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Lead-based paints were banned for residential use in Puerto Rico and across the rest of the United States in 1978. Unfortunately, many homes built before then still have some lead-based paint in them. SpainChevron MenorcaChevron Andrew UrwinSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links I wake to Mahón's rooftops, crowned each morning by the first Spanish light. Dawn in this island village is a dissipating memory—a Rorschach test of clouds, backlit by the fiery rising sun that pours through the Moorish windows of my bedroom. I am only 43 nautical miles east of Mallorca yet on this flat raft of land I feel entirely adrift from the world one of the many chic cliffside restaurants here Typical Menorcan lobster stew at Sa Llagosta a quaint pastoral island of rinsed blues and Celtic greens that was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1993 Its pastures are filled with cattle and wheat and punctuated with whitewashed windmills as if forever bequeathing it plain-Jane status next to Ibiza and Mallorca And yet the world has always landed on its shores it passed from the Arabs to the Aragonese to the Brits who left behind their gin habit and contributed a smattering of words to Menorquí the Catalan dialect of sa's and es's spoken For years it has attracted primarily British holiday-goers seeking its sharp and reliable sun a storm unleashed its raw power on the tiny fueled by the infamous and annihilating north wind that can bring with it fleets of cumulus clouds that race like schooners across a purple-streaked sky Its name—tramuntana—is also applied to unhinged artistic genius (though he never worked on Menorca the Catalan surrealist Salvador Dalí was said to have been afflicted by it) The German artist Hans Hartung came here in 1932 to flee the Cubist-vilifying Nazis He hid out among the booted eagles and red kites on the northeast coast near the tramuntana-teased marshes of S'Albufera des Grau until Menorca's mystique and intrigue still call artists from near and far they are helping this sleepy isle attract a new set of wanderers Admiring a Rashid Johnson painting at Menorca’s Hauser & Wirth gallery Early evening in Ciutadella’s Plaça D’Alfons III “But I just stay here like a stone and people come to me.” The island's tranquility helped Chicago-born Rashid Johnson complete Anxious Men his painting series on the crushing pressures of modern life The angry blood-and-black faces of his canvases finally gave way to a serene white Johnson showed last year at Hauser & Wirth's new location on Illa del Rei whose 2021 opening prompted a wider set of travelers and creatives to begin paying attention to Menorca Swiss-born mega-gallerists Manuela and Iwan Wirth whose empire spans from New York to Hong Kong opened the spot after falling in love with the island on a day trip from Mallorca which is really unknown but rich for such a small island,” says Mar Rescalvo as we walk beneath a Louise Bourgeois spider and past a bulbous bronze object by Joan Miró through a perennial garden designed by the landscape architect Piet Oudolf where Cleopatra butterflies land gracefully on the lavender a Parisian music executive turned artisanal baker Stephanie (formerly of Celine and Isabel Marant) and their two children moved from the 19th arrondissement to the French-founded municipality Sant Lluís in the sandy south “We thought Menorca was boring at first,” he says but the landscape itself was like Ibiza mixed with Brittany The rustic but modern living room at new hotel Son Blanc Farmhouse where sun-kissed bodies lie splayed across the limestone platforms Circumnavigating the entire island is the Camí de Cavalls a 115-mile coastal path from which trekkers can access 70 other coves it is now partly camouflaged by wild ullastre olive trees I couldn't believe a place like this existed,” says Pierre-Charles Cros cofounder of the Paris-based Experimental Group It was so green I felt like I was in Ireland and yet you had these Caribbean coves.” In 2019 the youthful profferer of creative cocktails shook up the island's erstwhile image as a haunt of British pensioners with the opening of Menorca Experimental in an old military base near Cala Llucalari which the group reimagined as Pablo Picasso's Menorcan home down a dusty red-earth road where birds chant as rhythmically as cicadas are the finca retreats of various notable figures who was drawn to the Menorca's regenerated vineyards; the intrepid French hotelier Arnaud Zannier; and Frédéric Biousse Chef David Coca with trusted companion Mero Outside the trendy Menorca Experimental bar “Menorcan luxury is not about being seen—it's about hiding out,” says British Menorcan Benedicta Linares-Pearce an 11-bedroom hilltop retreat in an 1890s mansion that she enlisted Parisian decorator Anne-Cécile Comar to reimagine in a palette of storm blues and dawn pinks bought two abandoned estates in 2018 and worked with the Patrimonio Nacional “It took so many tries to get a shade of green they would approve for the shutters,” she says “But the rules protect the island from the wrong people Preservationism attracts the green-minded.” Their second estate is now a self-sufficient hotel that generates its own power “Benoit is very passionate about it,” she says as we wade down to the fields where quail scuttle out of the hare's-tail grass a quiet village on the island's northern coast a French bulldog named Mero is sitting on his favorite lap resembles a Victorian-era barber-cum-pirate He stands on the front of his owner's boat and barks when he sees fish.” He chuckles to the clink of rigging and cutlery outside his restaurant Sa Llagosta In winter we hunt thrushes and woodcock.” Coca took the helm of the restaurant 24 years ago reviving traditional Menorcan recipes such as fisherman's caldereta de langosta Now the most cultivated people are most in love with this simple life.” Taking a break on Plaça de la Catedral in Ciutadella which has historically been deterred by that north wind past pines passionately entwined like tango dancers it is easy to forget the force of this mighty little land We reach the coast and race along the crashing waves I feel as if nothing but the wind can stop me The pool scene at the chic villa Es Bec D’Aguila which occupies three 18th-century Mahón cottages with her friend Daniel Entrecanales in 2021 Magpie interior designer Lorenzo Castillo is behind the menagerie of antique toby jugs and Turkish silk divans in shades of red and blue and cocktail bar (which serves a eucalyptus Negroni with homemade infused Xoriguer gin) are done up in oxbloods and clay pinks When the late engineer Carlos Anglés bought his Binifadet estate in Sant Llíus in 2002 he resuscitated not only 38 tancas (dry-stone-walled plots of vines) but also the craft of Menorcan winemaking Developed by the Romans and exploited by the British the island's viticulture had nearly vanished by the mid-20th century Anglés's son Luis has revived beloved Menorcan institutions from Mahón's American Bar to Tamarindos the restaurant at art gallery Hauser & Wirth in the former kitchen of Mahón's 18th-century British naval hospital all spreading the gospel of elevated seasonal cooking A reviving escabèche is a perfect way to end a day wandering around the old Arabic capital up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world yet entirely cut adrift from the world; dwarfed by the immense erotic charge of the sky by a cartwheel of eight winds that landscape mastic trees into polite cleanse its shallow waters and keep the age of convenience at bay Nearly 7,000 miles of dry stone wall shield its cattle and wheat – no fruit trees can grow here Above this Unesco-protected pastoral patchwork whitewashed windmills like sharpened chalk seem to etch the painterly canvas of ever-changing sky Aerial view of Es Bec d’AguilaAndrew UrwinLater this morning it will be a fleet of cumulus clouds racing like schooners towards some distant depth of field Most evenings it is an impressionist work recalling the fires once lit atop watchtowers on the approach of Barbary pirates Ominous purple brushstrokes warn of an annihilating north wind Its name – tramuntana – is also applied to unhinged artistic genius Salvador Dalí was said to have been “touched” by it German artist Hans Hartung came here in 1932 to flee the Cubist-vilifying Nazis He hid out among the booted eagles and red kites on the northeast coast near the tramuntana-teased marshes of S’Albufera des Grau until spread out like shading white bulls in vast pens around the island The Hauser & Wirth galleryAndrew UrwinLunch at Hauser & Wirth’s restaurant, CantinaAndrew UrwinIn 1997 Madrid-born artist Nuria Román moved from LA to an oleander-flagged cottage in Es Castell that sits alone in a teal cove like a fisherwoman contemplating her reflection stone and sky is still a wild revelation,” she tells me from her garden where rocks fly like birds suspended from invisible threads “Everyone and everything is at the mercy of the power of the island.” Román is one of the sculptors who transformed the old Líthica marés – Menorcan limestone – quarry near Ciutadella into a public space that hosts the arts festival Pedra Viva (“Living Stone”) “My gallery in Madrid told me that I had to return to the ‘art world’,” she shrugs “But I just stay here like a stone and people come to me.” 18th-century cottages and shoebox galleries where Ciutadella localsAndrew UrwinBedroom at Cristine BedforAndrew UrwinIt was to this shy artists’ enclave that Chicago-born Rashid Johnson turned to end his Anxious Men painting series on the crushing pressures of modern life; the angry blood-and-black faces on his canvases finally purified to a serene white His exhibition was held last year at the Hauser & Wirth gallery opened in 2021 in the converted outbuildings of the old British naval hospital on the tiny islet of Isla del Rei in Mahón harbour I walk beneath a Louise Bourgeois spider and past a Joan Mirò through Piet Oudolf’s perennial sculpture garden where rare Balearic lizards scale marés walls with the texture of toasted pancakes Afternoon snacks and cake at Es Bec d’AguilaAndrew UrwinTerrace at Son Blanc agriturismoAndrew UrwinLôac It’s not just the global art world that has invaded Menorca’s shores An increasing number of people are hopping east from Ibiza and Mallorca finding that their idea of paradise post-pandemic now matches the Balearics’ unshowy recluse This has raised a few eyebrows: “The Menorquís are very conservative and protective of their island,” says Madrileña lawyer turned potter Blanca Madruga where an arched window to the garden throws a lime glaze of light on her ceramics reimagining an old military base near Cala de Llucalari as Pablo Picasso’s Menorcan home a group of hotels and restaurants co-founded by Frédéric Biousse the bush-clumped landscape before me appears as empty as the sky is a self-sufficient hotel with nearly 300 acres of permaculture “Benoit is very passionate about it,” she says quails scuttling out of grasses tipped with rabbits’ tails Bedroom at Menorca ExperimentalAndrew UrwinOwner Benedicta Linares-Pearce of Es Bec d’AguilaAndrew UrwinBy the dock at Fornells French bulldog Mero is sitting on his favourite lap: that of Menorquí David Coca who resembles a Victorian-era barber with piratical origins He’s been out on the waves since he was eight to the clink of rigging and cutlery outside his restaurant “He stands on the front of his owner’s boat and barks when he sees fish In winter we hunt thrushes and woodcock.” When Coca took the helm of the restaurant he revived traditional Menorcan recipes such as fisherman’s caldereta de langosta “Now the most cultivated people are the most in love with this simple life.” Macarelleta beachAndrew Urwin“Menorcan food should be slow and humble,” says Silvia Anglada at her pioneering slow-food restaurant Es Tast de na Silvia in Ciutadella She stands like a bespectacled priestess performing rites at the altar of an open kitchen beneath the vaulted ceilings of a 16th-century chapel adorning plates of arroz de la tierra (a Menorcan farmer’s grain dish in a broth of boiled shrimp) with wild flowers from the 1704 Menorcan cookbook of Franciscan friar Fra Francesc Roger an unrefined variety dating back to the Talayotics which she sources from family-run farm La Marcona This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page You can watch traditional handmade sandals being painted