Must-Visit Attractions in Menorca

Whether your heart aches for stunning views of dawn, a Menorca sunset or a glimpse of the moon over the ocean, Cova d’En Xoroi offers striking landscape vistas that never seem to fade in beauty. With a combination of cliffs and rocks strategically placed off the southern coast, it’s where you can delve into Menorca’s colourful past. Local legends tell the romantic story of Cova d’En Xoroi’s beginnings, tales that are entwined with mythology and deep, passionate love. During the high season, it’s open every day until sunset, and sometimes in the evening, there are disco nights, live music and themed parties. Recommended by Emily Langan.

Mahón Port is the world’s second deepest natural port, and it offers incredible panoramic views of the town and beyond. A long set of stairs will lead you down to the harbourfront, a calming, stress-free atmosphere. In addition to the restaurants, bars and boutique shops set around the harbour, there is also a famous gin distillery, Xoriguer Gin Distillery, here that’s worth a visit. Whether docking a boat or just driving in for a day trip, you should go on a one-hour boat tour, which provides insight into Menorca’s history and modern aspects. On certain days, you may see cruise ships docking or some brightly coloured, beautiful fish. Mahón Port offers a lot to do, but simply being here and strolling along the walkway is an enjoyable experience in itself. Recommended by Emily Langan.

An incredible crescent bay enclosed by pine-topped cliffs with a long stretch of white sand. Even on an island known for spectacular beaches, Cala Galdana still stands out as somewhere rather special. It’s not remote or secluded, but with plenty of facilities and accommodation it’s a fabulous place to stay, with super-calm and shallow waters particularly well-suited for families with young kids.

The fun-filled, multipurpose Aeroclub and Hippodrome have special offers and events that will excite residents and first-time visitors to Menorca. This hotspot, in the small village of Sant Lluís, served as the only airport in Menorca until 1969 when a larger, modernised airport was built. It still houses planes, though, and you can take leisurely flights around the island or enjoy private flying lessons. Besides flying opportunities, the Aeroclub and Hippodrome are also home to a full bar and restaurant as well as a go-karting course for the whole family. Throughout the winter season, the Hippodrome hosts horse races every Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Entrance is €5 (£4.55). Recommended by Emily Langan.

The beautifully decorated winery of Bodegas Binifadet opened in 1979 as one of Menorca’s only high-quality winery and restaurant establishments. The rustic brick interior, designed by Lluís Vives, sets a romantic and tasteful mood, complete with barrels lining the walls and low-hanging wooden lights. Guided 60-minute tours of the winery take place daily at noon or by appointment and include a tasting of three wines, as well as a sample of cheese and wine jam. All of the products here are naturally grown, an example of a sustainable production method that keeps with Menorca’s status as a Biosphere Reserve. Recommended by Emily Langan.

Torralba d’en Salord is a perfectly preserved Talaiotic village, with a huge taula similar to the standing stones at Stonehenge. The enclosure around the taula is thought to be an open-air religious space. There are also Bronze Age megaliths, excavated caves and impressive pillared buildings and walls of huge boulders. There is evidence that the settlement was inhabited as late as the Middle Ages, but it is generally thought to have been used from 1,000 BC up to the occupation of the Romans.

As the island’s original capital, Ciutadella could hardly be further from the present-day capital. The Old Town also sets itself apart with its particularly elegant and picturesque Mediterranean-style buildings that can be found along its charming cobblestoned lanes and attractive plazas.

Constructed with stones only (no mortar), the 3,000-year-old Naveta d’Es Tudons serves as a magnificent monument and a brilliant, physical reminder of history to those in Menorca. Archaeologists are astonished by how well this megalithic structure has held up over time. When first built, this naveta, meaning vessel, was used as a collective funeral chamber. According to Menorca legend, giants fought over the love of a young girl. One giant killed the other and then took his own life, leaving the girl all alone. When she passed away, she was buried in the naveta. When the chamber was later excavated, human bodies were found inside, along with bronze jewellery, ancient weapons, ceramic bowls and other precious ornaments. Boldly set on the western side of the island, the exterior of the Naveta d’Es Tudons is open to the public daily. Recommended by Emily Langan.

During the French occupation, three windmills were built in the small town of Saint Lluís, but the beautifully restored Molí de Dalt is the only one that remains. It now houses the ethnological museum, which is dedicated to the history of this mill through the display of exhibits of old tools and crafts, highlighting its importance to the town, and information about the life of the villagers.

Located less than a mile (less than 2km) outside Ciutadella is the bizarre and wonderfully photogenic sandstone quarries of Ses Pedreres de s’Hostal. While they fell into disuse in 1994, they have since been preserved in all their geometric glory, complete with a stone labyrinth, botanical gardens and orchards.

On the northern coast of Menorca, Cala Pregonda offers a unique beach experience, with warm, golden rocky landscapes on one side of the water and earthy green trees and lush forests on the other. These two contrasting sites come together in the centre with a sandy beach, the perfect spot in which to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Cala Pregonda is accessible by car to a point; once parked, you’ll have to walk for 30 minutes or so before reaching the beach. You can also get there by sea, either on a boat, kayak or jet ski. Remember to take any trash with you. Recommended by Emily Langan.

