Mediterranean Europe is an absolutely stunning travel destination. On the one hand, it is an opportunity to visit European cities and see the sights, and on the other hand, pay tribute to the beach holiday. Agree that if you are traveling for 2 weeks, then such a program will most likely appeal to all participants in the trip.
Today we will talk about how to plan a similar trip to Spain, and more specifically, we will consider the route Barcelona - Mallorca, combining two of the most popular places in Spain.
In terms of popularity among our compatriots, Spain has long been in the top three along with Turkey and Bulgaria. And no wonder, the Spanish coast is famous for its beaches. In 2012, Spain ranked 1st in terms of the number of Blue Flags received, a quality mark awarded annually the best beaches peace.
Spanish beaches stretch along the entire coast from Barcelona to Malaga. When buying a ticket, our tourist usually naively believes that having settled somewhere in the Tarragona region, he will easily visit all the interesting things that are in Catalonia, and at the same time drive him to Valencia - they say, how much that Spain is there!
Don't fool yourself. After the first tedious (2 hours by train, a whole day on foot in the heat in the city and 2 hours back) excursion to Barcelona, you will say that well, these sights to hell, we’d better lie down on the beach. Or, if we really want to see something, we will buy an excursion from a tour operator - they will pick it up, take it, bring it back. Expensive, but not so hard, especially for children.
As a result, instead of a trip to Europe, you, in fact, get the same Turkey, but with a Spanish accent. It's a shame.
Planning a trip to Spain
In order not to be “excruciatingly painful” for the money spent and lost impressions, we will try to refuse to buy a tour and plan the trip ourselves. We will omit the technical details about, and, we will omit - our other articles are devoted to these issues, and let's talk about how to combine a full-fledged excursion program in Barcelona with an equally full-fledged beach holiday.
First, we are looking for a hotel in the city. Do not try to kill two birds with one stone, arguing that 20-30 minutes on the train is nonsense. Not nonsense! Even if the trip is very short, it is psychologically difficult to make several trips a day, which means that you will go to Barcelona as if you were going to work - there in the morning, back in the evening - do you need it? Trust me, it makes a big difference. If you know that at any time you can return to the hotel to change, relax, leave your shopping bag - you never know! - this allows you to relax, not to check the train schedule and not put an end to night events. To select a hotel in Barcelona, you can use the hotel map below:
If you are going to Spain for a week, then take 2 days to walk around Barcelona. Devote another 2 days to long-distance excursions - to the Montserrat Monastery, to Girona and Figueres or to Port Aventura. From Barcelona there regularly go special tourist buses, and it is more convenient to get to Port Aventura by train. After the trip, return to the hotel, relax, have dinner, walk around the evening city.
Do not rush to the beach - the second half of your holiday will be devoted to the sea.
From Barcelona to Mallorca
Of the more than 500 Blue Flags received by Spain, 40 belong to the beaches of Mallorca - a solid contribution to the country's reputation, isn't it? Mallorca's beaches are really good: White sand, palm trees and crystal clear water. No wonder holidays in Mallorca are considered prestigious, and its 5-star hotels are often chosen by stars and celebrities for holidays.
Again, we will provide you with the choice of a hotel in Mallorca. And there is plenty to choose from, the whole island is a huge resort. You can live in the city or you can choose beach hotel, but given that the "urban" part of the trip has already taken place, we would recommend a hotel on the coast. By the way, many of them work on an all-inclusive basis. To select a hotel in Mallorca, you can use the hotel map below:
How to get from Barcelona to Mallorca? There is a ferry from Barcelona - it's 6-7 hours on the way and 60-70 euros one way. In our opinion, it is long and expensive, so we recommend flying by plane. There are many flights, the choice is large.
One of the airlines serving this route is the Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling (Vueling or Vueling, as we often call it). They make from 5 to 9 flights a day, starting from 7 am to 10 pm. Fly from Barcelona to Mallorca in 50 minutes.
Since Vyuling is a low-cost airline, be prepared for the fact that you will have to pay extra for choosing a seat in the cabin (if this is important for you) and limit your luggage to 23 kilograms. You will also need to pay extra for checking in luggage, and it’s cheaper to do it online; for checking in luggage at the airport, they charge 35 euros. But as hand luggage, you can take a bag or suitcase weighing 10 kg into the cabin.
