You’ve most likely heard of Mallorca. However have you ever heard of Menorca, its little sister, which is not any much less gorgeous? Once I looked for details about this position in a definite crew, the solutions I were given have been that I had a spelling error.
Comparable learn: Best Mallorca Points of interest & Actions
I admit that till I moved to Spain, I didn’t know concerning the lifestyles of this position.
And the way fortunate we have been to fulfill!
A beautiful holiday on an island that’s now not specifically giant, however filled with wonderful seashores, tiny cities with picturesque alleys, and an environment of everlasting freedom—is it best for you?
Need to see the whole lot in footage? Soar to the spotlight on Instagram.
Right here’s an outline:
Menorca is a part of the archipelago of the Balearic Islands, which additionally contains colourful Ibiza, sublime Mallorca, and tiny Formentera. Along with the 4 major islands, there are others within the Mediterranean Sea, best about 80–90 km from the Iberian Peninsula.
The legit languages are Spanish and Catalan.
As of 2025, about 100,000 folks continue to exist the island, which is kind of a tenth of the inhabitants of Mallorca.
Arrival to Menorca
There may well be no direct flights relying on the place you’re coming from. I all the time take a look at Expedia for the most recent choices, so be happy to do the similar!
Then again, there are flights with a brief connection to all forms of issues in Europe.
From Barcelona, there’s a flight that takes about part an hour or a ferry that can take you and your automotive by means of sea in about 8 hours.
When to Discuss with?
We have been there in early–mid-April. The elements was once superb: now not too scorching, now not too chilly. Simply delightful.
As for swimming within the sea, smartly, the courageous ones amongst us swam, in spite of how chilly it was once. The swimming season formally begins on Might 1st and lasts till October thirty first.
If in case you have time, I’d counsel visiting in June, when the water is heat sufficient and the island isn’t but flooded with vacationers from northern Europe.
A pal informed me that she got here with a pal on a motorbike in August and there have been seashores the place they’d no position to park.
Comparable learn: The Very best Seashores in Barcelona (Together with the Nude & Homosexual Seashores)
Automotive Condominium in Menorca
To get round with ease at the island, even supposing it’s now not very huge, I extremely counsel renting a automotive.
There are a number of car apartment firms that function at Mahón Airport, plus those who don’t seem to be positioned on the airport however will come to ship the automobile to you there upon touchdown.
I’ve had excellent studies with PAAPM, which is value trying out.
use the Paapm Paapm seek to search out the most efficient charges
Public transportation is to be had—use the beneath map or Google Maps.
The place To Keep In Menorca?
Like in Mallorca, discovering a lodge room for a pair + two kids may also be no simple activity. Thankfully, we have been touring with my oldsters, so we cut up into a pair + one in every room.
The lodge I stayed in is that this one:
Lodge Gran Sagitario
Small, comfy, and offers honest worth for the cost.
The meals was once now not thrilling, however that was once our influence of the meals at the island on the whole. What was once handy was once the indoor pool, which we frequented for a couple of days.
The object I appreciated maximum was once the cove, a two-minute stroll from the lodge—small and so picturesque. It was once my view for my morning run.
Town, which I in reality appreciated, Ciutadella, is ready a seven-minute power away. So, the whole lot is shut sufficient, however now not crowded.
Different Nice Puts To Keep In Menorca
As standard, I’ve lists from america to the United Kingdom of the entire puts I need to keep.
Listed here are one of the most ones I picked that weren’t to be had on the time and that I might have beloved to stick at in Menorca.
Alcaufar Vell Lodge Rural & Eating place
Where that I used to be maximum disillusioned wasn’t to be had for us. Precisely my style—rustic with a cafe. That’s all you want, I feel.
Ses Sucreres Small & Gradual Lodge
I’ve a particular fondness for gradual puts, and after they are available an outdated Nineteenth-century development it’s an actual deal with. Easy rooms however with a slightly of elegant and an area breakfast.
Lodge Hevresac Singular & Small
A 4-star lodge and 250m from the capital, it’s small, delightfully adorned, and nice worth for cash. It has an excessively prime ranking at the other reserving plattforms.
Carema Lawn Village
A three-star lodge we handed by means of and it simply seemed in reality beautiful. The realm could also be gorgeous and quiet.
