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? Once I looked for details about this place in a sure group, the solutions I obtained have 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 have been to fulfill!
An exquisite trip on an island that’s not significantly huge, however full of superb seashores, tiny cities with picturesque alleys, and an environment of everlasting freedom—is it best for you?
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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 major 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 could be no direct flights relying on the place you’re coming from. I all the time check Expedia for the newest choices, so be at liberty to do the identical!
Nevertheless, 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 have been there in early–mid-April. The climate was fantastic: not too scorching, not too chilly. Simply nice.
As for swimming within the sea, effectively, 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.
You probably have time, I’d suggest visiting in June, when the water is heat sufficient and the island will not be but flooded with vacationers from northern Europe.
A buddy advised me that she got here with a buddy on a bike in August and there have been seashores the place that they had no place to park.
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Automobile Rental in Menorca
To get round comfortably on the island, regardless that it’s not very massive, I extremely suggest renting a automobile.
There are a selection of car rental corporations that function at Mahón Airport, plus these that aren’t situated 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 testing.
Public transportation is out there—use the beneath map or Google Maps.
The place To Keep In Menorca?
Like in Mallorca, discovering a lodge room for a pair + two youngsters will be no straightforward activity. Fortunately, we have been touring with my dad and mom, so we break up into a pair + one in every room.
The lodge I stayed in is that this one:
Resort Gran Sagitario
Small, snug, and provides honest worth for the worth.
The meals was not thrilling, however that was our impression of the meals on the island generally. What was handy was the indoor pool, which we frequented for a couple of days.
The factor I favored most was the cove, a two-minute stroll from the lodge—small and so picturesque. It was my view for my morning run.
The town, which I actually favored, Ciutadella, is a couple of seven-minute drive away. So, every little thing 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 a number of the ones I picked that weren’t accessible 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 accessible for us. Precisely my style—rustic with a restaurant. That’s all you want, I feel.
Ses Sucreres Small & Gradual Resort
I’ve a particular fondness for sluggish locations, and after they are available in 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 lodge and 250m from the capital, it’s small, delightfully adorned, and nice worth for cash. It has a really excessive ranking on the totally different reserving plattforms.
Carema Backyard Village
A 3-star lodge we handed by and it simply appeared actually beautiful. The world 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.
Cami de Cavalls: Menorca on Foot
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
Effectively, Mahón didn’t depart any important impression on me. Other than a cute promenade and a distillery that we’ll speak about 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 have been in search of 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 this present day, as talked about, the distillery proudly continues this custom, utilizing solely the best elements and conventional copper stills.
Take a guided tour right here and see all the standard instruments that have been used again then. On the finish of the tour, you’ll be able to style all kinds of gin flavors, from the traditional London Derry to particular variations fermented with native crops.
At the moment, greater than half one million bottles are produced right here per 12 months, that are bought not solely in Spain but in addition in the USA, 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 house. 😋
To ebook a guided tour, go to their website.
Tackle: Moll de Ponent, 91, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears
When you do go to, hop to the opposite aspect of the highway; 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 all the time makes the human coronary heart glad, particularly vegetarians.
I extremely suggest this restaurant, which satisfied even my mom and younger son who usually are not actually into Indian meals.
Tackle: 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 formidable cathedral and alleys lined with boutique retailers and eating places.
Right this moment it’s a port metropolis and an vital business heart for the whole island.
Of the seashores, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta are two gems with turquoise waters and high-quality 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 wood stick that jogged my memory of a matcha home in Tokyo.
The dishes have been particular and exquisite. The thick meaty cookie we ate was bursting with peanuts and taste. Gentle and a bit crispy on the perimeters.
Don’t miss this place!
Tackle: 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 commonplace, identical wonderful service.
It’s the most effective I’ve had lately. Really, in my life.
Nibs Wholesome Bar
This can be a great spot for lunch and is vegetarian-friendly. It’s in a chief location—in an exquisite central sq..
Tackle: 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’ll be able to 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. Nevertheless, we didn’t surrender and located the final man who miraculously had a ship accessible for us.
Once 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.” Effectively, effectively. 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 have been glad to achieve locations we already knew from earlier than.
A few of us whose lineage is rooted in Japanese Europe have 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 depart from Ciutadella (and likewise from Mahón). They’re extraordinarily massive and make excessive waves.
Beneficial Seashores in Menorca
Cala en Brut
Nearly the first seashore we visited. How lovely it’s!
Very straightforward to get to, however there are a couple 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 chunk 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, if you happen to don’t have youngsters 😊) you’re there.
A scorching 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 highway 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 every little thing you want with you.
Merely a dream of a spot.
North of the Island: Fornells and the Space
One of the lovely cities price 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 beautiful 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 solely beautiful.
While you get drained, drive to the Cape Cavalleria Lighthouse. While you depart 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 major 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 phenomenal 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 right 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 undecided how appropriate the place is for youngsters. 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 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.
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Visiting a Dairy
So not solely does Manorca dabble in conventional gin, it’s pleased with its cheese, too, known as—you guessed it—Mahón cheese.
This dairy, which is true within the heart of the island, makes the cheeses on website. 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 right down to eat.
I admit, there are higher cheeses than this, largely in northern Spain. For cheese followers, I like to recommend you a minimum of strive it, although.
Within the air-conditioned manufacturing facility retailer, you too can buy different delicacies.
Tackle: Carretera Alaior a Arenal d’en Castell s/n, 07740, Balearic Islands
