Discussion
Hi all,
Wife has booked a family holiday to Spain in a few weeks, Menorca for 7 days just wondered if people had recommendations of things to see and do, I've only ever been to Madrid for football or Barca with SEAT/Cupra.
Well have a 12 year old and 2 year old with us, still weighing up whether to hire a car or not, most online come out at about £400 for the week.
I like to see any WW1/WW2 history sites, the 2 year old loves planes/cars/motorbikes/tractors but the 12 year old just wants to play in the pool or on his Nintendo/Youtube. The wife isn't as mobile as she once was so any kind of hikes etc are probably off the cards.
Were staying in what seems to be the north of the island near Son Parc.
Wife has booked a family holiday to Spain in a few weeks, Menorca for 7 days just wondered if people had recommendations of things to see and do, I've only ever been to Madrid for football or Barca with SEAT/Cupra.
Well have a 12 year old and 2 year old with us, still weighing up whether to hire a car or not, most online come out at about £400 for the week.
I like to see any WW1/WW2 history sites, the 2 year old loves planes/cars/motorbikes/tractors but the 12 year old just wants to play in the pool or on his Nintendo/Youtube. The wife isn't as mobile as she once was so any kind of hikes etc are probably off the cards.
Were staying in what seems to be the north of the island near Son Parc.
There aren't any WW1 or WW2 sites. However there are a fair few deserted American Cold War sites which you'll need a car to find and you'll need to do some research as there doesn't seem to be a list of locations. A must visit is La Mola across the harbour from Mahon it's History spans the 1700s to the Cold War and you can more or less go where you want.
Menorca is a cracking little island and will be so much more enjoyable with a car.
Mahon, the island's capital was home port to Nelson's Mediterranean fleet Nd is rich in the architecture and history of the Napoleonic war period - this is also shot through the rest of the island.
Cuidadella, the city at the western end of the island is also lovely and a little older in history. It also has, in my view, the nicer restaurants along the old harbour.
Close to where you are staying, there is a lovely little fishing village called Fornells that is well worth a visit. It has some amazing fish restaurants - the best two being Es Port and Es Cranc. The best one used to be Es Pla on the quayside but I am not sure it is still open.
Fornells sits on a large natural harbour/lagoon and at its southerly end in a village called Sas Selinas there is a very good sailing/windsurfing school if you and your 12 year-old are interested.
The nicest beach on the north side of the island, in my view, is Cala Tirant. Just west of Fornells, its up a rather bumpy farm track and only accessible by car, which keeps the numbers down.
To the east of Fornells and Son Parc, there are two other good beaches on the north coast, Canada Mesquida and Cala Es Grau, the latter also having a fantastic fish restaurant, the name of which escapes me.
The best beaches are on the southern side of the island in secluded coves. I think the best are Cala Mitjana, Cala Trebaluger, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta. Bear in mind that these, by their nature, don't have too many facilities, so take drinks/a picnic. Avoid Son Bou, Cala Galdana and Binibeca which are over-developed tourist traps.
Others have picked up on the cold War sites but for aircraft, your best bet is the Menorca aero club at the old airport. You'll find it on the road between Mahon and St Louis near the Hippodrome
Enjoy!
Mahon, the island's capital was home port to Nelson's Mediterranean fleet Nd is rich in the architecture and history of the Napoleonic war period - this is also shot through the rest of the island.
Cuidadella, the city at the western end of the island is also lovely and a little older in history. It also has, in my view, the nicer restaurants along the old harbour.
Close to where you are staying, there is a lovely little fishing village called Fornells that is well worth a visit. It has some amazing fish restaurants - the best two being Es Port and Es Cranc. The best one used to be Es Pla on the quayside but I am not sure it is still open.
Fornells sits on a large natural harbour/lagoon and at its southerly end in a village called Sas Selinas there is a very good sailing/windsurfing school if you and your 12 year-old are interested.
The nicest beach on the north side of the island, in my view, is Cala Tirant. Just west of Fornells, its up a rather bumpy farm track and only accessible by car, which keeps the numbers down.
To the east of Fornells and Son Parc, there are two other good beaches on the north coast, Canada Mesquida and Cala Es Grau, the latter also having a fantastic fish restaurant, the name of which escapes me.
