Need to Know

Currency

Euro (€)

Language

Spanish, Mallorquin (a dialect of Catalan)

Visas

Generally not required for stays of up to 90 days; not required for members of EU or Schengen countries. Some nationalities will need a Schengen visa.

Money

ATMs are widely available in towns and resorts. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

Mobile Phones

Local SIM cards are widely available and can be used in European and Australian mobile phones. Other phones may need to be set to roaming.

Time

Central European Time Zone (GMT/UTC plus one hour)

When to Go

High Season (Jul–Aug)

AClear skies, sunny days and warm seas.

ATemperatures soar as do room rates. Book well ahead or try for a last-minute deal online.

AFiesta time! The island's towns host high-spirited parties, parades and music festivals.

Shoulder (Easter–Jun, Sep & Oct)

AMost hotels and restaurants open at Easter and stay open until October.

ADays are often still mild and crowds are few.

AIdeal season for hiking, climbing, mountain biking and canyoning.

Low Season (Nov–Easter)

AMany hotels and restaurants close. Palma is the exception.

APack layers for cooler-than-expected evening temperatures.

AYou'll have the island's trails, beaches and sights to yourself.

Useful Websites

Consell de Mallorca (www.infomallorca.net) Excellent website from the island’s regional tourist authorities.

LonelyPlanet (www.lonelyplanet.com/mallorca) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.

Top Fincas (www.topfincas.com) Directory and booking service for Mallorca’s rural properties.

Balearsnatura.com (www.balearsnatura.com) Excellent resource for the natural parks of the Balearic Islands.

ABC Mallorca (www.abc-mallorca.com) Lifestyle portal for both residents and tourists.

TIB (www.tib.org) Public transport fares, times and routes across the island.

Important Numbers

International access code	00
Spain country code	34
International directory inquiries	11825
Emergency	112
Policía Nacional	91

Exchange Rates

Australia	A$1	€0.70
Canada	C$1	€0.69
Japan	¥100	€0.88
New Zealand	NZ$1	€0.66
UK	UK£1	€1.12
USA	US$1	€0.92

For current exchange rates, see www.xe.com.

Daily Costs

Budget: Less than €100

ABasic digs in a hostel, guesthouse or last-minute deal on resort hotel: €45–60

ABreakfast in hotel, three-course menú del día lunch: €15–20

ABus ticket to nearby towns and beaches: €2–5

Midrange: €100–250

ADouble room in midrange hotel: €75–150

ACafe lunch, dinner at local restaurant: €30–40

ACar rental: from €30 per day

Top end: More than €250

ADouble room in top-end hotel: €150 and up

ASit-down lunch and dinner at first-rate restaurant: €80–100

ABoat tour or guided activity: around €50

Opening Hours

We’ve provided high-season hours; hours will generally decrease in the shoulder and low seasons. Many resort restaurants and hotels close from November to March.

Banks 8.30am–2pm Monday to Friday; some also open 4–7pm Thursday and 9am–1pm Saturday

Bars 7pm–3am

Cafes 11am–1am

Clubs midnight–6am

Post offices 8.30am–9.30pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am–2pm Saturday

Restaurants lunch 1–3.30pm, dinner 7.30–11pm

Shops 10am–2pm & 4.30–7.30pm or 5–8pm Monday to Saturday; big supermarkets and department stores generally 10am–9pm Monday to Saturday

Arriving in Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) Bus 1 runs every 15 minutes from the airport (ground floor of Arrivals) to Plaça d’Espanya in central Palma (€5, 15 minutes); buy tickets from the driver. A taxi for the same 15-minute journey from the centre will set you back between €18 and €22. Some hotels can arrange transfers.

Ferry Port, Palma Bus 1 (the airport bus) runs every 15 minutes from the ferry port (Estació Marítima) to Plaça d’Espanya. Tickets cost €3 and the journey takes 10 to 15 minutes. Expect to pay €10 to €12 for a taxi to the city centre.

Tap Water

Tap water is safe to drink across Mallorca, but is often unpalatable because of high sodium or chlorine levels; bottled water is cheap to buy.