Travel
Menorca: The Spanish Island You Should Know
You’ve in all probability heard of Mallorca. However have you ever heard of Menorca, its little sister, which is not any much less lovely? After I looked for details about this place in a sure group, the solutions I bought had been that I had a spelling error.
Associated learn: Top Mallorca Attractions & Activities
I admit that till I moved to Spain, I didn’t know in regards to the existence of this place.
And the way fortunate we had been to satisfy!
An exquisite trip on an island that’s not notably huge, however filled with superb seashores, tiny cities with picturesque alleys, and an environment of everlasting freedom—is it best for you?
Need to see all the pieces in photos? Bounce to the spotlight on Instagram.
Right here’s an outline:
Menorca is a part of the archipelago of the Balearic Islands, which additionally contains 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 folks reside on the island, which is roughly a tenth of the inhabitants of Mallorca.
Arrival to Menorca
There may be no direct flights relying on the place you’re coming from. I all the time check Expedia for the most recent choices, so be happy to do the identical!
Nonetheless, there are flights with a brief connection to all kinds 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 had been there in early–mid-April. The climate was great: not too sizzling, not too chilly. Simply nice.
As for swimming within the sea, nicely, the courageous ones amongst us swam, regardless of how chilly it was. The swimming season formally begins on Could 1st and lasts till October thirty first.
You probably have time, I’d advocate visiting in June, when the water is heat sufficient and the island will not be but flooded with vacationers from northern Europe.
A buddy advised me that she got here with a buddy on a bike in August and there have been seashores the place they’d no place to park.
Associated learn: The Best Beaches in Barcelona (Including the Nude & Gay Beaches)
Automotive Rental in Menorca
To get round comfortably on the island, though it’s not very giant, I extremely advocate renting a automobile.
There are a number of car rental corporations that function at Mahón Airport, plus these that aren’t situated 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 testing.
Public transportation is out there—use the under map or Google Maps.
The place To Keep In Menorca?
Like in Mallorca, discovering a lodge room for a pair + two kids may be no straightforward job. Fortunately, we had been touring with my dad and mom, so we cut up into a pair + one in every room.
The lodge I stayed in is that this one:
Resort Gran Sagitario
Small, comfy, and offers truthful worth for the value.
The meals was not thrilling, however that was our impression of the meals on the island generally. What was handy was the indoor pool, which we frequented for a couple of days.
The factor I appreciated most was the cove, a two-minute stroll from the lodge—small and so picturesque. It was my view for my morning run.
The town, which I actually appreciated, Ciutadella, is a few seven-minute drive away. So, all the pieces is shut sufficient, however not crowded.
Different Nice Locations To Keep In Menorca
As regular, I’ve lists from the US to the UK of all of the locations I wish to keep.
Listed below are among the ones I picked that weren’t out there on the time and that I might have cherished to remain at in Menorca.
Alcaufar Vell Resort Rural & Restaurant
The place that I used to be most disenchanted 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 in 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 lodge and 250m from the capital, it’s small, delightfully adorned, and nice worth for cash. It has a really excessive ranking on the totally different reserving plattforms.
Carema Backyard Village
A 3-star lodge we handed by and it simply seemed actually beautiful. The world can be lovely and quiet.
Barceló Nura
A 5-star lodge, 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 fanatics, there are many alternatives for kayaking, browsing, and snorkeling.
The Capital Metropolis, Mahón
Properly, Mahón didn’t go away any important impression on me. Aside from a cute promenade 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 missed one thing, however I actually didn’t discover something thrilling right here.
The Distillery Xoringeur Gin Distillery
The distillery has been right here because the 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 era to era.
However wait—gin is British. How did it get right here?
Menorca was beneath British rule (in no way shocking that they had been on the lookout for some sunny island and didn’t wish to give it again). Sailors from the Royal Navy introduced the artwork of manufacturing to the island.
To today, as talked about, the distillery proudly continues this custom, utilizing solely the best elements and conventional copper stills.
