Mallorca - Mallorca

Mallorca island map

The island Mallorca belongs to the archipelago of Balearic Islands and lies in Spain. With 3680 km² it is the largest island of the Balearic Islands and is located about 180 km southeast of Barcelona in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Germans, which is not least due to the very large range of accommodations.

Regions

Majorca's regions are geographically very different. A wide variety of landscapes can be found here, from mountain ranges to beaches and plains.

Regionen Mallorcas
Palma de Mallorca: 
The capital region.
Serra de Tramuntana: 
"Mountains of the West": mountain range along the north-west coast of the island.
Raiguer: 
"Hill country" between mountains and plains in the northern center of the island.
Plà de Mallorca: 
"Mallorca Plain" in the center and north of the island.
Migjorn: 
The south coast.
Llevant: 
The east coast.

places

Port of Palma de Mallorca

According to the regional breakdown, the municipalities that are in the region should be named. Then come the villages that belong to the municipalities. After the center of the island of Palma de Mallorca, it goes from west to east through the regions.

Palma de Mallorca region

Serra de Tramuntana

View of Valldemossa

Raiguer

Plà de Mallorca

Migjorn

Cala Figuera

Llevant

Cala Mandia

Other goals

Santuario de Lluc
  • Santuari de Lluc - (whose full name is actually Santurai de Santa Maria de Lluc) is a sanctuary (not a monastery) in a wooded mountain valley that was founded after the discovery of a black Madonna after the Reconquista.
  • Sa Calobra and the Torrent de Pareis (Mountain gorge)
  • Sa Granja Estate, near Esporles. Tel.: 34 971 610032. The Romans and later also the Arabs used the water from the spring here to grind grain or press olive oil. After that, the monastery was used as a monastery by Cistercian monks for 200 years until it came into the possession of the Fortuny family, who gave the property its present form. The current owner restored the building and turned the property into an open-air museum. A signposted circular route leads through the two-storey building. One comes, for example, through a Florentine-style salon, the so-called throne room with a theater stage, a small game room and through the Arab tower, which the monks once used as a hermitage. In a winery, an old oil mill and a dye works, tools and working methods from earlier times are shown. Agricultural implements, some typical Mallorcan farm animals and a bathhouse can be seen in the outdoor area. On Wednesday and Friday afternoons, Sa Granja becomes a tourist magnet, when craftsmen in Mallorcan costumes can be seen at work or folk dance groups spin in circles on the square in front of the manor house. Tourist buses come in abundance on these days. So if you love peace and quiet and prefer to enjoy this special atmosphere with less hype, you should come on another day. Even then you can try tasty bunyoles (oil pastries) or the Mallorcan wine.Open: Apr - Sep daily 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Oct - Mar 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.

background

View of the plain of Mallorca

Historical finds indicate that Mallorca was built as early as the 6th millennium BC. was inhabited. In the course of history, the balance of power has changed again and again. The Balearic Islands once belonged to Carthage, Rome, Byzantium and finally Spain. For a short time, in the 13th and 14th centuries, Mallorca was even a kingdom before it came back under the rule of mainland Spain.

criticism

After the onset of mass tourism, Mallorca has always tried to create growth in the tourism industry because it promised great profits. In some cases, this had devastating effects on nature. It starts with the building sins that were built in the 1970s and have about as much charm as a prefabricated housing estate in the GDR before the fall of the Wall. Many of these buildings are now falling into disrepair, and there is no money for demolition. To this end, hotel buildings were built for which building permits should never have been obtained. Bribes were paid and every small area was built up with buildings. A corresponding structure has never been created to dispose of the emissions from these buildings. The island's sewage treatment plants are still unable to treat the resulting wastewater. Plenty of untreated wastewater is discharged into the sea. As a result, it is almost impossible to swim in the sea in many places today.

