The four main islands, Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera, attract tens of thousands of families, couples and singles every year.  Ibiza has a reputation as a ‘party island’ and Majorca is top choice for families and golfers.

Menorca is not as commercially developed and is smaller, but it does have plenty to offer and because of its reputation for being unspoilt, many consider the island of Menorca to be far and away the best of the Balearics.

Son Xoriguer, Menorca, Spain by Freebird

6 Great Reasons to Visit Menorca This Year

Relaxation

Unlike its sister island, Ibiza, a week spent in Menorca will not involve falling out of thumping bars and clubs as the sun rises, rather worse for wear after sinking twenty-five shots of Jaeger bomb.  Although not quite as unspoilt as Formentera, Menorca still has a reputation for being the quieter island, which makes it perfect for anyone who prefers chilling out as opposed to dancing the night away and unlike Formentera, there are still plenty of other things to do if the mood takes you.

Beaches

Menorca is blessed with more than its fair share of beaches and with more than two hundred beaches dotted around the coast to choose from, sun-seekers come to the island for the opportunity to lie in the hot Mediterranean sun, far from the madding crowds typically found on the crowded sands of Majorca and Ibiza.  All of the beaches on Menorca are worth visiting, but one of the best beaches on the island is Cala Pregonda.  A stunning stretch of sand in the protected north of the island, Cala Pregonda is easily accessible by foot and although the beach lacks any modern facilities such as cafes and restaurants, it more than makes up for this with its idyllic location.  It does however attract nudists, so be warned: clothing is entirely optional!

Menorca coastline, Spain by Freebird

Dramatic Coastline

Menorca is famous for its rugged coastline and the towering limestone cliffs bordered by spectacular sandy beaches are stunningly beautiful.  The northern half of the island is the most dramatic and the section of coast between Punta Nati and Cala Carbó is particularly beautiful; the limestone cliffs loom over small coves and red sandy beaches, creating an idyllic setting.  To the east, the famous lighthouse of Cavalleria sits atop the highest cliffs on the island, which afford some spectacular views.

Culture

Menorca has a lot more to offer than fabulous beaches and perfect weather and keen historians will be able to spend their entire holiday exploring ancient stone monuments dating back to 2000 BC.  Many of the ancient settlements on the island are highly accessible.  Talatí del Dalt is only 4 km from the capital of Menorca, Maó and is well worth a visit; as is the capital, Maó, which has some fine examples of Georgian architecture dating back to the 18th century.

Talatí del Dalt, Menorca, Spain by David Font Mampel

Explore the Island on Foot

Menorca is relatively small compared to Majorca and Ibiza and thanks to the completion of a coastal pathway, known as the Camí de Cavalls, it is possible to circumnavigate a large part of the island on foot if you are feeling energetic.

The Camí de Cavalls is divided up into handy sections, each of which are about 10km long and of varying terrain.  The path is well signposted and is also suitable for mountain bikers and horse riders.  There are also a large number of other scenic footpaths along old bridleways and tracks snaking through the countryside, and even during the height of summer, it is possible to head out for a peaceful walk without seeing meeting any traffic or other people.

Back to Nature

Thanks to its plethora of important flowers, plants and animals, Menorca is a UNESCO classified biosphere reserve.

The island is great for bird watching and if you are lucky you could catch a glimpse of red kites, booted eagles, Egyptian vultures, peregrines, warblers and even osprey. The best place for watching birds is the S’Albufera des Grau Park, which is a short trip from Maó; there are several walking trails meandering through the wetlands, plus a few bird watching hides interspersed around.

If you have been looking for somewhere amazing to spend your holidays Menorca is a fantastic choice!

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alejandro Sánchez Marcos

S’Albufera des Grau Nature Park

Whilst Menorca is certainly the lesser visited of the Balearic Islands, during the summer months the number of visitors naturally increases. Escape the busy resort beaches for a day and relish in the natural beauty of the island’s only nature park. The network of wetlands, coastline and farmland welcomes a wide variety of both flora and fauna and a visit here will be sure to keep you at ease with the world. A lighthouse is found at the northern end of the park and a trip to the top will afford unbeatable views over hidden beaches and rocky coves.