As usual, minor payment troubles common to all low-cost airlines are compensated by an excellent price for a flight: the most cheap airfare Barcelona - Mallorca will cost 35 euros one way. For large families (from 3 children) Vueling provides a 5% discount.
You can buy tickets from Barcelona to Mallorca on the official website of Vueling Airlines: . The site is Russified.
By the way, Vueling offers both direct flights from Domodedovo to Palma de Mallorca, and not expensive tickets to Barcelona.
Have a nice holiday in Spain!
Article author: Katya Kim
I travel and write about travel. I don’t use the services of travel agencies, I don’t like sights that everyone “must visit”, I don’t talk about “resorts with developed infrastructure”. I share my experience on how to travel on my own.old quarters, interesting museums, rainbow mosaic, mediterranean cuisine, gorgeous beaches- these are just some of the reasons why you should visit Spain!
As always, my husband and I planned our trip to Spain long before the trip and, of course, on our own. We have not used the services of travel agencies for a long time, as we prefer to develop routes and choose hotels ourselves. Yes, and preparing for the next trip is an extremely exciting thing.
This was our first trip to Spain (usually we choose Asian countries). But this time we were practically persuaded to choose Spain, and we did not regret it. The warm sea, stunningly beautiful landscapes, an abundance of fruits, cheeses and jamon, as well as the friendliness of the local population made our holiday excellent.
Barcelona
Barcelona
Tickets were bought a few months before departure. The choice was this: either expensive tickets for a direct flight from St. Petersburg to Barcelona, or cheap tickets with transfers. We are not looking for easy ways, besides we travel quite often, so we chose tickets through Helsinki and with a transfer in Riga. AirBaltic airline tickets came out cheap (about 15,000 rubles per person in both directions with a flight from Helsinki), but they had their limitations: luggage was paid separately (we flew with hand luggage), and you had to register online. If you do not check in online, you will have to pay additional fees when you check in at the airport. Hotels in Mallorca were booked almost six months in advance, since in the summer good hotels There is a very high demand here.
Embankment
Travel itinerary to Spain
Two weeks flew by. Five days were allotted for Barcelona. We did not try to cover as much as possible in one trip to Barcelona. After all, in the Catalan capital there are so many interesting places: cathedrals, basilicas, monuments, beautiful squares and narrow streets! And I want to consider everything, without hurrying anywhere. In addition, the suburbs of Barcelona: Figueres, Girona, Sitges - also attract tourists from all over the world.
For the first visit, we determined that we definitely want to visit the Gothic Quarter, see the Sagrada Familia by the great architect Antoni Gaudí, climb Mount Montjuic, walk along the main Las Ramblas, look at the Boqueria market and, of course, visit one of the most popular parks in the world entertainment - PortAventura.
Most of all, I like to combine in one trip a dynamic vacation in big cities and the tranquility of a beach holiday. This time we chose the Spanish pearl - Mallorca, and managed to live on two opposite parts of the island. So, first things first!
Spanish market
The trip was strictly planned by day, and we did not deviate from the plan. Briefly describing our journey, here is what happens:
1 day: departure to Finland. Since we have a Finnish Schengen, a trip through Finland was beneficial for us (we didn’t have to go there specially). So, early in the morning we took a bus from St. Petersburg to Helsinki Airport (we ordered a transfer). On an evening flight we flew from Helsinki to Riga. We had to spend 6 hours at the Riga airport, during which time we had dinner and even slept a little. In the morning we were already in Barcelona, tired, but with the anticipation of a great holiday.
2 day: Barcelona met us with great weather! In the afternoon we checked into an apartment booked in advance on booking.com. Despite being tired, after checking in, we immediately went for a walk around the city. And the first sight on our way was the Sagrada Familia.
Sagrada Familia
Then we went for a walk along the famous Rambla, looked into the shops along the way, visited the old Boqueria market. And late in the evening we managed to go to shopping mall Arena.
Arena in Barcelona
3 day spent in the amusement park Port Aventura and the water park. And it was a very emotional day!
Port Aventura
Day 4 We didn't plan it ahead of time. We just went for a walk in the city center. And we found an amazing place - Citadel Park.
Barcelona
We walked along the old streets of the Gothic quarter and, of course, could not pass by the Picasso Museum.
Picasso Museum
Day 5 On a morning flight, we flew from Barcelona to a heavenly place - Mallorca. We took a taxi to the hotel, located at the westernmost point of the island. Sant Elm - picturesque and quiet place for a beach holiday.
