The Balearics are well connected by air from across Europe. Palma de Mallorca airport (PMI) is one of Spain's busiest and receives direct flights from most major European cities. Ibiza (IBZ) and Menorca (MAH) have their own airports with direct connections, mainly from May to October. Inter-island flights connect Mallorca to Ibiza (40 min) and Mallorca to Menorca (35 min).
For Formentera, there is no airport — the island is accessible only by ferry from Ibiza (Trasmediterránea, Baleàlia Lines) in 30-35 minutes on the fast services. Overnight ferries also connect Barcelona to Palma (9 hours) and Barcelona to Ibiza (8 hours), a popular option to avoid airline baggage surcharges.
On Mallorca, a hire car is essential to reach the calas and the Serra de Tramuntana. The TIB bus network serves the main villages but frequencies are limited. In Palma, the urban bus and EMT train network is sufficient for city sightseeing. On Menorca, same logic: hire car or bicycle for the southern beaches. On Ibiza and Formentera, buses and scooter hire (very popular) complement the options.
Read also
- Palma de Mallorca, capital of the Balearics — La Seu cathedral, Almudaina Palace, the old town and island gastronomy.
- Spain — Complete guide: visa, budget, regions to explore and best time to visit.
- Catalonia — Barcelona, the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees — the neighbouring mainland region.
- Andalusia — Seville, Granada, Córdoba and the beaches of the Costa del Sol.