with tigers turtles or avocados at Abarcas Borras in Ciutadella wander into the airy open studio where the ceramicist Blanca Madruga moulds her textured bowls and pleasing mugs one of the most influential galleries in the world should choose the Balearic island for its newest outpost On Illa del Rei in Mahon’s harbour (it’s the first gallery I’ve visited via ferry) it occupies what were once the storage rooms of the Royal Naval Hospital there it is the earliest surviving hospital of its kind; along with the island itself A project to restore the structure drew the attention of Iwan Wirth and his wife Manuela who saw the potential in the unused spaces opposite the grander Georgian building enticing archways and freshly painted white walls it’s the ideal backdrop for contemporary art And the first exhibition — Masses and Movements by Mark Bradford — feels timely The Californian abstract painter used as a starting point a map dating from 1507 — the first in print to feature the name “America” — for his large-scale with bright red arrows pointing from Africa towards Europe and the UK Local students worked with him on a series of wall-painted murals and they got to stick around all summer once it was done — which can’t have been bad because it’s an intriguing island I skip the tour of the hospital but peer through the windows at bays that have been recreated for visitors — in one rows of beds are lined up side by side; in another Outside are Mediterranean gardens filled with euphorbia and rosemary and we eat beneath silvery olive trees at Cantina which does what I hear one Brit refer to as “ougie bougie” food (for which read pricey there’s a shop selling the local gin and design tomes A guest bedroom at Experimental MenorcaThe gallery has recorded 45,000 visits since opening in July Its arrival has helped to put Menorca in the spotlight a position more associated with other Balearic islands such as Ibiza and Mallorca An artist in Mahon tells me that “we islanders feel a little exposed And it’s not just the gallery: in the past couple of years several enticing places to stay have opened One of them is a hotel near Cala en Porter and is set next to vineyards and a vegetable garden as a former army barracks (conscription in Spain ended as recently as 2002) one of the resort’s nine villas with private pools The other 34 rooms are in the main building a white Palladian finca that was a summer palace before the army took it over a generous pool and a bar serving sangria until sundown A secluded Menorcan beachGETTY IMAGESIt gives off Ibiza vibes and the surrounding countryside is relatively easy to access A 15-minute rocky walk (this is not the place for flip-flops) hooks up with the Cami de Cavalls — a 185km trail that circumnavigates the island — and delivers you to an inlet beach I watch a tiny fishing boat bobbing like a bath toy on the horizon while my husband One morning I even rouse myself for yoga because the large wooden platform amid scrubby terrain overlooks the sea The villa we’re staying in is equally soothing its interior playing with the idea of circular living The curve of the sandy pink bedhead is echoed by an architrave and another sugar-pink arch leads to the bathroom; the lamps are upturned half-moons The marshmallow palette lends itself to the light of the evenings when the beds of pampas grass shimmy and swallows flit I wanted to buy one of the bright blue abstract vases although designer swimwear and jewellery can be found in the (very) boutique shop Guests are French-glamorous and Brits (the sole partiers at least on my visit); one group is here for a work conference (they’re back!) and look sweaty at breakfast in their suits Dinner is Spanish with a dash of Ottolenghi so tomato salad with a sprinkling of pistachio nuts baba ganoush made with courgette rather than aubergine and cuttlefish in a sausage sauce — the food is deliciously piquant and it’s easy to order dish after dish in a gothic-looking burgundy-and-white building with pointed archways where work by Joan Miró is dramatically displayed in black-painted balcony niches Inside is an arresting series by the Madrid painter Pablo Palazuelo screen prints of the Alhambra by the Alicante artist Eusebio Sempere and lithographs by Alexander Calder I am impressed that the vending machine serves olives and breadsticks — the Spanish do things properly On the western tip of the island is elegant In this port city the hotel Can Faustino has opened another wing has 20 rooms — ours has dark navy shutters and a view from the balcony to the serene palm-framed pool and over the cathedral’s tower and domes which have a lemony glow in the soft morning light This was the former palace of the bishop — nice digs which opens to the sky and is painted with trailing leaves and swooping birds; giant photographs with a religious theme line the stairs and there’s a wall of mirrors in basketry frames Dining is beneath olive trees in the garden restaurant at Can Faustino The menu has an emphasis on local meat and The water off Menorca is so clear that you can see your dinner flashing beneath you while you swim — they’ll nibble your toes too as we discover on a boat ride the next day Captain Alberto is the son of a lighthouse keeper and he grew up living in two of the island’s blinking beacons on the cliffs We motor into what’s known as the cathedral cave — fishermen used to keep an icon of the Virgin Mary here — and give thanks that Alberto is so nifty in reverse gear We cruise on to see an elephant-shaped rock at Cala Morell One of the balconies at Can LlorençBack at base in Ciutadella Alberto tells me that the best local ice cream is sold outside the city’s emerald-tiled fish market; it’s buzzing with Spanish families A queue has formed and people are sitting on the pavement drinking wine The calamari and patatas bravas are worth the wait and you get a side order of people-watching free of charge When we go back to the fish market in the morning Ulisses is doling out small glasses of milky coffee to an older crowd It makes you think that retiring here would not be a bad idea — sunshine then sitting out in front of it in the evening At this time of day the cathedral doors are flung open to worshippers and little red Estrella Damm lorries bounce their way along the slender streets You’re well placed in Ciutadella for the north-coast beaches which we find to be less crowded than those in the south Can Faustino has a country club with access to one of the northern beaches — guests can spend the day there for just over £40 which includes a rustic three-course lunch cooked in a wood-fired outdoor oven reached via a 25-minute walk along the coast from the car park behind the beach at Binimel-la — there’s a red sandy stretch strewn with boulders sweeping round towards a rock formation that looks like a Soviet-style raised fist and if you haven’t brought your own picnic (advisable) you can fill up on the way back at Restaurant Binimel-la which has countryside views and familiar menu items that include spaghetti bolognese — I recommend the roasted aubergines try the hike from the built-up Cala Galdana to Cala en Turqueta even if the coves are busy with posers once you get there Look out for the pineapple seller on Cala Macarelleta — he has turned fruit chopping into an art with great strobes of lightning turning the sky into a disco ball The locals tell me that this means October will be glorious — and many of the hotels have extended their seasons to make up for last year Jenny Coad was a guest of Hauser & Wirth (£4 for return ferry, free entry), Experimental Menorca, which has B&B doubles from £170, and Can Faustino Archive Competitions Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times Menorca posted a temperature of 27 degrees This tells you if the small Balearic island benefits from a potential chill in the sun until the Indian summer Nothing better to plan your trip than the advice of an insider. Minorcan by adoption for 7 years, Hélène de Vanssay , founder of the brilliant Atelier Enfant directory which lists kid-friendly activities throughout France has settled near San Lluís : her island has (almost) no more secrets for her The inspired expat gave us his favorite addresses and must-visit spots The most luxurious: it just opened this summer and the result is absolutely refined with its feet in the white sand and seeming to float above the water the new 5-star hotel Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá plays the card of ethical luxury (aiming for zero carbon) with a spa signed by the French vegan brand Anne Semonin Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá The most bohemian: the Jardin de Ses Bruixes a 19th century mansion all in white and wood in the heart of the capital Mahon an underground swimming pool like in a cave and jacuzzis on the terrace Jardí de Ses Bruixes a stately home from the end of the 18th century with tapas restaurant shared kitchen and all different rooms ( mosaic Hevresac an old house bought by the French on a magnificent site where the new owners had the pleasant surprise of discovering a romantic garden worthy of Majorelle Special mention for the dozen divinely decorated rooms the extraordinary swimming pool and the agroturismo approach with a nursery Rafal Rubí For a drink with tapas: Binifadet For a memorable lobster soup: Es Cranc an excellent restaurant in Fornells for which you will need to book well in advance in order to taste the typical dish For a lunch on the beach: the Club Nàutic Binisafua For signature cocktails: Menorca Experimental A sublime spot above the sea where you can sip couture potions by the pool For crazy sandwiches and salads: Sa Botiga in Mahon For a large table dinner: Quitapenas in the south of the island which offers a rather Californian menu with live concerts at nightfall The place is impressive. To pronounce it as you can, Cova D'en Xoroi is a unique nightclub in the world which is held in a sort of cave dug into the rock overlooking the sea in the south of Menorca near Cala'n Porter a magnificent white village and its charming beach whose hut offers there is the poetic exhibition Sodade by Rashid Johnson and his bluish paintings inspired by the sea Impossible to leave the island without having invested in a pair of menorquinas the leather sandals worn by all the locals and which are made on site You can find beautiful models at low prices in all the streets of Mahon Also discover Glamping and private spa less than an hour from Paris and A trip to Normandy between sea and countryside... without a car 10 off-road dresses you absolutely must put on this winter Hotels with rooftop that make our head spin in Paris 12 turn-key looks to be in the spotlight at a wedding The 5 New Parisian Boutiques You Absolutely Need to Check Out Glucose Goddess: Jessie Inchauspé's Revolutionary Method Bacha: a coffee shop worthy of the 1,001 nights Three New Italian Restaurants to Try Right Away Where to Indulge in an Insane Strawberry Tart The most beautiful committed florists in Paris on a short circuit The concept store Merci opens a sublime 2nd space Mallorca hotel reviewAll listings featured on Condé Nast Traveller are independently selected by our editors There's more to Mallorca than cheap holiday resorts if you head inland where an enticing array of wine and food destinations await Sue Style takes us on a tour of the island’s best-kept secrets in her Mallorca travel guide Start the day with a visit to the brand-new cellar and tasting room at Bodegas Son Prim Typical of the new generation of highly motivated winemakers Mediterranean-inflected wines (varietal and blended Merlot Cabernet and Syrah with a little Manto Negro) – check out the characterful Continue north to Inca (with a look in on the market if it’s Thursday) with a brief stop at Oli Caimari to stock up on olive oil for whom this is a well-worn route – and try not to be distracted by the jagged limestone cliffs vertiginous drops and glimpses of circling eagles and vultures Enjoy a pre-lunch visit to the Lluc monastery buried in the forest close to the monastery with a dip in the restaurant’s natural pool before settling down to typical Mallorcan fare (rice dishes Continue the climb from Lluc and look in on Vinyes Mortitx press on to the coast for a sundowner on the waterfront at Port de Pollensa or Platja de Formentor Return south from Pollensa to Campanet and through the stunning Campanet valley to the tiny hamlet of Binibona Check in at Finca Es Castell or Son Ametler wrap up your perfect day with a swim in the house pool followed by dinner on the terrace beneath the Sierra Tramuntana and fall into a deep sleep lulled by the sound of cicadas and sheep bells Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain make sure to add this restaurant to your list of must-visit places in Mallorca this Christmas: Es Verger Specialising in grilled meats and Mallorcan cuisine it is famously known as the “restaurant of the elbowman,” and the nickname is well deserved The lamb shoulder (slow-roasted with beer in the restaurant’s large wood-fired oven) and the grilled lamb chops are unmissable highlights of the menu gained popularity among food enthusiasts when Rick Stein filmed a BBC programme here in 2012 and he declared that the Es Verger’s shoulder of lamb was the best lamb he’d ever tasted Reaching it isn’t easy – it’s located halfway up Puig d’Alaró and driving there involves navigating winding bends and dealing with the challenge of passing oncoming vehicles on narrow roads you can walk from Alaró towards Alaró Castle making it a popular destination for hikers and cyclists as the perfect end-of-route spot Es Verger has a small esplanade where you can park so if you plan to visit on a weekend or public holiday it’s advisable to arrive early to secure a table Es Verger is located at Camí d’es Castell d’Alaró s/n, Alaró. 