Best attractions in Menorca
Beautiful beaches, steep cliffs and wooded gorges: Menorca is second only to Mallorca in size, that’s for sure. Menorca will, in fact, compel you to return again and again. After all, it is a boomerang-shaped island.
You will always have something to do in Menorca. Rich in unique prehistoric sites and criss-crossed by labyrinths of ancient lanes, the island is home to numerous unspoilt coves. So what are you waiting for? Put on your boots, get your swimming costume ready and set off on an adventure.
Discover Mahón
The network of alleys and lanes that criss-cross Minorca’s captivating capital climbs a promontory overlooking the vast and deep natural harbour, the largest in the Mediterranean. Despite being the capital of the island, Mahón has an affable atmosphere, more typical of small villages. Strolling through the old centre, with its historic cafés and tiny shops, is a relaxing and pleasant way to spend a few hours. You will also find beautiful houses, a cute fish market dating back to the 1920s and the imposing 18th-century Església del Carme. What more could you want?
Relax by the ocean at Cala Turqueta
The island is home to a series of unspoilt coves. If you don’t know what to do in Menorca, you can always visit one of them. The locals cherish the island’s wild character and have recently created a series of protected areas that occupy about half of the island’s surface and also embrace the unspoilt beaches. Cala Turqueta is one of the most beautiful, a tongue of fine white sand set between lush limestone cliffs and crystal clear waters. The destination is popular: you’d better move early if you want to avoid the crowds.
Discover Talatí de Dalt
Of the many Talayotic sites around Mahón, Talatí de Dalt, with its rustic ruins, is the one that stands out the most. It is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in Menorca. Partially enclosed by cyclopean walls, the site contains an imposing taula, a T-shaped megalithic structure formed by two enormous stones within a circular boundary. Three underground chambers complete the complex. The location surrounded by greenery makes the place enchanting: olive and carob trees populate the area, while a tribe of wild boar rummages in the undergrowth. A paradise for budding archaeologists.
Visit Cap de Favàritx
Have you ever experienced the feeling of being at the edge of the world? If the answer is no, the destination for you is Cap de Favàritx. The road crosses a wide valley and meanders between jagged hills. The landscape becomes increasingly barren and the greenery gives way to bare rocks interrupted by sporadic succulents. When we reach the promontory, even these give way. The lighthouse illuminates a bare, vaguely lunar landscape of thick layers of friable slate. The view of the coast is spectacular, and if you feel like taking a walk, you can choose the road that runs alongside the adjacent rocks.
Conquer the highest point in Menorca
Climbing Monte Toro is one of the best experiences Menorca has to offer for those with steady feet and no fear of heights. From the top, you can expect unparalleled views of the island. In the 13th century, a sanctuary was erected here to house a statue of the Virgin, the Verge del Toro. Monte Toro has been a pilgrimage destination ever since. If you are lucky enough to visit it on the first Sunday in May, you will be able to witness the highlight of the ceremony: the Festa de la Verge del Toro, usually inaugurated with a special mass on the summit, continues with the descent of the faithful on their knees towards Es Mercadal.
Explore the streets of Ciutadella
Do you have a soft spot for towns with old-world charm? Perhaps criss-crossed by narrow cobbled streets and lined with charming little churches and beautiful stone façades? Then Ciutadella is just right for you. Its small centre has mostly escaped modern progress. Its cobbled streets are lined with fine old mansions and a series of Gothic and Baroque churches in the grand Spanish tradition. An ambitious renovation programme has breathed new life into the centre: most of the old stone façades have been restored to their original honey colour.
Visit an inland market town
While you’re on the island, don’t miss one of the pleasant inland market towns, choose between Migjorn Gran, Es Mercadal and Ferreries. These little gems have escaped the clutches of progress, whether by accident or by choice, and house buildings dating back to the 18th century.
Stay in a resort
One of Menorca’s most popular destinations is Cala Galdana, a thriving but still manageable resort located beneath towering cliffs populated by pine forests. Despite the presence of new buildings of all sizes, the beach and the small rocky promontory still retain their charm. In the mood for some healthy physical activity? Here you can rent equipment for a wide range of water sports, from pedal boats to jet skis, from surfboards to fins and snorkelling goggles.
Stay in a fabulous finca
Looking for a unique place to enjoy a well-deserved rest? The Balearic Islands are dotted with old stone fincas (farmhouses), many of which have been converted into holiday homes and hotels. The larger ones are actually attractions in their own right, but most offer high-end accommodation. A good example is the Hotel Biniarroca, near Sant Lluís. The charm of staying in a finca lies partly in the solidity and simplicity of its architecture.