You’ve most likely heard of Mallorca. However have you ever heard of Menorca, its little sister, which isn’t any much less lovely? Once I looked for details about this place in a sure group, the solutions I acquired had been that I had a spelling error.
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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 significantly massive, however filled with wonderful 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? 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 vibrant Ibiza, elegant Mallorca, and tiny Formentera. Along with the 4 foremost 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 may be no direct flights relying on the place you’re coming from. I all the time test Expedia for the most recent 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 may 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 scorching, 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 Might 1st and lasts till October thirty first.
In case you have time, I’d advocate visiting in June, when the water is heat sufficient and the island isn’t but flooded with vacationers from northern Europe.
A good friend informed me that she got here with a good friend on a motorbike in August and there have been seashores the place they’d no place to park.
Associated learn: The Finest Seashores in Barcelona (Together with the Nude & Homosexual Seashores)
Automobile Rental in Menorca
To get round comfortably on the island, although it’s not very giant, I extremely advocate renting a automobile.
There are a number of car rental firms 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.
Public transportation is obtainable—use the under map or Google Maps.
The place To Keep In Menorca?
Like in Mallorca, discovering a resort room for a pair + two youngsters will be no simple activity. Fortunately, we had 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 honest worth for the value.
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 number 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.
The town, which I actually favored, 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 standard, I’ve lists from the US to the UK of all of the locations I wish to keep.
Listed below are a number of the ones I picked that weren’t obtainable 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 disillusioned wasn’t obtainable for us. Precisely my style—rustic with a restaurant. That’s all you want, I feel.
Ses Sucreres Small & Sluggish 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 pretty. The world can be lovely 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 lovers, there are many alternatives for kayaking, browsing, and snorkeling.
The Capital Metropolis, Mahón
Nicely, Mahón didn’t go away any vital impression on me. Aside from a cute promenade and a distillery that we’ll discuss quickly, I don’t assume it’s a must-see on a vacation in Menorca.
Possibly 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 stunning that they had been searching 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 at the present time, as talked about, the distillery proudly continues this custom, utilizing solely the best substances and conventional copper stills.
Take a guided tour right here and see all the standard instruments that had 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 1,000,000 bottles are produced right here per 12 months, 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 obtainable on the time. We walked across the place independently, tasted the several types of gin, and purchased a number of bottles to take house. 😋
To guide a guided tour, go to their web site.
Deal with: Moll de Ponent, 91, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears
For those who do go to, hop to the opposite aspect 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 pleased, particularly vegetarians.
I extremely advocate this restaurant, which satisfied even my mom and younger son who will not be 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 present it’s a port metropolis and an essential industrial middle for the complete island.
Of the seashores, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta are two gems with turquoise waters and tremendous white sand.
Café Central
A heavenly cafe, and one thing I’ve not seen wherever else. It has the environment 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. Tender and slightly crispy on the sides.
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 seek out out that they’ve a Menorcan department. Similar excessive customary, identical wonderful service.
It’s probably the greatest I’ve had in recent times. Truly, in my life.
Nibs Wholesome Bar
It is a great spot for lunch and is vegetarian-friendly. It’s in a main location—in an attractive 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 may lease a small motorboat for self-sail.
In April, we had a tough time discovering a spot to lease 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 obtainable for us.
After we arrived, pleased 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.” Nicely, 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 guts of the ocean, pleased 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 shortly mastered the steering and was pleased 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 lovely seashores—loads of them. We had been pleased to achieve 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.
Listen:
- Don’t go too removed from the coast.
- The ferries go away from Ciutadella (and likewise from Mahón). They’re extraordinarily giant and make excessive waves.
Advisable Seashores in Menorca
Cala en Brut
Nearly the first seashore we visited. How lovely it’s!
Very simple to get to, however there are a number of steps to go down. Clear, crystal water. There isn’t any 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 bit of paradise, my pricey. A seashore well worth the kilometer stroll to get to.
Park within the lot and begin strolling alongside the trail. After fifteen minutes (or much less, when you don’t have youngsters 😊) you’re there.
A scorching tip: Proceed alongside the trail to Cala Mitjaneta, the tiny bay farther on. It should 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 an additional mesmerizing picture.
There aren’t any seashore providers 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
One of the vital lovely cities price a go to is Fornells on the northern finish of the island. It has a small port, a number of eating places and cafes and a few small, picturesque streets.
In between are white homes with inexperienced shutters. It’s merely pretty 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 just pretty.
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.
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South of the Island
Binibeca
The foremost 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 stupendous view of a small however spectacular bay—Mirador Cala en Porter.
Simply park your automobile and stroll 10 meters till you see this lovely 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 youngsters 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, take a look at the photographs 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 payment to enter right here—see the place’s web site. For those who go, tag me on Instagram and inform me the way it was.
Associated learn: The Finest Seaside Bars in Barcelona
Visiting a Dairy
So not solely does Manorca dabble in conventional gin, it’s happy 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 may 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 at the least strive it, although.
Within the air-conditioned manufacturing unit retailer, you can even buy different delicacies.
Deal with: Carretera Alaior a Arenal d’en Castell s/n, 07740, Balearic Islands