The best beaches are on the southern side of the island in secluded coves. I think the best are Cala Mitjana, Cala Trebaluger, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta. Bear in mind that these, by their nature, don't have too many facilities, so take drinks/a picnic. Avoid Son Bou, Cala Galdana and Binibeca which are over-developed tourist traps.
Others have picked up on the cold War sites but for aircraft, your best bet is the Menorca aero club at the old airport. You'll find it on the road between Mahon and St Louis near the Hippodrome
Enjoy!
Just returned from a week in Menorca yesterday. Staying in a villa on the south of the island.
Please hire a car, your holiday will be so much better if you intend to head out for lunch/dinner/exploring local towns and villages. We had to hire a car seat too (son is 3), we spoke to local companies who would drop off for 50€, but a call to the hire car place we got the car from (gobycar) quoted 67€ for the week, so to save the hassle we just went with that.
Plenty of sun cream and sun hats for the kids, the weather was fabulous! Based on your hotel board; if you plan to go out for food, it’s a good idea to prebook restaurants as they can get busy quickly, for lunch most shut at 2.30-3pm then reopen 7-7.30, as we had the little one 7pm dinner bookings were ideal. They really fill up between 8-9pm.
There are lots of pre-historic sites on Menorca too if that’s something of interest to you. But days by the pool are great too.
Enjoy!
Please hire a car, your holiday will be so much better if you intend to head out for lunch/dinner/exploring local towns and villages. We had to hire a car seat too (son is 3), we spoke to local companies who would drop off for 50€, but a call to the hire car place we got the car from (gobycar) quoted 67€ for the week, so to save the hassle we just went with that.
Plenty of sun cream and sun hats for the kids, the weather was fabulous! Based on your hotel board; if you plan to go out for food, it’s a good idea to prebook restaurants as they can get busy quickly, for lunch most shut at 2.30-3pm then reopen 7-7.30, as we had the little one 7pm dinner bookings were ideal. They really fill up between 8-9pm.
There are lots of pre-historic sites on Menorca too if that’s something of interest to you. But days by the pool are great too.
Enjoy!
Edited by PD9 on Saturday 20th July 10:18
The car was included as part of our trip, so we hired the seat separately at that price. We had a Renault Capture. One large case (30kgs) in the boot along with our hand luggage and the other large case in the back seat.
With 20kg cases in a Leon with 4 people (inc car seat) in the car may be a squeeze. But you may be able to get 3 in the boot and one on one of the back seats. They’ll be in the hotel for the remainder of the trip anyway so may be okay.
With 20kg cases in a Leon with 4 people (inc car seat) in the car may be a squeeze. But you may be able to get 3 in the boot and one on one of the back seats. They’ll be in the hotel for the remainder of the trip anyway so may be okay.
PD9 said:
With 20kg cases in a Leon with 4 people (inc car seat) in the car may be a squeeze. But you may be able to get 3 in the boot and one on one of the back seats. They’ll be in the hotel for the remainder of the trip anyway so may be okay.
Yeh thats what I'm planning, its only two trips that we need the cases. ClaphamGT3 said:
Menorca is a cracking little island and will be so much more enjoyable with a car.
Mahon, the island's capital was home port to Nelson's Mediterranean fleet Nd is rich in the architecture and history of the Napoleonic war period - this is also shot through the rest of the island.
Cuidadella, the city at the western end of the island is also lovely and a little older in history. It also has, in my view, the nicer restaurants along the old harbour.
Close to where you are staying, there is a lovely little fishing village called Fornells that is well worth a visit. It has some amazing fish restaurants - the best two being Es Port and Es Cranc. The best one used to be Es Pla on the quayside but I am not sure it is still open.
Fornells sits on a large natural harbour/lagoon and at its southerly end in a village called Sas Selinas there is a very good sailing/windsurfing school if you and your 12 year-old are interested.
The nicest beach on the north side of the island, in my view, is Cala Tirant. Just west of Fornells, its up a rather bumpy farm track and only accessible by car, which keeps the numbers down.
To the east of Fornells and Son Parc, there are two other good beaches on the north coast, Canada Mesquida and Cala Es Grau, the latter also having a fantastic fish restaurant, the name of which escapes me.
