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 bought had been that I had a spelling error.
Associated learn: High Mallorca Sights & Actions
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!
A beautiful trip on an island that’s not significantly massive, 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 consists of vibrant Ibiza, elegant Mallorca, and tiny Formentera. Along with the 4 principal 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 stay on the island, which is roughly a tenth of the inhabitants of Mallorca.
Arrival to Menorca
There could be no direct flights relying on the place you’re coming from. I all the time examine Expedia for the newest choices, so be at liberty to do the identical!
Nevertheless, 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 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 Could 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 just isn’t but flooded with vacationers from northern Europe.
A pal informed me that she got here with a pal on a bike 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)
Automotive Rental in Menorca
To get round comfortably on the island, though it’s not very giant, I extremely suggest renting a automotive.
There are a selection of car rental firms 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 trying out.
use the Paapm Paapm search to search out the perfect charges
Public transportation is obtainable—use the beneath map or Google Maps.
The place To Keep In Menorca?
Like in Mallorca, discovering a lodge room for a pair + two kids might be no straightforward process. Fortunately, we had been touring with my mother and father, so we cut up into a pair + one in every room.
The lodge I stayed in is that this one:
Lodge Gran Sagitario
Small, comfy, and provides 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 just a few 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.
Town, which I actually appreciated, Ciutadella, is a couple of seven-minute drive away. So, all the pieces is shut sufficient, however not crowded.
Different Nice Locations To Keep In Menorca
As typical, I’ve lists from the US to the UK of all of the locations I need to keep.
Listed below are among the ones I picked that weren’t accessible on the time and that I might have beloved to remain at in Menorca.
Alcaufar Vell Lodge Rural & Restaurant
The place that I used to be most disenchanted 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 once 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 lodge and 250m from the capital, it’s small, delightfully embellished, and nice worth for cash. It has a really excessive ranking on the completely different reserving plattforms.
Carema Backyard Village
A 3-star lodge we handed by and it simply seemed actually beautiful. The realm can also be lovely and quiet.
Barceló Nura
A 5-star lodge, very near Splash Water Park, with an outside 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
Nicely, 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 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 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 beneath British rule (by no means stunning 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 today, 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 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 bought not solely in Spain but in addition in the US, 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 just a few bottles to take house. 😋
To e book a guided tour, go to their web site.
Deal with: Moll de Ponent, 91, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears
When you 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 comfortable, particularly vegetarians.
I extremely suggest this restaurant, which satisfied even my mom and younger son who are usually 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 outdated city with a powerful cathedral and alleys lined with boutique outlets and eating places.
At the moment it’s a port metropolis and an vital business middle for your complete island.
Of the seashores, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta are two gems with turquoise waters and positive white sand.
Café Central
A heavenly cafe, and one thing I’ve not seen wherever 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 exquisite. The thick meaty cookie we ate was bursting with peanuts and taste. Tender and a little bit 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 search out out that they’ve a Menorcan department. Identical excessive customary, identical wonderful service.
It’s probably the greatest I’ve had lately. Really, in my life.
Nibs Wholesome Bar
This can be a good spot for lunch and is vegetarian-friendly. It’s in a chief location—in a lovely central sq..
Deal with: 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. Nevertheless, we didn’t quit and located the final man who miraculously had a ship accessible for us.
After we arrived, comfortable 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.” Nicely, nicely. 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, comfortable 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 comfortable 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 comfortable to achieve locations we already knew from earlier than.
A few of us whose lineage is rooted in Jap 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.
Concentrate:
- 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.
Really useful Seashores in Menorca
Cala en Brut
Nearly the first seashore we visited. How lovely it’s!
Very straightforward to get to, however there are just a few 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 well worth the kilometer stroll to get to.
Park within the lot and begin strolling alongside the trail. After fifteen minutes (or much less, should you don’t have kids 😊) you’re there.
A scorching tip: Proceed alongside the trail to Cala Mitjaneta, the tiny bay farther on. It would 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 photograph.
There are not any seashore companies right here, so convey all the pieces 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, just a few 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 automotive there, and stroll to Cala Tirant. The view right here is solely beautiful.
While you get drained, drive to the Cape Cavalleria Lighthouse. While you go away the automotive 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 principal city right here is Binibeca, and it’s tremendous cute. It’s value 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 automotive 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 kids and much more so mother and father, 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 paying homage to Rosh HaNikra.
There’s a price to enter right here—see the place’s web site. When you go, tag me on Instagram and inform me the way it was.
Associated learn: The Finest 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 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, largely in northern Spain. For cheese followers, I like to recommend you no less than attempt it, although.
Within the air-conditioned manufacturing unit retailer, you can too buy different delicacies.
Deal with: Carretera Alaior a Arenal d’en Castell s/n, 07740, Balearic Islands