6, 7, and 8 days we spent at the beautiful hotel Universal Aquamarin & Aquavilla. The main attractions of Sant Elm are the beautiful beach, walking along several streets and amazing cuisine at the hotel.
Day 9 In the morning we packed up and took a taxi to the eastern part of the island of Mallorca - the small town of Porto Colom. Here is the popular sandy beach of Cala Marsal.
9 - 11 days we lived in the JS Cape Colom hotel, located among the picturesque cliffs. Its hallmark is the observation deck on the top floor, which offers a bewitching view. The hotel has an all-inclusive system, but the kitchen was not at all pleased. But I was very pleased with the presence of a good tennis court, the use of which was included in the price. Please note that this hotel is adults only. And rightly so, since the beach near the hotel is very peculiar, entering the sea is by stairs from a cliff.
Day 12 In the morning we moved to a hotel in the capital of the island - Palma de Mallorca. Here we spent only a day. On the first day we saw the main sights of the city - Cathedral And central square and Bellver Castle.
Day 13 Walked in the morning main square Palma de Mallorca, devoted a couple of hours to shopping. After lunch we flew to Barcelona. We spent a romantic evening in Barcelona in one of the restaurants in the Gothic Quarter.
Seafood in Spain at every turn
Day 14 The last full day in Barcelona was very eventful. In the morning we went to the Laberinte d'Orta park, located next to the hotel where we were staying.
Barcelona
Then we went to the center, planned to visit the great creation of Gaudi - Casa Batllo. But due to the huge queue, we postponed his visit until the next trip to Spain. Instead, on cable car got to famous castle Montjuic, admired the beauty of the National Art Museum of Catalonia, walked around the Olympic village, and even had lunch in the cafe of the Olympic stadium.
Barcelona Olympic Park
Also on this day we saw Spain in miniature at Poble Espanyol. This so-called Spanish village was actually just a large cluster of overpriced outlets and restaurants.
spanish village
We spent the evening, of course, in our already beloved Gothic Quarter.
Day 15 In the morning we stocked up on cheese / jamon in the shops closest to the hotel. In the evening we flew to Riga. It turned out that on this very day - August 13 - Riga celebrates the day of the city. We hardly found our small hotel, had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant (the food seemed insanely delicious to us compared to Spanish). We did not go to the square to watch the fireworks, as we were tired and did not want to freeze.
Day 16 In the morning we walked along the central streets of Riga, looked at all the disgrace that was happening on the streets after the celebration of the city day. After lunch we flew to Helsinki, from where we finally got to St. Petersburg by evening bus.
Prices in Spain
Holidays in Spain left a lot of positive emotions. What I especially liked was the general goodwill and openness of the Spaniards. And their language is just music to my ears! I even wanted to learn it in order to understand not only the well-known ones - “gracias”, “ola”, “buenos dias”, etc.
Barcelona from the observation deck
Of course, during the trip, we involuntarily compared holidays in Spain with Asian countries which we have visited. And everywhere there are pluses and minuses. The biggest disadvantage of Spain are enough high prices for food, transportation, souvenirs, excursions. But it's all in comparison! But the pledge have a good travel- do not compare with the previous holiday. But planning independent travel to Spain, take more money! The average bill in a cafe is 30-60 Euro for two without alcohol, a taxi around the city is 10-20 Euro, entry tickets, for example, in Aventura Park - 47 Euro per person.
A little about food
The only thing we were a little disappointed in Spain was the local food. Perhaps because of too high expectations. Before the trip, we read that Spanish cuisine can be considered one of the main attractions of the country, it is so good. We had lunch and dinner in many restaurants of different price ranges, from cheap cafes to a famous restaurant in Mallorca. But they didn't enjoy it much. Paella, gazpacho, tapas (various appetizers), chorizo - it's all, of course, delicious! But after a few days, I want something completely different. This does not apply to our beloved brie cheese, jamon and, of course, sangria!
Spanish salad
When it comes to holidays in Mallorca, here everyone can find something to their liking. Either calm beach holiday and an evening promenade along the local streets (as, for example, in Sant Elm), or unbridled fun for young people in the Arenal resort.
In a short time of travel we saw a large number of sights of Barcelona, rested on the famous island Spain and even managed to see Riga a little. We will start our next trip to Spain from Madrid, and then we would like to see Seville, Zaragoza, Valencia, and the island of Tenerife. But even in Barcelona, we didn’t see all the sights, besides, we want to visit the Port Aventura amusement park again.