The island's water table is sinking. It consumes too much drinking water, which is not only due to the hotels, but also to the ever-growing golf courses. The squares devour a huge amount of drinking water to keep them green. Golf courses are being expanded and new ones are being created. Water is scarce and will continue to get scarcer.

The party mile Ballermann 6 became a focal point on Mallorca because the daily celebrations and the attitude to life became characteristic of a certain type of tourism. One tries to put a stop to this hype by using the police to ensure peace and order. It is not really made. A lot of money is made here, and changing something would ultimately mean destroying sources of income.

Mallorca's path to soft tourism is still very long, but it has been recognized that it cannot go any further as it is. Building regulations are slowly being enforced, even celebrities are asked to pay and are forced to dismantle.

Sustainable Tourism Tax ("Tourist Tax")

On Mallorca - as on the other Balearic Islands - a tourist tax (Impost del Turisme Sostenible, ITS) is levied in order to offset the territorial and ecological effects of tourism in the Balearic Islands with targeted projects. Similar to a visitor's tax, an amount is charged for each person and night, which depends on the season and the hotel classification. In 2019, the ITS is 4 euros / person / night in a 5-star hotel. The ITS is collected by the accommodation company. Detailed information on the purpose of the submission and the tariffs are in German from Website of the Commission for the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism refer to.

People

Hotel staff in Mallorca

In the hotels of the holiday areas of Mallorca almost exclusively people who do not come from Mallorca work. There are people from all over Europe who earn their money here and shape their lives on Mallorca. They either live in the holiday complexes in rooms made available by the hotels, or in the nearby towns inland, where they stay in small apartments, often in shared apartments. It's about either earning enough money over the summer to get through the winter, or that is how you finance your studies - a variant that is often chosen. Real Mallorcans are rarely found as hotel staff.

This also applies to all people who work in the tourism industry. Tour guides usually come from their own home country or speak German so well that it is easy to talk to them. Hotels or even entire tourist spots specialize in a certain group of travelers. Around in Peguera you will find almost exclusively a German-speaking audience. But there are also places where English is almost the mother tongue.

As a package traveler, you get very little to do with the Mallorcans. It's actually a shame because it's a very special kind of person. They deal with their life very casually, are very, very fond of children, a child means more than anything else, the family plays a decisive role in life. Life is very little materially oriented. So-called German virtues such as punctuality, thrift, hard work are not found (so as not to put it too badly). The word mañana (pronounced: manjana; translation: tomorrow), for example, in relation to a service on Mallorca means something like: "I don't feel like doing that now, I'll do that someday!" You should be aware of this in order to avoid misunderstandings and frustration. It is (almost) never meant badly, but simply a different philosophy of life.

graffiti

This type of art is quite pronounced in Mallorca. Everything that is no longer cultivated is also sprayed. They are often small name characters, so-called "tags". Public buildings that are used for supply are also the target of these spray pictures. Sometimes you don't have the will, the inclination or the money to remove this graffiti again. Just like in many other areas of Europe. It is not uncommon to see from the graffiti what is still being cultivated (less / no graffiti) or not (a lot / old graffiti). The whole thing takes place not only in the tourist resorts or in Palma de Mallorca, but on the entire island.

Graffiti left
Graffiti on the right

Artistic graffiti in the classic sense is becoming more and more common. So-called pieces can be found mainly in places that normal tourists do not come to.

Flora and fauna

Mallorca's flora includes at least 1500 plant species. This rich flora is preserved by various natural monuments as well as the large landscape and marine park, the Parc nacional maritim-terrestre de l’Arxipèlag de Cabrera. The animal world is less species-rich. The wild domestic goats in the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana and the Serres de Llevant are remarkable. The Mallorca midwife toad, previously thought to be extinct, is also one of the island's animals that has attracted great interest. Mallorca's nature is gaining more and more interested parties among holidaymakers who have previously visited the island just to relax or even to celebrate.

language

The official languages ​​are Spanish (castellano) and Catalan (Mallorquin). English and German are understood in all tourist centers. Even the island's own newspapers and radio stations are in German.