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Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish The capital of the quiet Balearic island of Menorca offers an atmo Interview by Jessica Beresford selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter Our dad bought a villa in Menorca in the mid-’80s and we’ve been going there summer after summer ever since so the island has been a real constant in our lives the smell of the pine trees that grow along the coast nostalgic things you hold onto from childhood so it really is our second home after London In the past few years, probably since the gallery Hauser & Wirth arrived on the island everything has become a bit more luxurious – a few more posh hotels have opened up and there are more restaurants there are strong protection rules on the island in terms of what can be built because the islanders have looked at Majorca and Ibiza and decided they don’t want to go in the same direction fauna and culture – it was declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1993 and there are five natural reserves on Menorca at Hauser & Wirth Menorca © Zabalaga Leku Courtesy of the Estate of Eduardo Chillida and Hauser & Wirth Photograph by Daniel Schäfer It takes just over an hour to get from one side of Menorca to the other so you’re never further than 20 minutes from the sea There is a walking track that goes right around the island which was originally used by the military for patrolling but now it’s a nice way to explore the coast with beautiful little stone walls and wooden gates all along it Hauser & Wirth Menorca on Illa del Rei © Courtesy Hauser & Wirth MenorcaAlthough close to the other Balearic Islands – you can see all the way to Majorca on a clear day – Menorca has plenty of things that make it unique Catalan and Majorcan; the island has its own distinct style of gin which originated in the 18th century; and it even has its own indigenous horses Rosanna and Christie Wollenberg in Santa Ponsa © Martina ZancanIt’s not like Ibiza – there’s no scene and many people from Spain spend their summers here you’ll see that Catalan influence in the food The local cheese from Mahón is soft and mild and islanders will eat it with jamón and bread to start a meal which there are probably hundreds of variations of – the other day a local friend cooked us his signature just octopus and rice and very little else which are pastries stuffed with cream or Nutella; they’re the most delicious thing to have with coffee in the morning Rosanna Wollenberg on the south coast of Menorca © Rosanna WollenbergSeafood at Trébol in Es Castell Trébol in Es Castell is one of our favourite restaurants; it’s right on the water and has incredible seafood, particularly the fried sea anemone, and the owner is always around. Cap Roig so it has breathtaking views of the sea from the terrace We love eating there and then going down to the beach to get ice cream from the guy who’s been there for years and pick up a few bottles to take home for barbecues or picnics on the beach We also love to go to the local fish market or there’s another one more geared towards tourists; you can walk around with a beer and eat tapas at all the different stalls Menorca is a place to decompress and enjoy a slower pace Menorca Experimental menorcaexperimental.com Santa Ponsa, Alaior lesdomainesdefontenille.com/en/santa-ponsa Torre Vella lesdomainesdefontenille.com/en/torre-vella Bodegas Binifadet winery, Es Castell binifadet.com/en Ivette Beach Club, Cala Morell ivettemenorca.com Restaurante Cap Roig, Sa Mesquida restaurantcaproig.com Restaurante Torralbenc, Cala Porter torralbenc.com Restaurante Trébol, Es Castel trebolmenorca.com Fiestas in 2023 descobreixmenorca.com/calendari-festes-de-menorca Hauser & Wirth, Isla del Rey hauserwirth.com Líthica Quarry, Ciutadella lithica.es/en/shostal-quarries Antics Antigüedades, Mahón antiguedadesmenorca.com Boba’s, Carrer de l’Àngel, Mahón bobasmenorca Pigalle bakery, Mahón pigalle_menorca Santa Catalina artisan produce, formatgesantacatalina.com otiumberg.com offering an uncorrupted 360-degree view of this gently undulating isle which shows just how unspoilt the island is."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Minorca is green its Unesco-tagged landscape a patchwork of dense oak and pine forests Fields and pine-laced white sands lead to picturesque coves the towns’ pretty white housing touching lightly on all that natural glory."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"The mellow isle has historically been the retiring Balearic relation free of large developments and historically considered unfashionable And even today tourists overlook it in favour of Majorca and Ibiza."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"0ef99cf2-3d5d-43e1-fc2f-2ece736eb422","display":"primary","caption":"Cugo Gran the only five-star agriturismo on Minorca","title":"","credits":null,"url":"https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F710f5eba-3b1f-11e7-8a07-589c316ac3ec.jpg?crop=1484%2C989%2C4%2C4","ratio":"1500:1000","relativeHorizontalOffset":null,"relativeVerticalOffset":null,"relativeWidth":null,"relativeHeight":null},"children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"However the unassuming island has been"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" on the turn of late Since British Airways increased its service from London City to Mahon the island has embraced a cool boutique hotel a children’s summer water park and a villa impressive enough to keep a Balearic oligarch content."},"children":[]}]}]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Minorca remains unspoilt Summer arrivistes include a swathe of Generation X-ers looking for somewhere that offers as lovely an experience as the rest of the Balearics but with a gentler price tag and fewer people or Majorca without the crowds."}}]},{"name":"ad","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Minorca dances to its own tune Unlike its sister islands it was anti-nationalist during the Spanish Civil War although it fell eventually in the Battle of Minorca in 1939 vetoing funds for public building during his regime which explains the lack of ugly developments Instead its idyllic nature and unpretentious locales lend the island a nostalgic pillaged or conquered by the Byzantine empire the only five-star agriturismo on the island neoclassical 11-bedroom super-villa in the countryside was meticulously restored in 2015 and has a Daylesford-esque airy It appeals to those looking for five-star service in the privacy of their own villa as well as a concierge and upscale cuisine It’s not somewhere that most of us could afford serviced glory is accessible from £325 a night for a B&B double (good value when considering the exclusive-use bill of £63,000 a week in season)."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"I set off to explore A dry northerly wind keeps the vegetation low and shrubby with the trees taking on strange leaning formations Dry-stone walls separate pastures from crops and lessen the impact of the cruel winds Pretty white farmhouses are made from chunks of sandstone and olive wood with Arab tile roofing."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"For me much of the sightseeing is done through the prism of good eating and drinking We head to what is probably the loveliest boutique hotel on the island Torralbenc opened on the south coast near Cala en Porter in 2013 and its Mediterranean-meets-modern tasting menu is an excellent way to sample perfectly executed local classics I worked my way through a simple "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"oliaigo "}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"— a tomato and vegetable broth made of a lightly fried mix of onion green pepper and lots of tomatoes garnished with tiny sweet baby figs — as well as squid in romesco sauce that melted in the mouth and sorbets dressed with a Xoriguer gin cocktail It was beautifully paired with wines from Catalunya and iced apple cider from the Basque country."}}]},{"name":"inlineAd1","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Next came the cheese — but not at the restaurant The Subaida estate in the island’s interior specialises in traditional "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"queso Mahon"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" as well as the "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"carni-i-xulla sausage"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" (literally “meat and fat”) On these 350 hectares (865 acres) black and Iberian pigs run wild in the forest and you can see Holstein Friesians being milked and then tuck into their three ages of cheese (the young spongy two-monther the cured six-month-old cheese and the year-matured aged version) with a local wine and "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"carquinyols"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" salty-sweet almond biscuits."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"There’s more great eating in the port at Mahon The unpretentious portside brasserie Sa Vinya Des Port serves seafood and tapas as well as drinks from an 80-strong wine list mushrooms and hazelnuts is a delicious combination as is the local comfort dish of "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"huevos rotos con patatas y sobrasada"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" — the Balearic equivalent of sausage egg and chips."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Es Castell a little closer to the mouth of the harbour was a military barracks during the second occupation of the British for 70 years in the 18th century You drive past its monotonous blocks of vermillion to reach the restaurants that line its little port a simple cave-style hangout that Nito Olives and his British wife It’s best to sit at an outside table and chomp on battered sea urchins caper-infused sun-ripened tomatoes and piles of pan-fried asparagus or the local "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"caldereta "}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"— a spiny lobster bouillabaisse."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"After all the eating and I can recommend getting into the saddle on a Minorcan horse Horses are the lifeblood of the island’s identity and there are more per capita here than anywhere in the world which encircles the island in a 186km loop home to the ruins of a paleochristian basilica we startle a man sunbathing naked as we splash into turquoise waters on our horses."