Barceló Nura
A 5-star lodge, very on the subject of Splash Water Park, with an outside pool, indoor pool, and spa. It’s nice for households.
The Cami de Cavalls, a coastal trail that encircles Menorca, lets in full of life hikers to discover the island’s rugged beach and secluded spots. For water-sports fans, there are many alternatives for kayaking, browsing, and snorkeling.
The Capital Town, Mahón
Neatly, Mahón didn’t depart any important influence on me. Except a lovable prom and a distillery that we’ll speak about quickly, I don’t assume it’s a must-see on a vacation in Menorca.
Perhaps I neglected one thing, however I in reality didn’t to find anything else thrilling right here.
The Distillery Xoringeur Gin Distillery
The distillery has been right here for the reason that seventeenth century (!), when it was once based by means of the Xoringeur circle of relatives, whose origins are in Italy. Since then, conventional tactics had been used, handed down from era to era.
However wait—gin is British. How did it get right here?
Menorca was once below British rule (in no way sudden that they have been searching for some sunny island and didn’t need to give it again). Sailors from the Royal Military introduced the artwork of manufacturing to the island.
To this present day, as discussed, the distillery proudly continues this practice, the use of best the best substances and conventional copper stills.
Take a guided excursion right here and spot the entire conventional equipment that have been used again then. On the finish of the excursion, you’ll be able to style all kinds of gin flavors, from the vintage London Derry to big variations fermented with native vegetation.
Lately, greater than part 1,000,000 bottles are produced right here in line with yr, which might be bought now not best in Spain but additionally in the US, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand.
We got here right here spontaneously and there was once no guided excursion to be had on the time. We walked across the position independently, tasted the several types of gin, and purchased a couple of bottles to take house. 😋
To e-book a guided excursion, talk over with their website online.
Cope with: Moll de Ponent, 91, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears
In case you do talk over with, hop to the opposite facet of the street; perhaps you’ll be fortunate and a fishing boat will dock and you’ll be able to apply the ocean catch.
The Cardamom Menorca Indian Eating place
Meals that all the time makes the human middle glad, particularly vegetarians.
I extremely counsel this eating place, which satisfied even my mom and younger son who don’t seem to be in reality into Indian meals.
Cope with: Moll de Llevant, 267, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears
Ciutadella
Ciutadella was once as soon as the capital and dates again to the thirteenth century. It has an outdated the city with an outstanding cathedral and alleys coated with boutique stores and eating places.
Lately it’s a port town and a very powerful industrial heart for all of the island.
Of the seashores, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta are two gemstones with turquoise waters and wonderful white sand.
Café Central
A heavenly cafe, and one thing I’ve now not noticed anyplace else. It has the ambience of a monastery with Jesus at the wall.
The tea was once poured with a picket stick that jogged my memory of a matcha area in Tokyo.
The dishes have been particular and wonderful. The thick meaty cookie we ate was once bursting with peanuts and taste. Comfortable and somewhat crispy at the edges.
Don’t omit this position!
Cope with: Carrer de Ca’l Bisbe, 1, 07760 Ciutadella de Menorca, Illes Balears
Gelateria Deliri DeLaCrem
We all know DeLaCrem ice cream from Barcelona and couldn’t be happier to determine that they have got a Menorcan department. Similar prime same old, similar very good carrier.
It’s one of the crucial very best I’ve had in recent times. If truth be told, in my lifestyles.
Nibs Wholesome Bar
This can be a good spot for lunch and is vegetarian-friendly. It’s in a primary location—in a stupendous central sq..
Cope with: Plaça d’Artrutx, 7, 07760 Ciutadella de Menorca, Illes Balears
Self-Crusing From Ciutadella
This was once one in all our maximum memorable studies from our holiday. No license is needed—you’ll be able to hire a small motorboat for self-sail.
In April, we had a difficult time discovering a spot to hire it to us, although, because it was once sooner than the season. Then again, we didn’t surrender and located the remaining man who miraculously had a ship to be had for us.
After we arrived, glad and cheerful, with chilly beverages we purchased at the approach, hats, swimsuits, and sunscreen in case the solar broke out, it grew to become out that the engine was once damaged.
“I’ll be again in part an hour with a brand new boat.” Neatly, smartly. So it was once transparent that it wasn’t part an hour. And fortuitously so. As a result of we had time to try the within sight heavenly cafe (there’s no different definition).