Mallorquin is a variant of Catalan, comparable to the relationship between Bavarian and Standard German. Catalan itself is a Romance language in its own right and not a dialect of Spanish. However, the two languages ​​are closely related and are similar in many ways. Mainland Spaniards from a wide variety of, mostly poorer regions, who speak Spanish at school, mostly work in the hotel complexes. Foreign personnel who speak several foreign languages ​​are also welcome.

getting there

By plane

The Airport of Palma de MallorcaPalma de Mallorca in der Enzyklopädie WikipediaPalma de Mallorca im Medienverzeichnis Wikimedia CommonsPalma de Mallorca (Q656993) in der Datenbank Wikidata(IATA: PMI) is served from Germany by most holiday and scheduled airlines (including Condor, Eurowings, Hahn Air, Laudamotion, Lufthansa, Ryanair, Tuifly). Of course, there is also the good old package tour that you can book at a travel agency. The flight time from Germany takes about 2-2.5 hours.

Treadmills at the airport

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is a modern commercial airport with European standards. Since it only has one terminal and extensive areas with passenger boarding bridges, the distances can be very long. However, they are almost completely equipped with roller bands.

The return of the luggage takes a little longer because it takes place centrally. If you hit rush hour, it can take a little longer for your luggage to arrive. Somewhat unfortunate is the fact that the employees of the travel companies are waiting in the baggage claim area. Here you get the information you need to find your transfer. However, once you have left the area, you can no longer come in for inquiries; you have to look for the travel agency of your organizer to get information. But you get your information.

The bus parking spaces are right in front of the arrivals area, and the distances are short. You have to have one euro ready for a car. The processing for the transfer is routine. There are no problems here.

By boat

Ferries operate from mainland Spain (e.g. from Barcelona and Valencia) and to other islands of the Balearic Islands. The starting point is the port of Palma de Mallorca. It is located in the southwest of the city. You can get it through the MA-1 which runs along the coast south of Palma.

There are regular ferry services to Mahon (Menorca), Valencia, Barcelona, Eivissa (Ibiza) and Dénia.

Another ferry port is located in the north of the island Alcudia. Here are connections after Barcelona, Mahon and Ciutadella (Menorca) offered.

mobility

Train Mallorca.

Mallorca by car

Since the 1970s, with the onset of mass tourism, the road system has been significantly expanded and improved. All important places can be reached via well-developed country roads. In addition, Palma de Mallorca has a bypass highway. There are other motorway connections from Palma to Inca, to Paguera, almost until after Manacor and after Llucmajor. If you want to know more about the road connections, you can see all the numbered routes in the article Road connections in Mallorca Find.

To explore the island individually is a Rental car indispensable. Vehicles of all categories can be rented at the airport and in the tourist centers; Advance reservations from Germany are cheaper. When booking, it is best to look out for all-inclusive offers that already include unlimited kilometers and all important insurances. With the all-in option, there is no need to be talked into other insurance policies. Only a credit card deduction is kept as a deposit, mostly around 300 euros. The full / full tank option is recommended. In this way, you will receive a fully fueled vehicle and return one as well. All major international and local providers are represented. In the meantime, vehicles that are almost as good as new are rented out. Because of the mostly narrow streets, it is advisable to select a vehicle class that just meets the requirements. It should be noted that the documents for the rental vehicle must be clearly visible on the dashboard.

There are significantly more petrol stations than in Germany. The fuel prices are (2019) at a similar level as in Germany.

The Bus network is tight.

Traffic is very dense, especially in the summer months. In the mountains, the curves are often confusing and the roads are sometimes narrow. Then it becomes particularly dangerous when large coaches come towards you. You have to stop and let the buses by. Maneuvering is inevitable and often difficult because there is hardly any free space available.

Many streets do not have a verge, the edge of the road may have a 20 cm deep shoulder in relation to the surroundings. The edge fuses are generally sparse.

