Looking for a summer vacation on a European island?  Among the many noteworthy islands to visit in Europe, we visited Menorca (Minorca), Spain last summer.  Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea.  Menorca is a smaller island compared to its more popular neighboring islands, Mallorca (Majorca) and Ibiza.  Menorca is low-key and popular with those who look for the unbeaten path.  On the other hand, Mallorca and Ibiza are more popular with the young and jet set type looking for night life and the party scene.  If you’re tennis fans, you might have known that Mallorca is the hometown of Rafael Nadal, one of the world’s top tennis players.  It is also where his tennis academy is located.

We spent a few days in Menorca, as it was one of the many stops during our fourteen day trip of Spain and Portugal.  I can assure you that Menorca has a lot to offer.  You can spend a week or even the entire summer here.  There is an abundance of beaches, with some beaches being more of a trek.  There are hiking trails along the island, with many leading to beaches and lighthouses.  There are also towns and seaside villages you can explore.  Restaurants lined along harbors serve up delicious food and have beautiful views.  You can linger over meals and enjoy the calm, stunning, picturesque waterfront.  

Getting There:

Ferries from Barcelona to Ciutadella, Menorca.

Flights from major European cities (we flew from Madrid).

Getting Around:

It’s essential to have a car.  We were in Menorca for a few days and having a rental car was necessary.  We were able to explore different parts of the island on our own schedule.  We could check out many more beaches and villages.  However, there are public buses from town.  Hotels and resorts also have their shuttle services.

Place to Stay:

We stayed on the eastern side of the Island, near Mahon.  We like to book an apartment for our trips and we use Homeaway.com most of the time.  This time, we found a place via Expedia.com.  We stayed at Apartamentos Los Naranjos in Sant Lluis, near the airport and Mahon.  It was a two bedroom apartment with living room, kitchen, and a balcony.   The property has a restaurant, bar lounge and pool.  It’s a block away from the ocean (but not the beach).

Things to Do:

BEACHES: There are many beaches and each one has different characteristics.  Some are more difficult to get to, but they tend to be the most beautiful.  Beaches along the southern coast are more abundant.  Some beaches do get full due to limited parking, so the ranger would turn people away.  One option is to take a bus from the nearest town to the beach.  Another option is to do a boat tour, which brings you to the beach.

We visited (1) Cala Macarelleta, which is a gorgeous beach on the southern coast.  Pine trees and white rocks surrounded by white sand.  Pack your own snacks and this beach is not a good option for young kids as it is a long walk to the beach.

(2) Cala Galdana is another picturesque beach.  It’s easier to get to, but with limited parking.  There are rental lounge chairs and snack bars on the premises.  Good for family.

(3) Cavalleria is a red sand beach on the northern side.  It is a long trek to the beach (so not good for kids if you go by land) and we got here by boat.  Be sure to pack snacks.  

BOAT TOURS:  I highly recommend doing a boat tour.  There are all kinds of boat tours.  They take you out for snorkeling, to beaches, or both.  Since some of the most beautiful beaches are quite a hike to get to, a boat can easily dock you in front of the beach.  You can swim from boat to beach, hang out on the boat and sun tan, or get paddled into the beach.  Paddling into the beach was one of my favorite activities. 

Note that some boat tours that go out to the southern part of the island only run on certain days of the week, so plan your trip accordingly.  There are more boat tours leaving the northern part of the island (from Fornells).

HIKES: There are many hiking trails along the island.  Most hikes lead you to the beach.  Also, there are hikes leading to various lighthouses.

TOWNS/VILLAGES: Visit Es Castell, Fornells, Ciutadella, and Mahon.  Stroll in the seaside village of Es Castell which is on the eastern side of Menorca.  It has a beautiful water view and great area to dine and shop.  Fornells is another seaside village not to be missed.  It’s on the northern side of the island and there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and chartered boats here.  Ciutadella is a port town with historical buildings, shops, and restaurants.  Mahon is another great town to explore, but unfortunately we didn’t have a chance to visit.

If you’re looking for Menorcan souvenirs, pick up locally made, casual sandals called avarcas.  They are made of leather and available for women, men, and children.  Check out Mascaro shops, if you’re looking for more refined footwear and accessories, which are produced in Ferrerias, Menorca.  The company’s PrettyBallerinas shoes are popular with European celebrities.