Menorca Holidays

The sleepy island of Menorca plays things differently to its bigger Balearic sisters, Majorca and Ibiza. It’s got its fair share of tourist spots, but they tend to revolve around low-rise hotels, fairy-lit marinas, and restaurants that have been in families for generations.

In the bigger hubs, like Cala’n Forcat, Punta Prima, Cala’n Bosch and Santo Tomas, holidays are all about lazy days on the sand. And it’s easy to see why – Menorca’s beaches are really impressive. You’ve got everything from long, golden sweeps and pine-backed bays, right through to off-the-beaten-track coves. For the longest stretch of sand, head for family-favourite Son Bou.

Inland, it’s a case of rolling countryside laced with walking trails, and tiny villages where everything seems to stop come siesta time. And you can’t go far without spotting a sign for one of the island’s prehistoric relics. The deserted village of Torre d’en Gaumes, for example, dates back to 1400 BC.

Then you’ve got Menorca’s tale of two cities. Mahon and Ciutadella have collections of harbourside wine bars, elegant eateries and top-end boutiques.