Majorca Holiday Guide

May-June and September-October are best, to avoid the crowds and higher prices of July and August. Visit in spring for the flowers in the mountainous north-west.

In summer temperatures average 70-88F (23-30C) and in winter they drop to 43-58F (6-15C).

There are some real bargains but average costs for two weeks in June vary from £400 - £600 per person half-board, including return flights . A week's self catering accommodation in June is from £270. Flights start at around £130 return.

The east coast is where the main tourist hotels and resorts are located and they offer good facilities for families at low cost. The northern half really is a concrete jungle, though development is a little more restrained in the southern section.

The best beaches are Porto Petro, Cala Mondrago and Cala Figuera, although the latter has no sandy beach. The Bahia d'Alcudia area has good beaches but it does get very crowded.

The German resort of Colonia San Jordi has some good quiet beaches - check out Ses Arenes and Es Trenc.

Most people expect Palma to be a concrete jungle, but are pleasantly surprised. The old quarter is an attractive blend of tree-lined boulevards and cobbled lanes, Gothic churches and baroque palaces, designer bars and slick boutiques.

The Cathedral Palau de l'Almudaina, the Museu de Mallorca, the interesting Museu Diocesa, the Arab baths and the Fundacio Joan Miro - which has a good selection of Miro's art - are all worth visiting.

Deia is probably the most famous village on Majorca, a cluster of stone buildings cowering beneath soaring mountains and surrounded by steep hillsides terraced with vegetable gardens, vines and fruit orchards.
It is now home to writers, actors and musicians. The English poet Robert Graves lived here until his death in 1985. A trip inland by train to Soller allows a glimpse of the traditional Majorcan way of life.

Inca holds a popular market each Thursday and has numerous factory outlets selling locally-produced leather goods, while industrial town Manacor has a thriving manufactured pearl industry.
Felanix is well-known for its ceramics showrooms and factories. Frederic Chopin and George Sand spent some time at the Cartuja de Valldemossa, a beautiful monastery that still houses Chopin's piano.

Restaurants in the Balearics tend to cater for the Majorcan holiday maker, so you'll have no problem finding standard British, French and Italian fare.

Try a meal of Spanish tapas, a selection of small dishes such as olives, albondigas (meat or fish balls) and gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns).

Spanish rice dishes like paella are popular, and the seafood is mostly excellent, with grilled sardines being a local favourite.

In Palma, check out the area by Placa de Santa Eulalia, and between Placa de la Reina and the port for a good selection of restaurants.

For Palma's best eateries, try the maze of streets between Placa de la Reina and the port. Carrer dels Apuntadors is lined with restaurants and the Abaco - a crazy bar with crazily high prices.

Bar Martin in Carrer de la Santa Creu is cheaper and authentic, or the Cellar Sa Premsa for a hearty, cheap meal.

All the resorts have their own "scene" varying from the supremely (and superbly) tacky to the fairly tacky - which can, of course, be very enjoyable after a few beers and a long day on the beach.

Inca holds a popular market each Thursday and has numerous factory outlets selling locally produced leather goods, while Manacor, with its thriving manufactured pearl industry, is the place to get your pearls. Felanix is known for its ceramics.

In Deia you can find arts and crafts galore made by the artistic and artisan community there. You can even commission a local craftsperson or artist to produce a special piece for you. Why not? Perhaps it's time to become a patron of the arts!

Majorca is, like all of Spain, kid-friendly in that they're welcome in restaurants and will probably be made a fuss of if they are small enough.

Some resort hotels offer good children's facilities - including kids' clubs and pools - but you will need to check with your hotel/tour operator as to availability.