About Menorca

Maybe it's the boomerang shape of this island that ensures its visitors keep coming back, for return they do, year after year - for family fun in unspoilt resorts, the romance of secluded coves like a string of pearls on the shoreline, the unhurried chill-out atmosphere . . . the magic of Menorca.

 

During the Day

Son Bou's two-mile sandy stretch is superb for swimming, wind surfing and sunsoaking. There's a series of small beaches round Cala'n Forcat, pine-backed white sands at Cala Blanca, super-clear water at Sa Caleta, and Arenal d'en Castell's ' with gently sloping sands into a very scenic bay.

The market town of Alaior is the home of the local cheese. At the heart of the island, Es Mercadal is quaint and photogenic. There's graceful Georgian architecture in the capital, Mahon, and Ciudadela is a maze of cobbled streets and merchants' palazzos hidden behind high walls.

 

Our most popular excursions in Menorca include: Menorcan Memories, the highlights include Fornells, famous for its fish restaurants. Also trek with us up Monte Toro, the island's highest point; and the mystical caves of Xoroi. Your Customer Service Representative will provide prices and full information on what else there is to see and do at your holiday.

 

By Night

Menorca is the birthplace of mayonnaise (its name comes from the capital mahonesa). French and British occupations have added good bread, speciality cheeses and roast meats to local menus, alongside the gorgeous lobster casserole. And excellent local gin is the result of a long tradition of distilling of juniper berries.

 

Costume jewellery, hand crafted ceramics and palm-leaf basketry complement the thriving leather industry of the island. There are shoes and bags for every budget here. Serious shoppers will stick to the streets of Mahon. For character and atmosphere with your bargain hunt, head for small markets and Ciudadela.

 

The island is not renowned for a lively night scene, though Mahon has some lively bars along the harbour. There's family entertainment in many of the larger hotels, and a cluster of bars and a sprinkling of disco's throughout

Beaches

Sandy beaches, rocky coves, pine tree settings and spectacular coastlines, beach life in Menorca is glorious. There's plenty of swimming and snorkelling and, of course, soaking up the rays. We've combed the bays to find family friendly beaches with lots of facilities and those lovely little coves off the beaten track.

 

Here are Menorca's top ten beaches:

 

Cala Santa Galdana (south coast) Lots of high-rises built in recent times but it's worth a visit for the beauty of the pine tree setting and the wide curving sandy beach. Great for families ' clean, safe with plenty of shade. Get away from the crowds by hiking around the headland at the west end of the bay.

 

Son Bou About 15 km along the C721, then 8 km south of Alaior. The longest beach in Menorca is here - almost 3 km of soft golden sand. There's every seaside facility you could wish: from beach bars to wind surfing. Another reason for coming here is to visit some large prehistoric burial caves carved out of the cliffs, which are sometimes used as summer homes by Menorcans. It's worth the walk up to the cliffs for the wonderful views.

 

Es Grau There's a long, sandy beach at Es Grau, about 12km north east of Mahon. It's a blue flag beach and easily reached by car or there are regular buses from Mahon. Good water for swimming and popular with families. Spend an hour at one of the cafes lining the Placa de S'Esplanada to cool off after soaking up the sun. From Es Grau you can hire a boat to go to the beaches of rocky Illa d'En Colom (Pigeon Island).

 

Cala Pregonda If it's dreamy beaches you want you can't do better than Cala Pregonda. You can only get there by scrambling over hills just west of Binimella. About 20 minutes later, having passed through a desert landscape, you'll discover a paradise: a spectacular sandy beach framed by a lush pine forest and sea stacks rising out of the perfectly blue water. Wonderful. 

 

Arenal d'en Castell The beach here is a perfect wide arc of golden sand. It has plenty of beach equipment for hire and a choice of cafes. The shallow water is suitable for children. To the west a coastal path leads to Son Parc where there's another attractive sandy beach but if you want to escape the crowds go across the herb-scented headland to the quiet cove of Cala Pudent. 

 

Arenal de son Saura. One of the most attractive beaches in Menorca but it's a bit of a bumpy ride to get there by car. You will have to cross farmland and the farmer charges a small toll but it's worth the effort. There are two long, white stretches of sandy beach backed by fragrant pine trees. During the summer there are boat trips from Cala'n Bosch.

 

Cala En Turqueta, Cala Macarella, Macarelleta (south west coast) A trio of popular coves with fine sand and brilliant blue water. One of the most beautiful spots on the Menorcan coast. Cala En Turqueta is a beautiful cove and popular with local families at weekends. A coastal path connects it to Arenal de Son Saura. Another bumpy track across farmland leads to Cala Macarella. There's a cafe here but that's all. It's a lovely, unspoilt area with fine sand and glorious blue water. To get to smaller Macarelleta, a nudist beach, take the cliff path to the right of Macarella. 

 

Cala Presili (north east) There are two remote beaches, Platja de Capifort and Platja d'En Tortuga, both with fine and rough sand, clear water and great snorkelling. Road access is difficult ' a track leads over rocks from the Cap de Favaritx. Secluded but without facilities. 

 

Cala del Pilar. Only 10km north of Ciutadella, this beautiful wild place has a secluded sandy beach and jagged coastline. The beach is reached via a 40 minute walk along a sandy path lined with trees and fragrant bushes, wild honeysuckle and masses of wild flowers. You have to pick your way through the rocks to reach the beach but it's not difficult and worth the effort. No facilities so take a picnic lunch if you intend to stay a while.

 

Calas de Binidali, Biniparratx (south west) These are beautiful, protected coves with easy road access. Both are small enough and off the beaten track to ensure you won't encounter large crowds. The former has a platform at the edge of the sea, which provides excellent views of the coast. To reach Cala de Biniparratx, park your car and walk along a beautiful path through a canyon and shrubs to a narrow cove. The beach is sheltered by steep cliffs which house ancient cave dwellings. Nearby is an area known as Las Ollas (meaning frying pans) referring to the circular shape of this natural swimming hole. The pools are popular with nudist bathers. 

Excursions

Make your holiday one to remember with our unforgettable excursions!

With so many exciting adventures to be explored, sometimes it's hard choosing the right ones for you. So to ensure you don't miss out, all you need to do is speak to your Customer Service Representative upon arrival in the resort at the Welcome Meeting and all your excursions can be arranged.

Here you'll find details of the excursions we offer from this resort. 

Uncover Menorca
Escape the crowds with the Menorca Island Day Tour. We offer you a selection of tours which take in Fornells, Cala Galdana or Monte Toro, the highest peak on the island. Or you may choose to visit the Caves of Xoroi, one of the most famous landmarks in Menorca and see the capital Ciudadela by boat.
Prices from - adult Ј26, child Ј14 (inc.transport)

Fiestas
The local festivities are celebrated during the summer through out the different towns. These local events are the best proof of the authentic Minorcan customs. The starting point of these festivities, and considered the most popular, is held in Ciudadela towards the end of June, when the Sant Joan festivities begin.
Prices from - adult Ј13, child Ј7 (inc.transport)