}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"554190bc-941b-4255-aefb-27da596f5dc2","display":"inline","caption":"The town of Es Castell Spain","credits":"ALAMY","url":"https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F6a664614-3b1f-11e7-8a07-589c316ac3ec.jpg?crop=1000%2C1500%2C0%2C0","ratio":"1000:1500","relativeHorizontalOffset":null,"relativeVerticalOffset":null,"relativeWidth":null,"relativeHeight":null},"children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Mahon is one of those elegant Mediterranean outposts built during a neoclassical heyday and it has managed to retain its uniform beauty Perched on cliffs above the deep natural harbour the capital’s jewelbox-pretty Georgian centre has a handsome town hall and the sumptuous Santa Maria church with an awesome 3,120-pipe organ It is a place where just wandering about is deeply pleasant The Mercat des Claustre is a charming municipal market carved out of the cloisters of a neoclassical Carmelite convent In opera season the singers’ melodies drift into the streets."}}]},{"name":"inlineAd2","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Don’t spend too long in the capital however — the island has more than 100 beaches The limestone-bedrocked beaches of the south coast are tranquil and reminiscent of the Caribbean storm-weathered cliffs."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"To imbibe the windswept drama of the north we book a clifftop table at the 32-year-old Cap Roig a seafood restaurant where the waiters are charming and the fish practically swim out of the Mediterranean on to your plate The terrace overlooks rock pools and the drama of Cala Mesquida jutting out like a prow of ship into the Med I ask to eat what the locals do — Minorcan lobster “a la romana” flipped in eggs."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"To see the glories of the south we take to Mahon’s 5km-long natural harbour (the deepest in the world after Pearl Harbor) in the Pershing yacht belonging to Cugo Gran’s owner From its zippy Italian white-on-white interiors we lust after summer dream homes peppering the hillsides on the opposite shore I would love to visit during the annual regatta towering over the buildings."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"We glide past La Mola then the candy-striped lighthouse on Lizard Island and the British-built military hospital on Isla del Rey where they unearthed a paleochristian basilica in 1888 Then we hit the open sea — and increase our pace."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Turn right out of the harbour and you will see one of the loveliest beaches which has shimmering waters and white sands to rival a Seychellois cove We squint across waters that segue from sapphire to cerulean to the beach the May sun is blazing and the air is scented with the sweetness of wild herbs The boat rocks in gentle silence and I cannot think of a better place to be."}}]},{"name":"inlineAd3","children":[]},{"name":"pullQuote","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Minorca or Majorca without the crowds "}}],"attributes":{"caption":{"name":"","text":"","twitter":""}}},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When not discovering the island at large Cugo Gran has lawns so primped that they look AstroTurfed a giant grassed-over paddock that doubles as a helipad and a chill-out zone with a kids’ treehouse and daybeds as well as a chauffeured eight-seat vehicle at one’s disposal."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This is a super-villa the likes of which the island has never seen but its spirit and bonhomie is in the style of old Minorca a charming expatriate British couple."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Every lunch and dinner is excellent — whether that’s the creamiest and most delicate pumpkin raviolis the freshest of gazpachos or the asparagus tossed with Minorcan prawns The spa offers treatments with Rosalena facial oils and massages using the techniques of the Australian brand Lit’ya like the sun-kissed surroundings."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Toby has been spending holidays on the island since he was a boy restaurateur and private butler to some of Britain’s wealthiest families he’s hardly the first to discover this place one of the 5,000-plus prehistoric sites dating from 2500BC Half-buried storehouses and cave-dug living quarters are intact The butterfly-filled meadows next door are home to wild olive trees and braying donkeys The enormous hilltop “talayot” is a megalithic T-shaped monument that resembles a small Stonehenge It is proof that this idyllic nook was always a popular spot for a heavenly home Minorca is on the rise again."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Need to know"}}]},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Lydia Bell was a guest of Scott Williams (01749 812721 "}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"scottwilliams.co.uk"}}],"attributes":{"href":"http://www.scottwilliams.co.uk/"}},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":") which has several villas and hotels on Minorca Easyjet has flights from Gatwick to Mahon from £58 return based on 22 guests sharing for a three-night stay the use of a chauffeured eight-seat vehicle (between 10am and midnight) and the house fully staffed 24 hours a day Also included are two lunches and two dinners for a three-night stay In shoulder season it can be rented by the room from £325 B&B a night Other villas can also be rented in shoulder season at reduced rates to under-occupying groups Finca Lucilla sleeps up to 12 adults and 2 children and usually costs between £7,200 and £10,000 a week Ask about a party of six during a quieter time and you could have the whole house for £5,000 (01749 812721 "}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"scottwilliams.co.uk"}}],"attributes":{"href":"http://www.scottwilliams.co.uk/"}},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":")"}}]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":200})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"The sunbathed mountain of Monte Toro perches 358m above sea level in the heart of Minorca which shows just how unspoilt 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May 20 2017 The TimesThe sunbathed mountain of Monte Toro perches 358m above sea level in the heart of Minorca which shows just how unspoilt the island is the towns’ pretty white housing touching lightly on all that natural glory The mellow isle has historically been the retiring Balearic relation And even today tourists overlook it in favour of Majorca and Ibiza the only five-star agriturismo on MinorcaHowever the unassuming island has been on the turn of late a children’s summer water park and a villa impressive enough to keep a Balearic oligarch content but the island feels satisfyingly insular to me To show that you can do Minorca in serious style serviced glory is accessible from £325 a night for a B&B double (good value when considering the exclusive-use bill of £63,000 a week in season) Its pared-down style matches Ibizan hotels whose interiors grace coffee-table books the world over Boutique hotel Torralbenc is surrounded by gardens and vineyardsThe Michelin-starred chef Paco Morales supervises the restaurant I worked my way through a simple oliaigo — a tomato and vegetable broth made of a lightly fried mix of onion It was beautifully paired with wines from Catalunya and iced apple cider from the Basque country Next came the cheese — but not at the restaurant The Subaida estate in the island’s interior specialises in traditional queso Mahon as well as the carni-i-xulla sausage (literally “meat and fat”) the cured six-month-old cheese and the year-matured aged version) with a local wine and carquinyols There’s more great eating in the port at Mahon as is the local comfort dish of huevos rotos con patatas y sobrasada — the Balearic equivalent of sausage or the local caldereta — a spiny lobster bouillabaisse we startle a man sunbathing naked as we splash into turquoise waters on our horses in eastern MinorcaALAMYMahon is one of those elegant Mediterranean outposts built during a neoclassical heyday In opera season the singers’ melodies drift into the streets To imbibe the windswept drama of the north we book a clifftop table at the 32-year-old Cap Roig Then we hit the open sea — and increase our pace Turn right out of the harbour and you will see one of the loveliest beaches The boat rocks in gentle silence and I cannot think of a better place to be as well as a chauffeured eight-seat vehicle at one’s disposal This is a super-villa the likes of which the island has never seen Every lunch and dinner is excellent — whether that’s the creamiest and most delicate pumpkin raviolis Toby has been spending holidays on the island since he was a boy Need to knowLydia Bell was a guest of Scott Williams (01749 812721, scottwilliams.co.uk), which has several villas and hotels on Minorca. Easyjet has flights from Gatwick to Mahon from £58 return. See spain.info for more information on Minorca The TimesYou won’t be surprised to learn that the sleepy Balearic island of Menorca — with its 125 miles of shoreline — is home to a decent tally of scenic beaches What’s perhaps more surprising is the fact that so much of it remains unspoiled Most of the summer crowds flock to the more accessible larger beaches Resort beaches allow little ones to paddle in calm shallows while their parents relax beneath palm-frond parasols dozens of hidden coves await discovery — some of which can only be reached by boat or sweaty hikes Efforts are handsomely rewarded with impossibly blue water lapping silky sands and moments of pinch-yourself nirvana You can loosely divide Menorca’s beaches between the picture-postcard powder of the south side and the wilder Most of the ones dotted along the southern coast are connected to established and increasingly swish resorts to the north you can explore sweeps of sand backed by dunes sloping into protected waters teeming with marine life Become a subscriber and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners ALAMYTucked away near Menorca’s southeast corner Cala Alcaufar has long been a summertime favourite with locals from Sant Lluis and Mahon Flanked by the wharfs and whitewashed homes of the sleepy village that shares its name this gentle cove has calm waters thanks to the protection of rocky outcrops and islets Tourist infrastructure remains relatively limited which helps to maintain Alcaufar’s authenticity One of the nearest places to stay is the Alcaufar Vell hotel This former Moorish fortress still bears evidence of its ancient origins melded with neoclassical updates and sporting a frozen-in-time salon • Discover our full guide to the Balearics ALAMYWhether you prefer a sandy beach or pebbly cove The main attraction here is the long stretch of fine which is genuinely lovely but can sometimes become rather crowded head instead to the tiny cove near the strand’s southern end which can only be accessed by swimming or scrambling but nearby Sa Mesquida village has a few decent restaurants this wild cala is just 15 minutes from the centre of Mahon And there are few better places to stay than the Jardi de Ses Bruixes From its subterranean spa to its rooftop terrace this boutique hotel is a study in impeccable taste The next beach along from Cala Presili (more below) it feels deliciously remote — yet it’s easily reached by bus from the capital in summer Sand dunes and scrub at the back of the beach provide habitat for turtles which are commonly seen on the island and lend this beach its name In keeping with the back-to-nature appearance Set in the S’Albufera d’Es Grau Natural Park Finca Son Temet sits just outside this protected zone and offers elegant lodgings surrounded by lush panoramas where the tranquillity is only broken occasionally by the resident peacocks GETTY IMAGESFrequently featured as the poster child for idyllic Menorcan beaches Cala Macarella comprises a strip of white sand overlooking turquoise water flanked by limestone cliffs It balances natural beauty with low-key facilities and services such as a restaurant and a summer lifeguard It’s a 20-minute walk through a forest trail from the car park so it’s best to arrange drop-offs and pick-ups in advance the sister bay of Macarelleta (pictured above) is just a short amble around the cliffs The Morvedra Nou is about as close as you can stay to Cala Macarella Nestled in 70 hectares of olive-tree-scattered land this sensitively converted 17th-century estate blends genuine Menorcan idyll with understated chic • Best hotels in Menorca• Mallorca v Menorca: which is better? ALAMYAt Son Saura cove you get two beaches in one — Banyul and Bellavista — separated by a slab of rocky headland sheltered bay makes for tot-friendly waters and this is a particularly popular haunt with local families so aim to arrive early over