In spring Mallorca is very popular as a training camp for cyclists. You often come across whole groups of racing cyclists. Caution and appropriate driving behavior is then the order of the day.

Also watch out for the traffic lights! For Mallorcans, yellow traffic lights do not necessarily mean that they will stop!

The routes are driving and tourist highlights MA-10 from Andratx to Pollença including the numerous detours to the coast such as the MA-2141 to Sa Calobra. It is very beautiful MA-2100 from Bunyola to Alaró or various short, winding spur roads like the PMV-4011 to the Santuario San Salvador. For all of these routes, the driver should be practiced and the co-driver should be able to withstand loads.

Mallorca by bus

Almost every place on Mallorca can also be reached by bus. However, these are tailored to the needs of the local population and not to the tourists, because tourists are not expected to use the public transport system. The bus system is very inexpensive, but besides the travel times it has the disadvantage that some of the buses are not air-conditioned and on the other hand they are quite full even at peak times. A bus trip can turn into an adventure. You can read more about bus routes in Mallorca in the article Bus routes in Mallorca read up.

Mallorca by train

Tram in Sóller

Mallorca basically only has its own railway line. It leads over from Palma de Mallorca Marratxí to Inca. Some trains do not run the whole distance, only up to Marratxí. The line splits behind Inca. A line leads to Sa Pobla, the other line after Manacor. The train station in Palma de Mallorca is located on Plaça d’Espanya north of the old town. It is laid out underground. The operation is carried out with diesel railcars.

Right next to the underground station is also the station of the museum railway to He shall, better known as the "red lightning". But it is more known as a tourist attraction and is less used for local public transport. In Soller, the red lightning bolt is followed by the historic tram from Sóller Port de Sóller on, also a nice ride.

The Palma de Mallorca metro also starts at this station. Almost entirely designed as a subway, it leads from here to the University of the Balearic Islands.

Tourist Attractions

Lighthouse at Cap Formentor
  • Mallorca Planetarium, the Observatorio Astronómico de Mallorca is located in Costitx, on the main road MA-3240 Inca - Sineu.
  • The Marineland Mallorca
  • Stalactite caves
  • Botanical gardens
    • Botanical Garden of He shall
    • Botanicactus (Garden with 12,000 different species of cactus) in Ses Salines
  • Moorish gardens of Alfàbia in Bunyola
  • Peninsula and Cap Formentor
  • Prehistoric evidence
    • Grave caves from around 1800 BC In different places, e.g. B. Cala Sant Vicenç (Pollença) or Cala sa Nau (Cala d’Or)
    • Dolmen ("stone tables") from around 1700 BC BC are also prehistoric tombs. You can find them in the northeast of the island, for example at Can Picafort and Artà
    • Navetas - ship-shaped, brick dwellings from the period between 1700 and 1500 BC. Chr., Z. B. between Magaluf and Sol de Mallorca
    • Settlements of the Talayot ​​culture that existed in the Balearic Islands between 1300 and 500 BC. Was present. Typical and eponymous are the megalithic towers (talayot), some several meters high. The most important settlements of this time are Son Fornés (at Montuïri), Ses Païsses (at Artà) and Capocorb Vell (at Llucmajor)
    • Necropolis ("city of the dead") of Son Real Can Picafort - large field with stone tombs from the 7th to 4th centuries BC Chr.

