Menorca

Son Parc is unique in that it boasts the only golf course on the little island of Menorca. Originally a nine hole course, in the past few years it has been extended and is now a superb eighteen hole course, open to beginners and experienced golfers alike.  However, Son Parc is not just a golfing paradise. Another attraction is its lovely sandy beach, where the clear shallow waters are suitable for families with little ones. Facilities include a number of shops, bars and a handful of restaurants, where visitors can sample Menorcan cuisine.

Sant Lluis was the only town founded by the French during their 7-year occupation of Menorca.  It is a charming, whitewashed Menorcan town, largely untouched by tourism and noticeably different to other towns on the island due to its French heritage.
The skyline is dominated by Es Moli de Dalt, a fully restored, traditional windmill which is now a folk museum open to the public. The town was built around a large, whitewashed neoclassical church dedicated to King Louis IX who was made a Saint in 1297.
The village square is next to the church, Plaça de sa Creu, and this is the place where weekly markets are held, and is also the main focus for the lively horse festival which is held every August to pay homage to Saint Louis.

During the summer months, there are regular outdoor concerts and exhibitions, showcasing local
artists. For wine lovers, the Bodega Binifadet on the outskirts of the town offers wine tasting tours
and the restaurant attached to it is famed for its imaginative menu.
Various restaurants line the streets with chairs and tables on pavement terraces, ranging from tapas to more upmarket dining, as well as simple take away options for quiet dining at home. The bars have a relaxed atmosphere and are great places to rub shoulders with the locals.
It is perfectly situated for enjoying beach days, sightseeing and local amenities. The coastal towns of Punta Prima and Binibeca are a short drive away and Menorca’s capital city of Maó, with historic buildings, a picturesque harbour and an abundance of restaurants and shops is also a 10-minute drive from Sant Lluis.

Dating back to the late 13^th and early 14^th centuries, Ferreries is located in the heart of Menorca.  The town grew around a primitive 14^th century church, which later became the church of San Bartomeu that we see today.  The picturesque old quarter that grew up around the church in the 18^th century is full of character with its narrow, cobbled streets and charming corners, and is an excellent place to explore. 

Because the municipality of Ferreries has only one tourist resort, Cala Galdana, the local economy relies more on industry than tourism.  The town’s most prominent trades include costume jewellery and shoe making, and there are many small shops selling traditional Menorcan sandals - avarcas - that are made in workshops at the back of the shop.  The “Jaime Mascaro” label footwear is now exported all over the world and its main factory and adjoining shop are on the edge of the town.

Ferreries is also home to some of Menorca’s most prominent furniture makers and, being surrounded by over 40 farms, produces a lot of the island’s milk, cheese and meat. One such agricultural estate is the “Hort de Sant Patrici”. Not just a working farm, the estate is open to the public, who can visit its large manor house, beautiful gardens with marble statues, vineyards and a cheese museum which shows traditional cheese-making techniques and tools. 

Take an evening stroll around the narrow streets and picturesque squares of ancient Ciutadella, formerly the island’s capital. Marvel at the exquisite architecture of the Town Hall, theatre, palaces, churches, and the Gothic cathedral, beautifully illuminated at night. Browse the local delicatessens and sample the fabulous Menorcan cheese, and stock up with delicious local pastries, pies, and handmade biscuits. Stroll down to the harbour where fresh fish dishes dominate the menus of the waterside restaurants.

Set in the middle of the island, Alaior is a quintessential Menorcan town with narrow streets of whitewashed houses all leading to the Santa Eulalia church that sits regally on the top of a hill. Its medieval centre is charming and a great place to wander around as there is a wealth of shops, lovely wide squares and interesting buildings to be discovered.   

Small bars serving delicious tapas can be found on most streets and the town boasts some quality restaurants serving local produce. A stop for a coffee on one of the town’s pavement cafés would not be the same without trying some of the “dolços” - cakes that are typical of the town.

Take time to explore the ancient caves of Cala Morell, reputedly Menorca’s first inhabited caves, which date from the Bronze/Iron Ages. Follow the ancient coastal path, the Camí de Cavalls, around the quiet cove of Cala Morell, taking in the vista of this rugged, dramatic coastline. The clear water at the foot of the cliffs is ideal for snorkelling. Refreshments can be found at the little drinks/snack bar located nearby.

Located less than three kilometres from Ciutadella, Cala en Blanes is the perfect family friendly holiday resort with a host of activities on offer to suit all tastes.  Apart from the various coves and inlets which are the perfect places to relax, swim and sunbathe, there is a water park, regular boat trips, bicycle hire and a whole host of other activities.   A visit to the hippodrome for the weekly trotting races is popular with local families as well as holidaymakers and there is no better way to end the day than by taking a walk along the cliff tops to the Punt d’en Gil to watch the sun go down.

Binibeca encompasses Binibeca Nou and Binibeca Vell, which sit together on Menorca’s south coast. Binibeca Nou is a smart, quiet residential area whose crowning glory is a beautiful white sandy beach with crystal clear water and a backdrop of shady pine trees. The gentle shelving of the sand into the warm shallow sea makes this beach popular with families with young children. Built on the rocks and tucked away you can find a beach bar converted from a fisherman’s hut, the ideal place to sit and have a drink after a day sunbathing and swimming.  The views of the sunset from here are fantastic.

Designed by Spanish architect Antonio Sintes in 1972, Binibeca Vell has been built to look like a traditional fishing village. Leading down to a tiny and beautiful harbour is a maze of little alleyways and pedestrian areas, with Moorish arches, whitewashed buildings, and shops, bars and restaurants hidden away around corners. Being completely traffic free, enchanting Binibeca Vell is the ideal place to escape the sun and explore.

Situated along the picturesque northern coast of Menorca, Arenal d’en Castell is a vibrant resort famous for its stunning beach, with pale golden sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
Considered one of the most beautiful on the island, Arenal d’en Castell beach is in the form of a horseshoe, which despite making it so very pretty, also makes swimming conditions very safe, so it is a good option for beach lovers of all ages.  
Apart from swimming and sunbathing, there is a great choice of water sports and other amenities on offer and when it comes to dining or a sundowner to watch the sun set, there are restaurants and bars overlooking the beach to suit all tastes.
Arenal d’en Castell is perfectly situated to explore the north east of Menorca and also further afield.  The pretty little Port d’Addaia is nearby and a lovely place to explore.  Na Macaret is a tiny fishing village with excellent restaurants on the beach on the other side of the inlet to Addaia.  The whole area is great for walking and hiking, whether it is exploring the rocky coast line or following the Cami de Cavalls through the nature reserve from Addaia.  
Son Parc is a short walk in the other direction and the beautiful fishing village and marine reserve of Fornells, with its famous seafood restaurants is a little further on.
With great connections, Maó and Ciutadella are easily accessible by car or public transport, and nearby Es Mercadal is a traditional Menorcan village, largely untouched by tourism.  

On the island’s picturesque southeast coast, inbetween Binibeca and Punta Prima, the pretty cove of Biniancolla is home to a charming cluster of typically whitewashed coastal houses that look out across the calm waters of the cove to the shimmering Mediterranean.  On the waterfront itself, one of the village’s restaurants enjoys views of the sea whilst other dining options can be found just a short distance beyond or nearby in Son Ganxo.