UPDATE MAY 2022 - COVID-19
You must show either a valid vaccination certificate or negative PCR result upon enterring Spain. Lockdown measures are gone. Face masks are only mandatory in hospitals and public transport.
WHAT TO DO IN MENORCA: DAY 1
Menorca's airport is in its capital city, Mahon. That's where we landed on Monday morning after an hour and 15 minute flight from Madrid. Even though Menorca is a small island we wanted to make the most of our time so instead of going to our hotel -which was a few kilometers away- we decided to explore Mahon instead.Mahon is not a big city and can be seen in a few hours. Worth seeing are the old town and the harbor for beautiful bay views. We did a pit stop at Jardi de Ses Bruixes, a cute boutique hotel with the loveliest hidden garden. We arrived at 4pm when they had just opened so we had the place to ourselves. We enjoyed a freshly squeezed fruit juice while listening to acoustic versions and relaxed.
Tip: there's public transport in the island, but the best way to see Menorca is by driving a rental car. We hired our car with ACG Menorca and were really happy with them. We hired it online and when we landed someone from the company was waiting for us at the airport. He took us to the car and did all the paper work and paid in a few minutes. They make things really easy.
WHAT TO DO IN MENORCA: DAY 2
Menorca is best known for its turquoise water calas (coves). Cala Macarella is probably the most famous one. The parking closest to it is closed from May to October so your options to visit it are either taking a bus from Ciutadella or parking in Cala Galdana and walking for about 45 minutes through the forest. We chose the latter and even though it was exhausting it was totally worth it. Look at the color of the water, I swear it is real!Cala Macarelleta is Macarella's little sister and you can access it walking from one to the other. Both have the same transparent, warm Mediterranean water but this one is nudist. Few people were naked when we were there but it's something to have in mind because not everyone is comfortable with that situation. Macarella has a chiringuito (beach bar) where you can eat and drink, in Macarelleta there's no type of service.
Cala Galdana is where we started our day and the town with the same name is a beautiful place to visit and a great "base camp". The cove is less isolated than the previous ones because it's part of an urban area.
Tip: arrive early to avoid crowds. Also, some coves like Cala Turqueta have limited parking so unless you are early you won't be able to visit it.
WHAT TO DO IN MENORCA: DAY 3
On Wednesday we visited the other main city in Menorca, Ciutadella. People say this one is more beautiful than Mahon and I agree. It's also livelier. We had made resevations to eat by the harbor at Restaurante S'amarador to try the most typical dish of Menorca: soupy rice with fish stew and seafood, a true delicacy.Just like in Mahon, the old town and the harbor are the best places to wander in order to find Ciutadella's hidden gems. I've always been a fan of Mediterranean architecture so in Menorca I enjoyed sightseeing as much as being at the beach.
WHAT TO DO IN MENORCA: DAY 4
Our itinerary brought us to Bodega Binifadet on Thursday. One of the most important wineries in Menorca. Apart from wine tours, they have a great restaurant that serves healthy food cooked with local ingredients which they call "Km 0".Apart from loving Mediterranean buildings, I'm a huge fan of white washed villages like those in Andalusia. That's why Binibequer Vell had to be in our itinerary. This place is made up of white houses all linked together through intricate passages. It's as if someone have carved houses in a huge chunk of white stone. The inhabitants of this peculiar place are really concerned about the swarms of tourists disrupting their peace so there are "silence, please" signs all around.
I've just realized that I haven't told you why I wanted to visit Menorca. Well, there are obvious reasons seen so far in this post, but the main one is that I saw a pic of Cova d'en Xoroi on Pinterest that left me speechless. A stone balcony hanging from a cliff with a sitting area that promised magnificent sea views and beautiful sunsets while sipping a cocktail. It's close to Binibequer Vell so we went there afterwards.
Tip: Cova d'en Xoroi is an extremely popular tourist destination and a favorite spot to watch sunsets. We arrived at 7 pm and the place filled up quickly. By 9 pm it was too crowded to be there: tables were full, people sitting on the stairs and blocking the way... When we left we saw a looong queue waiting to go in and a line of cars waiting to park. It takes away all the fun so unless you like overcrowded places leave early and watch the sunset somewhere else. Entrance to the Cova is 14€ and includes a drink (for cocktails you need to pay an extra 3€).
WHAT TO DO IN MENORCA: DAY 5
We had been to the east on Monday, south on Tuesday, west on Wednesday and southeast on Thursday. Only the north was left. There you can find the fishing village of Fornells, in my opinion it's not spectacular but it's a nice place to go for a walk and have a drink outdoors in a terraza.A short drive from Fornells is Cavallaria lighthouse, another popular spot to watch sunsets. Many people go there, but the space is not as limited as in Cova d'en Xoroi so it's not as stifling.