the summer months Less than half an hour’s drive away lies Vestige Son Vell an exquisite manor house nestled within a 180-hectare estate head-turning interiors and oh-so-inviting poolside loungers all conspire to keep you contained with its picture-perfect confines ALAMYFew places in the Mediterranean can match the shimmering magnificence of Cala Galdana: a broad horseshoe bay fringed with white cliffs scattered with pines A long sweep of golden sand segues into calm crystalline waters — ideal for little bathers Clusters of pine trees offer shade for picnics while several restaurants provide front-row seats A river inlet and small marina make it ideal for water sports such as kayaking — perfect for escaping the summer crowds the Melia Cala Galdana’s soaring façade somehow blends into the bay’s dramatic scenery and an excellent kids’ club inject plenty of holiday-resort vibe GETTY IMAGESJust along the coast from Cala Galdana pine-topped cliffs (popular with high divers) combine to dazzling effect The absence of facilities are part of its draw and add to its off-grid beach vibe Scoring high on beauty and accessibility — a large car park is relatively close by — means it can get crowded over peak season Swim or stroll around to neighbouring Cala Mitjaneta for fewer bodies The adults-only Artiem Audax overlooks Cala Galdana’s small marina and river inlet from where you can hire a sea kayak to paddle around to neighbouring Cala Mitjana This activities-focused hotel also houses one of the island’s most impressive spas ALAMYDistinctive for its rose-gold sands and pink cliffs that beautifully offset its aquamarine water this secluded cove is located on the island’s less-explored north coast Islets just offshore protect bathers from the swell as well as providing some excellent snorkelling While there are a few houses dotted around the area It’s also around 30 minutes’ walk from the nearest car park so it’s best to set off before it gets too hot — or arrive by boat The adults-only Agroturismo Son Vives is within 20 minutes’ drive of this beach plus its hilltop setting (on one of the island’s four highest points) affords glorious views stretching all the way to the coast This family-run estate is also still home to farm animals including cows that provide milk for their very own cheese • Best all-inclusive hotels in Menorca• Best things to do in Menorca GETTY IMAGESPart of the nature reserve that covers a large swathe of Menorca’s east this stretch of sand is surrounded by lush untamed landscape that’s fantastic for wildlife and the sand is mostly fine and soft with the occasional pebbly patch but the sleepy fishing village of Es Grau has a couple of waterside eateries this beach is a mere 15-minute hop from the centre of Mahon Hevresac is a townhouse trailblazer in sustainability which also mixes bookish charm with a make-yourself-at-home atmosphere GETTY IMAGESWhen it comes to pristine beaches on Menorca you really have to put in the effort to get here — it’s an hour’s walk along the ancient footpath of Cami de Cavalls you’re treated to a slice of unsullied paradise are limited (and its remoteness encourages some to shed swimsuits) make the luxe-level Villa Le Blanc Gran Melia in neighbouring Santo Tomas your base you can hike the hour or so to Cala Escorxada They’ll be happy to provide (fancy) provisions for your journey ALAMYPartially sheltered from the winds by rugged cliffs Cala Presili defies the norm of north-coast beaches with its fine white sands It’s set within the confines of the protected S’Albufera d’Es Grau reserve too so the area’s natural beauty remains completely intact There’s a small car park towards the Favaritx lighthouse and it’s an easy stroll from here Despite its relatively straightforward access the beach is usually undisturbed by summer crowds Moon Dreams Marina Parc Hotel is a short (20-minute) drive from Cala Presili a kids’ club and one of the longest pools in Menorca — making it an understandably popular spot for families GETTY IMAGESCala de Trebaluger is an unspoiled beach that is tricky to access and is all the more pristine and peaceful for it A rectangle of soft white sand sits in a low with one side opening to a freshwater river It’s around an hour’s (fairly challenging) walk from parking near Cala Mitjana The sea is particularly clear here and usually teeming with sea life Ferreries makes a fine base for exploring this stretch of coast — and Ses Sucreres is the place to stay This restored 19th-century townhouse is brimming with choice vintage pieces eclectic artworks and character that channels the island’s creative soul • Discover our full guide to Spain ALAMYStretching along Menorca’s south coast for almost two miles Son Bou is the longest beach on the island At its easterly end is the eponymous holiday resort largely due to the gently sloping beach’s child-friendly waters A couple of chiringuitos (laid-back beach venues) open over the summer months and there’s a smattering of sunloungers to flop on too the beach also becomes increasingly popular with nudist sunbathers (you have been warned) whitewashed finca chic meets a retro-tinged pastel palette This eye-catching agriturismo doesn’t scrimp on luxury either GETTY IMAGESCala en Turqueta is one of the island’s most popular beaches and its natural beauty is as flawless as you’ll find on Menorca Incredibly clear water laps against a white-sand shore enclosed by scented pine forests and limestone crags Although there’s nothing in the way of beach bars you’ll find toilets and a lifeguard in the busier months Just along the coast on the southwestern tip is the resort of Cala en Bosc A family favourite here is the Zafiro Menorca where roomy one-bedroom suites come as standard and there’s lots onsite for little travellers GETTY IMAGESBinigaus is a 15-minute stroll west of Santo Tomas along the coastal trail it’s wide open to the sea so can be a little wavy when the southern wind blows high orange cliffs dramatically complement the golden sands and turquoise waters A sense of seclusion makes this popular with the naturist set the Binigaus Vell hotel occupies the same slice of Menorcan campo as Binigaus beach This storied finca can trace its origins back to the 9th century while 21st-century additions includes a swish pool with sweeping vistas down to the coast Private stables also provide an equine option crescent-shaped cove — one of the island’s largest — is most impressive when viewed from the elevated resort that has built up around it A vast swathe of golden sand provides plentiful space for the inevitable summer throngs and the waters are some of the calmest on Menorca’s north coast Sedate water sports take the form of kayaking and pedalos and there’s no shortage of bars directly overlooking the beach the Llucatx Menorca offers a more rustic alternative to the purpose-built options dotted around the bay Sandwiched between rolling fields and forested hills a blissful sense of rural seclusion prevails here A modest number of rooms means you’ll always find a spot to lounge by the generously sized pool reddish sands backed by weathered dunes and rocky inclines make this bay feel wild and remote stop it getting busy in the summer months as crowds flock to its dramatic setting this is also one of the few beaches on the island where surfers gather to catch breakers during the breezier seasons staying at S’Estancia Suites gives you a clear run up to Playa de Cavalleria contemporary lodgings with the option of hot tub terraces overlooking lush Menorcan landscapes • Best family hotels in Menorca• Best villas in Menorca Sign up to the Times Travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here Menorca is the most unassuming of Spain’s Balearic islands The predominantly rural interior is ringed by a series of sleepy fishing towns and small beach resorts where hotels also tend towards the diminutive Declared a Unesco biosphere reserve in 1993 the island is subject to strict planning regulations that mean it has retained its natural beauty You’ll find the majority of the beach resorts in the south — the north coast is wilder and less-developed Airport transfers are short and it takes less than an hour to drive from one end of the island to the other The very largest properties on the island have around 500 rooms all-inclusive hotels here don’t have the double-digit array of restaurants to choose from that you’ll find in larger-scale destinations tending to rely on a main buffet and perhaps one or two other dining choices Where they excel is with warm personal service good locations — most are close to or on a beach — and plenty of family facilities with even the smaller or lower-budget properties likely to have at least a children’s pool and playground An ongoing programme of openings and refurbs means there is a wider choice of luxury Menorca all-inclusive hotels than ever before both for families and couples; the value end of the market is well-established Our travel journalism is written and edited by independent experts to inform inspire and advise our readers about the best choices for your holidays We also feature properties and itineraries from a specially selected list of trusted operators These buttons and adverts are clearly signposted and provide direct links through to external sites Cala’n BoschBest for swim-up suitesThere are four different kinds of suite to choose from here including toes-in-the-pool swim-ups and options with a private garden and your own loungers and hammock All sleep four with a sofabed in the lounge which can be shut off from the main bedroom — no wonder this is a firm family favourite Little ones will sleep well — there’s a children’s pool with a pirate ship and slide a playground and a kids’ club to tire them out though you won’t have much need of them on the all-inclusive package which covers the buffet restaurant and the bistro-style pool bar white-sand beach of Cala’n Bosch is a ten-minute walk away Best for dining choiceMenorca isn’t a hotbed of large hotels with multiple restaurants but this sprawling property set just back from Punta Prima’s beautiful beach has a wide choice You will need reservations for the à la carte options kids’ clubs catering from four up to 16 years and outdoor and indoor playgrounds Accommodation is in apartments that sleep four at a minimum with two-bed options that can hold up to six Son BouBest for the beachSon Bou is a contender for Menorca’s best beach and it’s certainly its longest — one and a half miles of wide golden sand stretching along the south coast This great-value three-star wins on location and though the rooms aren’t going to take home any design awards many have balconies with sea views and there are family options available Two large buffet restaurants and a snack bar keep everyone fed between dips in the two pools and there’s a wide programme of activities for all the family S’Algar Best for adult-only wellnessAll-inclusives by nature tend to be lively and activity-packed adult-only hotel set in tropical gardens in the quiet village of S’Algar is an unusually chilled-out choice Access to the wellness area is included in your package so you can soak in the hot tub or steam room It’s worth upgrading to a club suite with a plunge pool; as well as better drinks inclusions you’ll also have access to a reserved area at the beach club across the road where you can visit the main pool and an à la carte restaurant it overlooks a rocky cove with bathing platforms jutting out into the clear waters BiniancollettBest for local luxuryDesigned by a Menorcan architectural practice making plentiful use of local stone and featuring ceramics and crafts from the island’s artisans Barcelo Nura gives your stay a stronger sense of place than most all-inclusive hotels Dining has authentic flavour too; centring on seasonal local produce with a wide selection of Spanish dishes Staying on an all-inclusive basis allows you to eat at the main buffet and pool bar and gives you 50 per cent off at the à la carte restaurant and 20 per cent off treatments in the spa Rooms are sleek and some have shared pools; while it’s not adult-only there is a grown-up vibe here live music in the rooftop cocktail bar in the evenings and the nearest sandy beach a mile away at Punta Prima Best for big familiesFinding hotels that cater to families of more than four can be a challenge a five-minute walk from the sandy beach at Cala’n Bosch has two-bedroom apartments that mean six can stay comfortably together