We hope you’ve already recovered from Carnaval (see our Gran Isla Hotels blog post on Carnaval 2017 in Majorca) as with another month comes more fiestas, more dancing and, more importantly, even more fun and excitement! So, regain your energy, put on your dancing shoes and come join in the celebrations for the Day of the Balearic Islands!

On 1st March 1983, the Balearic Islands were made an autonomous community of Spain. To the island’s’ residents this means unity, solidarity and, of course, fiesta!

With the arrival of March comes the celebrations of this important date and with it, lots of activities and goings-on making all 5 islands (Menorca,Cabrera, Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca) buzz with excitement in anticipation for the events. With Majorca being the largest island, you’re in the best place for joining in the event. Many residents from the other islands actually come over to Majorca to celebrate the big day on a grander scale, or are actually from Majorca but moved to one of the other islands many years ago and come back especially to rejoin loved ones at this special occasion. This is all the more relevant because all the other islands are normally ghost towns during winter, as if everyone goes into hibernation in anticipation for the summer season. On one hand, it’s quite pleasant to enjoy serene silence after such a long and busy summer, (especially in Ibiza; party central of the continent, if not the whole world…) however, on the other hand, after over a long 6 month period, we suppose residents get tired of the pin-drop silence. That’s why this event is perfect for taking a break from the quiet ambiance of the islands, partaking in this exciting day of fun activities and then after, returning to the lull before the storm of summer.

What is great about this day is that there is something for everyone: adults, kids, grandparents, friends, aunties and uncles….So no-one misses out on celebrating a day that is so close to their hearts.

With any Majorcan celebration you can guarantee a market is going to be involved. However, the markets during the Day of the Balearic Islands are different than all other ones as the sellers and merchants really get involved in the day, all dressing up in medieval clothing, whilst being circled by groups of people (also sporting traditional wear) dancing and performing short plays. The food is a treat for the eyes with an assortment of typical Majorcan food, such as: ensaimadas, almonds with honey, tomato marmalade, kiwis, mandarins, camallot and sobrasada… to name but a few. Don’t just stick to one stall, try a few!

If you’re a big fan of culture and it’s one of the things you look for most in a holiday: getting to know your destination, it’s history, traditions and customs, then you’ve chosen the best day to come to Majorca. When we say experience culture, we mean it in every sense: watch the traditional dances that Mallorquíns have been learning since they knew how to walk, listen to the live music from Majorcan and Catalan music bands (it’s true, you may not be able to understand the lyrics but the atmosphere of all the excited fans is something you don’t want to miss out on), feel a bit worried for the last child on top of the popular castellers (human towers) having to climb to the top of a 10-level human tower with the only safety measure being a helmet, and, finally, visit the Consolat de Mar, the consulate of the Balearic Islands, which, unlike most shops, business and organisations, is open all day for tourist visits and to provide visitors with interesting information about the islands, the culture, the history and the importance of this special day.

The day starts early around 10am and lasts well into the night so you can even go back home or to your hotel room and rest a bit before going out again and partying the night away! The above events will take place in Palma but, in fact, all the island will celebrate the day, for more information on the events taking place near you, our Gran Isla Hotel team will be able to help via their website or hotel reception.

We wish you a Happy Day of the Balearic Islands!