Posted on Tuesday, 18 October 2022

If Ibiza and Mallorca sound a bit full-on, don’t discount the Balearics completely: diminutive Menorca presents scores of idyllic beaches and a gloriously well-preserved hinterland.

It’s a gem of an island with pleasures for all ages - one that still has that special atmosphere of a place somewhat undiscovered.

Welcome to Menorca

Smaller and quieter than Mallorca and Ibiza, Menorca is the Balearic of choice if you want a relaxed beach holiday with pristine white sandy beaches, epic coastal hiking routes, and charming fishing villages.

 

Menorca has more than 70 coves and beaches

The beaches are the main draw of this Balearic island - and there are lots of them. More than 70, in fact.

You can swim next to them, kayak along them, or simply sunbathe on them.

They're cleaner and less crowded than those of Menorca's larger neighbours, and will likely form the focal point of your visit.

Indeed, time spent on a holiday in Menorca is time spent outdoors - whether that's taking an open-top boat tour, stomping along a rugged coastal path, or simply enjoying mouthwatering seafood in an al-fresco restaurant.

Menorca newbies often feel they have discovered a precious gem - a notion reflected in the sapphire-blue waters that lap the beaches.

 

Where is Menorca?

Located in the Mediterranean, northeast of its larger neighbours Mallorca and Ibiza, Menorca has a population of less than 100,000 and an area of less than 700,000 square metres.

While Menorca has been part of kingdoms that eventually formed Spain, it was ruled by Britain sporadically from 1708 to 1802 - a situation that influences Menorcan food to this day.

With an economy largely geared towards tourism, these days a holiday in Menorca is seldom not a rewarding one.

Holiday Menorca: Best time to visit

As with most destinations on mainland Europe, there are four key seasons to consider.

 

High season - June to August

Near daily sunshine is why June to August is the peak season.

Menorca is at its busiest and most lively, and everything from restaurants to car rentals are open for business.

On the downside, it may be a little too hot at times, and the beaches can get rather crowded.

Additionally, prices rise considerably due to the high demand.

 

Spring shoulder season - April and May

Temperatures in April and May are pleasantly warm, prices are reasonable, and the beaches are far less crowded than peak season.

A good option if you don’t enjoy extreme heat, but be aware the sea is a little chilly for swimming.

 

Autumn shoulder season - September and October

Like spring, temperatures are warm enough to sunbathe, prices are more affordable and there's more space for your beach mat.

A key advantage over spring is that the waters are warm enough for swimming.

 

Low season - November to April

Fewer people take a holiday to Menorca in this period - for obvious reasons.

Needless to say it's cooler between November and April (12°C to 15°C during the day), ruling out swimming and sunbathing.

It's a great season for hiking however, and accommodation is very affordable.

And while it's ideal if you don’t like crowds, many tourist-focussed businesses are closed, giving you less choice.

That said, there are ample eateries serving the local market.

 

Car rental in Menorca

The easiest and most convenient way to explore Menorca is by hiring a car.

There are many rental firms in Mahon and other towns.

You can simply turn up and rent a vehicle. Fierce competition keeps prices reasonable.

However, booking your rental online is likely to be cheaper.

To save money, you may wish to turn down the additional insurance and offer to lay down a deposit instead. However, you would need to be confident in your abilities to avoid a collision or a scrape!

As always, travel insurance is a must.

 

Van rental in Menorca

If you're travelling as a group or friends or a family, you might consider renting a van. And if you’re visiting as a couple you could even sleep in the vehicle, saving money on accommodation.

Van rentals cost around 50 euros per day.

Where to stay in Menorca: Menorca accommodation

All-inclusive

Many visitors book an all-inclusive Menorca holiday. This means the price you pay includes room, food, drinks - and of course flights.

However, you will probably need to pay extra for things like excursions and some top-brand drinks.

All-inclusive will be cheaper than if you booked flights and room separately, and you won’t need to worry about where you’re going to eat every day.

However, eating and sleeping in the same place may feel restrictive for some travellers.

For others, having a single hotel as a base for exploring is ideal.

 

Booking your Menorcan hotel separately

As with virtually all holiday destinations, you can book villas, hotels, guesthouses and hostels yourself for your holiday to Menorca.

Doing so gives you more choice and flexibility; if you fancy staying in another part of the island, you can simply pack up and go. But bear in mind that vacancies may be thin on the ground during peak season - when it may be better to book ahead.

