The beautiful island of Menorca is a true holiday paradise. Less popular and crowded than the neighbouring Majorca, Ibiza and Formentera, this small island is actually full of natural treasures, dream beaches and many activities.
With a varied tourist offer, ranging from beach holidays, rural stays and active holidays, Menorca's natural environment and its relaxing atmosphere are its main strengths.
The island is relatively small (just 42 km long and 10 km wide on average) so it's quite easy to explore, even if you plan on staying just a few days. All you need is to choose the perfect accommodation, rent a car and plan your favourite activities. Discover with us where to stay during your holiday in Menorca, depending on the type of break you are looking for.
Beach holidays in Menorca
The entire island is a beach lover's paradise. The coastline is in general very well preserved in its natural characteristics, thanks to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status (that protects the entire island) and to the fact that in Menorca the tourism industry developed much later than in Majorca and Ibiza, preventing the coastline from becoming overly built up.
Menorca offers beaches for all tastes: large stretches of fine sand, secluded coves and nudist beaches, always with crystal clear waters. Keep in mind that most of the beaches are preserved in their natural state and therefore lack facilities and amenities and to get to them it is often necessary to walk a path so bring water and food with you. This may sound discouraging for families with small kids, but consider that the island also offers some fantastic family-friendly beaches, with all the services and comforts you may need.
The north and west of the island host the most famous and spectacular beaches of Menorca: Cala Macarella, Cala Turqueta, Cala Mitijana, Cala en Bosch and many others are all located in a stretch of coastline just a few kilometres south of Ciutadella. This is a really pleasant area for nature lovers; the beaches are often surrounded by pines and backed by spectacular cliffs.
If you want to explore the area but still have the opportunity to enjoy some culture and nightlife, probably the best option is to book a holiday home in Ciutadella. If you are looking for a pure beach holiday, you can rent a villa in Cala en Bosch and spend the whole day next to the sea.
The southern part of the island is mostly characterised by long and sandy beaches, surrounded by low and bushy vegetation. Here you’ll find incredible beaches, like Son Bou and Punta Prima,as well as comfortable and picturesque coves, like Cala en Porter and Binidalí.
The area is perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy endless hours of sunbathing. The resorts in the south are never too big, and the towns and villages are perfect to have a taste of the local, relaxed way of life. Book a holiday home in Punta Prima as a base to explore the best beaches of the south coast.
Where to stay in Menorca for families
Thanks to the relaxed atmosphere that reigns throughout the island, Menorca is the perfect destination for a family holiday. The crowds of tourists that characterise Majorca and Ibiza are far away; in Menorca nature and tranquillity are the main attractions.
Many areas of the island offer a virgin and wild environment; if you are travelling with young children it is a good idea to look for a compromise, choosing accommodation in a quiet area but full of services.
Fornells is a small fishing village located on the north-eastern coast of Menorca. This calm town of white-washed houses is perfect for families, thanks to its protected bay and the complete services and activities it offers.
If you rent a holiday house in Fornells you can enjoy nice beaches nearby and plenty of activities for the whole family: swim and snorkel in the shallow water of the bay with your kids, book a boat trip to discover the coves hidden along the rocky coast, rent a kayak, a jet-ski or a SUP, or learn to sail or windsurf. The resort offers many restaurant and bars, where you can enjoy the local cuisine.
If your children love nature, you can easily explore the surroundings of the village, starting from the salt mines located at the bottom of the bay, and continuing with an excursion along the Camì de Cavalls. Perhaps head towards nearby Parque Natural de l'Albufera de Es Grau. Here, if you're lucky, you can spot some specimens of the Balearic Lizard, a native species.
Cala Galdana is located in the Ferriers area and is completely dedicated to tourism. The resort is located just in front of one of the prettiest bay on the island. The beach offers shallow and protected waters, perfect for families with small kids, and is full of services and activities, suitable to the whole family.
The natural surroundings are also spectacular; with just a short walk to the south of the bay through a pleasant pine forest, you’ll find yourself in a fantastic natural area with some of the most photogenic beaches of the Balearics: Cala Mitjana, Cala Mitjaneta and Trebaluger.
