Much smaller and quieter than its neighbour, Mallorca, Menorca attracts thousands of visitors every year to its family-friendly resorts.
The second largest of the Balearic Islands, Menorca is just 21 miles from Mallorca and has more beaches than Mallorca and Ibiza put together.
With quiet resorts in the south and fishing villages in the north, Menorca offers visitors plenty of attractions, beaches and things to do, in a peaceful and relaxing holiday environment.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Summer in Menorca begins in early May and runs right through to October with the average temperature being around 24ºC. July and August regularly see highs of 28ºC and the island enjoys up to 11 hours of sunshine a day during the summer months.
Spring sees temperatures of between 14-18ºC, which is similar to Autumn. The most rain falls during October, November and December and winter temperatures normally drop to around 12ºC, with 3-5 hours of sunshine a day.
Even in winter the temperatures rarely drop below 3ºC, but it can be cold in the evenings.
Getting Around
If you are planning to visit Menorca and travel around the island or simply get to your holiday hotel in plenty of time, hire a car from Menorca Mahon Airport by pre-booking before you fly.
Car hire at Menorca Airport starts from just €69 per week, and you can compare car hire prices in minutes online. Car hire offers, promotions and deals at Menorca Airport are among the best in the Balearic Islands, and secure payment is guaranteed.
For cheap airport car hire in Menorca, pre-book your rental car before you fly and you can find the cheapest prices from Avis, Hertz and some of the cheapest local companies in Menorca.
Menorca Attractions
Menorca attractions include a wide variety of places to visit, including museums, beaches, history and culture exhibitions and a great choice of restaurants, bars and live entertainment venues. Top Menorca attractions include:
Freginal Park in Mahon is a spacious, green park offering visitors some of the most colourful flower exhibits, cultural events and world-class live music performances, plus an annual jazz festival.
Menorca Harbour tours are among the most popular excursions in Menorca, and tickets can be obtained from most tourist information offices.
The Menorca Gin Distillery was constructed during the 18th Century, and is situated at the Moll de Ponent dockside. The distillery is open for tours, and visitors can sample and purchase gin and other liqueurs at the distillery.
The Placa Alfons III is situated close to the old town of Menorca, and this picturesque square is lined with some excellent restaurants and cafés, plus an old windmill which serves as a tourist information office.
Sant Frances Church is situated in the centre of Mahon, and boasts an incredible Gothic altar. The Ciutadella Cathedral is an incredible place of worship, which dates back to the 13th Century. The cathedral was built on the site of an ancient mosque, and the architecture alone is well worth seeing.
Menorca Towns and Resorts
If you are planning to tour around Menorca, make sure you visit the wonderful towns and resorts which make up the island, including:
Mahon, which is the island´s capital and the largest town in Menorca. This busy port town has a vast natural harbour, and plenty of attractions, restaurants and bars. Menorca was once a British domain, and the architecture and buildings in the city centre make this quite evident.
Ciutadella is the most beautiful town in Menorca, and was declared a national monument by the Spanish state. The town is made up of old buildings, and narrow streets and baroque churches.
Sant Luis is siutated in the southern part of Menorca and this tiny town was first established by the French, who controlled Menorca during the 18th Century. Some of the island´s best beaches are located in Sant Luis, including Cala Alcaufar, Cala d´es Rafalet and Punta Prima.
Torret is a charming town which again, highlights typical Menorcan architecture, and also offers visitors a good choice of bars, restaurants and shops to explore.
Mercadal is situated at the base of Monte Toro, which is the highest peak in Menorca, at 357 metres, and you can find some of the island´s most prehistoric sites and artefacts in the town, plus the popular beaches of Triant, Pregonda, Son Saura, Na Macaret and Puerto de Adaya.
Fornells is a fishing village situated on the west side of the Fornells Bay, and its natural harbour is similar in size to that of Mahon. Take a trip around the quayside and sample the superb fresh seafood on offer at many of the waterside restaurants.
If you are planning to travel around Menorca, or enjoy some day trips to different towns and resorts on the island, you can either download or pick up a free Menorca map from the airport. You can also find a free map of Menorca at the tourist information office or at your hotel reception.
Food and Drink
Every type of cuisine imaginable is available in Menorca, and the island produces a vast range of fresh vegetables, seafood, fish, cheese and meats to grace every restaurant table.
Every town in Menorca has a cheese-making industry, and visitors can find a wide range of cheeses, both mild and mature to suit all tastes. If you want something spicy, the island is also home to some superb Chinese, Indian and Thai restaurants, plus Italian pizzerias and typically Spanish eateries.
Paella is the renowned favourite dish of Spain, and you can find some of the most delicious versions of this famous rice dish with fish and meat in Menorca. The local speciality Gin Xoriguer is distilled in Mahon and makes a great accompaniment to many dishes.
If you are looking for authentic Menorcan dishes, when dining out, try the lobster stew, particularly popular in Fornells, sardines, sole, red mullet, squid, prawns and mussels, plus the superb fresh tuna and monkfish dishes.
Other specialities include: stuffed aubergines with meat and rice, sausages with paprika, sweet pastries, olives and dried peppers and delicious roast shoulder or leg of lamb.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Menorca may not match that of its illustrious neighbours in Ibiza and Mallorca, but if you are looking for stylish venues with a laid-back atmosphere, you will enjoy the nightspots in Menorca. Piano bars sit beside nightclubs and restaurants, and some of the larger clubs don´t open until 11pm, and stay open all night.
One thing Menorca is renowned for is its choice of casinos, which are dotted around the island, so if you want the chance to win some extra holiday money, visit one of these lively gambling halls for the evening.
Salsa bars, jazz bars and some of the island´s best live entertainment venues are situated in and around Mahon.
Festivals
There are so many festivals, fairs and events in Menorca that it would be impossible to name them all, as every town has its own annual fair to mark the celebration of their particular saint.
Some of the best festivals and fairs in Menorca include:
• The Sant Antoni Abat Celebration on January 16th and 17th, which includes bonfires, parades, processions, and plenty of eating, drinking and merrymaking through the streets. Carnival parades take place during February and March, and holy week processions are held over the Easter weekend.
• The popular Sant Francesc Fiesta is held on April 2nd to celebrate the feast of St.Francis, and parties are held throughout the island.
• The Sant Joan Festival is held in June in Ciutadella and local people are carried on horseback through the streets in a long procession of colourful costumes and music.
• The Virgen of Carmen festival is held on the 15th and 16th July, and includes parades and the blessing of fishing boats.
• In August the Fiesta of Sant Lorenc is held in Alaior and includes riding displays through the streets.
• The Assumption of the Virgin festival is held on August 15th every year.
• December sees the Nochebuena festivities on the 24th, Christmas Eve, with midnight mass and the Santos Inocentes is held on the 28th December.