Many Ways to Visit These Islands With Less Pollution & Boise
Since 2019, Formentera has restricted vehicle access during the high season to preserve its natural spaces.
All visitors who wish to drive a car or motorbike here from mid-June to mid-September must apply for a permit in advance and if approved, they must pay a daily tax of €1.50 or €3.
Electric vehicles are excluded, while those hybrids have a 50 per cent discount. Menorca is also considering a similar scheme which could start as early as summer this year.
