The Balearic Islands, or Balearic Islands, are a Spanish archipelago in the western Mediterranean with around 1.15 million inhabitants. The archipelago includes the five inhabited islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera and Cabrera as well as a further 146 uninhabited islands. The Balearic Islands are located up to 200 kilometers from mainland Spain and the two official languages are Spanish and Catalan. The euro is used as a means of payment on every island.

The largest cities in the Balearic Islands include Palma and Calviá in Mallorca, Eivissa in Ibiza, Manacor, Llucmajor and Marratxi in Mallorca, Santa Eularia des Riu in Ibiza, Inca in Mallorca, Mao and Ciutadella in Menorca, Sant Antoni de Portmany and Sant Jodep de sa Talaia on Ibiza and Alcudia on Mallorca.

The most important economic sector in the Balearic Islands is tourism and, with around 15 million annual visitors, it accounts for around half of the entire economy.

The capital of the Balearic Islands is Palma, on by far the largest island of Mallorca. Palma is also the largest city in the Balearic Islands with around 420,000 inhabitants.

The city is the most important tourist attraction in the archipelago and, in addition to the largest port, also has the most important airport.

The most important sights in Palma include the Cathedral of Mallorca, the Plaza de Espana, the Basilica de Sant Francesc, the “Passeig des Born” promenade, the castle complex and Bellveder Palace, the Gothic Llotja Fish Hall, the Crystal Church, the Gallery and Exhibition hall “Fundacio La Caixa”, the Palace de l'Almudaina, the square and the church of Santa Eulalia, the Placa Mayor, the beach of El Arenal, the old town of Palma, the church of Santa Magdalena, the Placa de Cort with its approximately 600 year-old olive tree, the bullring and the many white beaches on Platja de Palma.

In the town of El Arenal, not far from Palma, there are countless restaurants, bars, discos and hotel complexes, including the famous “Ballermann 6”, the “Bierkönig”, the “Mega-Park” and the “Oberbayern”.

Other tourist attractions in the Balearic Islands include the “Dalt Vila” district of Ibiza Town, the orange oasis in Soller, the landscape in the north at Cap Formentor and the port of Cala Figuera on Mallorca, the former horse path of Mahon on Menorca, the “Pine Walk” of Pollenca on Mallorca, the castle of Ibiza Town, the old town of Alcudia on Mallorca, the fortified church on Ibiza, the archaeological site “Torre d'en Galmes” on Menorca, the lighthouse at “Cap de Barbaria” on Formentera , the harbor of Ibiza Town, the picturesque setting around the harbor of “Port Andratx” and the beaches of Cala Ratjada on Mallorca as well as the church of Santa Maria in Mahon on Menorca.

In previous years I have visited Mallorca ten times and Ibiza and Formentera once each. The Balearic Islands are always a popular travel destination for me and for us Germans in general.

On Mallorca I loved driving around the entire island in a rental car, the island landscape is simply fascinating.

I almost always lived in El Arenal, not far from the many bars and restaurants. This was my favorite meeting place with friends and acquaintances sometimes every year. The many parties there were legendary and will never be forgotten.