The Parc Nacional Isla Cabrera is the only national park in Mallorca. It is located on the island of Cabrera and inspires excursionists especially with its fantastic underwater world.
Isla Cabrera is the smallest built-up island of the Spanish Balearic Islands. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea a good 13km south of Mallorca and administratively belongs to the capital Palma. The largest island has an area of about 15km², to the whole archipelago of Cabrera belong 18 other small and smallest islands.
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PICTURES: Mallorca - National Park Isla Cabrera
Photo gallery: National Park Isla Cabrera in Mallorca
Mallorca's only national park
There are almost no trees on Cabrera. The wild goats that once inhabited Cabrera (hence the name "Goat Island") destroyed any saplings with their appetite for young greenery, giving the archipelago a rocky, karst appearance. Meanwhile, the goats have been removed from Cabrera to give vegetation a chance, and now at least some Mediterranean shrubs, holm oaks and pines are already growing on the rocky hills.
The entire archipelago of Cabrera is protected and since 1991 forms Mallorca's only national park. Due to the sparse settlement on Cabrera, the sea around the archipelago is wonderfully clean and the marine habitat is completely intact. In addition to an incredible wealth of underwater species, Cabrera is also an important bird sanctuary, home to cormorants, shearwaters, coral gulls and ospreys, among others.
More information about the flora and fauna of Cabrera is available in Mallorca at the Cabrera Visitor Center in Colònia de Sant Jordi.
What is the best way to get to Isla Cabrera?
From Colónia de Sant Jordi in Mallorca, boat trips are offered to the natural paradise, lasting from a few hours to several days. With a little luck you can see dolphins or sea turtles during the crossing. After the crossing, which takes about 45 minutes, the excursion boats dock in the beautiful bay of Cala Donzell at a large natural harbor.
In the nearby tourist center there is initial information about the possible activities on the island. Right next to it is a small café that offers snacks and refreshments.
Tip: Be sure to take enough sunscreen with you to the island. Due to the lack of trees, there is almost no shade and all hiking trails are in the blazing sun!
Snorkeling on Isla Cabrera
Do not forget the snorkeling equipment! Only those who have experienced the maritime diversity of Cabrera know why 90% of the area of the national park is under water. The numerous fish are used to the human visitors and let themselves be examined willingly. The best snorkeling spot, by the way, is on the rocky coast on the other side of the bay opposite the pier.
Cabrera Castle
The medieval castle of Cabrera towers above Cala Donzell. It was built in the 14th century under the crown of Aragon to protect against pirate raids. The hike to the castle takes about half an hour and is rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view of the island. On the gravel path to the top you are accompanied by numerous intrepid lizards, whose species is already extinct on Mallorca.
Punta de Anciola
At the highest point of the island, 172 meters above sea level, there is a red and white lighthouse, to which another hiking trail leads. From the top you can overlook the entire archipelago.
Monument to the French prisoners of war
In the center of Cabrera, a monument commemorates a tragic and almost forgotten episode in the island's history. At the beginning of the 19th century, during the Spanish War of Independence, after the Battle of Bailén, about 10,000 French prisoners of war were shipped to the island by the Spanish and practically left to fend for themselves. When they were released six years later, hunger and disease had claimed the lives of almost two-thirds of them.
Ethnographic Museum
The Museum of the History of Isla Cabrera is housed in an old wine cellar of the Feliu family. This dates back to the 19th century, when a new (unsuccessful) attempt to colonize the archipelago was launched.
Cova Blava (Blue Grotto)
Before returning to Mallorca, most excursion boats make a stop at the picturesque "Cova Blava", which can only be reached by boat. In the 160m long and 50m wide cave, you can once again jump off the boat into the deep blue sea and peek down in the crystal clear water to 15m to the bottom of the sea. If you have your snorkeling equipment with you, you should definitely take another look under water here!
Tip: Isla Cabrera may also be approached with your own boat, but the (free) permits are limited to 50 per day. Also the number of nights you are allowed to stay in Cala Donzell is limited depending on the season.
Accommodation and hotels in Spain
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