 

Where to stay in Menorca: Hotels, guest houses or villas?

A simple but comfortable guest house (sometimes called a 'hostal') costs between £50 - £70 per night.

Despite their lower cost, some are actually located near the beach.

Naturally, prices are higher in peak season.

A larger hotel with pools, bars and kids clubs can cost anything from £100 to £300 per night, depending on amenities and general level of luxury.

Ageing hotels or those in need of renovation are likely to be cheaper. And a peak season premium applies.

Is it cheaper to book a Menorca villa?

Like hotels, Menorca’s holiday villas vary in price depending on location, size, and presence (or not) of amenities like a garden, private pool, hot tub, parking, Wifi, air-con and whether or not it's child-friendly.

Renting your own villa will certainly add to your sense of freedom - you'll be able to socialise and come and go on your own terms.

A villa could be perfect for a family or group of friends - and could work out cheaper than booking two or more hotel rooms.

As a rule of thumb, peak season prices are double that of low season, and a security deposit roughly half the weekly price will be required. You will also need to pay a deposit of around 15% to secure the booking.

How to get to Menorca: Holiday travel options

It's no surprise that such a diminutive island only has one airport. Indeed, you can reach the small town of Ciutadella (large by Menorcan standards) just 45 minutes after leaving the airport.

As mentioned, if you're booking all-inclusive, you'll have your flight organised for you - and it will work out cheaper than booking it separately.

If you are booking your own flights, a flight booking engine is your best bet - although some carriers such as Ryanair may not be listed.

A budget one-way flight to Menorca could be as low as £30 - but beware of extras for hold luggage and meals.

Even regular airlines like British Airways offer affordable deals to Menorca, which when you consider they don't charge extra for stowed luggage, could be around the same price. However, flying on high-demand dates could cost a lot more.

In the low season you may need to change planes in Barcelona or Madrid.

As ever, being flexible with dates and UK departure airports could save you money.

 

Can I cruise to Menorca?

There's no way to sail direct to Menorca from the UK, but there are cruises that include the island in their itinerary.

 

Things to do and places to see in Menorca

Ciutadella

It may only have 30,000 residents, but the population of Ciutadella swells considerably in peak season.

Indeed, summers here are full of life, with an array of restaurants, cafes and shops to enjoy.

It's also a nightlife hotspot, with a choice of bars and clubs on offer.

The town also has a charming historic quarter and a delightful fishing port.

Cala Turqueta

One of Menorca's best all-round beaches, Cala Turqueta beckons with its turquoise waters and unspoilt surrounds.

Since it's so close to Ciutadella it can get rather crowded, so head there in the morning or early evening if you want more space.

A good pair of shoes and sturdy ankles are required for the 15-minute walk from the car park to the beach. You can also arrive by boat.

 

Walk the Cami de Cavalls

Feeling energetic? The Cami de Cavalls is a hiking route around the coast of Menorca.

However, if you're not quite up for this 185km mission, you can walk the southern section, which takes in some of the island's most beautiful beaches and coves - including Marcarelli, Mitjaneta - and Cala Turqueta.

 

Fornells & Es Castell

These two small seaside towns are ideal for an evening meal before watching the sunset - although they are located in different parts of the island.

Laidback, whitewashed Fornells has a pint-sized port and a choice of seafood restaurants.

It's also perfect for an afternoon stroll beforehand - or a sunset saunter afterwards.

There is also a great night market.

Es Castell offers a similar vibe, with a night market, port and lots of restaurants to choose from.

 

Sunset at Monte Toro

As the highest point on the island at 358m, Monte Toro is the best place to watch the sun go down.

On a clear day you can even see Mallorca!

There's also a monastery near the summit, and nearby Es Mercadal makes the best ensaïmadas on the island!

 

Playa de Cavalleria

With its red sand Playa de Cavalleria is one of the island's most unique beaches - and perfect for those all-important Instagram shots.

Crystal clear water laps its pleasing crescent shape.

 

Mahon

Unmissable Mahon, the island's capital, features one of the largest natural ports in the world, a picturesque historic centre, and a vast array of eating and shopping opportunities.

Mahon is one of the chief nightlife hotspots of Menorca, alongside Ciutadella.

Sunset at Cova d'en Xoroi

Set into a cliff face, this large cave is another wonderful sunset-watching location. It does get busy though - so be sure to book ahead.

