You’ve most likely heard of Mallorca. However have you ever heard of Menorca, its little sister, which isn’t any much less stunning? Once I looked for details about this place in a sure group, the solutions I obtained have been that I had a spelling error.
Associated learn: Prime Mallorca Sights & Actions
I admit that till I moved to Spain, I didn’t know concerning the existence of this place.
And the way fortunate we have been to fulfill!
An exquisite trip on an island that’s not significantly large, however filled with superb seashores, tiny cities with picturesque alleys, and an environment of everlasting freedom—is it best for you?
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Right here’s an outline:
Menorca is a part of the archipelago of the Balearic Islands, which additionally consists of vibrant Ibiza, elegant Mallorca, and tiny Formentera. Along with the 4 major islands, there are others within the Mediterranean Sea, solely about 80–90 km from the Iberian Peninsula.
The official languages are Spanish and Catalan.
As of 2025, about 100,000 individuals reside on the island, which is roughly a tenth of the inhabitants of Mallorca.
Arrival to Menorca
There is likely to be no direct flights relying on the place you’re coming from. I at all times examine Expedia for the newest choices, so be at liberty to do the identical!
Nonetheless, there are flights with a brief connection to all types of factors in Europe.
From Barcelona, there’s a flight that takes about half an hour or a ferry that can take you and your automobile by sea in about eight hours.
When to Go to?
We have been there in early–mid-April. The climate was great: not too scorching, not too chilly. Simply nice.
As for swimming within the sea, properly, the courageous ones amongst us swam, regardless of how chilly it was. The swimming season formally begins on Might 1st and lasts till October thirty first.
When you’ve got time, I’d advocate visiting in June, when the water is heat sufficient and the island is just not but flooded with vacationers from northern Europe.
A buddy advised me that she got here with a buddy on a motorbike in August and there have been seashores the place that they had no place to park.
Associated learn: The Greatest Seashores in Barcelona (Together with the Nude & Homosexual Seashores)
Automotive Rental in Menorca
To get round comfortably on the island, although it’s not very massive, I extremely advocate renting a automobile.
There are a number of auto rental corporations that function at Mahón Airport, plus these that aren’t positioned on the airport however will come to ship the automobile to you there upon touchdown.
I’ve had good experiences with PAAPM, which is price trying out.
use the Paapm Paapm search to search out the most effective charges
Public transportation is offered—use the beneath map or Google Maps.
The place To Keep In Menorca?
Like in Mallorca, discovering a resort room for a pair + two kids might be no straightforward process. Fortunately, we have been touring with my dad and mom, so we cut up into a pair + one in every room.
The resort I stayed in is that this one:
Resort Gran Sagitario
Small, comfy, and offers truthful worth for the worth.
The meals was not thrilling, however that was our impression of the meals on the island typically. What was handy was the indoor pool, which we frequented for a couple of days.
The factor I favored most was the cove, a two-minute stroll from the resort—small and so picturesque. It was my view for my morning run.
Town, which I actually favored, Ciutadella, is a couple of seven-minute drive away. So, all the things is shut sufficient, however not crowded.
Different Nice Locations To Keep In Menorca
As standard, I’ve lists from the US to the UK of all of the locations I need to keep.
Listed below are a number of the ones I picked that weren’t out there on the time and that I might have liked to remain at in Menorca.
Alcaufar Vell Resort Rural & Restaurant
The place that I used to be most upset wasn’t out there for us. Precisely my style—rustic with a restaurant. That’s all you want, I believe.
Ses Sucreres Small & Gradual Resort
I’ve a particular fondness for sluggish locations, and once they are available an previous Nineteenth-century constructing it’s an actual deal with. Easy rooms however with a contact of stylish and a neighborhood breakfast.
Resort Hevresac Singular & Small
A 4-star resort and 250m from the capital, it’s small, delightfully adorned, and nice worth for cash. It has a really excessive score on the completely different reserving plattforms.
