Top 6 family breaks in the Balearics

Now that Spain has relaxed Covid travel restrictions for UK teenagers and many Brits are craving some sunshine, we have put together some suggestions for Easter family holidays in the Balearic Islands. From setting sail in Port de Pollença to cycling around Palma de Mallorca’s coastline, here are some ideas from the Balearic Islands Tourist Board for fun family escapes in 2022.

Getting the family started with diving in Menorca

Home to some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean, the Balearic island of Menorca has a great variety of dive spots for divers of all levels, making it a go-to destination for families seeking fun underwater. Visitors can dive all around the island, with spots to suit all levels. Fornells Diving Centre, located on the north coast of the island a short walk away from Port de Fornells, offers a variety of dives and courses, including 2.5 hour trial sessions for anyone over 10 years old at 68 euros, meaning that the whole family can enjoy exploring the fascinating underwater life of the North Menorca Marine Reserve.

Sunbathe in powder soft sand in Formentera

With some of the best beaches in the Balearic Islands, Formentera is a perfect choice for low-key, back-to-nature family holidays. Often compared to the Caribbean, the island is surrounded by idyllic beaches and turquoise waters which owe their colour to the meadows of Posidonia Oceanica, a unique seagrass which is the sea’s natural purifier. Perfect for families, the sand here is powder soft, so children can play and build sandcastles while adults enjoy sunbathing. At just 12 miles long and five miles wide, Formentera can be easily explored by scooter, bike, or even on foot. Thanks to its diverse landscape, which features gentle coastal paths, several of the island’s green routes are suitable for children.

Enjoy a city break beside the sea in Palma

Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is a laid-back yet vibrant coastal city, perfect for the family to explore together. A great way to do so is by cycling along the waterfront cycle paths via the Paseo Marítimo route to S’Arenal, a lively beach on the eastern edge of the expansive Playa de Palma (Palma Bay). Those with a little more peddle power can continue on to the former fishing village of Portixol with a great selection of cafes and atmospheric tapas bars. There’s plenty of art and history to be discovered at the city’s museums, too, from Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art to the military history museum Castell de Sant Carles. Located directly in the centre there are more than 20 new boutique hotels, some in charming historical buildings.

Explore an adventure park in Ibiza

Whilst being a family-friendly destination, Ibiza is home to great thrill-seeking adventures. Towards the east of the island, between Santa Eulalia and Es Canar, lies the Acrobosc adventure park in S’Argamassa. Surrounded by nature, children aged three and above can enjoy the exciting set-up in the fresh air among the pine trees with zipwires, trampolines, rope bridges, slides, climbing walls and tightropes. They are equipped with harnesses, provided with tuition and supervised at all times. This family-oriented activity is a great opportunity for children and adults alike to enjoy the outdoors. Alternatively, kids will love the adventure of taking a Jeep Safari tour of the Santa Eulalia area.

Set sail in Mallorca

Port de Pollença and the Bay of Alcúdia make great bases for families wishing to try their hand at a variety of watersports in Mallorca. Shallow waters on its beaches are well suited to children snorkelling, and thanks to nearby mountain ranges the wind conditions of these bays are ideal for yachting, kayaking and windsurfing. If you’d prefer to sit back and relax on the water, why not take a trip on a traditional sailing boat?

Get into the great outdoors in Menorca

Menorca’s north-eastern coast offers spectacular hilltop landscapes made up of dramatic cliffs and pine forest. The S’Albufera nature reserve is the perfect day trip for families who enjoy the great outdoors and wildlife spotting. The park has an observation tower offering a panoramic view which is ideal for birdwatching, and there is a bike hire so you can enjoy one of the park’s various bicycle trails through the abundant flora and fauna.