The best beaches are on the southern side of the island in secluded coves. I think the best are Cala Mitjana, Cala Trebaluger, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta. Bear in mind that these, by their nature, don't have too many facilities, so take drinks/a picnic. Avoid Son Bou, Cala Galdana and Binibeca which are over-developed tourist traps.
Others have picked up on the cold War sites but for aircraft, your best bet is the Menorca aero club at the old airport. You'll find it on the road between Mahon and St Louis near the Hippodrome
Enjoy!
Clapham has it nailed here. Menorca is a wonderful island and very family oriented. Inland we have eaten in the restaurants of Es Mercedal and enjoyed each time. Having children with you will be a bonus as they’re always welcomed from what I’ve seen.Mahon, the island's capital was home port to Nelson's Mediterranean fleet Nd is rich in the architecture and history of the Napoleonic war period - this is also shot through the rest of the island.
Cuidadella, the city at the western end of the island is also lovely and a little older in history. It also has, in my view, the nicer restaurants along the old harbour.
Close to where you are staying, there is a lovely little fishing village called Fornells that is well worth a visit. It has some amazing fish restaurants - the best two being Es Port and Es Cranc. The best one used to be Es Pla on the quayside but I am not sure it is still open.
Fornells sits on a large natural harbour/lagoon and at its southerly end in a village called Sas Selinas there is a very good sailing/windsurfing school if you and your 12 year-old are interested.
The nicest beach on the north side of the island, in my view, is Cala Tirant. Just west of Fornells, its up a rather bumpy farm track and only accessible by car, which keeps the numbers down.
To the east of Fornells and Son Parc, there are two other good beaches on the north coast, Canada Mesquida and Cala Es Grau, the latter also having a fantastic fish restaurant, the name of which escapes me.
The best beaches are on the southern side of the island in secluded coves. I think the best are Cala Mitjana, Cala Trebaluger, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta. Bear in mind that these, by their nature, don't have too many facilities, so take drinks/a picnic. Avoid Son Bou, Cala Galdana and Binibeca which are over-developed tourist traps.
Others have picked up on the cold War sites but for aircraft, your best bet is the Menorca aero club at the old airport. You'll find it on the road between Mahon and St Louis near the Hippodrome
Enjoy!
Cala Galdana bay ok when not busy but We would walk along the cliffs to a naturist beach and swim there. There are many remote beaches that are wonderful but may be a tough walk with kiddies.
One easy walk is along the coast from Santo Tomas along to Son Bou and back.
Hire car is a must.
I’ve been lucky enough to have an apartment to use near Fornells for a month at a time in past.
Typing this makes me want to go back!
We've been to Menorca many times and there's some great advice above.
You must hire a car and explore as noted.
Lithica is a place we always recommend to people. Such a unique place to visit and both adults and kids love it:
https://lithica.es/en/
As long as you like meat, tie it in with a trip to Grill Es Caliu:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1...
You must hire a car and explore as noted.
Lithica is a place we always recommend to people. Such a unique place to visit and both adults and kids love it:
https://lithica.es/en/
As long as you like meat, tie it in with a trip to Grill Es Caliu:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1...
Menorca is lovely,where you are staying you can get to Ciutadella and Mahon easily enough with a car, both have loads of history and lots to see. If you head over to the south west side there are some amazing beaches like Cala Turqueta, where the colour of the water and sand is amazing, it does get busy and you need to bring food, drink etc. as there is nothing to buy there.
The local gin is a good refresher in the afternoon.
The local gin is a good refresher in the afternoon.
We went in really early June, stayed in Son Bou which was really quiet and I really liked it ( we had a lovely villa though).
We went to Fornells twice, hired a boat one day that was good fun and stress free!
There is decent food everywhere we had some great meals and its really easy to avoid the really touristy places.
I would not recommend the lighthouse near citudella (or however you spell it) naff and trying to be cool and really isnt!
El Forn is a great place to eat near Son Bou especially if you like steak.
We went to Fornells twice, hired a boat one day that was good fun and stress free!
There is decent food everywhere we had some great meals and its really easy to avoid the really touristy places.
I would not recommend the lighthouse near citudella (or however you spell it) naff and trying to be cool and really isnt!
El Forn is a great place to eat near Son Bou especially if you like steak.
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