activities

  • beaches: There are 80 in Mallorca beaches. From the small lonely bay to the large, heavily populated beach, everyone will find their dream beach. A well-known beach in the south of Mallorca is the It Trenc, a long sandy beach also known as the Caribbean of Mallorca.
  • Aqua theme parks: e.g. in Arenal and Magaluf.
  • Climb: The invites you to climb Jungle Park in Santa Ponsa a.
  • To go biking: You can easily rent bicycles in all holiday resorts. Helmet recommended! The network of cycle paths is constantly being expanded; The route from Arenal directly along the sea to Palma is very beautiful.
  • golf: There are 14 in Mallorca Golf courses with 18 holes that are freely accessible.
  • hike: Mallorca is a popular hiking area; The months of April, May, September and October are best for hiking. More and more tour operators are offering guided and organized hikes. Individual hikers should be careful not to enter any private property. There is almost no public land, even in the apparently most inhospitable areas. Many unpaved roads that would be regarded as public dirt roads in Germany are privately owned and their use is not permitted without permission. The large number of hikers alone leads to less than happy reactions from some landowners, who are often dog owners. Guided and organized hikes know the problem and bypass the critical areas so that there is no risk of a "wrong step".
  • Car or motorcycle hiking: Mallorca offers a multitude of interesting routes for motorized visitors, especially in the mountainous northern part; see above in the Mobility section.

kitchen

Restaurants

In Mallorca there are a myriad of restaurants, especially in the tourist resorts.

Since many tourists have an arrangement with half board or even all-inclusive, the battle for customers is intense, which in some cases ensures low prices. Basically, the pure tourist restaurants are to be viewed with a bit of skepticism, especially if the menu consists of colorful pictures or even a "riot" is already active on the street.

You can't go wrong in small towns with restaurants that are also frequented by locals. However, one cannot always expect a menu in German here.

Caution is advised with fish dishes, which are sometimes billed by weight. Here an inquiry is appropriate because of the total price.

Local specialties

placerestaurantSpecialty
AlgaidaC'al DimoniSopas Mallorquinas (Mallorcan vegetable and bread soup), Trampo (summer salad)
Cala TuentIt vergeretEscudella (vegetable stew with pork), trampo (summer salad)
CapdeperaL'Orient CaféTapas, pa amb oli & good breakfast (Wednesday market)
DeiàJaumeConejo con Cebolla (rabbit with onions)
Es PouetIt vergerArròs Brut (rice soup with various meats)
FornalutxCa'N'AntunaLomo con Col (pork loin in cabbage), Porcella / Lechona (grilled suckling pig)
GenovaC & Casa Gonzalo 1stPa Amb Oli (snack bread)
IncaCeller C'an RipollFrito Mallorquin (roast pork with vegetables), Lomo con Col (pork loin in cabbage), Tumbet (summer vegetable stir-fry (with chicken, beef / pork fillet or fish)
IncaCeller Sa TravessaFrito Mallorquin (roast pork with vegetables), Lomo con Col (pork loin in cabbage), Tumbet (summer vegetable stir-fry (with chicken, beef / pork fillet or fish)
Lluc monasteryCa S'AmitgerEscaldums (chicken or turkey pan)
OrientC'an JaumePorcella / Lechona (grilled suckling pig)
PalmaIt parliamentPaella (Spanish national dish)
PetraIt CellerConejo con Cebolla (rabbit with onions), Lomo con Col (pork loin in cabbage)
Port de SóllerBar VicentePa amb oli especial (snack bread)
Port de SóllerLa SiniaPaella (Spanish national dish)
Port d'AndratxRocamarPeix en es Forn / Pescado al Horno (fish in the oven)
Sant JoanEls Calderes ManorPa Amb Oli (snack bread)
He shallMirador de Ses BarquesConejo con Cebolla (rabbit with onions), Escudella (vegetable stew with pork), Frito Mallorquin (roast pork with vegetables), Sopas Mallorquinas (Mallorcan vegetable and bread soup)
He shallSa TeuleraBerenjenas Rellenas (Stuffed Eggplant), Frito Mallorquin (Roast Pork with Vegetables), Porcella a la Brassa (Grilled Suckling Pig)
Torre de CanyamelPorxadaPorcella / Lechona (grilled suckling pig)
ValldemossaCa'n MarioLomo con Col (pork loin in cabbage)
ValldemossaSon MoraguesBerenjenas Rellenas (stuffed eggplant), Sopas Mallorquinas (Mallorcan vegetable and bread soup), Tumbet (summer vegetable stir-fry (with chicken, beef / pork fillet or fish)

nightlife

There are two different types of nightlife in Mallorca. One is the well-known nightlife staged for tourists with its excesses that we know so well. As a rule, however, no locals work here. They have their own celebrations and it's the other night life in Mallorca.

