Menorca - tips and suggestions
Discussion
Over the past 5 years we've done either Ibiza or Mallorca as our sunshine abroad holiday. Next year we're off to Ibiza for a wedding so that's out as a main destination, and we got a call from sister-in-law yesterday asking if we fancied going with them to Menorca in May half term.
I know nothing about the island so wondered if anyone had tips for best resorts/ beaches to stay around? We would be getting a villa (9 of us) and hiring cars.
Also - flight prices seem extortionate at the moment (although it would be half term and it is a way off). Is it an expensive place to fly to?
I know nothing about the island so wondered if anyone had tips for best resorts/ beaches to stay around? We would be getting a villa (9 of us) and hiring cars.
Also - flight prices seem extortionate at the moment (although it would be half term and it is a way off). Is it an expensive place to fly to?
Not as many flights into Menorca so flight prices will be higher as demand rises. Only ever paid about £120 or so return as booked early and not during school holidays. Generally a quieter, more laid back island than the other two, majority of tourists are British. May should be fairly quiet as its the start of the season with weather like the other islands.
As for resorts, it all depends what you want but I'm biased towards Cala Galdana on the south coast. It can be a busy resort in peak times but quite picturesque and sitting in a horse shoe cove with good beaches. About 30 minutes from the airport. Good choice of villas but pricing has risen steeply over the past couple of years sadly.
As for resorts, it all depends what you want but I'm biased towards Cala Galdana on the south coast. It can be a busy resort in peak times but quite picturesque and sitting in a horse shoe cove with good beaches. About 30 minutes from the airport. Good choice of villas but pricing has risen steeply over the past couple of years sadly.
+1 for Cala Galdana. It gets very crowded though. There's a walk from there towards the west along the cliffs through a pine forest to the next beach which is quieter.
Son Bou is the longest beach on the island and with a bit of a hike from the car park it's possible to find a quiet spot, another nice beach is Cala Santandria on the west coast and that has a cave bar half carved out of the rock which is well worth a visit. Fornells in the north is where the best restaurants are IMO.
Quick highlights - Take the boat trip round Mahon harbour, go and see the wild rocky Albufura coast and spend a morning wandering round Cuitadella old town.
Nice island - my favorite out of the Balearics.
Son Bou is the longest beach on the island and with a bit of a hike from the car park it's possible to find a quiet spot, another nice beach is Cala Santandria on the west coast and that has a cave bar half carved out of the rock which is well worth a visit. Fornells in the north is where the best restaurants are IMO.
Quick highlights - Take the boat trip round Mahon harbour, go and see the wild rocky Albufura coast and spend a morning wandering round Cuitadella old town.
Nice island - my favorite out of the Balearics.
It's an Island I know very well thanks to my parents owning a place there during my youth. I actually went back last year and it's still a beautiful quiet place, although a draw to families who just want to enjoy the coastal hotels and good weather. Most places are for that purpose, but do it well. Don't expect too many fine cuisine options but most resorts have plenty of restaurants and bars. I can recommend Cala'n Bosch as a resort, Arenal d'en Castell for a lovely beach, Binibeca for a day trip, Monte Toro (highest place on the island and worth a look for the view) plus Fornells, Son Bou and Cuitadella (Old capital) for a shop / harbour lunch (bit pricey though). You'll have to hire a car to visit some of the above if day trips are your thing.
It's not terribly warm in May.
The best beaches are in the coves along the South coast - Cala Trebaluger, Cala Macarella, Cala Mitjana, Cala Turqueta are best. Avoid Son Bou, Binibeca and Cala Galdana
On the north coast, Cala Tirant and Es Grau are nice beaches - and good for sailing/water sports. If you want to some dinghy sailing, the Fornells lagoon is very good. There's a decent dinghy charter place at Ses Salinas at the southern end of the lagoon, just off the Fornells road
There used to be a really good fish restaurant on the cliffs overlooking Es Grau and Es Pla on the quayside in Fornells is fantastic (although, note that they will cancel your booking at the drop of a hat if - as they do several times each summer - the Spanish Royal family decide to turn up.)
