Menorca Family Holidays & Breaks

Menorca Best Beaches and Watersports

• Seek out some of the island’s many lovey secluded coves, and visit the picturesque and characterful fishing village of Fornells on the north coast, famous partly because King Juan Carlos yachts over from Mallorca for summer lobster feasts – the village is well known for its superb caldereta de llangosta (lobster stew). It’s also a good spot for watersports, including windsurfing, in its beautiful big bay.

• See the coast from a different angle by hiring a sailing boat or a motorboat from Mahon.

• Explore the dunes, wetlands, scrub and Talayotic and Roman ruins of S'Albufera des Grau, an 8km coastal nature reserve starting from Cap de Favàritz and running north. Stroll in the pine woods lining the lagoon and spot migrating cormorants, in addition to 100 other bird species, and learn all about the different habitats at the visitor centre.

• Make a splash at Aqua Center Menorca just outside Ciutadella on the west of the island: the best Menorca waterparks, it has an adventure river, giant toboggan, hydro-tubes, kids’ water chutes, Jacuzzi, and a restaurant and pizzeria.

Menorca History and Culture

• Wander among the well-preserved monuments of Torre d’en Gaumes in the west of the island, the Balearics’ biggest prehistoric settlement, with stone towers, a defensive wall, a taula (T-shaped stone monument) and a dolmen (burial chamber). 

• Get an overview of the island from its highest point, Monte Toro (350m), midway between Mahon and Ciutadella, topped by a convent and church. On your way through El Mercadel at the foot of Toro, stop off at a bakery for a delicious crespell or amargo pastry. Take advantage of cheap local bike hire (including child-seats; often available at hotels or villas) and cycle along the flat coastal road at the top of the cliffs into Ciutadella, enjoying the spectacular views.

• Wonder at the displays of the Minorcan Equestrian Show put on by the Club Escola Menorquina. Riders dress in traditional island style and thrill spectators on purebred black Menorcan horses trained in the local style.

• Or watch the equestrian show at Ganadería Son Martorellet, where kids are treated to a train ride in the interval. During the day you can visit the ranch for free. The island’s many stables also lead horse rides and pony treks; one of the best routes is the Cami de Cavalls, an old track encircling the island, once used for defending the coast.