More about: 12 Best Things To Do in Menorca
The Balearic Islands are a part of the world that will impress even the most experienced traveller, and whether it's your first time in Menorca or a regular destination, the beauty of its coves and sunsets will always catch you off guard.
The charm of Menorca lies in the tranquillity and natural beauty of its coastline and the magic hidden in its interior. If you are planning a trip to this beautiful island, take a look at this list of what to see and do in Minorca, where you will find things to do in several of its corners.
1. Enjoy a boat trip along the coast of Menorca
If you want to experience the splendour of its crystal-clear, turquoise waters first-hand, I recommend that you also take a boat trip during the day or join an excursion that takes you to discover Menorca's hidden coves. Here is a list of the best boat trips in Menorca. Depending on where you are staying you can choose from different options as there are boat trips from Fornells, boat trips from Ciudadela, boat trips from Mahon and boat trips from Mahon, but you can also take a boat trip from smaller places like Cala Galdana
To discover the crystal clear waters
The coves in the south of Menorca are the best known: Macarella, Macarelleta, Mitjana or Trebalúger are surely already on your must-visit list (and if not, they should be). The best way to make the most of its turquoise waters away from the crowds of the beaches is to take a boat trip to the coves in the south.
Watching the sunset
When the sky turns orange and the sea becomes a melting pot of reflections from the last light of day, it's worth being in the right place to enjoy the spectacle. And there is no better place than in the middle of the sea, so a sunset boat trip along the southwest coast of Menorca will give you the best views of the island's coves and cliffs with an unbeatable natural filter.
To enjoy a day of relaxation on a catamaran
Another of the island's great plans is to explore its waters and marvellous coves on board a catamaran, where I assure you that time will stand still and you will take your holiday to another level. If you fancy a catamaran trip in Menorca, you have several options, depending on the route, the duration, etc. I tell you all about it in my article on how to take a catamaran trip in Menorca and, if you prefer, you also have the option of choosing a sailing boat as a boat to go around Menorca
2. Go on a Jeep safari around the island
The Sunset Jeep Safari Menorca experience has everything a trip to the jewel of the Balearic Islands should include: a drive inland, discovering forests, meadows, ravines where game birds live, and even the odd cliff, and a close-up of the sunset while enjoying organic produce from a nearby farm. An experience especially recommended for those travelling to Menorca with children, as they will be delighted with the adventure.
This is one of the best activities you can do in Menorca Thanks to it you will have access to private places of the island and therefore you will see things that the typical tourist will not be able to imagine, ending the day in a forest on the edge of a cliff to enjoy the sunset in all its splendour. If you are up for it and feel like doing the activity, you can check out this article with everything you need to know about the Jeep safari in Menorca.
3. Kayak along the Menorcan coastline
Another experience that you will always remember from your trip to Menorca is a kayak trip around the coves and sea caves of Menorca. This is an activity in which you can choose to tour the bay of Fornells and admire the Sargantana Island and its watchtower built by the British in the 19th century, or take a route along the cliffs and discover the Cueva de los Ingleses, a sea cave that is one of the best places for snorkelling in Minorca.
Precisely because of its combination of physical activity and an introduction to snorkelling, kayaking along the coast of Minorca is a very complete way to spend the morning, especially with the family.
4. Eat Menorca (literally)
In the last few years Menorca has been moving towards becoming a world reference for its gastronomy. Not only for its exquisite local products, but also for the creativity, high quality and professionalism of its chefs.
If you are thinking of going to Minorca on holiday, organise your lunches and dinners to make the most of its culinary delights. Initiatives such as Cómete Menorca make it easy for you: in its search engine you can choose the restaurant that best suits your tastes and needs: by location, menu, type of menu, etc. This way, making the right choice has never been so easy.
Join their gastronomic experiences
In addition to its magnificent search engine to choose the best restaurants in Menorca, you can join one of its exclusive experiences: whether you go alone, in a group or as a couple, there is an option for you.
On the Menorca Gourmet Tour, for example, a specialised guide will take you on a practically tailor-made gastronomic tour of the island in which you will visit the places where the typical products of Menorca are made, taste them and take home a product from each place you visit as a gift.
Take a traditional cooking class with a local chef
If you feel like getting down to work, there are also several options for a local cooking course, in small groups, in which you will be taught how to prepare the most delicious dishes and then, of course, you will have the opportunity to taste them. If you would like more information and prices for this and all the experiences offered by Cómete Menorca, you can write to them at info@cometemenorca.com or book through their website. Bon apetit!
5. Stroll through Binibèquer, a small village of white houses by the sea
Bathed by the waters of the south coast of Menorca, Binibèquer is a little fishing village of white houses where an almost magical peace reigns. The whole village has an aura of inexplicable harmony, added to the white colour that covers all its buildings and reflects the colours of the sun as the day goes by as if it were a canvas.
There are many things to do in Binibèquer or Binibeca and it is easy to get to. The village is only 10 kilometres from Mahón, but even if you're staying on the other side of the island it's worth spending the afternoon and enjoying the sunset at Bambú Menorca, one of the classiest restaurants on the island where you can have a glass of wine and sample the local gastronomy.