The best beaches are in the coves along the South coast - Cala Trebaluger, Cala Macarella, Cala Mitjana, Cala Turqueta are best. Avoid Son Bou, Binibeca and Cala Galdana
On the north coast, Cala Tirant and Es Grau are nice beaches - and good for sailing/water sports. If you want to some dinghy sailing, the Fornells lagoon is very good. There's a decent dinghy charter place at Ses Salinas at the southern end of the lagoon, just off the Fornells road
There used to be a really good fish restaurant on the cliffs overlooking Es Grau and Es Pla on the quayside in Fornells is fantastic (although, note that they will cancel your booking at the drop of a hat if - as they do several times each summer - the Spanish Royal family decide to turn up.)
ClaphamGT3 advice is pretty much spot on if I can just add that there's a Restaurant at the top of El Toro which is the highest point on the Island by some margin. The views are excellent and the road up and down can be "fun" if you know them well! I'm unable to recommend the Restaurant having never dined there but it's worth a trip up there nonetheless.
OP Andre, thanks for the thread resurrection. I’d totally forgotten all about it. We’re actually all off to Mallorca this August, albeit not staying together.
Menorca is still on the shortlist for future, especially since Mrs SB has seen it on Below Deck Sailing Yacht (along with Sardinia, which also looks great but no direct flights from oop north).
Menorca is still on the shortlist for future, especially since Mrs SB has seen it on Below Deck Sailing Yacht (along with Sardinia, which also looks great but no direct flights from oop north).
P2KKA said:
If you do have a car hired, go up the mountain at night. The Mrs and I were at the hotel (which turned out to be awful) bored out of our minds and I suggested it. We got up the top about 9-10 pm and it was deserted. Amazing views day or night but immense stargazing.
Will be hiring a car for a couple days while out there for some site seeing so may well give it a go. Tried to book a stargazing evening but the fella took weeks to respond to any emails so gave up. Thanks for the tip
Hey I’ve been to menorca a few times.
I would hire a car for a few days and visit some of the more quieter beaches and land marks.
There are some amazing coves and secluded beaches in menorca. There is a day boat trip from Ciutadella that visits a few beaches which I thought was a good day out.
Most restaurants seem to be pretty good but better ones after off the main strips or around little fishing towns like Fornells.
The island is a lot more quiet than the neighbouring islands which we love so evening are spent reading / playing cars with a nice drink ??
Just to add there was a Little Rock jumping area we found called Cala en brut which was fun. The local go there at night and jump in the pitch black which is a little scary !!
I would hire a car for a few days and visit some of the more quieter beaches and land marks.
There are some amazing coves and secluded beaches in menorca. There is a day boat trip from Ciutadella that visits a few beaches which I thought was a good day out.
Most restaurants seem to be pretty good but better ones after off the main strips or around little fishing towns like Fornells.
The island is a lot more quiet than the neighbouring islands which we love so evening are spent reading / playing cars with a nice drink ??
Just to add there was a Little Rock jumping area we found called Cala en brut which was fun. The local go there at night and jump in the pitch black which is a little scary !!
Edited by sunnygym on Tuesday 4th July 12:08
I can't give any up to date advice, but my parents took me and my sister to the Balearics many times during the 90's and early 00's..
I particularly remember Menorca being a really nice holiday and as it turns out, it was Cala Galdana where we stayed. The horseshoe beach was amazing as a kid, I remember paddling an inflatable dinghy from end to end as it was only waist-deep quite a while.. We stayed in one of the apartment hotels about 5 minutes from the beach, I remember it being up a load of steps and the room had a view out one side towards the bay.
I'm not really into beach holidays now that I travel alone but I think I'd consider going back there for a relaxing break / nostalgia, rent a bike and ride round the island...
I particularly remember Menorca being a really nice holiday and as it turns out, it was Cala Galdana where we stayed. The horseshoe beach was amazing as a kid, I remember paddling an inflatable dinghy from end to end as it was only waist-deep quite a while.. We stayed in one of the apartment hotels about 5 minutes from the beach, I remember it being up a load of steps and the room had a view out one side towards the bay.
I'm not really into beach holidays now that I travel alone but I think I'd consider going back there for a relaxing break / nostalgia, rent a bike and ride round the island...
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