Balearic Islands

from DK Travel Mallorca Menorca & Ibiza

Islands

ENTERTAINMENT IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS

Ibiza is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s most entertaining place. This is no doubt due to the number of nightclubs, bars and pubs packed into this small island. The other islands of the archipelago also have plenty of entertainment on offer and there are many clubs, concerts and shows to choose from. The range of entertainment available to visitors is much wider than this, however. At the height of the holiday season, the larger resorts open up casinos, concert halls, cinemas and theatres and also organize folklore, theatre and cinema festivals. On top of this, and perfect for the kids, are the many aquaparks and other amusement parks found on the islands.

Shelves of the many liqueurs on offer in a shop Information

It is a good idea to find out what is on offer before you leave, as local tourist information offices may not always have details of forthcoming cultural events, particularly if they are held in another town. The Internet has a wealth of information on concerts, amusement parks and festivals and may sometimes include first-hand accounts of particular attractions. Current details may often be found in the local press. Keep your eyes peeled, too, as many events are advertised on posters. Other valuable sources on what is happening are hotel reception areas. Earlier in the evening you can visit bars and pubs. For those people who do not fancy the nightclubs, there are also casinos and many venues that put on artistic programmes.

Music and Theatre

Nightlife

Despite appearances, the cultural life on the Balearic Islands is not limited to pubs, clubs and religious festivals. Classical music, opera and theatre are all very popNightlife flourishes ular with the on the islands. locals, particularly Ibiza is particularly on Mallorca and famous for it (see Entry ticket to Jardines d’Alfàbia Menorca. Theatres pp124–5), but and opera houses Mallorca also has many can be found in the larger towns. nightclubs (discotecas). The Their repertoire includes mainly clubs usually open their doors modern Spanish drama and between midnight and 1am there are frequent performances and many remain open all by visiting theatre and opera night. Admission to the most companies from mainland famous and fashionable places Spain, as well as from other in Ibiza and Mallorca is relatively European countries, including expensive. Lesser-known Germany, Italy and the UK. venues tempt guests in with The leading theatres are the various gimmicks or free drinks. Teatre Principal in Palma and

Booking Tickets

Tickets to some of the major nightclubs in Ibiza, such as Amnesia and Privilege, can be booked before you go on holiday, over the Internet or by telephone. The same applies to concerts and music festivals, and guided tours often require advance booking, too. The earlier you book, the better your chances of getting a ticket. However, in many cases, tickets are only sold a short time in advance. If you are unable to book tickets in advance, and are staying in a hotel, the reception will often be happy to do the booking for you. Admission to many open-air events is often free.

Partygoers enjoying themselves at Amnesia, Ibiza

Fundació Teatre Principal de Maó in Menorca. During the summer season, when the theatres close, theatre festivals come to take their place. These are mostly international events. Many of these include theatre workshops, which offer plenty of opportunities for audience participation. The Centro Cultural Andratx hosts concerts and exhibitions. There are resident artists in the complex too, and it is well worth a visit to see them at work. Lovers of classical music will also find something on the islands. Worldclass musicians and orchestras frequently appear in the concert halls, such as the Auditórium de Palma de Mallorca. In addition, many music festivals and concerts are organized during the holiday season. In Menorca, there are three major festivals during the summer season – in Maó, Ciutadella and Fornells. Festivals taking place between June and September are held in concert halls, theatres and churches. Among the important musical events in Mallorca are the classical music festivals held in Palma (Jan–Apr) and the Chopin Festival in Valldemossa (Aug). Other popular events include international festivals of music in Deià (May–Sep) and Pollença (Jul–Aug) during the summer.

Popular Music

during the summer season. Occasionally, top rock groups or pop stars make an appearance. You should enquire about dates and venues in the local tourist information office. There are also numerous local regular events, such as a Rock’n’Rostoll Festival in Maria de la Salut, in Mallorca, while cities such as Palma have many live music venues.

Some events have Sign for become a permanent a horse show fixture in the islands’ cultural calendar. Anyone who loves jazz may know about Sant Climent in Menorca. On Tuesdays from May to October, “jam sessions” are held here. Two extremely popular events in Mallorca are the International Jazz Festival held every year during May and June in Cala d’Or, and the Mallorca Jazz Festival during August in Sa Pobla. In Palma, the Jazz Voyeur Festival runs from September to December.

Fiestas

When visiting the islands, it is worth including one of the fiestas in your itinerary. These are held not only as celebrations of patron saints, but may also commemorate historic events (mainly Medieval events) or celebrate important harvests (such as the grape harvest festival in Binissalem and the melon festival in Vilafranca de Bonany). These colourful, bustling celebrations, accompanied by music, dancing and feasting, can continue for several days, during which time the town’s business life grinds to a halt as the locals join in the fun. Street processions with people dressed in regional costumes or their Sunday best are often spiced up by the dimonis – devils that personify evil, which are defeated in the end. This happens during the fiestas in Montuïri and Santa

Margalida. An important element of many fiestas are the horse races and shows.

The most interesting of these are held during the Sant Joan fiesta in Ciutadella (in June). The majority of fiestas, as well as other cultural and entertainment events, are held during the summer months, at the peak of the holiday season. Important events taking place outside the tourist season include the Procession of the Three Magi (Jan), the carnival (Feb) and the celebrations associated with Holy Week.

