Germany
United Kingdom
Discover all the immense natural beauty of Menorca, its stunning beaches, delicious cuisine and fascinating history.
Menorca has it all: exceptional natural beauty, stunning beaches, a fascinating history and culture, and delicious local cuisine. This Mediterranean treasure has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and has no reason to be envious of its sister islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, the most famous of the Balearic Islands.
Also known as a mini-Caribbean, Menorca guarantees love at first sight, offering unforgettable adventures every day and creating memories that last a lifetime.
The team at Zafiro Hotels has created a guide to Menorca with our top tips to ensure you enjoy your stay on the island to the full.
Index
- Monte Toro and Cova d'en Xoroi: the best views
- Beaches and coves with crystal-clear waters and white sands
- Camí de Cavalls: the top hiking trail
- Llosa del Patró Pere: paradise for underwater photographers
- Maó and Ciutadella: cities brimming with charm and history
- Naveta de Tudons: a symbol of Talayotic Menorca
- Lobster stew, sobrasada and artisan cheeses
- Sant Joan festival: bonfires and magnificent horse shows
- Where to stay in Menorca
Monte Toro and Cova d'en Xoroi: the best views
Some of the most prominent features of Menorca are its diverse scenery, abundant fauna and flora and commitment to environmental conservation. A privileged destination where visitors can disconnect and live in harmony with nature.
Monte Toro overlooks all of this stunning natural beauty. This 350-metre tall mountain, the highest on the island, has a very special aura due to its extraordinary beauty and numerous legends. Among them, the one that gives the mountain its name. According to locals, a bull once led a group of monks to a cave, in which they found an image of the Virgin Mary. In her honour, they built a sanctuary which offers unparalleled panoramic views of Menorca, without any obstacle standing in the way.
The way up to the top of the mountain is easy, fine for the whole family, and can be done on foot, by bike or by car.
Another essential location is the Cova d'en Xoroi, a natural cave now converted into a bar with stunning views over the Mediterranean.
Don’t miss:
- Visiting the Virgin of Monte Toro Sanctuary (patron saint of Menorca)
- Exploring or resting in the beautiful town of Es Mercadal, at the foot of the mountain
- Discovering the romantic viewpoint on top of Monte Toro with your partner
- Admiring an unforgettable sunset from the Cova d'en Xoroi to a backdrop of chill-out music
Beaches and coves with crystal-clear waters and white sands
Menorca has more than a hundred beaches and coves with fine sand and amazing turquoise waters surrounded by forests, dunes, wetlands, cliffs and slopes, all with picture-postcard views that have earned the island the nickname of the European Caribbean.
Choosing the ones you simply must visit is not easy. Among our favourites are the unspoilt coves on the north coast of Menorca, such as Cala Presili, Cala Cavalleria and, above all, Cala Pregonda, extremely wild, with rock formations and reddish sand thanks to all the red sandstone. The latter can only be reached on foot along a section of the beautiful Camí de Cavalls hiking trail. You can leave your car free of charge in the Binimel.là car park.
On the south coast we recommend the beautiful Son Saura and Cala Turqueta, and in the southwest the iconic Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta (naturist), very near Zafiro Menorca. In this part of the island, Cala'n Bosch and Cala Galdana, the latter considered the best beach for kids in Menorca.
Don’t miss:
- Exploring different trails and being surprised by stunning beaches
- Walking from Cala Galdana to Cala Mitjana, a totally unspoilt cove
- Enjoying a drink at the beach bar in Cala Macarella
- Kayaking with your family, trying stand-up paddle or snorkelling in Cala Galdana
- Enjoying the views of the bay and the south coast from the Sa Punta viewpoint
- Watching the sun set from the Cap de Cavalleria Lighthouse (next to Cavalleria Beach)
Camí de Cavalls: the top hiking trail
An ancient loop trail consisting of more than 185 km of pristine nature running parallel to the coast and connecting all the different beaches in Menorca, this historic trail first emerged in the 14th century, when it was used to help protect against pirate attacks. All along the trail you can enjoy beautiful viewpoints, forests, cliffs, extraordinary beaches and more.
It’s one of the top attractions on the island for nature lovers, hikers, cyclists and horse riders and consists of 20 different stages. Although it depends on the pace you walk and the number of stops you make, it usually takes between 10 and 15 days on foot, a week by bike and a little longer on horseback.
Don’t miss:
- Some of the most popular stages, such as from Maó to Es Grau, from Cala Tirant to Binimel.la and from Cala Galdana to Sant Tomàs, 10 km, 12 km and 13 km, respectively.
Llosa del Patró Pere: paradise for underwater photographers
La Llosa del Patró Pere, on the north coast of Menorca, is a top destination for scuba divers. The area allows visitors to discover considerable biodiversity and a spectacular underwater landscape, with the depth varying between 15 and 30 metres.
It can be reached from Fornells through organised excursions or diving centres, etc., and is recommended for intermediate and advanced divers.
The excellent underwater visibility allows divers to see unique rock formations and wildlife such as groupers, moray eels, octopuses, nudibranchs, reef fish, etc.