For those unfortunate people who have not yet been to the country of oranges, and the wine is dedicated!
There are many sunny countries in Europe, but there is one special one - Spain! In this "hot" and "passionate" world for any person there is a sea and joy! Spain is "caressed" from two sides by two water "lovelaces": the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Wherever you go, you will be welcomed everywhere, because the Spaniards are hot, brave, but friendly people.
Most popular place holidays in Spain - the dream resort of Mallorca (Mallorca). Mallorca belongs to the Balearic Islands. On the island in abundance all year round tourists arrive. And why? But because if you once visited this fabulous place, seething with joys and fun, you will want to come back here again, but what is there, you want to stay here forever! A mild and favorable climate will not let your health And mood act up, fresh fruits and seafood around the clock delight the eye. Nature on the island is rich and diverse, which means it will give you a lot of memorable photographs. sandy beaches- the main bonus of the island, and why be modest, of the whole country as a whole!
If you are going to get to know Spain better, head to Barcelona, the city of vibrant art, cuisine, entertainment. Of course, speaking of Barcelona, immediately start fantasizing about what the work of the famous architect Antonio Gaudí looks like. You will commit a huge "sin" if you are in Barcelona and do not see his creations. If you are going on holiday with kids, then by all means take them to Port Aventura - they will be grateful to you and will never forget this fun, vibrant experience visit to the amusement park!
For lovers of burning dances, the city of passionate flamenco and bullfighting - Seville is presented to your attention! The whole city is drowning in orange trees to please the eye and intoxicate with aromas. Here, as well as throughout the country, rivers of refreshing Sangria flow, streams of national Spanish songs and guitars flow, and the sun gives happiness.
Well, for special tourists, Spain keeps Tenerife, an island from the archipelago canary islands. Here is collected all the most "nutritious", "juicy" and unforgettable! The island lives on Atlantic Ocean, known as the island of "eternal spring", has a year-round warm climate. Tenerife is surrounded by an abundance of vegetation, the company of palm trees is often found here. The most high point islands - the famous volcano "Teide". You can talk about Tenerife forever, so don't waste your time talking about it, go there immediately!
If you love Spain so much that you dream about its rich and bright colors of relaxation, then go to any city you see on the map. It can be Malaga, where you will enjoy fresh sardines, and Toledo, the former capital of Spain, and now the current capital of Madrid. You will be fed with a divine delicacy for gourmets - jamon, rice with seafood - paella, everywhere you will be given water with fruits - sangria, and of course you will be enchanted with fans and castanets. Emotional Spanish will excite your insides, walking through the narrow streets will seem very intimate and, because all of Spain is permeated with threads of passion and love.
Think, there are many beautiful places in the World, but you will not find such a place as Spain. It combines both joy and depravity, laughter and romance and sweet sadness. Holidays in Spain are famous all over the world. Dreamland will give you a lot of happiness, introduce you to new people, because all of Europe gathers there to get their dose of joy and magic. Every day is celebrated here holiday, you will love this noisy voice of the crowd, bright smiles, dishes and dances. Visit it once and you will never forget it!
Mallorca belongs to the Balearic Islands group. Now it is the largest spanish resort, which annually gathers admirers from all over the world. beaches, sailing And scenic landscapes- far from all the sights of the island. No wonder the island is one of the most popular tourist routes. The most convenient route is through Barcelona as one of largest cities Spain. Therefore, tourists and vacationers are interested in how to get from Barcelona to Mallorca and how much it can cost.
All roads lead to Mallorca
From Barcelona to the resort 203 km - and all by sea. Therefore, there are only two ways: by ferry or by plane.
We do not mention the exciting possibilities of hiring a yacht or a private jet, and we do not recommend getting a job as a cabin boy on a ship. But the real possibilities can be compared using the table.
Gaining popularity sea cruises By mediterranean sea, among them special routes to Mallorca. The minimum price for a cruise on a liner in the summer of 2019 is 519 €, but the resort island is not the goal here, but only one of the stages of the journey.
The romance of the sea
Traveling by ferry looks romantic. In this case, you can go sitting or take a cabin. Another plus of this transport: it can transport a car and pets. Passenger Transportation are carried out by Balearia and Trasmediterranea, the latter being about 10-20 € cheaper.