6. Discover the nooks and crannies of Ciutadella
Ciutadella is the old capital of Mahón and has a very special charm to discover in its narrow streets and arcades between sun and shade, and its viewpoints from which to enjoy the peace of a summer afternoon.
It is a visit that everyone who travels to Minorca should make as there are many options to enjoy Ciutadella such as strolling through its streets, visiting its picturesque bars or shopping in its unique shops. Its historic centre has some really beautiful points of interest, such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria or the Church of San Francisco de Asis.
A great way to end the day is, if you have a car, to go from Ciutadella to the Punta Nati Lighthouse to watch the sunset. And speaking of sunsets, if you are going to be on the island for several days, you should go out to see the sunset from the best spots on the island. In this post I leave you a list of what are, for me, the best sunsets in Menorca.
7. Explore the streets of Mahón, the capital of Menorca
Mahón, the current capital of Menorca, is a slightly larger city than Ciutadella but still retains the charm of the coastal towns of the Balearic Islands. Streets lined with the stone arches of medieval buildings, wonderfully simple churches, whitewashed houses with reddish roofs, and small bars and restaurants make for a pleasant stroll on a sunny afternoon.
It's a city you can explore without a map or guide or a predefined plan: just wander around its cathedrals, museums and markets, where you must try the cheeses, butifarras, artisan breads and preserved fish made in Menorca itself.
For this visit, I recommend you bring a good camera or always have your mobile phone handy, as Menorca is photogenic like few other cities in Spain.
8. Visit the Naveta des Tudons, the Menorcan Stonehenge
The origin of these megalithic tombs in Menorca is somewhat uncertain, but it is known that they were built around 3,000 years ago. Other prehistoric constructions like this one can be found all over the island, but the Naveta des Tudons is one of the most popular with tourists and locals alike.
Legend has it that it was built by a prince in love with a princess, who made it a condition of marriage that he build a home for them both. But just before the naveta was finished, the prince was buried by the last stone he carried on his head. Perhaps this is the origin of the funerary origin of these constructions.
Around the Naveta des Tudons you can see the taulas, monuments of superimposed rocks that are inevitably reminiscent of the mysterious Stonehenge.
9. Climb Monte Toro, the highest point of the island
Monte Toro is the best viewpoint to observe the island of Menorca and enjoy unbeatable views. It is a must on your trip, especially for the last few days.
You can go up by car or take a short walk to the summit, presided over by the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Toro, consecrated to the patron saint of the island. To visit Monte Toro, the easiest way is to go to Fornells and from there take the short 8-kilometre walk to the top.
10. Have a good cocktail while enjoying the sunset in Cova d'en Xoroi
Cova d'en Xoroi is one of the best places to enjoy the sunset with a cocktail in hand in Menorca. Located between the cliffs of Cala en Porter, this beach bar is perfect for saying goodbye to the island at the end of your trip.
In summer, the Cova d'en Xoroi becomes a club with live music and a disco where you can dance to the sea breeze. Due to its popularity, it is essential to book a table at its viewpoint well in advance. Undoubtedly, a star activity on Menorca's nights.
11. Make the most of the coves of Menorca
You will have already noticed the wide variety of landscapes that Menorca has to offer. It is really worth visiting all or most of them, whether on an organised excursion to the coves of Menorca or on your own. For this it is essential to know which are the best coves in Menorca:
- Cala Mitjana
- Macarella and Macarelleta Coves
- Trebalúger Cove
- Turqueta Cove
- Galdana Cove
- Pilar Cove
- Cala Blanca
12. Exploit your adventurous side
In addition to the snorkelling and kayaking experiences that you can book in Menorca, you also have other options to make your trip to the island a real multi-adventure. Horse riding, diving lessons or jet ski rides are just some of the alternatives available to you.
Other tips for making the most of your trip to Minorca
You've already seen that there is a long list of activities and places to visit in Menorca, but will you have time for everything? Planning details such as airport pick-up will allow you to make the most of your time, so take a look at the Menorca airport transfer options before you arrive on the island. You'll also save time by booking one of the many guided tours of Menorca.
Choose well the days you are going to be on the island
I warn you: if you have never been to Menorca you will fall in love from the first moment you set foot on the island, so count on it. Visiting Menorca in one day or spending two days in Menorca is possible, but I recommend you to book a minimum of 4 days for your trip. If you want to make sure you don't miss anything during your stay, here are some ideas for things to do in Menorca in 4 days and all the things you can do if you spend 5 days in Menorca
Organise your travel plan according to the time of the year you go
If you travel to Minorca in February or visit the island in March, you won't be free from the cold and the occasional storm. You have to count on that, but also on the fact that this is low season so you can find some pretty attractive deals. Visiting Menorca in months like December may not be ideal, but that doesn't mean there aren't things to do, so don't rule it out.
On the other hand, if you're looking to escape the summer crowds but want to have a better chance of success in terms of weather, consider visiting Menorca in April, visiting Menorca in May, going to Menorca in September or going to Menorca in October. You are sure to have a day or two on the beach and you will be able to enjoy all the activities the island has to offer without the high prices of the summer months and without being as cold as in winter.