12 Reasons Why You Need To Visit Menorca

Stashed away behind Mallorca’s crowded beaches and Ibiza’s boisterous night clubs is the lesser known, laidback sister island of Menorca. Oozing with character, Menorca has a lot to offer its visitors; from pristine, untouched blankets of sandy beaches in the north to a Santorini-esque fishing village and myriad turquoise blue coves in the South. If the above hasn’t convinced you already, here are 12 reasons why Menorca is the perfect beach holiday that deserves to be added to your travel list and I promise you’ll be craving for a slice of Menorca by the end of this post. 

You are guaranteed a low key, laidback holiday

Come to Menorca for the beaches, the vibe and some much needed R&R; don’t come here for the partying and clubbing scene, unlike its sister islands. Menorca is a small, lazy island with so much to do, with very little effort required. In proper Spanish siesta style, you can sunbathe for hours under the Menorcan sun at one of hundreds of coves dotted along the coast or enjoy some tapas and cana at a little day long open chiringuito. If you’re really looking to get away from the crowds and enjoy some quiet time, head to the calas in the north. Apart from the thrashing waves and some jaunty hikers along the Cami de Cavalls, there’s only tranquility to be enjoyed miles away from human existence.

Tickle your tastebuds to some amazing gastronomy

Spanish cuisine is undoubtedly enjoyed all across the globe. Menorca’s food scene is no disappointment for the gourmand in you. Menorca adds some of its local specialities like the Mahon Cheese and sobrasada to the already flavor bursting palate of Spanish cuisine. Being an island, seafood is always a winner here.

It’s a wine connoisseur’s paradise

Menorcan wine may not be popular outside of the island but it sure does give the Spanish Rioja a run for its money. The island is clad in parts with fecund vineyards of ripe, plump grapes waiting to be churned into wine. Some of the most famous wineries include Binifadet and Binitord. Bodegas Binifadet is probably the most visited and revered by tourists. The winery runs tastings and wine tours which can be booked online. They have a spectacular variety of wines to their belt- red, white, rose and sparkling- the Merluzo was a personal favourite. You can also book a table for lunch or dinner if you miss out on their tours. They serve half glasses which are perfect to glug down with some of their scrumptious dishes.

If wine doesn’t tickle your fancy, the island also produces gin. There are gin distilleries in Son Xoriguer and Mahon.

Hike your way around the island

The island of Menorca is served by its very own hiking trail called Cami de Cavalls (literally translating to Path of Horses and occasionally you may spot a horse or two). The Cami de Cavalls is a 185 km long circular trail looping around the island, meandering through coves and beaches along the coast. The northern part of the trail (Tramontana) is hilly, rugged terrain with low lying shrubbery and the South (Migjorn) is blanketed in thick pine forests. The trail can be made into a holiday of its own allowing enthusiastic hikers and cyclists alike to discover numerous beaches and coves along the way.

It’s prefect for watersport enthusiasts

Menorca’s myriad coves and undulating coastline present great opportunities for watersports. If you’re one for the adventurous thrill on a holiday, you will not be disappointed with the array of choice. Snorkelling is popular all over and there are even shops in the popular resort areas selling snorkel gear. The marine life is thriving and both snorkeling and diving are popular sports. Kayaking, SUP and sailing are also popular options. You can even hire a small boat for a day without a licence and sail around the south. The north being less tame is popular for surfing and sailing on bigger boats like a catamaran with a skipper on board. Several tourists come to the island solely for the purpose of adventure seeking.

There’s no shortage of instagrammable locations

Wherever you go in Menorca, you are surrounded by the most beautiful shade of blue. Menorca has a plethora of picturesque beaches to boast of. Some of the most popular beaches in the South are home to the bluest waters and garner crowds of sun seekers.The south west strip of popular calas- Mitjana, Galdana, Macarella, Turqueta et al are some of the most pictured beaches. It’s not just the beaches though, the cities of Mahon and Ciutadella offer some pastel hued buildings and narrow lanes that capture stunners. Binibeca Vell, a small fishing village in the South East has a character of its own, akin to Santorini but with its own style. The village is awash with whitewashed architecture and stone clad narrow streets criss-crossing through a residential community. Some historical sites, like Lithica, a former sandstone quarry, are also picture worthy.

You can indulge in agrotourism

Menorca’s rural landscape is sprawling with agrotouristic B&B’s and hotels, giving you a taste (quite literally) of the countryside. The farm to table concept has been trending in the last few years and agrotouristic properties are enabling this. Visitors get to have an authentic countryside experience- something a little different from the usual holiday. Being a small island, it’s quite common to see tourists choose to stay at an agrotourism property and spend a large chunk of their day at the beach or one of the popular towns.

You get to be a land explorer

Menorca is largely virgin and there are several areas that are yet to be explored here, specifically around the north and the centre. The northern part of Menorca is often wild and undeveloped, albeit for a few fishing villages. There are beaches and unchartered territories, often rocky, quieter and secluded, yet to be explored. The centre is a mix of rural and industrial with a few spots like Mt Toro to hike up to and sink in the low lying landscape of terracotta, buff and blue.

Discover the rich history and culture of this little island

Menorca is culturally and historically rich, with Mediterranean, Spanish and English influences. Several archaeological sites are speckled across the island giving an insight into its previous conquests. Both major towns- Ciutadella and Mahon have historic points of interest and Mahon is home to the Menorca Museum- a must visit for any history buff! The ancient burial chambers Naveta dels Tudons adjacent to Ciutadella are also a must see. The languages spoken in Menorca include “Castellano”, spoken widely in Spain and the regional Catalan dialect of Menorca.

There are some special souvenirs to take back home

Shopping for souvenirs is a must when visiting any destination and Menorca has some memorable ones that will want you coming back for more. Local culinary specialities like sobrasada, wine and gin are often suitcase staples along with the curious octagonal boxes of ensaimadas (a local delight made with water, sugar, eggs and lard) that you will see tourists lugging around. Menorca is known for its confectionary and pastries.

Avarcas de Menorca are shoes made locally, usually with leather and sold in shop lined streets in Mahon and Ciutadella. Ciutadella port hosts a night market selling artisanal jewellery, clothes and other curios as well.

It is a UNESCO biosphere reserve

Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve since 1993, Menorca’s diverse ecosystems are home to over 200 species of birds and over 1000 different plants. It’s safe to say that the island is a nature lover’s paradise and walking through the diverse rural landscapes across the north, south and centre, you learn how well conserved and ecologically significant it is. S’Albufera des Grau is a notable part of the biosphere reserve; a water marsh harboring a wide variety of bird species. Sustainable development and tourism is a very important part of life here and as tourists, it is important to encourage and support this.

It’s got amazing weather pretty much all year round

The average temperatures are about 17 degree Celsius and the island enjoys some toasty twenties from April all the way to October, making it not just a summer holiday but also a potential spring or autumn break.

Menorca embodies a striking, diverse landscape with a rich history and culture. It’s an easy destination that promises a lot to anyone looking for a quiet holiday away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s safe to say that Menorca has got a little something for everyone and everyone finds something they love here.