Night life for tourists

Can Picafort at night

In all tourist places there is a night life appropriate for the public. In the quiet family areas you always have a few bars, restaurants and other businesses designed for tourists. There is usually live music as well, even in the quiet places. Often, a pedestrian zone has also been set up in the villages, where bars and restaurants are lined up. A disco with the local group is almost mandatory.

If you want to hit the wall, of course you have to go to the well-known destinations. In summer it is Cala Rajada known for having fun in the evening. The employees from the hotels around also come here to celebrate. Here the celebrations are exuberant, but still meaningful. You know how to behave. Crossing the border is unusual. Still pure atmosphere.

But if you want to have everything that Mallorca has to deliver in terms of German mood, then of course you have to go to him Ballermann 6. The name comes from the beach bars that it along the Playa de Palma gives. There are a total of 15 balnearios that stretch from the port of Arenal (here is number one) down the entire Playa de Palma to the end of Can Pastilla.

In the vicinity (Bierstrasse / Schinkenstrasse) of the famous Ballermann 6 is the center of this dance. There are many well-known restaurants here, but they all have only one thing in common. There is sun, beach, sex and alcohol here. There is always something going on here in the high season, no matter what time. It's quiet in the winter months.

Night life for locals

The nightlife of the locals is much more interesting. You have to know what makes the Mallorcans tick. The behavior after work is interesting. You don't really eat much during the day and have a nice long siesta because you can't work in the midday heat.

If the Mallorcan wants to go out, he does it after work, around 7 p.m. Then the bars fill up. Red wine and maybe sherry or brandy will be drunk there. If you can be there, that's a first experience. It will talk about the country and its people. They are very open to guests who get lost in the tapas bar in a town and simply eat with them. You should only have cash with you.

Then you go around the bars. You don't sit down in a bar, but wander through the bars in the area, trying to find someone you haven't spoken to yet. The nightlife then starts at 00:00. But usually only on weekends. Anyone who is lucky enough to get into such a round will be well received and given preferential treatment.

Every place on Mallorca has a village or city festival. You have to find out where such a festival is taking place nearby. It's all very popular, but outsiders are also well received. Locations that have not yet been flooded by tourists are particularly suitable here. If you have the opportunity, you should take part here once.

In Palma de Mallorca nightlife doesn't start until late. But here, too, the audience is a mix of Mallorcans, Spaniards who work here and tourists. The whole thing is very nice, but also expensive, because the bars on the trendy streets also want some money for the services. But here, too, the following applies: You move from bar to bar. You don't stay where you started.

security

The organization of the police in Mallorca is the same as everywhere in Spain. There is the Policia Local, the local police. They are also paid for and equipped by the municipalities. So the uniforms and vehicles look different. Blue and white prevailed, but as I said, it has not been uniform for a long time. The Policia Local is only responsible within the localities.

Civil Guard vehicles

After the place-name sign, the Guardia Civil is responsible. You can recognize them by their olive and white vehicles. They also wear olive-brown uniforms. A sub-group of the Guardia Civil is the Guardia Civil Tráfico, which is dedicated to traffic surveillance. It mainly monitors the expressways and motorways, but is also active on other major roads. In addition, the Guardia Civil has emergency services in the main tourist areas on Mallorca. It quickly brings calm to rioting tourists. In order to improve the image of the island, the number of people has been increased significantly.

A Policia Local vehicle

Overall, the police are very confused due to the long tradition and the many changes of government. There is still the Policia National, not so present on Mallorca. The national police, on the other hand, are exclusively responsible, among other things, for issuing identity cards and passports, monitoring entry and exit, for tasks of the immigration police and the prosecution of drug-related crime. Overall, the police presence on Mallorca is quite high.

