By Boat and Ferry

From Barcelona: The most romantic way to get to the Balearic Islands is by overnight ferry from Barcelona. Depending on the line and the season, the Trasmediterránea, Balearia, and Iscomar car ferries to Palma, Majorca, sail between 11 and 11:30 pm; you can watch the lights of Barcelona sinking into the horizon for hours—and when you arrive in Palma, around 6 am, see the spires of the cathedral bathed in the morning sun. All three lines serve Minorca and Ibiza as well. Overnight ferries have lounges and private cabins. Round-trip fares vary with the line, the season, and points of departure and destination but are around €100 for lounge seats or €240-€320 per person for a double cabin.

Fast ferries and catamarans, also operated by Trasmediterránea and Balearia, with passenger lounges only, speed from Barcelona to Palma and Alcúdia (Majorca), to Ciutadella (Minorca), and to Eivissa (Ibiza). Depending on the destination, the trip takes between three and five hours.

From Valencia: Trasmediterránea ferries leave Valencia in midmorning for Palma, arriving early evening. There are also ferries from Valencia to Ibiza and Minorca. Departure days and times vary with the season; service is more frequent in summer.

From Denia: Balearia runs a daily two-hour superfast ferry service for passengers and cars between Denia and Eivissa, and a similar three-hour service between Denia and Palma on weekends. Iscomar runs a slower car-and-truck ferry service between Denia and Sant Antoni, Ibiza.

Interisland: Daily ferries connect Alcúdia (Majorca) and Ciutadella (Minorca) in three to four hours, depending on the weather; a hydrofoil makes the journey in about an hour. Daily fast ferries connect Palma and Ibiza; one-way fares range from €37 to €80, depending on the type of accommodation. There is frequent fast ferry and hydrofoil service between Ibiza and Formentera.