Carema Backyard Village
A 3-star resort we handed by and it simply seemed actually beautiful. The world can be stunning and quiet.
Barceló Nura
A 5-star resort, very near Splash Water Park, with an out of doors pool, indoor pool, and spa. It’s nice for households.
The Cami de Cavalls, a coastal path that encircles Menorca, permits energetic hikers to discover the island’s rugged shoreline and secluded spots. For water-sports fans, there are many alternatives for kayaking, browsing, and snorkeling.
The Capital Metropolis, Mahón
Effectively, Mahón didn’t go away any important impression on me. Other than a cute promenade and a distillery that we’ll speak about quickly, I don’t suppose it’s a must-see on a vacation in Menorca.
Perhaps I missed one thing, however I actually didn’t discover something thrilling right here.
The Distillery Xoringeur Gin Distillery
The distillery has been right here for the reason that seventeenth century (!), when it was based by the Xoringeur household, whose origins are in Italy. Since then, conventional methods have been used, handed down from technology to technology.
However wait—gin is British. How did it get right here?
Menorca was below British rule (by no means stunning that they have been in search of some sunny island and didn’t need to give it again). Sailors from the Royal Navy introduced the artwork of manufacturing to the island.
To at the present time, as talked about, the distillery proudly continues this custom, utilizing solely the best components and conventional copper stills.
Take a guided tour right here and see all the normal instruments that have been used again then. On the finish of the tour, you may style all kinds of gin flavors, from the traditional London Derry to particular variations fermented with native vegetation.
At the moment, greater than half one million bottles are produced right here per yr, that are bought not solely in Spain but additionally in the USA, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand.
We got here right here spontaneously and there was no guided tour out there on the time. We walked across the place independently, tasted the several types of gin, and purchased a couple of bottles to take house. 😋
To guide a guided tour, go to their web site.
Tackle: Moll de Ponent, 91, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears
If you happen to do go to, hop to the opposite aspect of the highway; perhaps you’ll be fortunate and a fishing boat will dock and you’ll observe the ocean catch.
The Cardamom Menorca Indian Restaurant
Meals that at all times makes the human coronary heart blissful, particularly vegetarians.
I extremely advocate this restaurant, which satisfied even my mom and younger son who aren’t actually into Indian meals.
Tackle: Moll de Llevant, 267, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears
Ciutadella
Ciutadella was as soon as the capital and dates again to the thirteenth century. It has an previous city with a powerful cathedral and alleys lined with boutique retailers and eating places.
As we speak it’s a port metropolis and an necessary industrial heart for your complete island.
Of the seashores, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta are two gems with turquoise waters and superb white sand.
Café Central
A heavenly cafe, and one thing I’ve not seen anyplace else. It has the ambiance of a monastery with Jesus on the wall.
The tea was poured with a picket stick that jogged my memory of a matcha home in Tokyo.
The dishes have been particular and exquisite. The thick meaty cookie we ate was bursting with peanuts and taste. Delicate and a little bit crispy on the perimeters.
Don’t miss this place!
Tackle: 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 search out out that they’ve a Menorcan department. Similar excessive normal, identical wonderful service.
It’s top-of-the-line I’ve had in recent times. Truly, in my life.
Nibs Wholesome Bar
It is a excellent place for lunch and is vegetarian-friendly. It’s in a chief location—in a fantastic central sq..
Tackle: Plaça d’Artrutx, 7, 07760 Ciutadella de Menorca, Illes Balears
Self-Crusing From Ciutadella
This was considered one of our most memorable experiences from our trip. No license is required—you may hire a small motorboat for self-sail.
In April, we had a tough time discovering a spot to hire it to us, although, because it was earlier than the season. Nonetheless, we didn’t hand over and located the final man who miraculously had a ship out there for us.
After we arrived, blissful and cheerful, with chilly drinks we purchased on the way in which, hats, swimsuits, and sunscreen in case the solar broke out, it turned out that the engine was damaged.