The ladies and gentlemen of the police should be treated politely and modestly. The customs are constitutional, but much rougher than in Germany. Traffic fines are usually significantly higher than in Germany.

Man sollte sich nicht darauf verlassen, dass man von der Polizei (allgemein) verstanden wird. Die Aussage, man spricht neben spanisch auch englisch, ist Legende. Man hat auch Aussagen gehört wie: "Die sprechen spanisch?" Zumindest die Policia Local spricht Mallorquin.

Die Kriminalität hält sich aufgrund der deutlichen Polizeipräsenz in Grenzen. Die Partyzonen in Palma sind gut überwacht, teilweise mit Kameras, vereinzelt auch über Fenster die nur in einer Richtung durchsichtig sind. Die Problemfelder Nelkenfrauen and Hütchenspieler dürften jedem bekannt sein, dennoch finden diese ihre Kundschaft.

In den Hauptorten, insbesondere bei Veranstaltungen (Märkte!) sollte nur das nötigste mitgenommen werden. Nichts sichtbar im Auto lassen, schon gar nicht wenn aus gegebenem Anlass entsprechende Hinweisschilder vorhanden sind!

Im Hotel ist die Miete eines Tresors für eventuelle Wertsachen zwar nicht unbedingt erforderlich, aber sicher überlegenswert. Auch wenn man nicht so viele Wertsachen mit sich führt, lieber in den Safe legen. Der Versicherungswert für die üblichen Hotelzimmer-Tresore ist in der Regel auf ca. 1.800 Euro begrenzt.

Es kommt hin und wieder zu Schlägereien, besonders in den Feiermeilen. Heftig wird es, wenn betrunkene Gruppen verschiedener Nationalität aneinander geraten. Die Reviere sind zwar mittlerweile abgesteckt, aber es kommt vor. Hier sollte man nicht zwischen die Fronten geraten.

climate

Im Winter geht es auf Mallorca ruhig zu. Bei milden Temperaturen um ca. 15 Grad verbringen meist ältere Leute ihren Langzeiturlaub auf der Insel. Um dem deutschen Winter zu entfliehen, ist ein Kurztrip aber durchaus zu empfehlen. Eine heizbare Unterkunft ist jedoch empfehlenswert, da die Temperaturen abends spürbar kühl werden. Im Dezember/Januar gibt es auch schon mal Kälteperioden mit reichlich Regen, Wind und sogar Schnee – diesen allerdings nur in den Höhenlagen des Tramuntana-Gebirges. Grundsätzlich muss jedoch zu jeder Zeit des Frühjahrs bis Mitte Mai mit regelmäßigen Regentagen und durchsetzten Wetterperioden gerechnet werden. Abends kann es bis weit in den Mai hinein noch recht kühl sein, weshalb sich das Meer auch nur sehr langsam erwärmt.

Ab Ende Januar verziert eine wechselnde Blütenpracht die Täler und Ebenen. Die Mandelblüte ab Mitte Januar wird im März abgelöst von der Pfirsichblüte. Die ausgedehnten Orangen- und Zitronenplantagen zeigen ihr Blütenkleid ab Ende Januar bis Ende April – in einigen Regionen zuweilen noch im Juni.

Ab Ende Mai beginnt die Badesaison; bis September macht die Sonneninsel ihrem Namen alle Ehre. Bei Temperaturen von oft über 30 Grad (im Juli und August) kann man sich im bis zu 28 Grad warmen Wasser erfrischen. Mit der Trockenheit im Juni verblassen die Farben der Flora. Mallorcas Landschaft zeigt sich dann zumeist in unterschiedlichen Brauntönen, doch die Pinienwälder und Olivenhaine sorgen für ausreichenden Grünanteil. Regentage und bedeckter Himmel sind im Juli und August die ganz große Ausnahme. An den Küsten weht jedoch immer eine leichte Brise, die die Hitze erträglich macht; nur im Inselinneren ist der Hochsommer extrem heiß.