After an hour and a part, the fellow returned with a brand new boat in tow. It even controlled to start out. And so, we activate into the guts of the ocean, glad and cheerful nonetheless.
Wind in our hair, the roar of the suffering engine, the bounces at the waves, the intoxicating perspectives. The 11-year-old in our crew briefly mastered the steerage and was once glad to be the captain for 4 hours, whilst we rested and drank chilly beverages.
What a pleasure. I might challenge to mention that it doesn’t in reality topic the place you sail, you are going to without a doubt to find gorgeous seashores—numerous them. We have been glad to achieve puts we already knew from sooner than.
A few of us whose lineage is rooted in Jap Europe have been excited to leap into the water when there have been grey clouds and it was once 16 levels out of doors. A particularly profitable enjoy.
Listen:
- Don’t move too a ways from the coast.
- The ferries depart from Ciutadella (and likewise from Mahón). They’re extraordinarily huge and make prime waves.
Advisable Seashores in Menorca
Cala en Brut
Nearly the first seaside we visited. How gorgeous it’s!
Really easy to get to, however there are a couple of steps to head down. Transparent, crystal water. There is not any actual get entry to to the seaside, simply concrete with steps to the water.
Cala Mitjana/Mitjaneta
If there’s a spot I’d like to stick, it’s right here. A work of paradise, my pricey. A seaside well worth the kilometer stroll to get to.
Park within the lot and get started strolling alongside the trail. After fifteen mins (or much less, in the event you don’t have kids 😊) you’re there.
A scorching tip: Proceed alongside the trail to Cala Mitjaneta, the tiny bay farther on. It’ll take you some time to get there, now not since the street is lengthy, however as a result of each and every step is a chance for some other captivating photograph.
There aren’t any seaside products and services right here, so convey the whole lot you want with you.
Merely a dream of a spot.
North of the Island: Fornells and the House
One of the vital gorgeous cities value a talk over with is Fornells at the northern finish of the island. It has a small port, a couple of eating places and cafes and a few small, picturesque streets.
In between are white properties with inexperienced shutters. It’s merely beautiful to wander round right here.
From there, power to the seaside of Fornells: Platges de Fornells, park your automotive there, and stroll to Cala Tirant. The view right here is solely beautiful.
While you get drained, power to the Cape Cavalleria Lighthouse. While you depart the automobile park, you’ll see a kiosk. Purchase one thing chilly to drink, some ice cream, and stroll across the lighthouse space.
Comparable learn: A Week in Spain: From Madrid to Barcelona
South of the Island
Binibeca
The major the city here’s Binibeca, and it’s tremendous lovable. It’s value hopping onto the Bufador de Binibequer seaside and strolling there for some time.
Cala en Porter
An exquisite view of a small however spectacular bay—Mirador Cala en Porter.
Simply park your automotive and stroll 10 meters till you notice this pretty seaside, then proceed all the way down to the sand.
Cova d’en Xoroi
A spot we didn’t get to, sadly, as a result of we arrived with drained kids and much more so oldsters, simply because it was once remaining within the afternoon.
I’m additionally now not positive how appropriate where is for youngsters. It’s a song bar-club. Anyway, have a look at the photographs on Google Maps and also you’ll see what a fab little corner it’s. It’s a bit of paying homage to Rosh HaNikra.
There’s a price to go into right here—see where’s website online. In case you move, tag me on Instagram and inform me the way it was once.
Comparable learn: The Very best Seashore Bars in Barcelona
Visiting a Dairy
So now not best does Manorca dabble in conventional gin, it’s pleased with its cheese, too, known as—you guessed it—Mahón cheese.
This dairy, which is true within the heart of the island, makes the cheeses on website online. You’ll take a guided excursion or order a tasting platter with snacks. We toured independently (how did we omit the entire guided excursions?) and sat all the way down to consume.
I admit, there are higher cheeses than this, most commonly in northern Spain. For cheese lovers, I like to recommend you a minimum of take a look at it, although.
Within the air-conditioned manufacturing unit retailer, you’ll be able to additionally acquire different cuisine.
Cope with: Carretera Alaior a Arenal d’en Castell s/n, 07740, Balearic Islands