There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained a kids’ club for ages four to 12 and a host of sports including tennis and archery for the older ones Come the evening there’s a mini-disco and family-friendly shows Dining is in the buffet restaurant and there’s a snack bar serving burgers Santo TomasBest for active adultsHotels for adults only can typically attract an older clientele but this south-coast property is aimed at a more youthful market Overlooking the shore and with lounger-lined pools both on the beachfront and roof you’ll find relaxation will come easy here Evenings see live music and themed party nights The buffet and snack bar are included in the all-inclusive package Punta PrimaBest for slides and splashesA good handful of Menorcan hotels have tot-friendly splash parks but for older swimmers who want the real deal this hotel has a full waterpark on site with a kamikaze drop plus a host of gentler fun for little ones The all-inclusive package gives you unlimited access As well as the hotel buffet you can eat at the snack bars both at the pool and the water park so there’s no need to trek back and forth if the family’s settled by the slides Punta Prima beach is a 15-minute walk away Best for kids’ clubsAll kids’ clubs are not created equal Many hotels don’t cater for under-fours or teenagers and even those in-between can have a disappointing experience as any 12-year-old who has returned from a day colouring with little ones will tell you At this family-focused property set just back from Menorca’s longest sandy beach kids’ clubs are available for all ages from babies up to 16 and are segmented into five age bands so that activities are tailored and appropriate whether that’s nappy changes and bouncy castles or water polo and video games spacious apartments and two restaurants with children’s options that are both part of the all-inclusive package Cala’n ForcatBest for sunset viewsA clifftop location on Menorca’s west coast means this somewhat unprepossessing-looking hotel has expansive sunset panoramas in the evening — request a room with a sea view rather than a cove view and you’ll even be able to watch from your balcony A path down the cliff leads to a rocky cove with a small sandy beach split-level pool and a packed programme of activities from archery to volleyball Family rooms sleep up to five and there’s a kids’ club for ages five to 12 low-key property set in sprawling gardens on the island’s southwest coast is close to a beach and not much else but if you’re staying on an all-inclusive basis and want to relax rather than sightsee There’s a giant main pool with plenty of sunbeds a quiet pool and an adult-only area in the buffet restaurant comprising studios and apartments with one or two bedrooms Arenal d’en CastellBest for sheltered sandsThe north-coast beach of Arenal d’en Castell is protected by a deep horseshoe-shaped bay — there’s rarely more than a breath of wind and the water is shallow and calm the restaurant has Scandi stylings and the large south-facing main pool has white-curtained Bali beds as well as ranks of sun loungers plus a mini club to occupy the little ones but you’ll find daytime programming more low-key than in some activity-packed hotels purpose-built resort of Son Parc is home to Menorca’s only golf course — a picturesque 18 holes set in pine woods with a flock of peacocks that live behind the third green the Hotel Apartamentos Sol Parc is the pick of the accommodation bunch particularly if you’re travelling with non-golfing family members head to the pool or amble along the boardwalk to the beach It’s popular with the French market and much of the programmed entertainment is in French Es CastellBest for an urban feelThis stylish adult-only hotel is one of the only all-inclusives in Menorca with a more urban location — right on the harbour in Es Castell a smart town with small boutique shops just to the south of the capital When you’re not pottering in the picturesque streets or sightseeing (the hotel has a car park if you’re exploring the island under your own steam) you can lounge around the courtyard pool or soak in the hot tubs on the roof terrace — a spot with views over the bay where you’ll also find a cocktail bar The all-inclusive package includes dining in the buffet restaurant and the pool bar and offers discounts on spa treatments and the à la carte Mediterranean restaurant • Best family hotels in Menorca• Best things to do in Menorca Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here Torralbenc is a serene and peaceful hotel nestled on Torralbenc Vineyard. The hotel has real Menorcan charm with its white-washed farm buildings which date back to the 19th and early 20th century. When we can sneak a moment away from the kids, we head here for a glass of wine in the late afternoon before eating at their restaurant which offers traditional Menorcan cuisine.Visit Torralbenc.com/en If you’re after an adult-only hotel, head to Artiem Carlos in Es Castell, located on the east of the island. It has the most gorgeous sea views from the pool and there’s a great spa on site, too. For a romantic trip, book one of the rooms that overlook the bay. Visit Artiemhotels.com Christie stayed here on her wedding night. Set within the beautiful countryside of Menorca, this boutique hotel is located in a 17th-century country house on the east of the island, near the entrance to the port of Mahon. Ideal if you’re after a bit of luxury R&R, try and book one of the rooms away from the main house for maximum privacy. Breakfast overlooking the pool in the mornings is a must. Visit Binissaida.com This is another beautiful traditional farmhouse hotel in the countryside. Book a table for lunch or dinner, or head to the bar for a Pomada (a Menorcan drink made with gin) after a day spent at the nearby Alcaufar Bay.Visit AlcaufarVell.com/en Set in a 16th-century merchant’s palace in Ciutadella, the city’s historic centre Can Faustino is beautiful. The rooms are simple yet stylish, especially the suites with terraces. You can relax in the steaming hammam in the ancient vaults, and try local food at the restaurant, a lively spot in the evenings. For a great day out, book a trip on one of the hotel’s private boats to explore the nearby coves.Visit CanFaustino.com This is a stunning family-run restaurant and vineyard. If you want to stock up on great wines or go for a superb meal, it’s well worth a visit. Make sure you get an outdoor table near the vines for the best views. If you’re just stopping by, be sure to book a tasting and take a tour of the vineyard.Visit Binifadet.com This is one of our parents’ favourite places in Menorca, housed in a small country finca. The menu is predominantly Menorcan with French influences from the chef, Patrick, who was born there. Expect dishes like aubergine and tomato crumble with sea bream; duck legs with orange and rosemary; and strawberry, coconut and passion fruit soup.Visit PanYVinoMenorca.com Located in the capital, this restaurant is renowned for its tapas and extensive wine selection. The menu features dishes like iclude huevos bravos, beef carpaccio, and paella. Enjoy a glass (or two) of sangria or treat yourself to a bottle of the local sparkling wine.Visit PassioMed.com Headed up by chef Felip Lluifriu, if you’re looking for stylish fine dining, this restaurant fits the bill. Housed in a boutique hotel, expect delicious, inventive dishes – the menu changed frequently so there’s always something tasty on offer.Visit MonRestaurantFonda.com We had one of our first clubbing experiences here at one of their legendary foam parties. Nowadays, we prefer to spend sunset hour here with the incredible views and music. Set in a spectacular cliffside cave overlooking the sea, it’s truly unique and a must for a late afternoon sundowner. Visit CovaDenxXroi.com This is the place to go for sundowner drinks. Located in Fornells, it’s right on the rocks and has great sea views. There’s always a buzzy vibe, but it still feels really relaxed.Visit IsabellaMenorca.com/en If you like gin, this is the place to go. The famous bar is popular with boat cruises during their summer sails and has an extensive cocktail list.Follow @Latitud40° on Instagram This is our favourite bar on Son Boy beach. The food and drinks are delicious, but it’s also a great spot for coffee after a morning dip.Follow @EsXiringuito on Instagram but if you want a pair of traditional Menorcan sandals There are lots to choose from – our whole family Ciutadella on the west coast of the island has some really sweet shops A lovely afternoon can be spent exploring the streets popping into the boutiques and having a drink at one of the bars or cafés Be sure to visit the Old Fish Market which does great tapas Lots of hidden gems can be discovered in Es Castell you’ll find lots of little independent boutiques and cafés. Hauser & Wirth has just opened in Illa del Rei The area is where Christie was married back in 2015 and she even chose the middle name ‘Rei’ for her youngest son to commemorate just how special the island is for us. Visit HauserWirth.com with its symmetrical horseshoe-shaped cove Menorca is also full of ‘virgin beaches’ which are beaches without immediate car access which can be reached on foot from Cala Galdana This walking trail is a scenic route that surrounds the island The ancient path is 185km long and follow the coast You can pick up different parts of the trail easily and there are plenty of good online recommendations depending on the intensity of walk you’re after and what to want to see Ciutadella’s main square is lined with 19th-century buildings including the town’s remaining bastions and bulwarks Head up to the 14th-century Bastió d’Es Governador for a great view of the port Part of the magic of Menorca is that it was recognised as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1993 meaning its nature reserves have been able to flourish from restricted development and construction This sense of nature and endless countryside sets it apart from its Balearic neighbours Visit Otiumberg.com and follow @Otiumberg on Instagram DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com (You will be redirected to the right platform once logged in) Forgotten login? Request a new password The quieter of the Balearic Islands, Menorca is well known as a family hotspot. It's only 270 square miles, but has 134 miles of coast and more than 70 beaches and coves. Most of them are great for kids, with warm, clear, (fairly) shallow water and either white or reddish-gold-coloured sand. The easily accessible beaches are packed with tourists in the summer months, although if you choose to travel at the end of the season, during October half-term, there are less people but it's still wonderfully warm. Sandy strips like Son Saura and Es Talaier are virtually deserted year-round because they're only accessible by foot or boat. But with two kids in tow, it's not feasible to walk to beaches without facilities, so we stick to the more popular spots at Cala en Bosch, Son Xoriguer and Cala Galdana, which are packed – you really need to get there early, or in late afternoon, if you want a sunbed. As well as the simple pleasures of sand and sea, at Cala Galdana we find pedaloes with slides (from €15 per hour), plus beach bars and restaurants selling standard fare like paninis, pizzas, burgers and salad, that are just a little more expensive than in the UK. Best of all, there are several lovely shaded areas beneath the pine trees, meaning we can avoid forking out €14 for two sunbeds, and €5 for a parasol. But despite being spoiled for beautiful beach choices, the truth is that my kids – particularly the youngest, Cristian (11) – would be quite happy to simply stay at our villa all day, every day. The detached single-storey property, Jasmin Villa, is about 1.5 miles from the centre of Cala en Bosch, on a short but wide seaside street full of similar villas. Our private, hedged garden is perfect for barbecues beneath the Roman-style arches next to our illuminated pool. The pool itself, which measures 7m x 4m, is also Roman-style, with steps leading into it. It's big enough to swim – or play – properly in, and absolutely makes the holiday for both the kids and me. Because if there's one almost universal rule for kids, it's that if there's a swimming pool, they're happy. And if it's their own private pool, you can double the joy. My two spend hours playing in our villa's pool every day – and