With sumptuous seafood, great wine, not to mention the local gin, a rich ancient history and the natural, wild beauty of its countryside and coastline, it’s really quite surprising that the Spanish island of Menorca is a largely undiscovered island. I love it for many reasons, not least because it brought the world mayonnaise! But if you have yet to discover the smallest and least well known of the Balearic Islands, here are my top ten of things to do in Menorca. Read on or skip to the end of the post to watch my Menorca Top Ten video.
Top 10 things to do in Menorca
1. Eat seafood at a harbourside restaurant
Menorca has no end of excellent seafood restaurants, but I do particularly love the ones with a view of the water. S’Amarador, overlooking the pretty harbour in Ciutadella, is one of the most famous. Another that’s well worth a visit is Es Port by the harbour in Fornells. Local specialities include seafood stews, lobster, grilled and baked fish and a wide variety of tapas including prawns, clams, mussels, anchovies and squid.
2. Explore the coast and countryside by foot, bike or horseback
The Menorcan countryside and coastline is superb. Whether you walk, cycle or go on horseback, you will have a great time exploring the island, with many spectacular views along the way. One particularly good route to try is the Cami de Cavalls, an ancient path that was recently reopened. In total, it’s a 186 km circular route around the island. The best time to enjoy it is out of season when it’s not too hot.
3. Discover Prehistoric sites
You’ll find the remains of towers, burial chambers and settlements from the Talayotic culture dotted all over Menorca. They’re fascinating places to visit and learn about. One of the most famous is Naveta d’es Tudons, a burial chamber dating back to around 1000 BC.
4. Enjoy the secluded coves
While it may be smaller than it’s better known sister island of Mallorca, Menorca has more beaches. With 216 km of coastline lapped by crystal clear turquoise waters, it a beach lovers’ paradise. Seek out your very own secluded cove, such as Cala Macarelleta, to enjoy it to the full.
5. Explore Menorca’s wild side
Menorca was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993 in recognition of its wide diversity of landscapes and the varied flora and fauna it supports. In fact, nearly all the animals and plants that exist in the entire Mediterranean are found on Menorca. The most significant region is possibly the S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park, an extensive area of wetlands, farms and coastline. At the northern end of the park is the lighthouse at Cap de Favà ritx, where you’ll see magnificent views along the rugged northern coastline.
6. Go wine Tasting
Menorca has an ancient winemaking tradition and there’s no doubt that it produces some excellent wines. There are 8 wineries on the island, the largest of which is Binifadet in Sant Lluis. They offer tours and tastings and have a very good restaurant there too, but be sure to book in advance as it is extremely popular.
7. Go cheese tasting
The best known cheese in Menorca is from Mahón. While still young it is a mild and creamy cheese, but as it is aged it hardens and develops a robust salty flavour. Avoid buying any that doesn’t have the creases left by the cloth it was wrapped in before aging. If it doesn’t have these creases, then it is mass produced rather than artisan cheese. You’ll find the real deal at Autèntic in Mahón on Plaça Esplanada .
You can try both the local wine and traditionally made cheese at another winery, Hort Sant Patrici.
Check out more of my articles from Spain.
8. Take a walking tour of Ciutadella
The historic centre of Ciutadella is fascinating to explore with many beautiful buildings, which all have a tale to tell. The lovely peach coloured cathedral, completed in the late 14th century, is one of the few buildings that survived the 16th century sacking of town by the Turkish pirates. Another must is a stroll around the pretty harbour, where you’ll find my favourite seafood restaurant, S’Amarador.
9. Admire the views from El Toro
At 342 metres high, El Toro (El Toro in Catalan or Monte Toro to give it it’s name in Spanish) is the highest point of Menorca. It’s considered the spiritual centre of island, and it has been a place of pilgrimage since the 13th century. And the views are spectacular.
10. Go gin tasting
Menorcan gin is excellent and is traditionally drunk with the local lemonade. Together they are known as Pomada. If you are in Mahón, be sure to visit the Xoriguer distillery. They’ll happily let you taste a variety of their products. But my favourite place to drink Pomada is at the Cova d’en Xoroi, out of season, when it’s not too busy. It’s a very atmospheric bar come nightclub built in a cave opening onto the cliff face overlooking the sea with an excellent view of the sunset.
I think you’ll agree that Menorca is an unspoilt, magical island with a lot to offer. But perhaps we should keep that to ourselves – I’d rather like it to stay that way.
Love it? Pin it!
This post was published in association with TravelCast.tv.
Further reading
A walk through time in Ciutadella de Menorca
Where and what to eat and drink in Menorca
Horse-riding on the Cami de Cavalls, Menorca
Hiking around Menorca: on the Cami de Cavalls
Discovering Menorca’s prehistoric past – the Talayotic culture
Join my 'Behind the Scenes' newsletter
Delivered monthly to your inbox with all my behind the scenes news, latest posts and giveaways exclusive to my subscribers.
This is such a useful list! I’m hoping to go to Menorca in September with a few friends!
I hope you make it there. It’s such a lovely island.
Menorca is a beautiful island. The sites, the eat & drink, everything was too good. Especially the seafood, I loved that. I am very glad to say that I could cover everything on your list and enjoyed it very well.
I was there for one whole day back in 2014. Such a beautiful island.
Wow, lots of great wine, food, and beautiful scenery! I am sold! Your pictures really are amazing. I pinned for future reference!
Porto was already on my wish list but having read your article it’s moved to the top.
I visited Menorca for a day only! it was very pretty and I did try the gin. We went to an ace fish market (can’t recall the name) and found a beach which was deserted! Love it!
What a shame it was such a short visit, but I guess one day is better than not at all!
Slightly embarrassed to say I’ve never heard of Menorca, but you’ve certainly got me curious! It seems to have everything I look for in a destination. The water is the most perfect color and the cliffside restaurant-I might go just for that view!
PS-nice job on the video.
It’s great that you’ve heard of Menorca now and I know you would love it!
I love Minorca as it is basically all undiscovered – it is like the quieter, better, sister of Majorca!
I loved Menorca when I visited on a work fam trip ages ago, one of the most surprising things was just how much biodiversity is packed into a relatively small island. The Talayotic culture is also especially interesting, and I think exploring that and the wilder places would be high on the agenda of any future visit! Love the video, by the way – it adds another positive dimension to the article. 🙂
Totally agree with everything on your list – I was blown away by menorca, I think it is probably the perfect holiday destination.
Cheese, wine and gin would’ve already done it for me but Menorca looks like a beautiful island too, and so much more diverse than just a beach break.
Menorca certainly ticks plenty of boxes! 🙂
What airport or other transport did you take to get there? What lodging, place to stay at? I want to go! 🙂
Hi Liz, We flew from Gatwick to Mahon and stayed at Hotel Audax in Cala Galdana-Ferreries, which I’d happily recommend, although personally, I prefer something smaller and family run.
Lovely post and great photos! I loved Mallorca so I’m sure I’d enjoy Menorca based on your post, the wine and cheese sound delicious!
I’m sure you’d love Menorca, Annabel.
I knew gin and lemonade was a thing somewhere – everyone thinks I am odd for liking it here! Loved exploring through your photos – we spent a week sailing at Minorca Sailing (excellent kit) and didn’t really explore the island
The Menorca gin was the first I’ve ever tried that I liked and I’ve found another since then from Belfast, Jawbox, that goes best with ginger ale, so I’m guessing that it really depends on the gin. I think I need to do some extensive gin research to find out more on the subject!