Its bigger Balearic neighbor of Majorca may gain more of the spotlight, but Menorca in Spain is a true jewel of the Mediterranean. Without the huge resorts attracting the party crowds, Menorca has stunning beaches and a rich cultural menu for visitors to enjoy.
For a European vacation to remember, here are the most fun things to do in Menorca. Bon voyage!
Visiting the Beach is One of the Essential Things to Do in Menorca
If you love virgin beaches, there are few places in Spain and its islands that offers such charms as Menorca. These beautiful beaches are dotted all around the island. Some are difficult to reach but that’s part of the fun and very few have any facilities.
These are just a few of the best beaches that offer a real escape:
Cala Fustam: A soft, fine white sandy beach on the southern coast. Almost always deserted, even in summer, it’s a little paradise.
Sa Torreta: On the east coast, this beach is a crescent of white sand with lovely rock pools to explore.
Cala Pilar: This northern coast beach is a wonderful palette of red sand, aquamarine water, and dark green pine forest.
If you prefer company and facilities, the most popular beaches of Menorca include Cala Galdana, Son Saura, Cala Turqeta, and Son Bau.
Commune with Mother Nature at S’Albufera des Grau
Menorca was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993 and the Albufera Natural Park des Grau in the northeast is the core of the reserve.
Lying a few kilometers from the island’s capital, Mahon, the park covers a major wetland area, a lagoon, and the marine reserve along the stretch of coast from Es Grau to Favàritx which also includes five small islands.
Visitors can enjoy over 50 square kilometers of cliffs, dunes, marshland, and forest which is home to wonderful flora and fauna including 50 different species of birds. There’s also a visitor center.
Soak Up Some Culture in the Old Town
Although the capital Mahon is a mix of ancient and modern, it’s the old, original capital of Ciutadella where the true heritage of the island is most evident. Located on the western tip, it is top of the list of places to see in Menorca.
The Old Town is characterized by its antique Mediterranean-style architecture with its quaint and winding cobbled lanes, picturesque and elegant whitewashed buildings, and charming plazas.
The port city is anchored by its main square, the Plaça des Born. Its main attractions are the 19th-century palaces of Torre-Saura and Salort and the Gothic-style City Hall. But the jewel is surely the Santa Maria de Ciutadella. This 14th-century cathedral features the stunning baroque-style Chapel of Souls and a huge marble altar.
You won’t find in Menorca house for sale in Ciutadella very often but it would be a wonderful place to live.
Menorca—A True Holiday Island
The things to do in Menorca will keep everybody happy on a one or two week vacation. This idyllic little island is a Mediterranean paradise with beaches for serious R&R and plenty of attractions and adventures for those who like an active vacation.
If you want more great vacation ideas, check out more in our travel section!