Menorca is one of the four islands that make up the Balearic Islands. It is around 700 square kilometres and has a lot of amazing and relaxing beaches to offer. The best thing about this island is that it is less popular than its brothers and therefore you will have less crowds. Mind you that in the summer months it will obviously be just as crowded, but at least more relaxed than the likes of Ibiza. If you just want to chill for less money than you would on one of the other islands, but also see and experience amazing looking beaches, then this is the place for you!
Menorca is a very calm island not like Ibiza, many families and groups of friends come here to chill and enjoy the coves. Be aware that beaches are amazingly beautiful and many pplo want to enjoy them so in order to be able to have a non over crowded swim in the sea try to come in the months of may, june or september and avoid august. Oh if you like snorkeling dont forget to bring your glases and breathe tube! You are going to love it here.
- Map
- Coves and trekking
- Accesible beaches and coves
- Sunsets and lighthouses
- Towns and markets
- Gastronomy and where to eat in Menorca
Map to find everything you need
Tip: Rent a car to be able to move around the island comfortably. Just remember that Menorca has only one main road with a maximum speed of 90 kph. We advise you to keep to the speed limit as there are speed cameras everywhere. Even though there are no highways, the quality of the asphalt of the bigger roads you can find are fine to drive on. As with many islands, the smaller roads to the beaches are unpaved, dusty, and sometimes awful, but doable. Just be careful.
Coves and trekking
En Turqueta Cove
Close to Ciutadella, you can arrive by car as it has a parking, very close to Macarella. Be ready for a tricky road and try to arrive early as the parking might get full easily. For me one of the nicest beaches in Menorca. The only problem is that many boats stop there and pasengers go down for one hour so the beach becomes super full. The water is turchese and transparent. It’s a sand beach without rocks, you dont need shoes to get in. There is a bar in the parking area with toilets and showers, in the beach there is a guy selling fruits and drinks.
Macarella Cove
To arrive to Macarella in the months of June, July and August you have to leave your car in Citadella and take a bus that drives you here. No worries close to the bus stop there are parking spots. The bus is around 8,20 go and return per person and departs every 20minutes. You can check more info and book tickets here. When you arrive you still will have to walk a bit, but is completely worthy. There you will also find a bar, restauran, toilets and showers.
Macarelleta Cove
To arrive here you first need to arrive to Macarella, once there you have to walk for another 15minutes (it is not far away but the way is a bit unaccesible and you will stop a lot for pics). Macarelleta is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. It has transparent water, turchese color, white sand, no rocks, water can be a bit chilly if you go at the begining of the summer… the only “but” is that is so small that you have to go very early otherwise you won´t find any spot where to put your towel. Here you won’t find bars, just a cople of guys selling overpriced drinks so if you plan to be there the whole day bring your food and drinks.
Tip: check the winds of the island. If there is north wind go to the beaches on the south and the other way around. Check the wind status here.
Cala Mitjana
Close to Galdana Cove in the south of the island. It has its own parking and it will take you around 10 to 15 minute to arrive walking even tho the lane is more accesible than the Macarelleta one, still a stroll. There are no bars in the beach, just people selling clothes.
Cala Mitjaneta
Really small, just few minutes walking from Mitjana. You can go for a stroll and have a look if you are already at Mitjana, but don´t expect a big confortable beach but is beautiful.
Tip: Be aware of jellyfishes in the beaches as it is hot water!
Cala Pergonda and Binimel-La Beach
Red sand beaches, not turquese blue as the others. The road to arrive was a land road full of ups and downs so if you don’t have full insurance in your car be carefull.
When you arrive to the parking you first walk to the Binimel Beach, which was very quiet and lonely compared with the others. There is a really nice restaurant where we ate and I absolutey recomend you. As we thought that was pergonda’s beach we didn’t keep on walking to the real Pregonda, so don’t commit that mistake and check location!
Tip: Renting a boat charter is a great option. Normally you can find boats for around 100€ per person with a captain.
Accesible beaches and coves
Arenal d’en Castell beach
We were not looking for this beach at all. It was one of our lasts days on the island and we decided to check for something near our house. This was really a wonderful surprise. The water is great, the size of the beach is quite long and you can go for a walk to take some pics and look for adventure. It is surrounded by bars and souvenirs shops. It is a great option for families as the water is very calm and looks safe.
Cala Galdana
We came to this beach several times. Maybe is not the “best” beach in Menorca as it is not one of “those hidden spots” that none ever heard of but a definitely comfortable one. There are several hotels around, bars where to eat for a reasonable price and free parking spots. The water is turquoise and if you go early in the morning very clean. Also, you can get a hammock with a parasol. Very touristic but you definitely should give it a try!
Sunsets and lighthouses
Faro Nati
Very close by Ciutadella. Just be aware that there is a 15 minutes walk from the parking to the lighthouse, try not to go with flip flops. I remember we had to climb a little wall and a friend broke his trousers so just be careful with that! Nearby the lighthouse there are a few mounds which we didn’t really know what were they for but took some pics there.
Sa Posta De Sol
When we arrived at this bar it was completely full, quite surprised when I saw the prices. Looked more like a tourist trap rather than a nice spot to chill. Anyways if you are not on a budget the views are quite good and the place looked quite modern and fancy.
Cova d’xoroi
This is a great place not only for enjoying the sunset but also to go dancing during the night. The music sound is terrific there inside as there is actually built in a cave on a cliff edge. If you don’t like caves or places without windows (as it happens to me) don’t be too worried it has lots of balconies with views of the sea. Be aware that you will have to pay an entrance fee but includes a drink. Price is not as crazy as in Ibiza. You can arrive here by car and there is free parking but remember don’t drink and drive, in Spain is quite frequent to get alcohol tested.
Faro de cavallería
You can arrive here by car as there is a free parking lot just remember there is a security guy that will send you home if it’s full, so try to arrive a bit early. The views are beautiful and it is a perfect place to take pictures and drink a bottle of wine while sunset. Be aware that arriving you will find a type of fence/barrier, you have to open it manually in order to continue your path but remember to close it as it is to keep cattle safe. If you want to visit the lighthouse inside is open from May to October.
Tip: check the hours for sunrise and sunset here.
Towns and markets
Citadella
Old capital of the island, a mandatory visit as you will have to pass by to go to the Macarella and En Turqueta beaches. There are not so many things to do but you can go for a walk, see the cathedral and enjoy eating in one of their fancy restaurants in the port. Some of them very known for their Lobster Caldereta.
Mahón
The new capital of the island, not really a big city but has a nice port and a market where I bought an awesome hat and the famous “menorquinas” the traditional shoes (just 13€ and really confortable). If you have a cloudy day during your staying I recommend you to go there for a stroll and make some shopping.
Gastronomy and where to eat in Menorca
Really nice fresh fish, you are going to find Lobster Caldereta announced everywhere, paella (blind, black, seafood…), Catalan cream… Menorca is a great location with good quality restaurants but get ready to pay at least 25€ per person which in Spain is expensive.
Know more about where to eat in Menorca here.
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