Tip: if you like lighthouses there's another popular one in Favaritx, however the parking is closed this summer so you can only get there by bus from Mahon.
On the last morning we had been to the beach of Es Grau, a great family place because the water is not deep. You can feel like a child sitting in the water soaking until your fingertips wrinkle. Feels so good!
Want more? Read these posts about Menorca
Sol Beach House Hotel in Menorca
Like this post? Pin it and save it for later!
What to Wear in Menorca
Like this post? Pin it and save it for later!
Wow this is superb! Thanks for sharing and happy Monday xx
ReplyDeletehttps://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/08/05/milestones/
Absolutely stunning! That water, that food and I LOVE your fruit romper!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, I'm loving the look of Menorca - I need to go!
ReplyDeleteAnika | anikamay.co.uk
Beautiful post - I'd love to spend 5 days there!
ReplyDeleteOh it all looks so stunning. You make me want to book a flight! xx Passion fruit, Paws and Peonies
ReplyDeleteThese are great travel tips and things to do in Menorca. As always your pictures are beautiful. Obsessed with your fruit one piece btw. So pretty and fun!
ReplyDeleteMaureen | www.littlemisscasual.com
Hi, I love Menorca and have been lucky to visit several times, though usually in the slightly quieter months. We have stayed at Es Castell near Mahon and love the slightly less touristy feel it has. The little bars by the harbour are gorgeous and you feel so relaxed watching the world go by......especially with a glass of Menorcan gin !!! Hope the island never changes and thank you for sharing your trip & bringing back lovely memories x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I need to add Menorca to my travel wishlist.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are stunning. I love Menorcan cuisine, but now I want to go there and check it all out in person.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, I'm glad to share my experience with someone who has been there. We stayed in Sant Tomas which was also quiet and lovely. We chose Menorca instead of the other Balearic islands because everybody says it's much quieter and prettier.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Maureen! You are always so kind :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember once going to Sant Tomas, think there was one hotel and a beach bar there, bet its changed a bit -thought the good thing with Menorca the atmosphere never changes and you are right its so much quieter than the other Balearic's. We aren't beach lovers these days and Es Castell suits us 'Middle- agers' ha ha !! I hope we go back one day in the not too distant future
ReplyDeleteWow, this place looks amazing! The colour of the water is breathtaking - my kind of vacation destination!
ReplyDeleteI love these photos - what a stunning place!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/08/twin-fawns.html
What an absolutely beautiful place, the scenary and the food all look amazing. Will be adding Menorca to my list of places to visit!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are so beautiful. I would love to visit some day. I host a blog link-up every Wed, so if you want to stop by, you'r welcome to link your posts.
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous place! Looks like you had a blast! Definitely adding this to my list of places to visit.
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing spot! Your pictures are stunning!
ReplyDeleteThis place looks so beautiful! I actually had no idea where Menorca was, but now it's definitely something I'll have to add to my travel wish list!
ReplyDeleteAnd all of a sudden, I want to bag my bags and go! Menorca seems absolutely beautiful - if someone had fewer than 5 days to visit, do you think the visit would still be worth it?
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an amazing trip! The photos look so pretty! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIf there is Uber in Menorca, tourists could avoid the hassle of finding car park at certain place. Anyway, driving a rental car is the best way to see Menorca since there is no Uber over there.
ReplyDeleteAnti Spy Gadget
What a beautiful place to visit!
ReplyDeleteAh, Menorca is so beautiful! I've never visited before but now I really want to! That turquoise sea and the coves. Thank you for this lovely virtual tour!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous trip! Your photos of these breathtaking sights are sooo lovely dear. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
Years ago I was blessed enough to live in Andalucia... Your lovely photos make me homesick for it! Now I have another destination for my "Travels" list.
ReplyDeleteYou give me the travel bug every time I visit your blog! The water there is stunning!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Menorca looks beautiful! It's on my list to visit at some point. =)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a great week so far!
Amber
https://www.avecamber.com
https://www.bloglovin.com/avecamber
Wow, what a beautiful place! Love your outfit!
ReplyDeleteEdwige | http://www.hypnozglam.com
What an amazing trip!!!
ReplyDeleteLesley Kim
Thanks so much, Andrea!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'd love it, Anika :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol!
ReplyDeleteThat turquoise water is hard to resist, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou should! This little island is paradise :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to go, the place is amazing!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link-up!
ReplyDeleteMenorca definitely deserves a spot in everybody's bucket list. Thanks for stopping by, Lori!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Julie! I'll add your link-up to my list :)
ReplyDeleteWe had the best time. Thanks, Belle!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Adriana!
ReplyDeleteIt is not seldom for people who are unable to maximize the beauty of their homeland. The city seems to have a rich history and infrastructure. Magnificent place to be listed as part of my travel list.
ReplyDeleteStyleSprinter Blog by Katya Bychkova