Shows

Once the sun goes down, there are plenty of shows to keep you entertained on the Balearics, and there is always something for everyone. As well as being a gambler’s haven, the Casino Mallorca also offers glamorous nightly extravaganzas. Son Amar stages shows to rival those in Las Vegas, with a variety of dance and music artists, in a huge auditorium. Son Martorellet, on the other hand, puts on family-friendly dressage displays and performances that demonstrate man’s strong bond with the horse.

Glass-bottomed boat ride

Excursions

beaches where you can tournaments, are organized sunbathe from dawn to dusk. for the enjoyment of younger Some are equipped for coral- visitors. During the high season reef watching with glass- there are also many funfairs bottomed boats, though this with carousels and circus Those looking for an active can induce seasickness with troupes featuring acrobats and holiday will have no trouble remarkable speed, and some magicians. Out of season, there finding plenty of outlets able cater for snorkelling. There are are visits by circuses and fairs to to provide details of walking or more specialized boat trips the islands and some of the cycling trails, and even organize along Maó’s magnificent larger clubs run youth afterexcursions. For anyone looking harbour, with its sprinkling noons at the weekends. Palma for a less strenuous excursion, of historic islets, but the most Aquarium, just outside the city, there are plenty of coach tours. popular cruise of them all is makes for a great day out. It is, of course, possible to hire a to Sa Calobra, the box-canyon Although the other islands car and drive to some of the beach on Mallorca’s north coast, have fewer attractions, there is most interesting places around which is best visited the day still plenty to keep children the islands. You can also ask at after heavy rain. In terms of entertained. Menorca has pony tourist offices about guided distance, the longest cruise rides and riding shows, for tours. You might, is to the rugged, sun- example, while Ibiza’s beaches however, bear in bleached archipelago and all the associated seaside mind that some of Cabrera, off the attractions, such as snorkelling, groups may con- south coast of beach games and banana rides, tain a number of Mallorca – a very will keep most children happily nationalities and remote spot. occupied for the duration of you should be Barcos Azules your holiday. prepared to listen to is a reliable and Another form of entertaina commentary in a Logo of Menorca’s natural proficient cruise ment in the islands is afforded variety of languages. history museum company offering by a visit to one of the num Of all the tours and a wide range of erous caves, especially in excursions on offer on the island boat trips. Marcabrera is Mallorca (see p83). Some Balearic Islands, possibly a smaller boat company that of these have their own the most pleasant are boat arranges charming excursions light and music shows. cruises. Across the Balearics, out to Cabrera Island. the standard cruise is in a large, motorized boat that cuts its way along the coast, dipping Children into coves and bays on the The Spanish are famously way. Some of the boats double fond of children, and as beach ferries – like the one kids are welcomed in between Port de Pollença restaurants, especially and Platja de Formentor – at lunchtimes. while others venture out to In terms of attractions, uninhabited islets, like the Mallorca has the lion’s little boats that bob out from share, with waterparks, Sant Elm to the Parc Natural caves and promenades de Sa Dragonera. Some cruises for cycling. Fun shows, include swimming and picnic including mock pirate stops, others sail out to isolated battles and jousting Slides in a waterpark in Ibiza

Nightlife

BCM

Avda S’Olivera, Magaluf. Tel 625 597 256. ∑ bcmplanetdance. com British-run entertainment complex – the biggest club on the island.

Menta

Avda Tucan, Alcúdia. Tel 664 435 717. ∑ menta-disco.com Two dance floors, seven bars and an indoor pool.

Paladium Paguera

Avda 50, Paguera. Tel 680 944 490. A smaller club that gets packed on the weekends.

Tito’s

Paseo Maritímo, Palma. Tel 687 570 130. ∑ titosmallorca.com

Theatres

Café Teatre Sans

C/C’an Sanç 5, Palma, Mallorca. Tel 971 727 166.

Fundació Teatre Principal de Maó

C/Costa Deià 40, Maó, Menorca. Tel 971 355 603.

∑ teatremao.com See p98 for further details.

Orfeó Maonès

C/ Verge de Gràcia 155, Maó, Menorca. Tel 971 363 942.

Teatre del Mar

Llucmajor 90, “Es Molinar”, Palma, Mallorca. Tel 971 248 400. ∑ teatredelmar.com

Next Article

Islands

ENTERTAINMENT IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS

Nightlife

BCM

Menta

Paladium Paguera

Tito’s

Theatres

Café Teatre Sans

Fundació Teatre Principal de Maó

Orfeó Maonès

Teatre del Mar

DIRECTORY

Teatre Municipal de Manacor

Teatre Principal

Teatre de Vilafranca

Trui Teatre

Music

Auditori d’Alcúdia

Auditórium de Palma de Mallorca

Auditórium Sa Màniga

Centro Cultural Andratx

Shows

Casino Mallorca

Club Escola Menorquína

Es Foguero

Son Amar

Son Martorellet

Excursions

Barcos Azules

Marcabrera

Riding Academy Mallorca

Children

Aguamar

Aqua Center

Aqualand El Arenal

Aquarium Cap Blanc

Aventura Park

Club Hipico Son Gual

Golf Fantasía

Natura Parc

Palma Aquarium

Western Park

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DK Travel Mallorca Menorca & Ibiza