For those interested in ancient ruins Menorca has a greater quantity than probably any other Mediterranean island.  It has been described as a huge open-air museum.  The taulas, massive T-shaped rock monoliths, the talyots, prehistoric watchtowers on the top of hills, and the navetas, prehistoric burial chambers, abound all over the island.  The naveta of Es Tudons is a short walk off the main trunk road just outside Ciudadela and is one of the oldest buildings in Europe. 

While on the subject of rocks, the dry stone walls are probably the main visual feature of the island.  The characteristic Menorcan wooden gates, made of naturally bent branches of the prolific wild olive trees, are also to be seen everywhere. 

No-one should miss a visit to La Mola, the fortress at the north end of Mahon harbour, where the visitor will see superbly built fortifications which provide fine views of the eastern end of the island. 

There are countless ways of seeing the harbours and the coastline by boat, ranging from glass bottom boats in Mahon harbour to sailing round the island by charter, with all variations in between. 

Anyone with a hire car should take the opportunity to drive up Monte Toro, the highest point on the island, just outside Mercadal.  Splendid views of the island are guaranteed and on a really clear day the mountains of Majorca can be seen . 

Menorquins are great music lovers and there are always opportunities to hear and see choirs, chamber music groups, organists and even opera.

Menorca has much to offer her visitors - from quiet unspoilt coves and prehistoric villages to sub-aqua diving in underwater caverns and shopping in historic towns. This page gives you an idea of just what's on offer....

Beautiful Beaches

Menorca is prized for the tranquillity of its numerous beaches - well over a hundred of them. From tiny coves to vast stretches of sand, from wild and isolated t and accessible only by boat to family-friendly and convenient we have beaches to suit all tastes. Even the most populated beaches are relatively unspoilt and the water is normally crystal clear and aquamarine - exactly as advertised on the postcards and brochures!

Here is a list of those beaches normally considered to be among the best, listed clockwise around the island from Es Castell.

Use our key codes to help you find your ideal beach.....

.

Beaches for the disabled: the authorities here are doing as much as possible , short of building concrete walkways, to ensure the joys of beach life are available to all.  Several beaches boast convenient parking areas and wooden ‘decking’ track over the sand and right down to the water’s edge - very handy for wheelchairs, pushchairs and swimmers with a sand allergy! Facilities are improving all the time, but at the time of going to press, the beaches of Santandria and Son Xoriguer at the Ciutadella end of the island are a safe bet, with those of Son Bou, Binibeca and Punta Prima leading the way on the Maó side.

NATURISTS PLEASE NOTE: Nudity on the beach, as in all public places is officially frowned upon — you could find yourself in court. However, if you look further a field it is not difficult to find entirely secluded little coves. The sun, sea, sand and sky are known to take a more robust “Nelsonian” approach! On the subject of dress, or lack thereof, tourists should be aware that the Ciutadella Council has just approved a regulation allowing for fines (up to €750) to be imposed for “inappropriate dress” in the streets of the town. This basically means that swimwear is inadequate for shopping and sightseeing, (both sexes should wear a minimum of shorts & T-shirt) except in the coastal resorts around the beach. This ban is likely to be instigated in other urban areas in the near future.

WATERSPORTS: Don’t forget that our famous dive centres are not normally found on the idyllic beaches, but on the rockier parts of our coastline: notably S ‘Algar, Cala Torret, Addaia, Arenal, Cala’n Bosch.

FIESTAS

The fiestas here on Menorca, are something special. Each town’s fiesta takes place on or near to the day of its Patron Saint. The first fiesta of the year and probably the biggest is held in Ciutadella to celebrate Sant Joan – Saint John. Each fiesta normally lasts three days and the people of the town usually take this as a holiday with only the bars and restaurants remaining open. 

The word fiesta to the local people automatically conjures up images of horses - beautifully groomed and presented; “Pomada” the local fiesta drink - a combination of gin and lemon; and “Coca amb Xocolati”, a traditionally baked cake with a sweet chocolate drink to accompany it. 

A typical fiesta begins in the afternoon before the Saint's day with the horse riders meeting and parading through the streets before congregating at the church for Mass. All participants including the local orchestra, the huge giant carnival figures and the townsfolk are then led to the town’s main square by the “Fabioler”  - a man on a donkey playing a flute. The lead horseman – Caixer Señor – then asks permission of the Mayor or Mayoress to start the Jaleo. The band then starts playing and the horses come into the “Jaleo” in two’s or three’s and are encouraged to rear up onto their back legs whilst the local people (only the brave ones!) try to support the horse by keeping it up on its back legs.

This Jaleo normally lasts two to three hours and it is not unusual for there to be over 100 horses at the larger fiestas. When the Jaleo finally comes to an end the live music starts normally with local groups playing, and goes on well into the early hours.

The horses and riders do not get much of a rest, however, as the following morning, the actual Saint’s day, they start again, culminating in another Jaleo around midday. In the evening there is more live music and traditional folk dancing and then a magnificent firework display ends the celebrations at midnight.

TOWN                DATES OF FIESTA