Gallery
My Menorca: Is this the Mediterranean's best-kept secret?
This Balearic island strikes a quiet contrast with Mallorca and Ibiza, says Deirdre Mullins. Don’t forget your walking boots...
Cala Mitjana beach in Menorca, Spain
Mahon, Menorca
map of Menorca
S´Albufera des Grau Natural Park
Ciutadella Menorca marina Port
/
Menorca has plenty of sun-drenched sandy beaches, but it couldn't be more different to the clubby beats and post-Leaving Cert parties of its Balearic neighbours, Mallorca and Ibiza.
Thankfully, it held back on becoming a mass market destination and, instead, created a brand of eco-friendly tourism. It's an ideal location for nature lovers and active holidaymakers.
Get your boots on...
Unlike the Camino de Santiago, few have ventured to Menorca's Cami de Cavalls, making its quiet beauty even more enticing. The 185km path circles the island's coast. Follow it on foot, bike or horseback and relish the unspoiled beaches, dramatic ravines, sea-cliffs and pine forests. The less adventurous can take a shorter hike around the Natural Park of S'Albufera des Grau, with 50 sq km of habitats ranging from freshwater lagoons to lunar-like landscapes and wetlands full of birds, tortoises and lizards. For waterborne adventures, the limestone cliffs and caves are ideal for exploring on a kayak. The Artiem Audax Hotel's sports centre does a three-hour trip for €40. artiemhotels.com
Top Tip
The 7km Algendar Gorge hike starts with a narrow passage through curved rock and overhanging trees, opening to a stunning limestone ravine. This path is quiet; the only noises I heard were nesting birds and a bleating goat.
Eat out
Five years ago Alexi and Teresa, a husband and wife team, chucked in their engineering and fashion careers in Barcelona to follow their dreams. The result is the Passio Mediterrania, a harbor-side restaurant in the capital, Mahon. An innovative menu based on traditional dishes is full of exciting combinations like prawn carpaccio with strawberry ketchup and spirulina (€21). Book in advance for a six-course set lunch menu (€40). See passiomed.com
Glitches
There's little in the way of nightlife, and though many of the resorts cater for families, evening entertainment usually isn't on par with other Spanish family resorts.
Get there
Vueling, Ryanair, and Iberia fly from Dublin to Menorca via Barcelona. Package holidays are also available. Deirdre travelled as a guest of the Spanish Tourist Office. See menorca.es or spain.info for more.
Read more:
Most Watched
Play
Play
Play
Play
Play
Latest Europe
- Gran Canaria – sun, sea and a surprising ‘miniature continent’ beyond the resorts
- A family hiking holiday in Italy - ‘We wanted to bring our children to the place that that captivated us as a couple’
- The easy-going side of Ibiza – there’s a lot more to Spain’s party island than clubbing
- Slow travel through scenic Switzerland on the Glacier Express
- Loving Lanzarote: Irishman-come-lately to a Canary islands paradise
Most Read
- Gran Canaria – sun, sea and a surprising ‘miniature continent’ beyond the resorts
- A family hiking holiday in Italy - ‘We wanted to bring our children to the place that that captivated us as a couple’
- The Canary Islands holiday guide – 8 amazing islands, but which is best for you?
- Slow travel through scenic Switzerland on the Glacier Express
- 'We took Coke, Ecstasy, MDMA, the usual' - the Irish ravers who party for days on end in Ibiza
Latest
- Chinese authorities withdraw controversial plans for consulate in Belfast
- Family history behind lawyer’s £45,000 donation to Alliance Party
- Former Brexit MEP donated £30,000 to the TUV for recent Assembly election campaign
- Leading Brexiteer donates £30,000 to TUV – but DUP silent on claim they got the “same amount” from him
- Eoin O'Malley Opinion Society must face facts and accept its role in crime crisis