“I’ll be again in half an hour with a brand new boat.” Effectively, properly. So it was clear that it wasn’t half an hour. And fortunately so. As a result of we had time to take a look at the close by heavenly cafe (there’s no different definition).
After an hour and a half, the man returned with a brand new boat in tow. It even managed to start out. And so, we set off into the guts of the ocean, blissful and cheerful nonetheless.
Wind in our hair, the roar of the struggling engine, the bounces on the waves, the intoxicating views. The 11-year-old in our group rapidly mastered the steering and was blissful to be the captain for 4 hours, whereas we rested and drank chilly drinks.
What a pleasure. I might enterprise to say that it doesn’t actually matter the place you sail, you’ll undoubtedly discover stunning seashores—loads of them. We have been blissful to achieve locations we already knew from earlier 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 16 levels exterior. An particularly worthwhile expertise.
Concentrate:
- Don’t go too removed from the coast.
- The ferries go away from Ciutadella (and in addition from Mahón). They’re extraordinarily massive and make excessive waves.
Advisable Seashores in Menorca
Cala en Brut
Virtually the first seashore we visited. How stunning it’s!
Very straightforward to get to, however there are a couple of steps to go down. Clear, crystal water. There is no such thing as a actual entry to the seashore, simply concrete with steps to the water.
Cala Mitjana/Mitjaneta
If there’s a spot I’d like to remain, it’s right here. A chunk of paradise, my expensive. A seashore definitely worth the kilometer stroll to get to.
Park within the lot and begin strolling alongside the trail. After fifteen minutes (or much less, if you happen to don’t have kids 😊) you’re there.
A scorching tip: Proceed alongside the trail to Cala Mitjaneta, the tiny bay farther on. It’s going to take you some time to get there, not as a result of the highway is lengthy, however as a result of each step is a chance for an additional mesmerizing picture.
There are not any seashore companies right here, so carry all the things you want with you.
Merely a dream of a spot.
North of the Island: Fornells and the Space
One of the vital stunning cities price a go to is Fornells on 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 homes with inexperienced shutters. It’s merely beautiful to wander round right here.
From there, drive to the seashore of Fornells: Platges de Fornells, park your automobile there, and stroll to Cala Tirant. The view right here is solely beautiful.
If you get drained, drive to the Cape Cavalleria Lighthouse. If you go away the automobile park, you’ll see a kiosk. Purchase one thing chilly to drink, some ice cream, and stroll across the lighthouse space.
Associated learn: A Week in Spain: From Madrid to Barcelona
South of the Island
Binibeca
The major city right here is Binibeca, and it’s tremendous cute. It’s price hopping onto the Bufador de Binibequer seashore and strolling there for some time.
Cala en Porter
A good looking view of a small however spectacular bay—Mirador Cala en Porter.
Simply park your automobile and stroll 10 meters till you see this stunning seashore, 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 dad and mom, simply because it was closing within the afternoon.
I’m additionally unsure how appropriate the place is for youngsters. It’s a music bar-club. Anyway, have a look at the images on Google Maps and also you’ll see what a cool little nook it’s. It’s a bit harking back to Rosh HaNikra.
There’s a price to enter right here—see the place’s web site. If you happen to go, tag me on Instagram and inform me the way it was.
Associated learn: The Greatest Seashore Bars in Barcelona
Visiting a Dairy
So not solely does Manorca dabble in conventional gin, it’s happy 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. You’ll be able to take a guided tour or order a tasting platter with snacks. We toured independently (how did we miss all of the guided excursions?) and sat all the way down to eat.
I admit, there are higher cheeses than this, largely in northern Spain. For cheese followers, I like to recommend you not less than strive it, although.
Within the air-conditioned manufacturing unit retailer, you can even buy different delicacies.
Tackle: Carretera Alaior a Arenal d’en Castell s/n, 07740, Balearic Islands