If you want an alternative offer than the beach and nature walks spend a few hours of pure fun at Aquacenter water park. Located at short distance from Cala en Blanes, the park is full of pools, slides and attractions suitable to all age groups. You will also find bars, restaurants, picnic areas, gardens and areas to relax with a jacuzzi.
Another place to visit if travelling with children is the Lloc de Menorca zoo. Located just a few kilometres north of Mahon, it offers an immersive experience, allowing you to approach the animals (and in some cases even pet them). The park is home to numerous species of exotic animals, often coming from recovery centres. Your children can admire wallabies, macaques, lemurs, various species of reptiles, amphibians, eagles and other birds of prey. They also have local species (donkeys, sheep, goats and cows) and an aquarium.Thecenter is active all year round; the entry price is 8.50 € for children and 12.50 € for adults.
Where to stay in Menorca for couples
Menorca is an ideal destination for a romantic holiday. If you're traveling with your loved one, you may want to find an accommodation in a place that offers the perfect mix of beautiful landscapes, nice beaches and a lively town centre to find the right place for a romantic dinner. Luckily, Menorca offers several resorts with these characteristics.
Stay in Cala en Porter to have both a white sandy beach to relax and enjoy some couples water activities during the day, and some nice places to go out to eat or have a drink at night. The resort hosts one the most iconic locations to watch the sunset and enjoy a night out, Cova D'en Xoroi, a bar with terraces hanging from a rocky cliff overlooking the Mediterranean.
Binibeca is a lovely village with white-washed houses built in the seventies in the south-western coast of the island. It was constructed to resemble the atmosphere and architecture of Menorca's traditional fishing villages. The location in itself is spectacular: the small, completely white centre sits on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea and is surrounded by a flourish vegetation. The contrast of colours, together with the relaxing atmosphere and incredible sunsets, make for a perfect holiday destination for a couple.
Mahon is another a good option for a couples holiday. The capital of Menorca offers interesting attractions to explore, nice craft shops for some shopping, many restaurants and tapas bars. It also guarantees wonderful days by the sea thanks to the beaches located just a few minutes away from the city centre, like Sa Mesquida or Cala Llonga.
Nature and active holidays
In Menorca nature is the protagonist wherever you go. The bigger towns on the island, Mahon and Ciutadella, do not exceed 20,000 inhabitants and the majority of inhabited areas are made of small towns and villages. Even the roads are relatively scarce (there is only one motorway on the whole island). For outdoors and active holiday lovers it is a true paradise, with many activity and adventure companies available.
Throughout the island, landscapes have changed little over the last few centuries. The north is covered by pine, olive and carob forests, that often extend to the sea. The south, on the other hand, is characterised by sparse and low vegetation (mainly juniper, myrtle and daphne). There isn't any real mountain on the island, but hikers and climbers will find numerous small cliffs, gorges and rocky landscapes to explore.
Camí de Cavalls - This ancient and spectacular 185 km long trail runs along the entire coast of the island and can be covered on foot, on horseback or by bicycle. You can easily find a section of the Camí near you, no matter where you stay. This trail is ideal for nature lovers, and it is an opportunity to explore the natural treasures of the island from a privileged perspective. Discover everything the Camí de Cavalls has to offer.
Parque Natural s'Albufera des Grau - This large natural park is located about twenty kilometres north of Mahon and is the only one on the island. If you are staying in a holiday home in Arenal d'En Castell, a lovely and popular family-friendly resort on the coast, you'll be just a couple of kilometres away from the park.
The park is mostly famous for giving shelter to many rare species of migratory birds, that stop here during their journeys between Northern Europe and Africa. Its territory includes wetlands, dunes, cliffs, ancient farmland and five islets. You can easily visit it by taking advantage of three perfectly marked routes, one of which starts from the village of Es Grau.
Among the several points of interest of the park, you should not miss Favaritx lighthouse, located on a cliff that offers incredible views of the sea, and Illa d'en Colom, a protected and private islet. The island is particularly fascinating: located just 200 metres away from the coast, was once used as a quarantine and hosts several archeological remains as well as two beautiful, wild beaches.