Sant Lluis

One of the fastest growing yet traditional towns in Menorca, Sant Lluis, surrounded by picturesque countryside, makes for a great day trip. On your approach the huge traditional windmill will capture your attention so pull up and venture inside. The streets are chock a bloc with inviting pastry shops, the perfect stop for a tasty mid-morning snack, interspersed with small intriguing shops. The impressive church, Eglesia de Sant Lluis, is also deserving of a visit.

Ciutadella

The other main city of Menorca and the old capital, Ciutadella is located on the western coast of the island. A visit here will be particularly enthralling for anyone with an interest in history, as many buildings erected during the 17th century populate the old town. Be sure to stop by at the Castell Sant Nicolas, an old defence tower come exhibition gallery with the best views of the sunset, and the Cathedral; a stunning building that was originally a mosque before it was rebuilt in 1287. The picture perfect port area is the ideal setting for a long and relaxing lunch or dinner at one of the numerous fish restaurants.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Freebird

Somni Dancing Horses

Although not a full day trip, the Somni Dancing Horses are not to be missed. Menorca has long had associations with horses and is in fact famous for its own breed of black horses. Make your way to the stables on the road to Cala Galdana and you can enjoy an unmissable night that will show you the legends and traditions of Menorca whilst you enjoy a mix of equestrian arts and fantasy! After the show, you can often take a walk around the stables and paddocks and get up close to the horses and foals.

There is much to be enjoyed in Mahon itself and across the island of Menorca and this is just a selection of some of the best day trips you can enjoy during your holiday.

Bio: Kerri Ware is a travel blogger and writes for Economy Car Hire, a car hire broker offering great deals for car hire across Europe and beyond. Follow us on Twitter @economycarhire.

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Menorca boasts several “Best”, it is not only the second largest and geologically the oldest island of the Balearic Island, but also the easternmost and northernmost situated island. Covers an area of ​​702 km2, which is a mere fifth of Mallorca. From west to east is approximately 50 kilometres long and from south to north just 17 kilometres wide. In the north of the island there is the wild and unspoilt area called Tramuntana. South of the island known as Migiorn is characterized by reddish soil plains with snow-white beaches and rocky cliffs. Inland of the island is full of fields, pastures and picturesque villages where the time has stopped years ago. They are a far away from a lively tourist centers on the coast. Inland also houses the island’s highest peak, Monte Toro which is soaring to an altitude of 358 meters.

Many visitors of Menorca, talk about it as a “green island”. The green color is really typical for the island, lush green vegetation surrounding you at every step. This is due to high humidity. There are trees that managed to adapt to the quality of soil and climate. These are mainly oak, pine and wild olive trees. Along the roads you can see prickly pear or cactus figs. In addition, there are about 250 kinds of medicinal aromatic herbs and rare Menorca’s flowers Socarell and Daphne.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jaume Meneses

Green colour on Menorca is certainly the major, but not the only colour which the visitors encounter with here. The island is surrounded by azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea, warmed by the golden rays of the sun. There are red-brown rocks and along the coast you can see the villages with bright white houses.

Menorca has a rich history as well, in the past a number of nationalities have changed here, which left traces not only in architecture, gastronomy, nomenclature, but also in the style of life of local residents. So Menorca still retains its unique character and is quite different from the other Balearic islands. The Romans named it Balearis Menor, which means “small island”, which subsequently evolved the present name of Menorca.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Miguel Perez

Local residents are working hard to save the virgin nature on the island and preserve it for future generations. In 1991, almost half of the island has been declared a protected area, two years later has Menorca been even declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. As a result is a good balance between man and nature. On the island there are 19 protected areas under the highest level of protection. These areas are home to many animal species like small mammals, reptiles, insects and birds.

The construction of the high hotels is not allowed here and all accommodation structures have to meet certain standards. Thanks to it they all fit nicely into the landscape and does not affect its character. Menorca offers 60,000 hotel beds, which is in comparison with other tourist destinations very few. The number of tourists who can visit the island is so limited and hoteliers, of course, use this situation and raise the prices. All services on Menorca are significantly more expensive than in mainland Spain.

Coast of Menorca is very rugged, about 200 kilometres long and is made up of picturesque beaches, which are separated by rocky cliffs. Very interesting are the rocky bays having the shape of the fjord, a typical example is the area of ​​Cales Coves. The longest and of course the most popular beach on the island is a sandy beach Son Bou, reaching a length of over two kilometers. But will certainly find the beach that suits your needs and thoughts.

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