Relax on cove beaches or drink in an oceanside cave in the tranquil Mediterranean.
If you know anything about theBalearic Islands , you probably realizeIbizais the gaga tiddler . Mallorcais the large , Formenterais the diminished , and then there isMenorca . Oh , Menorca . OfSpain ’s four principal coastal islands , this 431 - square - stat mi land strikes such a sensational equalizer of quiet seaside bliss , history - loaded cities and , when you want to turn up , sure , a cave to party in .
The summer season , June through August , is when the island is busiest . But even then , with 100 - plus beaches and the destination being relatively under the microwave radar , it does n’t touch the more bouncing nature of its counterparts .
To explore and make the most of this island goal , you ’ll want to rent a car ( hack are scarce and rideshares are nonexistent ) , choose a home plate pedestal , and plop on a beach as much as potential . And when you do want some bodily function , there ’s a hiking - filled national park , lobster stews , and watersports aplenty deserving venturing out for . Here ’s how to get your Menorca on .
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Pair iconic lobster stew with a dreamy lemonade gin drink
As you would belike imagine with a Spanish island … tucked in the middle of the Mediterranean … with thousand of years of culinary history … the food in Menorca is out of this public . If you ’re into seafood , stick to the fresh catch , often including a rockfish and Scorpio the Scorpion fish option on the carte del día ( which is like the deal of the day ) .
The most celebrated Menorcan peach is thecaldereta de langosta , a bristled lobster stew often made with garlic , Petroselinum crispum , tomatoes , onions , and pepper . From five - star restaurants to mom - and - pop seafood hutch on the seacoast , it ’s a fare staple often suffice in two - person - or - more portions . The most celebrated versions of the caldereta de langosta may be come up at the watersideCafé Balear in Ciutadellaand , for a northern adventure , Es Portin the heart of the northerly town of Fornells .
Additional name you ’ll see on Menorcan menus over - and - over include theensaimadaat bakery , an often - circular pastry cake in powdered sugar;queso de Mahón , a yellow - edged cheese with a slenderly salty - meets - spicy hint ; and thepomada de Menorcadrink , made with the island ’s snare ( Gin Xoriguer ) , lemonade , crushed meth , and sometimes mint . Venture toBinibeca , 11 kilometers south ofMahón , for a pomada at theBucanerosbar on the water ’s literal edge . Between the lemony goodness and greenish blue waters , you ’ll never want to leave .
Restaurant Cafè Balear
Unwind on as many of the island’s 100-plus beaches as humanly possible
There is absolutely no full way to harness this island ’s vibration than quietly cozying up on a beach for the daylight ( or every day , until you unluckily have to go back home ) . Menorca has 134 mile of coastline and more than 100 beach , often thoroughgoing with white sand bliss , notched rock cant , and plenty of wriggle room . Fun fact : You ’ll see the Christian Bible calain front of a number of beach locations , translating to cove — more often than not , this is where you ’ll find some of the island ’s most stunning inlet landscapes .
For the honest spot , there is an incredible reach of beaches along the southwesterly shores of Menorca betweenCala nut Turqueta(named for its aquamarine waters ) to the subdued resort township ofSanto Tomás . Options include the limestone - drop enclosedCala MitjanaandCala Macarella , which are house and boating hotspots , andCala Excorxada , a all secluded , exculpated - water oasis that requires an hour - ish hike from Santo Tomás to get there . For a beach township with several eating house and souvenir workshop options , the small town ofCala en Porteris it .
Stroll the quiet city life in Mahón and Ciutadella
Okay , the beaches are off - the - chart breathtaking here and should keep you entertained for twenty-four hour period . But sometimes you do need a little culture . This island ’s urban center landscapes are more often than not Mediterranean - clean meets Spanish - tile euphoria , with ethnic staples aplenty to be explored . Menorca has two urban pith , Mahón andCiutadella , found on the eastern and westerly bound of the island , respectively . It may seem like a trek between them , but you’re able to do the 28 - land mile ride in under 45 minutes .
Ciutadella is full of palaces and church that give off serious ancient vibraharp . You ’ll also encounter a officious nightlife here , in the island ’s large metropolis .
Mahón ( often judge in traditional Catalan as Maó on road mansion ) is the capital of Menorca , the island ’s secondly bombastic city , and it very much exudes a port wine city vibe with a historical bent . A must is strolling along its winding , water - adjacent promenade constellate with restaurants , cafés , and watersports shops .
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History lovers should head flat toMuseu de Menorcafor the most comprehensive flavour of the township and island ’s culture , art , and archeology . Otherwise , nearby landmark draws let in theForteleza de Isabel II , a seaside fort date back to the mid-1800s , and theIglesia de Santa María , the township ’s central church that ’s insert in the heart of the town ’s pedestrian - friendly shopping heart and soul .
Party in a cave or tour a winery
If Menorca has a political party scene , it is to be found in Ciutadella on Fridays and weekend . AlongPasseig des Mollis the island ’s highest concentration of discotheque , admit the open - airIguanaportand live music havenJazzbah . For craft beer lovers , Grahame Pearceis rapidly becoming a Menorcan fave and has a brewpub within mo , too , located next to seafood hotspotUlisses .
There is one other party hot spot in Menorca that can not be left out . Cova d’en Xoroiis a nightclub construct into a cave on the urine - conterminous cliffs near the village of Cala en Porter . For the early hiss , it ’s also open during the sundown hr , before the oft - DJ - led spectacle goes into the former morning hour . You ’ll want to hold access well in advance , as they typically deal out and , well , there is only so much room in a cave .
Menorca does have a handful of wineries , too . The big isBinifadet , tuck about 10 proceedings south of Mahón . It has minute - long tastings seven days a week .
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Hike the island’s national park or paddle the oceans
out-of-door enthusiasts will always have a place to stroll in Menorca . TheCamí de Cavallstrail encircle the entire island , with 20 often well - paved “ stages ” measuring three to nine mi .
AndParc Natural de s’Albufera des Grauis the home park . Here you ’ll discover ponds , laguna , recess , and prairies aplenty . For longer , more rugged wage hike on Menorca , this will be your topographic point .
If you prefer to be active with a splattering of ocean spray , the watersports shop class in Mahón extend up glassful - bottom sauceboat circuit , yacht chartering , and sailing jaunt . From the boat , you may opt to go snorkel diving or cruise around on boat paddle boards . For those trip , Yellow CatamaransandDivina Charters Menorcaare trusted options .
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Stay in Menorca’s first carbon-neutral and grand luxury hotel
Lodging option in Menorca span private Villa with Spanish roofing tile roofs , historic flatcar with vivid shutter in the land ’s urban CORE , and seaside resorts with Mediterranean view . Amid the options , capitulum toVilla Le Blanc , a Gran Melía hotel , that open up in 2022 and is a unfeigned groundbreaker for the entirety of the Balearic Islands . Billed as Menorca ’s “ first exalted luxury ” and C - electroneutral hotel , Villa Le Blanc sit centrally on the island ’s south coast in Santo Tomás .
The property has 159 guestroom , admit 45 suites , many of which have their own individual balcony with spiral staircases , daybeds , tubs and/or puddle look out over the most turquoise of waters . Its on - site restaurant offerings include an intimateS’Amaradoroutpost ( the pilot is in Ciutadella ) , regarded as one of the best seafood restaurants and homages to Menorcan culinary art in all of Spain . It ’s the best of all worlds , kind of like the island as a whole .
Cova d’en Xoroi Menorca
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Photo courtesy of Villa le Blanc
