Theme parks and amusement centres, nature in action

Among the marine parks, Marineland is the park with the longest tradition in the field. It was the first dolphinarium in Spain (it opened in 1970) and it is one of the most awarded both for its animal shows and its research work and species protection. Two examples are the recovery of the “ferreret”, a small autochthonous amphibian that was raised in captivity in the park, and the Sea Turtle Recovery Centre, to recover specimens of this protected species. Marineland is located in front of the sea in Costa d’en Blanes and is surrounded by a wonderful natural environment. The bottlenose dolphin show is one of the most awarded shows in the world and is the children’s favourite. They cheer enthusiastically at the jumps and pirouettes that these funny animals perform in the water.

Palma Aquarium is of more recent construction. It is a spectacular marine park that recreates the habitat and ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is located in Playa de Palma in an incomparable natural environment. Like Marineland, its facilities are accessible for disabled people. It has 55 tanks containing 8,000 specimens from 700 different species, ranging from sea horses and anemones to butterfly fishes and corals displaying the thousand different colours of the oceans. You can also go on an expedition through the thick vegetation of the jungle.

In addition, several water parks with the latest attractions like Aquacity (El Arenal), Western Park and Aquapark (both in Calvià) are open from May to October.

If you want to combine nature and physical activity you can visit active theme parks like Jungle Parc, which will delight your more adventurous side. It is located in the midst of nature in Santa Ponça and offers different itineraries based on the same entertaining idea: move from tree to tree with a harness walking over bridges and nets and using zip-lines and swings.

La Reserva is a unique space on the island. It is located at the foot of Puig del Galatzó (1,026 metres), one of the most emblematic and mysterious mountains of Mallorca. The tour takes place along the old charcoal maker trails through a lush vegetation supporting a variety of wildlife: brown bears, ostriches, martens, geese, wild donkeys, peacocks… All this in an environment of mysterious caves and fascinating waterfalls. A part of the park is devoted to adventure sports, like rock climbing, and the fountains of Ratxo where you can swim in the refreshing water coming down from the mountain.

If you want to travel back in time and learn about the traditions of Mallorca, visit La Granja de Esporles in the middle of the Tramuntana Mountains. It is a beautiful 10th century mansion that was converted into a Cistercian convent in the 12th century. It was later reconverted into a palace. It is a perfect example of a Mallorcan estate because the land was devoted to agriculture and over a hundred artisans worked in the estate. Nowadays a visit to La Granja offers an interesting display of traditional handicraft including blacksmith, pottery, candle making, cloth making, carpentry, wickerwork and shoe making. As well as the usual domestic animals, in La Granja you can see the black pig, a local breed that is used to make top quality traditional sausages, like sobrassada, butifarró, etc. You can visit the house and the gardens, which are dominated by a thousand-year-old yew tree. It is one of the few yew trees in Mallorca.

In Manacor you can visit an auto safari with animals moving freely and in Costitx the Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca, which will provide loads of fun for astronomy lovers and fans. The Observatory has a planetarium where the show “Antes del Alba” (before dawn) is screened three times a week. It is a relaxing journey through our night sky where you will discover the most important stars and constellations. 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy and the Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca will celebrate it with a varied and interesting informative programme.

Other attractive visits are Jumaica Tropical Park, a banana plantation in Porto Cristo, and the House of Katmandu, a museum and show that unique is the whole world. The Tibetan building is built upside down. It looks like it has fallen down from the skies.