Im September sinken die Lufttemperaturen langsam auf das Juniniveau, das Wasser bleibt fast so warm wie im Vormonat. Der Oktober bringt wieder mehr Regen und verleiht der Insel wieder einen neuen Grünanstrich; Luft- und Wassertemperaturen liegen immer noch über dem Maimittel. Erst im November zeigt sich Mallorca häufiger spätherbstlich kühl.

Landschaftlich am schönsten ist die Insel im Frühling und im Herbst, wenn die Temperaturen bei angenehmen 20 °C liegen und die Natur nicht von der sommerlichen Trockenheit der Monate Mai bis September gezeichnet ist.


Palma de MallorcaJanFebMrzAprMaiJunJulAugSepOktNovDez  
Mittlere höchste Lufttemperatur in °C14.915.316.718.822.827.330.730.627.623.218.715.9Ø21.9
Mittlere tiefste Lufttemperatur in °C3.43.94.46.310.014.217.017.615.612.07.45.0Ø9.7
Mittlere Wassertemperatur in °C141314151721242524211815Ø18.4
Niederschläge in mm373436393014102050634744Σ424
Regentage im Monat868553136989Σ71
Sonnenscheindauer pro Tag5.35.56.27.28.810.210.7107.46.65.65.0Ø7.4
Source: Wetterkontor

trips

Beinahe jedes Reiseunternehmen bietet Ausflüge an. Mallorca ist größer als man hierzulande denkt. Mal so an einem Tag die ganze Insel zu entdecken, das ist illusorisch. Auch die Reiseunternehmen bieten immer nur einen Teil der Insel an. Jeder Ausflug steht und fällt mit dem Reiseführer. Hat man einen, der sich auskennt und etwas Charisma hat, dann bekommt man eine Menge mit, hat man einen, der das Gegenteil ist, ist vieles vergeblich.

Eine Bucht auf Mallorca

Sich allein mit dem Mietwagen auf die Reise zu begeben ist die zweite Möglichkeit. Unerlässlich ist da ein guter Reiseführer. Sonst fährt man nur in der Gegend rum, ohne etwas zu sehen. Hat man vor, die Insel mit dem eigenen Wagen zu erkunden, sollte man sich am besten vorher informieren und dann schauen, was man alles sehen will. Ist man erst mal auf der Insel, ist es zu umfangreich. Man muss schon eine Menge selektieren.

Sich mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln auf die Suche zu begeben, erscheint für Ausländer oft mühselig und anstrengend.

Gezielte Ausflüge kann man auch mit dem Taxi machen. Dabei sind die Taxis recht teuer, zwar nicht so teuer wie in Deutschland, aber die Strecken sind oftmals auch recht lang.

Besonders im Frühjahr und im Herbst kann man schöne Ausflüge mit dem Fahrrad machen. Mit dem Fahrrad ist man auch recht sicher unterwegs, weil es hier normal ist, dass Fahrradfahrer auf der Straße fahren. Hier bereiten sich die Profimannschaften auf die Saison vor, man ist also auch an viele Fahrräder gewöhnt. Man darf nur nicht vergessen, für ausreichend Flüssigkeit zu sorgen. Es ist doch noch sehr warm und man verliert Wasser.

literature

  • Heinrich Breloer; Frank Schauhoff: Mallorca, ein Jahr. Kiepenheuer & Witsch, 2004, ISBN 978-3462033571 ; 306 Seiten. Ein Insel-Roman
  • George Sand: Ein Winter auf Mallorca. Goldmann, 2006, ISBN 978-3442077540 ; 221 Seiten. Eines der bekanntesten Reisebücher der Weltliteratur (Original von 1839)

Web links

Usable articleThis is a useful article. There are still some places where information is missing. If you have something to add be brave and complete them.