El Toro - Often referred to as Monte Toro ("Toro mountain") is actually a hill, the tallest on the island (342 meters). At the top there is a sanctuary worth a visit, but maybe what attracts visitors the most is the possibility to enjoy some spectacular views. On a clear day you can see the whole island, from north to south. A hike to the top is highly recommended; if you're staying in Es Mercadal, a rural town in the north of the island, you can easily walk up the hill following the road that starts near the city centre. This town is one of the best options if you want to explore the wild north cost of the island (and if you feel adventurous, you can even participate in a jeep safari, also suitable for kids).
Nightlife
Menorca is not the most animated place when the sun goes down. That said, it is still possible to find places to enjoy a night out. The main cities on the island offer some lively nightlife areas. In Mahon, you can explore the harbour; both Moll de Ponent and Moll de Llevant (the main docks) offer many restaurants and cocktail bars (some of them open until late). In the city centre, head to Plaza de Espanya, Plaza Bastiò (close to the town hall), Carrer de l’Angel and the surrounding small streets, where you’ll find tapas and cocktail bars.
Also in Ciudadela the main nightlife area is located near the picturesque harbour; in Carrer de la Marina and Passeig des Moll there are several restaurants, pubs and cocktail bars. In the city centre, around Plaza des Born and the streets behind it, you’ll find several disco pubs.
In the pretty and comfortable resort of Cala en Porter, located just few metres away from the beautiful cove with the same name, you’ll find Cova D'en Xoroi, one of the most fascinating and photographed clubs of the whole Balearic Islands. The bar offers a unique location; the main hall is located inside a natural cove in front of which are several terraces overlooking the sea from the cliff. This is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset with a cocktail in your hand, before attending a live music show.
Also in Fornells the main area for nightlife is located just in front of the sea. Along the paseo maritimo you’ll find plenty of places to enjoy a fine dinner and continue the night out with a few drinks and music.
Cultural breaks
As with most of the destinations along the Mediterranean coastline, Menorca has a long and rich history. The Balearic Islands have played an important role in European commercial routes until the beginning of 20th century. From Romans and Muslims, to French and English, every empire in the past 2000 years had its interests in the island. As a results, Menorca hosts the heritage of the passage of many people and cultures. If you're interested in history and culture, you'll find many point of interest worth a visit.
Mahon - The current capital of the island is located at the end of second biggest natural port in Europe. Its rich history, which bares traces of the Roman, Byzantine and Muslim domination, is still visible in the narrow streets of the city centre. In the harbour, you can visit Isla del Rey, a fortress left by the English troops, who controlled the port from the middle of the 18th century up to the early 19th century.
If you stay in Mahon, take your time to explore the historical centre. Don't miss the Iglesia del Carmen, a neoclassical church which buildings are also used as cultural spaces for expositions and events. Adjacent to it, you'll find the Mercat des Claustre (a food and craft market) and just few metres away the Mercat des Peix (the fish market). In both places you can get a glimpse of the local products and taste them in the tapas bars hosted inside.
If you wish to do some shopping, don't forget to visit the many craft shops of the city centre. One of the most popular souvenirs is footwear - handcrafted shoes and sandals have long been the most famous and exported product of the island.
Ciutadella - The ancient capital of the island, also developed around a natural and narrow harbour, is located in the north-west of the island. The medieval city centre is very well preserved. The main monument is the Gothic Catedral de Santa Maria, built at the end of 13th century on the remains of a mosque after the Christian army, leaded by Alfonso III, defeated Muslim troops in 1287.
All around the historical centre you'll find small churches, ancient palaces, art galleries and museums. Do not miss out on a visit to the Museo Diocesà de Menorca - an archeological museum with expositions dedicated to the history of the island hosted in a former, beautiful monastery.
Talayotic settlements - Scattered throughout the island are archaeological deposits and remains of settlements, tombs and monuments belonging to the Talayotic culture, a mysterious civilization that developed in Menorca during the Bronze Age. The largest number of monuments is concentrated in two main areas: one north-west of Mahon and the other north-east of Ciutadella.
Among the best preserved monuments, it is worth mentioning the Naveta de Tudons (a perfectly preserved burial monument located a few km north of Ciutadella) as well as the complex of Cales Coves, a necropolis formed by about ninety graves dug into the rock, located at short distance from Cala en Porter.
The island preserves more than 1600 prehistoric remains and several companies offer the opportunity to combine hikes and excursions with visits to the most emblematic monuments.