You’ve in all probability heard of Mallorca. However have you ever heard of Menorca, its little sister, which isn’t any much less lovely? After I looked for details about this place in a sure group, the solutions I obtained had been that I had a spelling error.
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I admit that till I moved to Spain, I didn’t know concerning the existence of this place.
And the way fortunate we had been to fulfill!
A beautiful trip on an island that’s not notably large, however full of wonderful 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 summary:
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 fundamental 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 stay 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 test 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 may take you and your automotive 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 Might 1st and lasts till October thirty first.
If in case you have time, I’d suggest visiting in June, when the water is heat sufficient and the island isn’t but flooded with vacationers from northern Europe.
A good friend instructed me that she got here with a good friend on a motorbike in August and there have been seashores the place that they had 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, despite the fact that it’s not very giant, I extremely suggest renting a automotive.
There are a number of car rental corporations that function at Mahón Airport, plus these that aren’t positioned on the airport however will come to ship the automotive to you there upon touchdown.
I’ve had good experiences with PAAPM, which is value testing.
use the Paapm Paapm search to seek out the very best charges
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 kids might be no simple job. 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:
Lodge Gran Sagitario
Small, comfy, and provides 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 couple of days.
The factor I appreciated 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 appreciated, Ciutadella, is a few seven-minute drive away. So, all the things is shut sufficient, however not crowded.
Different Nice Locations To Keep In Menorca
As normal, I’ve lists from the US to the UK of all of the locations I need to keep.
Listed here are among the ones I picked that weren’t accessible on the time and that I might have liked to remain at in Menorca.
Alcaufar Vell Lodge Rural & Restaurant
The place that I used to be most disillusioned wasn’t accessible for us. Precisely my style—rustic with a restaurant. That’s all you want, I believe.
Ses Sucreres Small & Sluggish Lodge
I’ve a particular fondness for gradual locations, and after they are available in an outdated Nineteenth-century constructing it’s an actual deal with. Easy rooms however with a contact of stylish and an area breakfast.
Lodge 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 fans, there are many alternatives for kayaking, browsing, and snorkeling.
The Capital Metropolis, Mahón
Nicely, Mahón didn’t depart any vital impression on me. Other than a cute promenade and a distillery that we’ll discuss quickly, I don’t suppose 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 strategies have been used, handed down from technology to technology.
However wait—gin is British. How did it get right here?
Menorca was underneath British rule (by no means shocking that they had been searching for 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 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’ll be able to style all kinds of gin flavors, from the basic 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 offered not solely in Spain but additionally in america, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand.
We got here right here spontaneously and there was no guided tour accessible on the time. We walked across the place independently, tasted the various kinds of gin, and purchased a couple of bottles to take dwelling. 😋
To e-book a guided tour, go to their web site.
Handle: Moll de Ponent, 91, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears
In the event you do go to, hop to the opposite facet of the street; perhaps you’ll be fortunate and a fishing boat will dock and you may observe the ocean catch.
The Cardamom Menorca Indian Restaurant
Meals that at all times makes the human coronary heart glad, particularly vegetarians.
I extremely suggest this restaurant, which satisfied even my mom and younger son who will not be actually into Indian meals.
Handle: 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 outdated city with a formidable cathedral and alleys lined with boutique outlets and eating places.
At the moment it’s a port metropolis and an vital business middle for the whole 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 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 exquisite. The thick meaty cookie we ate was bursting with peanuts and taste. Delicate and slightly crispy on the perimeters.
Don’t miss this place!
Handle: 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. Identical excessive commonplace, identical wonderful service.
It’s among the best I’ve had in recent times. Truly, in my life.
Nibs Wholesome Bar
This can be a good spot for lunch and is vegetarian-friendly. It’s in a main location—in an attractive central sq..
Handle: Plaça d’Artrutx, 7, 07760 Ciutadella de Menorca, Illes Balears
Self-Crusing From Ciutadella
This was one in all our most memorable experiences from our trip. No license is required—you’ll be able to 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 accessible for us.
After we arrived, glad 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, glad 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 glad 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 glad 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 exterior. An particularly worthwhile expertise.
Listen:
- Don’t go too removed from the coast.
- The ferries depart from Ciutadella (and in addition from Mahón). They’re extraordinarily giant and make excessive waves.
Advisable Seashores in Menorca
Cala en Brut
Nearly the first seaside we visited. How lovely it’s!
Very simple to get to, however there are a couple of steps to go down. Clear, crystal water. There isn’t a 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 chunk of paradise, my expensive. 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, if you happen to don’t have kids 😊) you’re there.
A sizzling tip: Proceed alongside the trail to Cala Mitjaneta, the tiny bay farther on. It’ll 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 are not any seaside providers 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 lovely cities value 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 pretty to wander round right here.
From there, drive to the seaside of Fornells: Platges de Fornells, park your automotive there, and stroll to Cala Tirant. The view right here is solely pretty.
If you get drained, drive to the Cape Cavalleria Lighthouse. If you depart the automotive 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 fundamental city right here is Binibeca, and it’s tremendous cute. It’s value hopping onto the Bufador de Binibequer seaside and strolling there for some time.
Cala en Porter
A ravishing view of a small however spectacular bay—Mirador Cala en Porter.
Simply park your automotive 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 kids. It’s a music bar-club. Anyway, have 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. In the event you 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 pleased with its cheese, too, referred to as—you guessed it—Mahón cheese.
This dairy, which is correct within the middle of the island, makes the cheeses on web site. You possibly can 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 not less than strive it, although.
Within the air-conditioned manufacturing unit retailer, it’s also possible to buy different delicacies.
Handle: Carretera Alaior a Arenal d’en Castell s/n, 07740, Balearic Islands
