About Menorca

Although larger than most of the Balearic Islands at 30 miles long and over 12 miles wide, Menorca is about one fifth of the size of Mallorca and has done a relatively good job of preserving its natural environment. Menorca has also managed to stave off the worst ramifications of the tourist trade – the all-encompassing commercialism and deterioration of authentic culture and tradition that has so radically changed the faces of its sister islands.

Home to about 70,000 inhabitants and visited annually by droves of travellers, Menorca is a prosperous island that relies heavily on tourism and industry to sustain itself and is one of Spain’s most talked about holiday destinations. It is blessed with a stunningly beautiful coastline boasting more beaches than all the other Balearic Islands put together and is consequently a veritable Eden for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts. Menorca is most famous for its enticing coastal charms but it is also home to several other diverse natural habitats including grasslands, woodlands, mountainous regions and wetlands. All of these ecosystems harbour rich collections of flora and fauna, including a number that are specific to the island.

Menorca’s northern region is made up of undulating landscape known as the Traumuntana. This area is almost constantly buffeted by the wind of the same name, which is something to take into account when choosing a beach site for the day, while the allure of spots such as Cala Pregonda and the Cap de Favàritx tends to draw travellers regardless. The south of the island is dominated by limestone sheets that are interrupted by exquisitely scenic gullies that lead to beaches and coves.

The s’Albufera d’es Grau Nature Reserve is arguably Menorca’s most significant natural region and is made up primarily of wetlands (lagoons, marshes and ponds) that are interspersed with pine groves, sand dunes and prehistoric ruins; it is home to a profusion of seabirds, migratory species and indigenous vegetation. Other important wetlands are found at Addaia, Son Saura and Son Bou.

Most of Menorca’s woodlands are made up of pines, oaks and wild olives, and the highest concentration of forest is found at the centre of the island, extending outwards from the slopes of Monte Toro. This is Menorca’s highest peak and it is crowned by an ancient Baroque church and an Augustinian monastery.

Menorca’s spectacular natural assets are largely responsible for its success as a tourist destination and in 1983 it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The reserve covers 18 enclaves, protects approximately 40 per cent of the island’s surface area and was established in an effort to protect its remaining plant and wildlife havens and numerous archaeological sites.

Historically, Menorca is one of the richest islands in the Mediterranean and is often referred to as an ‘open air museum’. It is permeated with archaic ruins, old fortresses and ancient churches, all of which mark various periods in the island’s tumultuous history. A plethora of prehistoric settlements and funereal structures can be found scattered across the island including: Naveta d’es Tudons, a vast collective tomb constructed in the shape of an upturned ship bow; Trepucó; Torre d'en Galmés and Talatí de Dalt, all examples of Bronze Age settlements.

Besides Menorca’s beaches and archaeological sites, the cities of Mahon and Ciutadella are both worth visiting for their points of historical and cultural interest, good shopping and entertainment venues. The island’s current capital of Mahon has one of the world’s largest natural harbours and the marina area is vibrant and colourful with countless cafés, restaurants and bars. The 200-year-old Xoriguer Gin Distillery and a number of notable Georgian buildings can also be found in this area. Menorca’s ancient capital of Cituadella is an elegant and atmospheric destination with a maze of old streets peppered with ancient buildings and monuments.

Menorca attracts visitors all year round with its mild Mediterranean climate, but the busiest months are during the summer when droves of tourists flock to the beaches to soak up the sea and sun. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit the island in the spring or autumn when the weather is slightly cooler and optimal for hiking excursions. Fiestas are an integral part of Menorcan culture and are held throughout the year, with the most festive dates occurring during January (Three King’s Procession), June (Festes de Sant Joan), August (San Luis Equine Fiesta) and September (Mare de Deu).