I enjoy doing some serious daily swimming too. Recovering on a sunbed under the palm tree in the garden isn't bad either. It's great to spend family time here. The villa is roomy enough to escape the kids when necessary, but my husband and I are keen to explore Menorca. First stop is the marina in the modern little town of Cala en Bosch, on Menorca's south-east coast. It's just a 15-minute walk from our villa, and nearly all the island's best bars and restaurants can be found here. So on the rare occasions we're not barbecuing, this is where we choose to dine out. There are several fish restaurants like The Aquarium and La Marina, but I'm vegetarian and they don't cater for me, so we keep ending up at the cheery Fiesta restaurant, which sells tapas, Mexican, Spanish (including the obligatory paella) and even Brazilian barbecue food, as well as pizzas, pasta and burgers to keep the kids happy. Mains courses start at around €8. There are shops and stalls offering henna tattoos and hair braiding, as well as leather goods and souvenirs, all surrounding the flashy boats bobbing around on the marina water. It's a very family-friendly, chilled atmosphere – illuminated by kids (mainly mine) shining newly purchased laser pens at every conceivable target. We do, however, manage to travel further afield than the marina, and drag the kids round the lovely former capital Ciutadella, which is just a 15-minute drive from the villa. This historic town is nicknamed Vella I Bella, which means 'the old and beautiful', because of its Baroque and Gothic churches, terracotta-painted buildings and pretty squares. There's also a quay with a variety of waterside restaurants offering freshly-caught fish, and a great market with a vast amount of leather goods, particularly handbags, on offer. We also explore the narrow streets of Menorca's present capital Mahon (Mao), on the other side of the island to the villa, but still only about three quarters of an hour's drive away. It boasts one of the largest natural harbours in the world, nestling below narrow pedestrianised streets, shady squares, and historic buildings including the serene Church of Santa Maria, which was originally constructed in 1287, and the Arch de San Roque, the only remnant of the wall that once encircled the city. And if all that history gets a bit much, particularly for younger members of your party, there are plenty of pavement cafes and bars for refreshment. But there's nothing better than cool water for refreshment, and after Mahon, the kids go especially wild for Splash Sur Menorca, which claims to be the best water park on the island, at St Lluis (€20 for adults; €12 for children). Splash is certainly a good size, with rivers, pools, Jacuzzis and six slides of varying sizes, including the Black Hole, where you can drop into darkness (if you dare), and the big green Multipista, where you race on adjacent slides. In fact, my 13-year-old son Joel (not known for his effusive praise of anything) grudgingly admits slides like the Kamikaze, where there's an almost sheer drop into the water at the end, "aren't bad". Me? I just about manage to summon enough energy to float around on a ring on the Slow River. My husband, on the other hand, can't resist the slides and comes away with a huge lump and bruise on his elbow. Not the sort of thing you get on the Slow River, I smugly point out. Adventure dad does, however, leave the go-karting, at Castillo Menorca on the island's main Me-1 road between Cuitadella and Ferreries, to the kids (I don't think he would've fitted in one, to be honest.) Our two have a whale of a time trying to overtake each other, and a few other kids, on the track (€15 Euros for 10 minutes in a medium powered go-kart). And as they career round, I go handbag shopping in Castillo's handy retail outlet, which is another part of the attraction, clearly designed with mums like me in mind. It sells a vast selection of bags, both designer copies and others, ranging in price from about €15, and there's also a Lladro outlet selling beautiful ornaments. Horses for courses... That's the phrase that sums up Menorca for me. Party animals aren't the right horses for the Menorca course, but if you're a family 'horse', you're on the right track. And if you've got kids and can get a villa with a pool, you're on to a winner. :: James Villa Holidays (jamesvillas.co.uk; 0800 074 0122) offer a week at the Jasmin Villa in Cala en Bosch, Menorca, from £498 in spring/autumn and from £1,200 in summer. To book, email reservations@jamesvillas.co.uk Facebook pageTwitter feed RSS feed@2025 The Irish News Ltd These are the places you can't miss if you want to enjoy a relaxing day in a cove during your vacation. The heat is approaching and, with it, the desire to cool off, put on our snorkel goggles, plant an umbrella on the beach and fill the cooler with soft drinks and fruit for a long day at the beach. View this post on Instagram For this reason we bring you the best beaches of the Costa Brava not only because they are some of the most beautiful jewels of Catalonia but because its waters are characterized by being clear transparent and surrounded by rocky landscapes and white sand that characterizes this area of Catalonia The Portitxol is located next to the Archaeological Museum of Empúries so it is ideal for a cultural getaway and a dip at the end of the day The Platja d’Es Codolar is located at the foot of the walls of the Vila Villa de Tossa de Mar since its location is a natural shelter from the wind and waves so we recommend wearing river flip-flops or booties although you run the risk of looking like a guiri you will be much more comfortable when entering the water Many say it is one of the most beautiful coves of the Costa Brava thanks to its turquoise waters its fine sand and the idyllic enclave surrounded by pine trees where it is located It offers several services such as restaurants or beach bars and you can also rent pedal skates it tends to be quite crowded in the summer months If you are looking for a different plan and something more adventurous than lying under the sun for hours This sandy beach has a kayak school where you can rent canoes to make routes through the Parc Natural del Castell-Cap Roig It also has a parking area just a few meters from the beach you can reach it following the GR92 from Tossa de Mar as it has services such as showers and beach bars legend has it that sometimes a mermaid named Pola appears on the beach and attracts bathers with her singing as it has a small bar that offers refreshments food and ice cream in case you get the munchies in the middle of the day so we recommend you arrive early to lay your towel you will have to go down some stairs that go through the rocky walls that surround it so we recommend wearing appropriate footwear the Catalan writer Josep Pla dedicated a narration to it where he explains how he tried to make a boat trip starting from Aigua Xelida that finally failed It does not look like the typical cove of the Costa Brava as it is surrounded by dunes and its wild air reminds us more of a Californian beach than a Catalan one the mouth of the Ter river meets the Mediterráneo To get to Platja de la Illa Roja you will have to walk a short stretch of the Camí de Ronda This is a nudist cove very popular internationally and the Illa Roja has no services such as showers or a bar so we recommend you go prepared with a coolerto spend the day which makes it ideal to spend the day with children During the Festa Major of Lloret it becomes the port of reception of the maritime procession that transports the relics of Santa Cristina to the hermitage with the same name very close to it is the Piña de Rosa Botanical Garden perfect for a walk after a day at the beach and enjoy the wonderful scenery offered by the Catalan coast we find this cove a few kilometers from Palamós as its name suggests, is small and narrow. On one side it has an old renovated fisherman’s house that gives it that authentic air so typical of the Costa Brava and It is accessed by a dirt road surrounded by pine trees and during weekends in July and August has lifeguardservice Spain17 August 2011ShareSaveLonely Planet MagazineFeatures correspondentShareSaveThe fishing village Fornells is on Menorca's northen coast (Menorca-tourism)The most tranquil of the Balearic Islands the coastline boasts fortified baroque towns untouched coves and ancient archaeological sites Menorca was declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1993 Its 135-mile coastline is dotted with fortified baroque towns harbours unique wetlands and ancient archaeological sites How to go with stratospheric hotel prices and beaches crammed with bodies So why not forget the beach resorts and head instead to the mountains and agricultural plains dotted with more than a hundred agroturismo properties where you stay on a farm and eat locally grown food Agroturismo in Majorca encompasses everything from simple farm stays to luxurious hotels in converted estancias The best time to go is September and October prices are lower and the island is quieter 1 For romantics: Es Mirabó de Valldemossa Es Mirabó is a former private finca that dates back to the 1500s Simply but comfortably furnished with beautiful views make this a fabulous retreat The house is elegant but informal — slouchy white sofas in the lounge and a kitchen that runs on an honesty system In the evenings sip rosé and watch the houses of Valldemossa melt away Details: Double rooms from €140 (£115) B&B (00 34 661 285215, mirabo.es) the manicured grounds are ideal for lazing and the restaurant offers elegant morsels of painstakingly prepared food Details: Doubles from €185 B&B (00 34 971 81 61 10, cansimoneta.com) The former home of Archduke Louis Salvador of Austria Sa Pedrissa has been decreed a site of cultural interest by the Spanish Government and an elegant restaurant where Victor Artigues whips up spectacular suppers of fish and succulent meat Alternative therapies and yoga are available in the spa Details: Doubles from €160 B&B (00 34 971 639 111, sapedrissa.com) 4 For fashionistas: Cases de Son Barbassa Cases de Son Barbassa offers a similar vibe to Ibiza; white drapes billowing around beds by the pool wooden beams and a chic restaurant serving modern Mediterranean dishes tucked away on the lesser-known northeast corner of the island close to the medieval town of Capdepera and the west coast beaches Details: Doubles from €95 B&B (00 34 971 565776, sonbarbassa.com) This stunning house dates to the 17th century and offers four simply furnished rooms with four-poster beds Puigpunyent is at the southern end of the Tramuntana mountain range where the walking routes are a little gentler and less well known than higher up in Soller and Fornalutx Details: Doubles from € 98, B&B (00 34 971 71 95 27, sonpont.com) Son Galcerán is only ten minutes from Palma yet is surrounded by lush orange groves and cypress hills The 12 rooms are decorated in traditional Majorcan style Details: Doubles from €90B&B (00 34 971 611 224, songalceran.com) 7 For tranquillity: Sa Rota d’en Palerm where the agricultural plains stretch into the hazy sunlight Sa Rota is an 18th-century finca that was a working farm surrounded by 30 acres of fruit Details: Doubles from €122, room only (00 34 971 52 11 00, sa-rota.com) The house is surrounded by citrus groves and guests can adopt their own orange tree or stay in one of the cosy cottages that open out into the rows of trees The estate is just outside the town of Sóller and feels like a family home; walls are dotted with family photographs and memorabilia The welcome is warm and breakfasts on the terrace memorable Details: Doubles from €140 room only (00 34 971 63 02 98, cas-sant.com) There has been a wine cellar at Can Feliu since the late 18th century and wine growing was restarted on the estate in 1999 Guests can get involved in every part of the wine-making process from harvesting and pruning to tasting and buying The charming house has eight cosy bedrooms a delightful pool and an excellent children’s play area Details: Doubles from €100 B&B (00 34 609 613 213, sondagueta.com) Spas and gourmet restaurants are all very well but if you want a simple rustic getaway take the road out of Pollença to Can Guilló surrounded by delightfully wild gardens that blaze with colour Details: Doubles from €85 B&B (00 34 687 896 815, canguillo.com) is renowned as one of the best on the island As well as indulgent suppers on the