Although it’s a tiny island, the Isla del Rey boasts a huge historical significance. It began as a hospital for sick and injured British soldiers in 1711 but was later used by the French, Spanish, American, Dutch and Italians as a site for medical aid. When a new military hospital in Mahón opened in 1964, Isla del Rey was abandoned and is now a desolate, protected natural site. Important local plants and vegetation grow here, and ancient stones from a Paleochristian basilica have been unearthed. Today, a non-profit organisation named Fundación Hospital de la Isla del Rey protects and studies the island, focussing on its safety, development and promotion. Every Sunday morning, it hosts volunteer maintenance gatherings, which are open to the general public, and it also accepts monetary donations as well as physical donations, such as construction materials. Recommended by Emily Langan.

At 354m (1,161ft) above sea level, El Toro is Menorca’s highest mountain and is located in the centre of the island just outside the town of Es Mercadal. While the walk up from town is certainly tiring and can be up to two hours, the panoramic views from the top are genuinely breathtaking. There’s also a 13th-century church and elevated statue of Jesus at the summit, as well as a café where you can refuel before the (much quicker) journey back down. It’s also a popular and pretty challenging cycle to the summit, or alternatively, it’s an easy drive with space for parking.

Housed in a Baroque convent building in the capital city of Mahón, the Museo de Menorca guides you through the history of Menorca with a collection of archaeological items relating to the Talaiotic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic eras. It also contains ancient sculptures, historical maps and 18th- to 20th-century art over its four floors, and it is free to enter.

Jeep Safari Menorca offers a fully authentic, worthwhile and unforgettable natural experience of the island, with two unique yet equally spectacular excursions: the Island Discovery (more customisable) and the Sunset Experience (ends with a spectacular sunset). Travelling in 4×4 vehicles, an experienced professional will guide you through back roads and wooded areas to sites that are off-limits to the public while providing compelling knowledge about Menorca. Recommended by Emily Langan.

One of the island’s most exhilarating and inspiring adventures, Parapente Biplaza Menorca offers you an experience of a lifetime, with three flight areas: Monte Toro, Son Bou or S’Enclusal. This tandem paragliding jump is a carefree and safe choice, accompanied by a professionally certified pilot who is in charge of all flying manoeuvres, including take-off, controls and landing. Each paragliding flight can last anywhere between 15 and 40 minutes depending on weather conditions. Parapente is open year-round. Recommended by Emily Langan.

Arguably one of the greatest open-air treks in the world, the Camí de Cavalls is an ancient path around the island of Menorca that showcases a multitude of flora and fauna. The 185km (115mi) route, explorable via foot or mountain bike, will lead you to incredible sites, such as ancient watchtowers and lighthouses, and landscape scenes, including valleys and wetlands. Here, you can walk through history. Recommended by Emily Langan.

Like Mallorca’s iconic La Seu, the Santa Maria Cathedral in the city of Ciutadella was begun in the 13th century on the site of an old mosque (and still has part of the minaret of the mosque that once stood here). Although much smaller, the interiors are equally impressive, with beautifully carved columns, a marble monolith altar and soaring vaulted apse.

While just along the coast from Cala Galdana, the gorgeous Cala Turqueta has a much more remote and untouched feel. It’s a stunning white-sand beach, with natural shade provided by the pine trees and rocks, and water so turquoise that it could pass for the Caribbean. This small cove is also great for snorkelling, plus there are low cliffs for those who enjoy throwing themselves into the crystal clear water from above.

Located in the northeast of the island, this pretty nature reserve covers over 50sqkm (19sqmi) of forest, marshland, dunes and cliffs, including five small islands. It is home to a wide range of wildlife, including up to 90 different species of birds and countless varieties of shrubs and wildflowers. There’s also a visitors’ centre with maps and videos about the park. Guided tours can be arranged too.

Housed in an 18th-century barracks in Mahón, this museum charts the island’s military history, including the various occupations and the effects and influence they had on Menorca’s culture. There are also exhibits of ancient cannons, guns and other weaponry, along with information about forts and other strategic sites on the island. Cheap to get into, it is worth a visit, especially – obviously – if you have an interest in military history.

Located around 8km (5mi) from Mahón, this quirky village was the brainchild of famous Spanish architect Antonio Sintes Mercadal. In the early ’70s, he built this cluster of two-storey buildings with the aim of recreating a traditional fishing village. Designed with Moorish styling, it comprises a small labyrinth of cobbled lanes and whitewashed houses, all overlooking a small harbour. A great option for a meal, Sa Musclera restaurant offers top-notch cuisine and a cosy bar.

Perched on the southern side of the entrance to Mahón’s harbour, the small but sophisticated Fort Marlborough was built in the 1720s to protect the city and its much-coveted port. And it certainly saw some action, with part of it destroyed (and later rebuilt) by the Spanish towards the end of the 18th century. Nowadays, you can experience a reenactment to take you back to the time when the fort was under siege, including uniformed soldiers and technological effects.