You can simply arrive and hope for the best, but by booking you'll skip the queue (which might be so long you miss the sunset!).

The cave also doubles as a nightclub - surely one of the most unique nights out in Europe. The easy way to cross out 'cave clubbing' from your bucket list!

 

Visit a white sand beach

Dozens of white sandy beaches fringe Menorca's coast - and they all boast superb water quality as well as stunningly white sand.

With fewer tourists than the other Balearics and several conservation groups keeping watch, the coastal areas of the island are among the cleanest and best-cared-for in Europe.

 

Binibeca

The beguiling whitewashed town of Binibeca is an almost otherworldly maze of narrow alleys and strange - but very cute - little homes.

The aroma of fried fish - universally consumed by the inhabitants - envelops you, while the signs announcing 'silencio por favour' remind you how bunched-together the town is.

After exploring Binibeca, plunge into one of the nearby natural pools - beloved by snorkelers for the thousands of colourful fish that call it home.

 

Explore the coast of Menorca by boat

See and experience the coast in a more unique way by hiring your own boat or booking a boat trip.

You'll be able to visit coves that are unreachable by foot, and enjoy snorkelling further out at sea - where tuna and octopus await!

Sea kayaking

Whether you're a beginner, an expert, or something in-between, kayaking is a fabulous way to explore the coast while getting some exercise.

You'll get a unique perspective on the island's stunning coast - one that's impossible if you lounge on the beach all day!

Like exploring by boat, you'll be able to visit otherwise inaccessible coves and beaches, giving you a real sense of adventure.

Numerous kayaking operations operate across the island - some offering training to hone your sea kayaking skills.

 

Watersports galore

Alongside sea kayaking there's a plethora of other water activities to try, including jet skiing, paddle boarding, snorkelling and scuba diving - the latter allowing you to encounter some of the wondrous beasts that live in the island's crystalline waters.

 

Menorcan cuisine

Exploring can be a tiring business. Thankfully, Menorca is blessed with many delicious, hearty dishes that will spur you on.

Gastronomically, Menorca has been influenced by the Romans, Arabs, French.. and even the British. The result is a range of rich meat- and seafood-based dishes that also combine quintessential Mediterranean flavours with those of Spain.

Here are a handful of must-try dishes on your Menorca holiday.

Caldereta de Langosta

Probably the island's best-known dish, Caldereta de Langosta gets its name from the caldereta, a terracotta dish still used to make the dish now.

Typically made of lobsters (female, not too young), this broth is flavoured with onions, tomatoes, green chilli, parsley and served with a slice of bread.

It tastes best one day after preparation.

Ensaimada

This iconic desert is made across the Balearics, and even has its own Protected Geographical Indication, “Ensaïmada de Mallorca“.

Said to be of Arab origin, this sweet bite is made of flour, water, sugar, eggs - and lard (yes, even the deserts aren't vegetarian!).

Traditionally it is filled with a kind of pumpkin jam.

 

Oliaigua

If you are vegetarian, don't lose hope. Oliaigua, for instance, is (usually) meat-free, based on an old farmer recipe made of water, oil, herbs, plus vegetables including tomato and green peppers.

Don't be surprised if your oliaigua turns up cold or lukewarm - that's how it’s meant to be served.

And don’t expect the same recipe in every restaurant; each takes pride in making their own versions.

Mahon cheese

Another Menorcan foodstuff that has its own Protected Designation of Origin is Mahon cheese.

Made with unpasteurised cow's milk - sometimes with a little goats' milk - it is sold in stores across the island.

Best served with a hunk of traditional Menorcan bread and a glass of local wine, Mahon cheese is a must-try.

Sadly it's not suitable for vegetarians since it contains calf rennet.

 

Menorcan stuffed aubergine

Stuffed aubergines, Menorcan style, gives veggies hope - since it can be ordered without meat.

Comprising small, locally grown aubergines that have their pulp removed and then combined with other ingredients, which are packed inside. The result is then baked with garlic.

A hearty, healthy meal served across the island.

 

What about British gastronomic influences?

Since the island was occupied for around seventy years by the Brits - on and off - an Anglo-Saxon influence can be seen in Menorcan cuisine even to this day. 

The islanders’ fondness of puddings, and a gravy like concoction made as a bed for pasta - are two examples.

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