Ferries run both in the morning and at night, but on Saturday they have a day off. Travel time is 5-10 hours, depending on the port of arrival and flight time. There are 18 flights a week in total.
A traveler can buy a ticket for a ferry on the spot - there are offices in the ports, or you can order in advance through the websites of carriers. The cost of a one-way flight on a ferry for an adult is from 62 to 91 euros, for a child - half the amount. A cabin will cost at least 2 times more, especially during the peak season.
If you are transporting a car, the price for a one-way flight is 139-239 €. You will have to pay extra for other transport: bicycle, van, motorcycle. It is cheaper to immediately buy round trip tickets - Mallorca is not cheap.
But for the transportation of pets, the price can jump up to 331 euros, if we are talking about a dog - the standard price for a place in a 4-bed cabin. On some flights, pets are only accepted if transport is available. The animal must have a veterinary certificate and originals of all documents.
In Barcelona, ferries depart from the Old Port, while in Mallorca they arrive either in Alcudia, the closest port, or in Palma de Mallorca, the most famous city islands.
The difference in price is minimal, but the travel time increases by an hour and a half.
The ferry is chosen by those who seek to have a quiet time enjoying the seascapes. The slowness of this type of transport sets you up in a lyrical way, besides, the service is excellent.
Fast and cheap: airplane
The distance from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca is 277 km and the fastest way is by plane. The price of an air flight differs little from the price of a seat on a ferry, although it depends on the specific company and the day of the week.
On Tuesday, the price for an economy class ticket will be 29-39 €, and from Friday to Monday - at least 58 €. The minimum cost can reach 16 euros - less than a taxi in Barcelona from the center to the airport.
An airbus runs from the center of Barcelona to the airport every 5-10 minutes, a one-way ticket for which will cost 5.90 €. A return ticket costs 10.20 euros and is valid for 15 days. These buses run from 5.30 to 0.30, from the center to the terminal you will reach in 35 minutes. It is easy to recognize them - they are painted in blue and blue colors and they have a large inscription "Aerobus" on them.
When the bus is not available, you can take a taxi - provided you speak Spanish. When there are problems with communication, it is better to use it - so the driver will immediately know where to go. It is possible to get there by metro or a special RENFE train.
Once you have reached the airport, you can fly to Mallorca by plane on the next flight - they fly from 06.30 to 23.00 inclusive, but more often on weekends. All flights are direct and last from 45 minutes to 1 hour. All flights are carried out to Palma de Mallorca Airport, from where you will then have to get to the desired point on the island.
Main air carriers:
- Air Europa - from 26 € for an economy class flight;
- IBERIA - from 28 € for a one-way ticket;
- RYANAIR - from 16 €, but not on all flights and not every day;
- Vueling - from 30 € for an economy class flight.
Business class tickets are many times more expensive - from 272 euros. Children without adults cannot fly, but the price of an economy class flight with an infant will be 10 € more expensive. For children over 12 years old, the flight will cost about 20 euros - a little cheaper than an adult.
From Son San Juan, Mallorca's airport, the largest in all the Balearic Islands, buses number 1 and 21 go to Palma de Mallorca. Tickets worth 3 € are purchased directly from the driver.
Intercity routes:
- Bus number A11 from the airport to Magaluf and Peguera;
- Bus number A32 goes in 2 directions: Platja de Muro / Alcudia - Can Picafor and Cala Bona - Cala Millor;
- Bus number A51: Airport - El Arenal de Llucmajor - Cala d'Or
The fare will cost 5-12 euros - the price depends on the destination. This is the cheapest way to travel. Even if the desired route does not go from the airport, you can get to central bus station from which traffic follows in all directions.
As elsewhere, regular taxis and transfers work. You can also rent a car - it will cost 35-40 € per day.
Conclusion
Mallorca resorts attract tourists from all over the world. The lion's share prefers to get through Barcelona - the center of Catalonia, famous for its architecture and beautiful views. Despite the convenient cruise routes, the pearl of the Balearic Islands should be considered separately. For this, ferries run regularly from Barcelona to Mallorca and special flights fly. Whatever transport you use, you can find out timetables and even buy tickets and order a car without knowing the language - via the Internet.
Air travel is faster and often cheaper. The ferry makes it possible to transport vehicles and pets, as well as fully enjoy a boat trip.
Carrier Balearia: Video
