What to do on a trip to Menorca?

With over 220 kilometres of coastline and around 80 beaches and coves, Menorca is smaller than its big sister Majorca, and much less popular with tourists. It has an airport, but flights from France are not direct and require a change at Palma. Many tourists therefore stop off in Majorca, which explains Minorca’s tranquillity.

Its protected architecture and unspoilt nature make it a little paradise. It’s the exact opposite of its big sister. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and became a Biosphere Reserve in 1993. Its prehistoric appeal attracts history-loving tourists, and the many invasions it has suffered have left visible traces of all the cultures that have passed through it.

Mahon, the capital

This city has many assets and interests. Its historic centre is well worth a visit, and the fact that half the town is pedestrianised heightens the sense of its past, with its many invasions and trade links with the rest of the world.

The shady alleyways will take you on a historical journey that will not leave you indifferent.

Between two visits, to Santa Maria Cathedral for example, let yourself be charmed by the many bars with shady terraces, or take the opportunity to do some shopping. Mahon is a city full of local shops, as well as big-name storefronts. There’s something for everyone!

The harbour

The port of Mahon is also worth a visit. Very popular with the English, they have built some magnificent villas here, and if you drop anchor in front of the port of Mahon, you can easily admire them from the deck of your yacht. It’s the largest natural harbour in Europe, and spending a few nights at anchor here is a guarantee of nights lulled by the gentle chop of this well-protected bay. Two small islands are home to an old hospital and a former lazaretto. And you’ll be under the protection of the immense fortress of La Mola, also worth a visit.

Nightlife in Mahon

If you’ve fled Ibiza for the madness of its nights, Mahon is also the ideal place to throw a festive party with elegance and restraint. From gourmet restaurants such as the excellent Michelin-starred Torralbenc to the Ama-Gi nightclub, with its festive, multi-generational atmosphere, you’re sure to have a great night…

Ciutadella, the old capital

The competition between Mahon and the old capital is a reality for anyone who has taken the time to visit Menorca.

The island’s most westerly city is a jewel of history and folklore. You’ll have to choose between visiting the palaces that recall the town’s rich past or strolling through the narrow streets lined with facades marked by the influences of the peoples who have occupied Menorca over the centuries.

There are plenty of little shops here too, not just souvenir shops, but also stalls selling island produce for a sunny snack in a cove. Cars and motorbikes are not allowed in the historic centre, and this silence envelops Ciutadella’s gentle way of life.

Outside the historic centre, the town offers access to wild coves and prehistoric sites to visit.

Ciutadella is a large town (population 29,000), occupying a third of Menorca’s surface area, so it’s hard not to spend a few days here, and especially hard not to make an exhaustive list of places to visit.

A few good addresses

Feeling hungry after visiting one of Ciutadella’s palaces? Then try one of Menorca’s mouth-watering specialities at a patisserie like Herbera Bakery. Rubiol, formatjada and pastisset (sweet specialities) will convince you that your stay in Menorca was a wise choice!

You can also try the island’s craft beer: sit down for an aperitif on the terrace of Sa Bona Birra, and don’t forget to linger…

A walk not to be missed

The Punta Nati headland is the perfect place to watch the sun set. The lighthouse on this point is a beautiful building that takes on magnificent ochre tones in the blue hour.

The road to get there is picturesque and sometimes a little dangerous, but it’s a walk not to be missed. The views are impressive.

Immerse yourself in Menorca!

Menorca, like its big sister, also offers diving spots bordering on perfection, accessible to all and far less frequented than those on Majorca.

Menorca has two underwater reserves, with water temperatures ranging from 22 to 28 degrees, and visibility within the reserves of 30 metres.

Whether you choose snorkelling or scuba diving, Menorca offers dives for all levels of proficiency. You’ll find numerous schools where you can get a guide in the nature reserves, or take your first dive. And doing so in Menorca will inevitably make you want to experience the joys of the deep!