Don’t miss:
- Exploring the caves and tunnels to learn more about the marine diversity in the area
- Witnessing the unique atmosphere created by the filtered natural light
- Taking colourful images of underwater wildlife
- Taking a guided night dive
Maó and Ciutadella: cities brimming with charm and history
These are the two biggest cities in Mallorca, each with its own particular history and characteristics. Located on the east coast, Mahón (or Maó) is the capital of Menorca and one of the most beautiful cities in the Balearic Islands. The old town consists of narrow streets, lovely squares, mansions and colourful townhouses in the purest English style (Menorca was ruled by the British in the 18th century).
It is home to iconic buildings such as the Casa Mir, Casa Soler or Teatro Principal de Mahón, the oldest opera auditorium in Spain, but the biggest highlight is the fact that it has the largest natural port in the Mediterranean.
On the west coast of the island, the beautiful Ciutadella is full of medieval charm, with narrow cobblestone streets, picturesque squares, historic palaces, churches and fortresses. Declared a Conservation Area in 1964, it was the capital of the island until the British occupation.
Don’t miss:
- Tasting local products at the Maó Fish Market or Ciutadella municipal market
- Taking a boat ride from the port of Mahón
- Visiting the Museum of Menorca in Mahón to learn more about its history
- Visiting Menorca Cathedral in Ciutadella, a magnificent example of Gothic architecture
- Exploring the old town of Ciutadella and admiring the City Hall building in the iconic Es Born square
- Admiring the beauty of Ciutadella from San Nicolás Castle
- Buying some typical sandals at a traditional shoe shop
Naveta de Tudons: a symbol of Talayotic Menorca
Menorca has a surprising archaeological and cultural heritage, which includes remains from the Talayotic age, British fortifications and historical monuments. Among them are more than 1500 prehistoric archaeological sites, the highest density of sites in an inhabited area, making the island a kind of open-air museum, all generally very well preserved, which led UNESCO to categorise Talayotic Menorca as a World Heritage Site.
The funeral tomb known as the Naveta des Tudons is the most significant prehistoric monument. This is a collective burial ground with the fascinating shape of an upside-down boat, built only out of stones around 1200 BC, and almost 14 metres long, 6.5 metres wide and 4.5 metres high. It is located between Ciutadella and Ferrerías and can be easily reached by car.
Other top destinations include the La Mola fortress and the Isabel II fortress, one of the largest walled enclosures in Europe, built in the 19th century. Located at the entrance to the port of Mahón, it is still in an excellent state of conservation. The fortress viewpoints offer excellent views of the port of Mahón.
Don’t miss:
- Visiting the standing taula still conserved in Torretrencada and the Talayotic town of Torrellafuda (Llanos de Ciutadella)
- Taking a guided tour of the La Mola fortress to learn more about its history
Lobster stew, sobrasada and artisan cheeses
Menorcan cuisine includes a long list of popular dishes that use fresh, local, superior-quality ingredients, such as seafood, fish, vegetables, pulses, extra virgin olive oil, etc.
The most famous dish is the amazing lobster stew, a delicious dish cooked in a clay pot and based on Menorcan lobster and fresh vegetables. Another typical dish is known as oliaigua, a simple soup with tomato, garlic, onion and peppers. A peasant dish in ancient times due to its low cost, over the years it has added new ingredients to make it a far more elaborate dish. It is served either hot or cold with bread.
Visitors also love trying the sobrasada, the most typical Menorcan sausage made with pork, paprika and spices, as well as Mahón cheese, with a protected designation of origin.
The most iconic drink has to be Gin Xoriguer. Its roots lie back in the 18th century, when a local family began making gin for the British soldiers settled on the island. Nowadays, there’s not a single party or celebration that does not serve this famous Menorcan gin.
Don’t miss:
- Ordering a lobster stew in the village of Fornells
- Buying cheese and sobrasada at local cheese shops and markets
- A tasting session at the famous Xoriguer Gin distillery in Mahón
Sant Joan festival: bonfires and magnificent horse shows
The festival of Sant Joan de Ciutadella is the most famous and most spectacular festival on the island, which started back in the 14th century and combines both pagan and religious characteristics.
Among the biggest attractions are the bonfires, the fireworks and shows that feature horses and riders dressed in elegant traditional costumes. The biggest days of the festival are June 23 and 24.
Don’t miss:
- Seeing the horse-riding events known as the Jocs des Pla and Caragol des Born to enjoy the traditions, horse-riding skills and passion for horses of the local people
Where to stay in Menorca
Zafiro Menorca is a perfect base for exploring the most amazing coves in Menorca with your partner or family, discovering all the natural beauty of the island and reconnecting with your inner self.
Our 4-star apartment complex has been named among the best hotels for families in Menorca, and is located just a few minutes from the heart of Ciutadella and the beautiful beach at Cala'n Bosch.
Located in a quiet residential area, it provides 172 bright and spacious apartments for up to four people. Perfectly equipped spaces with a wide range of services and numerous local dining options.
