Menorca

A hundred beaches and tiny coves make Menorca a wonderful, short-haul destination for families and couples alike. Sandy bays are flanked by rising hills of green trees, some offering watersports but many simply providing a calm oasis in the fast pace of life. Not as ostentatious as some of her Balearic neighbours, Menorca will nevertheless show you how to let the good times roll.

Sights to See

Beaches are a primary attraction in Menorca. Over 100 stretches of sand are snuggled in coves around the coast – although the busier resorts can get crowded in summer months, those who drive or cycle further afield will be rewarded by intimate bays with scarcely a soul around.

Horseriding is an excellent fashion to explore the island and her attractions. You’ll quickly notice odd stone formations dotted over the landscape – otherwise known as tayalots, taulas and navetas. Believed to be part of burial ceremonies, the stones offer an interesting glimpse of ancient life. The best place to see these remains is at Torre d’en Gaumes.

Good shopping can be found in both Mahon and Ciutadella, a medieval town. Local markets excel in leather products and shoes, and also cheese – not that there’s any correlation. Those in self-catering accommodation will find everything they need to whip up tasty meals and snacks – for next to nothing. But if you fancy spending some money, head to the nine-hole golf course and swing those irons until the sun goes down.

Evening Entertainment

Larger Menorcan resorts have cottoned on to the fact that clubbing is fun for some people, especially when on holiday. Places like Cala’n Forcat are dotted with hostelries and venues where the music continues until the small hours of the morning. For the most part though, Menorca is quiet and unassuming – no vulgar monikers for resorts on this island.

As a result, nightlife tends to be focused on restaurants and the lipsmackingly good cuisine that’s found inside. Menorca is famed for its lobster casserole – if you prefer to avoid our spiny friends, try roast shoulder of lamb or suckling pig. Interestingly, Mahon is the place where mayonnaise was invented – a great excuse to slather it on large bowls of chips. You’re on holiday, after all.

Tours to Take

Port Mahon is one of the world’s largest natural harbours – cruising across it is a most satisfactory way to spend a day. Admire the British flavour of the seaport – Menorca’s past has been peppered with Spanish, British and French colonial rule. Many tours end up in the small resort of Binebeca, a village with pretty whitewashed buildings and red-tiled roofs. If this isn’t a photo opportunity we’ll eat our wide-brimmed hats.

Lovers of gin will be in their element at the Xoriguer Distillery. You can take a tour and find out how this juniper-tastic drink is made – naturally, tastings are included. Menorcan gin is distilled from real berries according to an eighteenth century Celtic recipe. Grab a few bottles while you’re there – what better way to end a day than to sip at a tall G&T as the sun goes down?