terrace S’Olivaret has 23 luxurious rooms and beautifully furnished lounge areas Details: Doubles from €150 B&B (00 34 971 510 889, solivaret.com) Rural hotels aren’t always big on spa facilities so Es Ratxo The Moorish-designed spa has an indoor pool with pressure jets bithermal showers and treatments including Thai and Ayurveda massages The hotel is off a long winding road at the bottom of a valley Details: Doubles from €350 B&B (00 34 971 147 132, esratxohotel.com) Son Siurana is a rural estancia with five cottages that make perfect family billets a pretty patio and a good selection of wines Details: Doubles from €132 B&B, cottages for four from €210 (00 34 971 54 96 62, sonsiurana.com) but when you open the shutters on a sunny morning and the cobbled square of Pollença is before you with waiters unstacking chairs and children scurrying to school Details: Doubles from €80 B&B, (pollensahotels.com) A rural escape doesn’t have to be miles from the sea — Son Marimon is only 3km from the untouched beach at Mondrago The hotel is a renovated finca with six comfortable rooms fig and almond trees and an organic orchard with lush gardens linking the house and pool Details: Doubles from €100 B&B (00 34 971 18 17 04, sonmarimon.com) Fornalutx is one of the prettiest places on the island and the view of the Tramuntana peaks from C’an Reus is breathtaking The former 19th-century home of a wealthy citrus importer the hotel has kept the feel of a private house Details: Doubles from €120 (00 34 971 631 174, canreushotel.com) Tucked away in the tiny hamlet of Galilea Scotts has three cottages and seven studio suites each with south-facing terraces for maximum viewing potential Details: Doubles from €140 room only (00 34 971 870 100, scottsgalilea.com) Son Foguero is the creation of Pere Alamany with Alamany’s works on the clean white walls The house is surrounded by jacaranda and fruit trees and has a romantic pool area Details: Doubles from €200 B&B (00 34 971 525 343, sonfoguero.com) At Es Castell the ebullient host James ensures that vegetarians are well catered for Suppers are taken on the roof terrace after lazy days around the pool or a walk through the foothills of the Tramuntana Details: Doubles from €130 B&B (00 34 971 875 154, fincaescastell.com) 20 For horticulturalists: Posada d’es Moli The flower-filled gardens are delightful at Posada d’es Moli and as the surrounding 50,000 sq m of land are still farmed for fruit and vegetables The delightful pool area makes it hard to leave Details: Doubles from €176 B&B (00 34 971 260 593, posadadesmoli.com) Subscribe to be the first to get new family travel inspiration Sign up today! Can you really keep travelling with a child in tow Subscribe to be the first to get new family travel inspiration it’s a perfect place to holiday with kids So when I was invited on an adults-only Menorca trip this summer it seemed an unexpected combination – rather than beach breaks and sandcastles this 48 hours in Menorca featured gin in a cliffside bar discovering Mahon’s history and browsing boutiques press trip/contains affiliate links* it’s easier than ever to get there now as well – along with low-cost airlines flying to Menorca during the summer easyJet has launched a new winter route from Gatwick here’s my tips on what to do if you have two days in Menorca… without kids (or with older teens) A glamorous grown-up trip needs a glamorous grown-up hotel (and a pool where no-one is wearing arm bands). In pretty Es Castell, the Barcelo Hamilton hotel has its own rooftop bar with hot tubs and Balinese beds I’m a fan of the hotel chain after staying in Barcelo Raval in Barcelona enormously comfy beds and lots of funky little touches And if a Menorca city break is a bit different from a weekend in Barcelona (although Catalan was once the official language on the island too) it’s also one of the best places in Menorca to watch the sunrise Those enormously comfy beds meant I was lounging fast asleep when the sun made its appearance although watching the sun set from the roof after cocktails and a manicure was just as good The water in the Bay of Mahon glitters in the sunlight sparkling silver and blue as we hop into our water taxi With one of the world’s largest natural harbours the island has been visited and ruled by a string of civilisations from the Romans and Phoenicians to the British As we cruise slowly from our hotel in Es Castell to the port Mahon towering whitely above at the top of steep steps we even spot the old houses where British Admirals Nelson and Collingwood could stare at each other from opposite sides of the water I was busy eyeing up some of the houses: grand sprawling ones with their own docks and smaller colourful ones among the green of the hills and lining the waterfront Our first stop: a glass-bottomed boat trip with Yellow Catamarans cruising past some of the Navy vessels which still use the harbour out past the remains of forts and historic hospitals on quarantine islands along the way we swapped the open-air deck for the wide glass portholes onto the sea; plenty of space meant there was no crowding around to get a glimpse of Menorca’s marine life The small sharks which occasionally appear were keeping their distance today silver shoals of fish swirling past and tiny pulsating jellyfish little splashes of vibrant pink among the green sea grass Climbing up the steps into Mahon wasn’t quite as effortless as the jellyfish’s elegant underwater ballet but the island’s capital was worth the effort Twisting alleyways weave among old medieval fortifications traditional white buildings gleam blindingly in the sun with pastel homes and more unusual modernist creations sandwiched in between It’s easy to wander, following your own walking route, or there are guides to help you explore Mahon, including some of its British history with leaflets available from tourist information Who knew Menorca’s unique wide curving ‘boinder’ windows got the name because they were like British bow windows Or that you’ll find ‘grevi’ used in cooking along with ‘neverso’ plums – so called as the British governor at the time commented he ‘never saw’ plums quite like them its unassuming facade hiding the ornate chandeliers and famous acoustics of Spain’s oldest opera house whose organ has over 3,000 piles and which holds classical music concerts every day There’s something to discover around every corner: local history and art museum Can’Oliver was once a merchant’s house The ceilings and walls are still decorated with spectacular frescoes although the best views of all come once you’ve climbed yet more steps from the tower where the original owner would have gazed out to see to check for ships approaching the harbour I suspect he might have delegated the job to a minion… although looking down to the blue of the Mediterranean across the red roofs and eye-catching towers peaceful Parc D’es Freginal hides a bloodthirsty past there are children playing and flowers blooming kept watered by irrigation channels created a thousand years ago under Moorish rule the notorious pirate Barbarossa camped here with 3,000 followers before attacking the city they returned with their sights set on old capital Ciutadella The two towns have a fierce rivalry to this day… said to date back to these attacks the only rivalry we see is for the best seats at the fish market with the freshest fish and seafood laid out on crushed ice it’s half tapas bar with tables in the sunshine outside tapas so large that a couple is about the size of my usual lunch Music floats through the air from one of Mahon’s many buskers as we sip With local gin distillery Xoriguer just a few minutes away on the quayside it’s tempting to try Menorcans’ favourite cocktail lemon squash or lemon juice (and on one occasion it comes in huge fishbowl glasses which also mean it’s very easy to have slightly more than you intend Instead, we start with a glass of wine. 10 minutes from Es Castell, the vineyard of Bodegas Binifadet might not be big Michelin-starred El Bulli stocked their chardonnay (until the restaurant closed) and every year the limited edition sparkling wines sell out a side interest to his life and work in Barcelona it has been flourishing along with the vines since the first harvest in 1982 its menu designed to complement the bottles tucked away in the cellar there are also plans to grow more local grapes Wandering past the vines in the late afternoon sun tradition is important here – grapes are still picked by hand while the 92,000 bottles produced aren’t mass marketed to supermarkets Instead you’ll find them in select Menorcan restaurants If only I hadn’t flown hand luggage only… And once we’d decided which wines we liked (all of them!) we ordered a few more glasses to go with a spread of hams tomato rubbed bread and meltingly fresh salmon It’s tempting to stay at one of the tables sipping until the sun sets… but the best place to watch the sunset in Menorca is over a drink in a bar Cova d’en Xoroi clings to the cliffside twisting passages clinging to the rock face with small VIP areas to lounge on white cushioned sofas – or live music inside the caves of the cliff watching the water glow golden then crimson as the sun sinks below the horizon the jutting cliffs silhouetted against the fading light Then just as suddenly, stars twinkling in the sky above the calm waves. If Barcelo Hamilton has the best sunrise this is the perfect place to spend the evening In fact one of the best views in Menorca at any time If you haven’t slowed right down to the island pace of life – which combined with a siesta equals the ultimate de-stress – today is the day for low-key exploring and relaxation although dozens are only accessible from the water or after a hike through forest paths to the secluded sand Tempting… but if you plan to fit anything else in but there are loungers to hire and crystal clear waters to paddle in before heading in to the fishing village itself and smaller yachts moor up in this sleepily stylish spot But tear yourself away from the pretty waterfront to browse the boutiques Traditional espadrilles come in classic or designer updates (Jaime Mascaro but grudgingly decided I didn’t have space for straw bags decorated with pompoms or for the many many floaty white tops whose shelves are groaning with local cheese and meat flavoured salt and treats like ensaimada pastries Car hire in Menorca doesn’t cost a fortune and you can drive across the island in less than an hour But if you don’t fancy venturing to the north coast for your browsing take a wander to Cala Fonts for more window shopping the harbourfront area just down from Es Castell and a gentle amble from our hotel Between the string of restaurants lining the waterfront there are more boutiques crammed with boho styles and jewellery Now’s also the time to relax on a balinese bed on the rooftop (a steal at 20 Euros for the day) take a dip in the pool or head to the small spa Before trying some of Menorca’s most famous food: local cheese the Menorcans claim this for themselves – ‘Mahon-ese’ The story goes that when the French ruled the island a local whipped it up from eggs and olive oil so I’m very happy to accept it as I dip a gigantic prawn in For this trip, we stuck to the island’s eastern end but there’s easily enough for more short breaks to Menorca. Head west and discover Ciutadella – check out these pictures from The Travel Hack of its peaceful Disclosure: I travelled to Menorca courtesy of Barcelo Hotels as part of a trip for my day job and was under no obligation to share anything on the blog All opinions and new liking for lemony gin cocktails are my own This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller I would never have considered Menorca for a grown-up escape as it’s very much in the ‘child-friendly’ box for me but wow it looks stunning I love the idea of taking in a bit of culture and stopping off at a tapas bar then then hotel rooftop bar The hot tubs were amazing – love lying on a roof in the sunshine with a drink in my hand gazing out at the sea it’s so easy not to realise how much there is for an adult break Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I’m Cathy, an award-winning travel-obsessed writer who’s never knowingly underpacked I’m also mum to the mini traveller – aka 12-year-old Minnie* – and trying to work out how to cling on to normal life by my fingernails Privacy policy Disclosure policy As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases