Ready for an island adventure like no other? As well as boasting all the amazing beaches and hotly tipped tourist resorts, the Balearics has plenty to shout about when it comes to captivating culture and unique things to do.

Check out these five fabulous things you can only do in the Balearics...

1. Haggle for unique finds at an iconic hippie market

In the mood for a spot of retail therapy? Follow the enticing scent of incense and head over to the outdoor Punta Arabi market in Es Cana, Ibiza. Taking place every Wednesday, this cool and colourful collection of stalls is the original hippie market on the White Isle, and it ticks all the boxes for hippie, flower-power vibes and fab finds.

Markets like these started to develop in the 1960s when people living in Ibiza would travel over to Asia, India or Indonesia to spend the winter. They then brought back these exciting and unusual products to sell on their market stalls to tourists in the summer months.

Artisan producers set up stall to sell everything from handmade leather goods to handcrafted wooden trinkets. And there’s a great selection of second-hand goods, including vintage clothing! With live music, entertainment and lots of food options available, it’s a great day out for friends, couples and families alike!

Top tip: Mornings are usually the busiest times at the market, so pop along in the early afternoon if you want to dodge the crowds and potentially pick up some marked-down items!

2. Admire the majestic La Seu cathedral

Palma Cathedral, AKA La Seu, is a real spectacle in Majorca’s capital. In fact, it’s one of the largest religious building across the whole of Spain! Its Gothic spires stand tall over the palm-dotted waterfront and whether drenched in sunshine during the day or lit up at night, it looks equally striking.

Head inside and you’ll get to see the sunlight flooding in through the rose-tinted window. You might spot some familiar elements too, as world-renowned Catalan architect Antoni GaudÍ designed some of the cathedral’s restoration features.

Top tip: Visit in early February or mid-November to catch an impressive light phenomenon. Sunbeams shine perfectly through the main rosette window and project a mirror image on the opposite wall. It creates the appearance of two identical rosette shapes and attracts thousands of spectators each year!

3. Take on the impressive Camí de Cavalls route

Covering a whopping 185km of Menorca’s coastline, this varied terrain pathway is the perfect way to explore the island. Run, hike or cycle your way along this natural track and take in unspoilt beaches, dramatic cliffs and stunning sea views along the way.

It dates back thousands of years, to the 14th century to be precise, when the military was ordered to patrol around the island on horseback to defend the land. Camí de Cavalls translates as ‘Way of Horses’ or the ‘Horse Path’. If you want to experience it in the most authentic way, why not trot along on horseback?

It was restored and reopened in 2010, and there are handy fences and gates en route to keep you on the right track.

Top tip: The route is broken up into 20 different segments, so depending on how far you’d like to go and for how long, you can add on or take off bits to suit you.

4. Wander the UNESCO-stamped Dalt Vila in Ibiza

Translating as ‘Upper Town’, Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s Old Town, is a not-to-be-missed spot on the wonderful White Isle. It’s perched on a mountain with wraparound Renaissance walls, and since 1999, it’s held UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Walk up to the cathedral at the top for panoramic views across the harbour. On clear days, you can see right across to Ibiza’s sister island, Formentera.

The cobblestone streets here are lined with boho bars, chic boutique shops, cosy cafés and classy wine hangouts. If you’re visiting at night, why not check out the open-air cinema to catch a film or dine al fresco at a romantic pavement restaurant? The feel-good atmosphere that flows through the colourful streets will win you over in minutes.

Top tip: If you’re holidaying here on 8 August, you’ll get to witness a huge firework display! It takes place to celebrate San Ciriaco, the patron saint of Ibiza Town, and there are all sorts of other events and activities running on alongside it.

5. Boat trip to a blissful island paradise

Bit of a beach bum? This one’s for you. Formentera, Ibiza’s dinky island neighbour, is a haven for beach lovers and sunbathers. It’s around a 30-minute ferry ride away, and in summer, there are plenty of departures, starting at around 7am and running right through the day until around 11.30pm.

Alternatively, why not join a boat trip which can take you around the whole of the island, with swim stops and a lunch along the way?

It’s home to sandy stretches aplenty, from cosy coves to rugged dunes, and there are public swathes where you can roll out your towel as well as popular plots that have sunloungers and umbrellas for hire. Kids in tow? The shallow water is ideal for little swimmers and it’s pretty much crystal clear, so snorkelling is very much on the agenda.

Top tip: Swing by one of the famous Formentera beach clubs for dancing on the sand to live DJs, delicious cocktails and serene sea views.

Has all this got you in the mood for a brilliant Balearic break?