When I think about Menorca, my time there always feels a bit like a dream—endless hot days lounging on hidden beaches, swimming in the perfectly clear sea, finding the best tapas in Mahon, or exploring the empty streets of Ciutadella at dusk. My first trip to the island was a few years ago—each day blissfully filled with sun and happiness—and I've since returned seeking out mysterious ancient stone structures across the island and checking in to my new favorite hotel, Menorca Experimental.
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| Ciutadella streets |
What to see in Menorca, Spain
Stay in or visit magical Ciutadella
During my first trip, I based myself in the quaint city of Ciutadella. The place is so fabulous it actually feels more like a town—filled with cute houses in muted pastel shades, cobbled streets and bright bougainvillea. I stayed in another favourite boutique hotel San Castre, a pretty place that used to be a sweet shop. The window in my room looked out over whitewashed walls and terracotta roof tiles, and every day a bright blue sky would be waiting without a single cloud in sight.
Some evenings after I’d been out exploring, I'd enjoy wandering through the winding, narrow streets of the city, getting lost before finding my way back to the pink-tinted Cathedral at the centre of the old town. One night, I happily discovered Curniola 35, a restaurant serving beautiful tapas set in a building that dates back to 1845. The tables in the tiny patio at the back of the restaurant are definitely worth booking ahead for, and the sesame seared tuna, salt cod croquettes, and fried squid are all delicious.
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| Squid at Curniola 35 |
Seek out glorious beaches
I tried to spend time at a variety of beaches during my stay in Menorca, the first being Cala Galdana, a calm bay that’s popular with families. Some of my family were staying on this part of the island, so I drove over to spend the day with them. I liked Cala Galdana for ease with a nearby free car park and lots of small cafes and restaurants where you can order takeaway drinks and snacks throughout the day. There are also sun loungers and shades for hire, and the bay feels safe as the water is calm and quite shallow, but still very beautiful. To the left of the bay, there’s a walkway up across pine tree-studded hills, providing pretty views right back along the coast.
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| Cala Galdana |
I carried on along the coastal pathway to reach another bay, this one smaller but, on my visit, much busier. Cala Mitjana is a tiny arc of sand with the most stunning clear blue sea, and here you can cliff jump or snorkel among the rock caves, but I'd avoid it during peak summer months as space on the small stretch of sand can become super limited. If you have a car, there’s a car park just off the ME-22 road, and Mitjana is well signposted from there. There are no shops or parasols for hire on the beach, so take all you need for a day in the sun.
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| Cala Mitjana |
My absolute favourite beach, however, is on the north coast, and to get there I had to walk 30-minutes through pine forests filled with the magnetic hum of cicadas. Cala Pilar is an isolated red sand beach that looks almost psychedelic as the red sand meets bright blue sea. I took a picnic of peaches and cured meat down to the beach and spent the day blissfully reading, swimming, and sunbathing. This really is my kind of beach, not too many people, quiet, and oh, so stunning.
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| Cala Pilar |
Hike magical El Toro
Not too far from Cala Pilar is the highest peak on the island, El Toro, and the pretty rural village of Es Mercadel, where I spent half a day first visiting the mountain, where on a clear day you can see pretty much see the whole of Menorca. Afterwards, I stopped off at Es Mercadel to take photos of the deserted streets, filled with coloured flags, and to pick up carquinyols, a type of almond biscuit famous in the area.
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| Es Mercadel |
Be mesmerised by the island's taulas
Every day on my drives out to beaches or to see family, I’d notice brown road signs pointing to monuments, and this was how I discovered Menorca's amazing, ancient stone monuments. If you're staying in Ciutedella like I was for my first trip, I’d recommend visiting the Talaiotic settlement of Torretrencada, which is fairly large and SO interesting, plus you'll probably have the place to yourself while everyone else suns themselves on beaches. I also adore the number of lighthouses dotted across Menorca. I've visited a few so far, and one of my favourites is Cap d’Artrutx.
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| Cap d'Artrutx lighthouse |
Photograph Menorca's lighthouses
The blue and white stripes and squat white base of Cap d’Artrutx make it look like something from a Wes Anderson movie, and the rocky coast around the base is also stunning, with insanely clear blue waters and gentle waves crashing into the craggy rock face.
To get around the island, I'd recommend hiring a car, and both times I've visited Menorca, I've hired mine through ACG Menorca. The company's cars are always new and well-maintained, the staff are so friendly, and the prices are not too bad. I paid $58 (£42) per day with full insurance.
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