Take a guided tour right here and see all the normal instruments that had been used again then. On the finish of the tour, you possibly can style all kinds of gin flavors, from the basic London Derry to particular variations fermented with native crops.
Presently, greater than half 1,000,000 bottles are produced right here per 12 months, that are bought not solely in Spain but in addition in america, 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 residence. 😋
To guide a guided tour, go to their website.
Deal with: Moll de Ponent, 91, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears
In case you do go to, hop to the opposite facet of the street; possibly you’ll be fortunate and a fishing boat will dock and you’ll observe the ocean catch.
The Cardamom Menorca Indian Restaurant
Meals that all the time makes the human coronary heart completely happy, particularly vegetarians.
I extremely advocate this restaurant, which satisfied even my mom and younger son who usually are not actually into Indian meals.
Deal with: 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 outlets and eating places.
At this time it’s a port metropolis and an necessary business middle for the whole island.
Of the seashores, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta are two gems with turquoise waters and high quality 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 had been particular and delightful. The thick meaty cookie we ate was bursting with peanuts and taste. Comfortable and a bit crispy on the perimeters.
Don’t miss this place!
Deal 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 search out out that they’ve a Menorcan department. Similar excessive commonplace, similar wonderful service.
It’s among the finest I’ve had lately. Really, in my life.
Nibs Wholesome Bar
It is a great spot for lunch and is vegetarian-friendly. It’s in a primary location—in a phenomenal central sq..
Deal with: 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 possibly can 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 surrender and located the final man who miraculously had a ship out there for us.
Once we arrived, completely happy and cheerful, with chilly drinks we purchased on the best way, 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.” Properly, nicely. So it was clear that it wasn’t half an hour. And by chance 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 center of the ocean, completely happy 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 completely happy 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 positively discover lovely seashores—loads of them. We had been completely happy to succeed in locations we already knew from earlier than.
A few of us whose lineage is rooted in Japanese Europe had been excited to leap into the water when there have been grey clouds and it was 16 levels outdoors. 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 giant and make excessive waves.
Really helpful Seashores in Menorca
Cala en Brut
Virtually the first seaside we visited. How lovely it’s!
Very straightforward to get to, however there are a couple of steps to go down. Clear, crystal water. There isn’t any actual entry to the seaside, 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 bit of paradise, my pricey. A seaside definitely worth the kilometer stroll to get to.
Park within the lot and begin strolling alongside the trail. After fifteen minutes (or much less, in case you don’t have kids 😊) you’re there.
A sizzling tip: Proceed alongside the trail to Cala Mitjaneta, the tiny bay farther on. It can take you some time to get there, not as a result of the street is lengthy, however as a result of each step is a chance for one more mesmerizing picture.
There are not any seaside companies right here, so carry all the pieces you want with you.
Merely a dream of a spot.
North of the Island: Fornells and the Space
Probably the most lovely 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 seaside of Fornells: Platges de Fornells, park your automobile there, and stroll to Cala Tirant. The view right here is just beautiful.
Whenever you get drained, drive to the Cape Cavalleria Lighthouse. Whenever 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 seaside and strolling there for some time.
Cala en Porter
A phenomenal view of a small however spectacular bay—Mirador Cala en Porter.
Simply park your automobile and stroll 10 meters till you see this lovely 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 dad and mom, simply because it was closing within the afternoon.
I’m additionally undecided 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 charge to enter right here—see the place’s web site. In case you go, tag me on Instagram and inform me the way it was.
Associated learn: The Best Beach Bars in Barcelona
Visiting a Dairy
So not solely does Manorca dabble in conventional gin, it’s pleased with its cheese, too, referred to as—you guessed it—Mahón cheese.
This dairy, which is true within the middle 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, principally in northern Spain. For cheese followers, I like to recommend you no less than strive it, although.
Within the air-conditioned manufacturing facility retailer, you too can buy different delicacies.
Deal with: Carretera Alaior a Arenal d’en Castell s/n, 07740, Balearic Islands
