10-Night Complete Balearics — Barcelona to Formentera
Route Overview
The Route
Day 1 — Barcelona: Embarkation
Board at Real Club Náutico de Barcelona or Port Vell. Barcelona's waterfront, the Barceloneta beach, the Gothic Quarter and the extraordinary Sagrada Família (even seen from the harbour). Welcome dinner at Barceloneta restaurant or in the El Born neighbourhood.
Day 2 — Passage to Mallorca
A full-day crossing to Mallorca (8–12 hours depending on conditions). Arrive at Puerto Portals, Puerto Soller or Palma in the evening. The approach to Palma Bay at night, with the Cathedral floodlit above the city, is one of the great arrivals of western Mediterranean yachting.
Day 3 — Palma & Serra de Tramuntana
Explore Palma — the Cathedral, the Arab Baths, the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró and the excellent market of Santa Catalina. A car trip into the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana — the mountain road from Palma to Pollença via Sóller and Valldemossa is one of the great drives in Europe.
Day 4 — Northern Mallorca: Cap de Formentor
Sail north around the dramatic Cap de Formentor — the furthest point of Mallorca, with sheer cliffs dropping to clear turquoise water. The lighthouse road is famous; the beach at Cala de Pi de la Posada at the base of the cape is exceptional. Overnight at Port de Pollença.
Day 5 — Menorca: Ciudadela
A 30-mile passage east to Menorca — the most protected of the Balearics, almost entirely devoid of mass tourism. Ciudadela's extraordinary natural harbour (a long, narrow inlet cutting deep into the limestone) is approached through a channel barely 70 metres wide. The old town's Gothic palaces, the Catedral and the port-side restaurants. Overnight in the marina.
Day 6 — Menorca: Mahon & South Coast
Sail east to Mahon — the capital, with one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. The beautiful Baroque old town, the Xoriguer gin distillery (gin came to Britain from Mahon, not Holland) and the extraordinary Taula and Naveta prehistoric sites. South coast bays are pristine and uncrowded.
Day 7 — Ibiza
A full-day crossing southwest to Ibiza. Arrive for the afternoon — explore Dalt Vila and Ibiza Town. Dinner at the famous La Paloma in Sant Llorenç or El Chiringuito on Es Cavallet beach.
Day 8 — Ibiza: Beaches
A day of the best of Ibiza — Cala Salada, Cala d'Hort (with Es Vedrà on the horizon), Cala Conta and the northern coast's hidden coves. Sunset at Café del Mar in Sant Antoni.
Day 9 — Formentera
Cross to Formentera for a final day of the clearest water in the western Mediterranean. Ses Illetes, Playa Illetes, Espalmador island (private, accessible only by boat) and La Mola lighthouse. A final dinner at one of the simple fish restaurants on the beach.
Day 10 — Final Morning & Departure Prep
A last morning at anchor before returning to Ibiza or Mallorca for disembarkation. Farewell lunch aboard.
Day 11 — Disembarkation
Disembarkation at Ibiza or Palma. Both airports connect directly to most major European cities.