Where to stay in Menorca

If you’re visiting Menorca for the first time, Ciutadella is a great base. It’s a very petite and walkable town, with pedestrianised streets, a pretty waterfront, and a wide choice of restaurants and hotels in every budget. It’s also great for day trips, since the small isle is easily navigable by bus and there’s a direct route from the airport and capital Mahón. To really enjoy this lovely town, we recommend staying in a boutique hotel in the centre. Try Petit Hotel 5 Fars for a budget-friendly, adults-only stay in a charming old building. Or for something a dash more luxurious, head to 120 Hotel Boutique with sophisticated decor and an oasis-like feel.

Families flitting to Menorca should make a beeline for the small resort of Son Bou. It’s loved primarily for its glorious sandy beach with a very shallow entry to the warm, clean sea – dreamy for children. The beach is backed by sand dunes and boardwalk, then by family-friendly hotels. Aparthotel HG Jardin de Menorca is a family-friendly spot just outside the main Son Bou area but has a hotel minibus service directly to the beach. There’s a kids’ club, playground and outdoor poolscape in verdant gardens, and the mini apartments have a kitchenette so it feels like a home-from-home. The Royal Son Bou Family Club is an aparthotel right behind the beach, styled as a children’s paradise. It has an outdoor pool, slides, several kids’ entertainment options and clubs, and a lovely restaurant with a sea view.

The quaint coastal village of Binibeca has a very romantic feel, with its white-washed, traditional buildings and small marina. In the evening, stroll the pedestrianised streets to find a pretty restaurant and eat al-fresco on the cobbles. Hotel Menorca Binibeca is an elegant establishment in a premium location, with an unspoilt sea view. Make the most of the vista from the sun-drenched outdoor pool area, your private balcony or terrace, or one of the bars or restaurants. Slightly further from the main Binibeca area, Barceló Nura is a chic, modern hotel with a gorgeous outdoor pool. The ultimate luxury is the swim-up suites. There’s a romantic rooftop terrace, four restaurants to choose from and an on-site wellness area with an indoor pool.

One of the best areas to stay in Menorca without a car is the capital Mahon, the centre of which is a very short bus or taxi from the airport. There’s plenty of things to do, see and lots to eat in the capital, and the pretty harbour-side promenade is great for sunny walks. It’s also the starting point for bus rides around the island, so it’s a great base for day trips to other areas. Hotel Seth Port Mahon is close to the city centre but incredibly peaceful, with gardens, a terrace for dining and drinking, and an outdoor pool. To be very central, try the oasis-like Boutique Hotel Sant Roc & Spa, with its chic decor and petite, reasonably priced spa featuring a sauna, jacuzzi and Turkish bath. The hotel also offers a locally sourced breakfast. The Sindic Hotel is an adults-only hotel also right in the centre of Mahon, with eight unique and spacious rooms. You can gaze over the pretty city from its sunny rooftop pool and terrace, and use the quirky and sophisticated Honesty Bar at your leisure.

Menorca’s coast is awash with beautiful beaches, but one of the most popular on the island is Cala Galdana. The long, white-sand crescent gives way to beautifully clear, clean and shallow water, and there are loungers and shade for rent. Occupying the prime spot on the shoreline is Meliá Cala Galdana, a five-star paradise with chic rooms with balconies and suites with sea-view bathtubs. There are three restaurants, including beach-front dining, and a pool bar, as well as several outdoor pools and a cool kids’ area. For a more budget-friendly stay, try Ilunion Menorca, a three-star spot with a fantastic outdoor pool and garden.

Keen hikers visiting Menorca might want to tick off (some of) the “Cami de Cavalls” on their getaway. The 185 km footpath encircles the entire island and can be broken down into 20 individual stages, to be completed on foot, by bike or on horseback. Shorter, day-walk trails include the path from Cala Galdana/Serpentona to beautiful Cala Macarella beach and Santo Tomas to laid-back Platja de Binigaus. Ciutadella and Cala Galdana and great places to stay to access the trails, or you could head to Fornells to access the island’s more rugged northernmost points.

Menorca doesn’t have the wild nightlife reputation of its sister islands Ibiza and Majorca, but those looking for a quiet but fun evening out can definitely find it here. In Cala en Bosc the nightlife centres around the pretty marina, aglow in the evening with the lights from bars and late-opening restaurants. Cala'n Foucat also has several bars dotted around, some with live music, and of course, you’ll find plenty of bars in either Mahon or Ciutadella. For a nightclub experience Cova d'en Xoroi is legendary on the island. It’s a cliffside cave bar hosting DJs and live music for a great party with an exceptional view.