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Home / Destination / Europe / Spain / 10 things I learnt in Menorca

10 things I learnt in Menorca

May 27, 2017 by Gretta Schifano 20 Comments

Sunset from Cova d'en Xoroi, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Sunset from Cova d’en Xoroi, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

I’m back from my first ever trip to Menorca, and I’m truly astonished by the beauty and diversity of this Spanish island. Together with a group of bloggers, Instagrammers and YouTubers. I was invited to Menorca by Visit Spain and Traverse. We had two days of workshops and talks, but there was also time see a little of the island. At around 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, it’s an easy place to travel around. I found it a fascinating destination, and I’d love to go back to explore it further. Here are some of the things which I learnt on my trip.

Beaches

If you’re looking for beautiful, unspoilt beaches, with pale sand and clear, blue water, Menorca is the place to go – it’s home to more than 100 beaches. We spent a day exploring the southeast of the island, and stopped off at various pristine beaches to take photos. Sadly there was no time to swim, but I did manage a quick paddle at one beach, and the sea was definitely warm enough for swimming.

Coast. Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Coast. Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Pomada

Pomada is a delicious Menorcan drink which is made by mixing Menorcan gin with cloudy lemonade. Served with ice, it’s very moreish and refreshing.

Pomada, Cova d'en Xoroi, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Pomada, Cova d’en Xoroi, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

My first taste of pomada was in the most amazing bar that I’ve ever been to: Cova d’en Xoroi, which is housed in some clifftop caves. It’s a unique place with various terraces and places to sit, and an indoor and an outdoor bar. We went there one evening to watch the sunset and it was a truly spectacular experience.

VIP area, Cova d'en Xoroi, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

VIP area, Cova d’en Xoroi, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Tortoises

There are tortoises living in the wild in Menorca – I know this because we saw one when we went for a walk around Parc Naturel de s’Albufera, a beautiful coastal nature reserve. The whole island was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993, in recognition of its diverse and unspoilt ecology.

Tortoise, Menorca. Copyright Suzanne Jones, The Travel Bunny

Tortoise, Menorca. Copyright Suzanne Jones, The Travel Bunny

Lighthouses

There are seven lighthouses dotted around the coast of Menorca. We went to see Favaritx lighthouse, on the windy northeast corner of the island. The coastline around the lighthouse is rugged and rocky and the water is clear and blue and gorgeous.

Binibequer Vell

Binibequer Vell was built in the 1970s as a tourist resort – but it looks like a traditional fishing village. That’s because local architect Antonio Sintes designed it that way, inspired by the whitewashed walls and roofs of the area. It’s a very picturesque place with courtyards, narrow alleys, rooftop turrets and low-level buildings.

Binibequer Vell, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Binibequer Vell, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Wooden gates

Menorca has the most marvellous wooden gates, They’re made from olive wood in a very particular design. I first spotted one on the drive from the airport to our hotel, and then noticed them all over the place, in amongst the miles and miles of drystone walls which enclose the fields. (I really want some of those gates for my house).

Traditional Menorcan wooden gates, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Traditional Menorcan wooden gates, Menorca. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Cami de Cavalls

The Cami de Cavalls is a walking route which goes around the island’s coast. It stretches for more than 100 miles and was originally used to connect Menorca’s watch towers and fortresses.

Mayonnaise

Menorcans claim that mayonnaise comes from Mahon, their capital (mahonnaise – geddit?). The story goes that in the eighteenth century, when Richelieu commanded the French army, he stopped to eat at a tavern in Mahon. There he was served this sauce, and he liked it so much that he took the recipe back to France, where it became known as mayonnaise. (I may be calling it mahonnaise from now on though, just to irritate my kids).

Electric cars

It’s hard to tell when you’ve actually started an electric car. I know this because Nissan lent us some electric cars to use during the trip, and I tried one out. It was a Nissan E-NV200 electric people carrier and it was completely silent to drive. You start it up by pressing a button. The car was an automatic and it was surprisingly powerful and nippy. I liked it.

Gretta Schifano driving a Nissan electric car, Menorca. Copyright Steve Biggs, Biggsy Travels

Gretta Schifano driving a Nissan electric car, Menorca. Copyright Steve Biggs, Biggsy Travels

Jet2

Jet2 is a great airline. I’d never flown with them before, probably because I live near Gatwick and they don’t fly from there, but for this trip we flew with them from Stansted to Mahon. I was travelling with hand luggage only (I’m evangelical about this since I managed a trip with just 8kgs of luggage) and was delighted to find that Jet2 allow a carry-on bag of up to 10kgs plus a small handbag. Result! Luggage allowances aside, the airline staff were noticeably friendly and helpful, the plane felt spacious and airy, and I could reach into the overhead locker without having to stand on my seat and feel extra short.

Menorca is a beautiful, unspoilt Spanish island in the Mediterranean, and it's a joy to explore and travel around. I loved my first trip there - here are my Menorca highlights, including some quirky facts and some great things to see and do there. Watch out for tortoises!

Verdict

I really enjoyed my short trip to Menorca. It’s a charming, unspoilt place with excellent beaches and interesting places to explore, and I’d definitely like to go back there. I’d like to explore the two main towns, Mahon and Ciutadella, as I didn’t have the chance to do that on this trip, and I’d also like to have some time to relax on some of those glorious beaches, and to go snorkelling and kayaking in the sea.

Where to stay

If you’re looking for a luxurious place to stay in Menorca, consider Insotel Punta Prima or Meliá Cala Galdana.

Over to you

If you’ve been to Menorca, how did you find it? If you haven’t been, would you like to go there? Is there anything that you’d like to know about my trip?

Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Spain for hosting me on this trip, and to Traverse Events for inviting me. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you clicked through and booked I may receive a small commission. All opinions, images and words are my own, as ever.

Photo credits: Thank you to Suzanne Jones, The Travel Bunny, for the tortoise photo and to Steve Biggs, Biggsy Travels, for the photo of me driving the electric car.

 

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Related

Categories: Coast, Spain
Tags: Balearics, Menorca

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Derek says

    February 1, 2018 at 6:07 am

    Out of curiosity what did you paddle when you were out at the beach?

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 1, 2018 at 10:26 am

      I did feet-in-the-water paddling, but not boat paddling!

      Reply
  2. Shala Perera says

    November 10, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    Hola Gretta,

    We are at the Menorca airport going back home(England) after a week in this awesome island.
    We loved every minute of our holiday here and has never experienced such peace n tranquillity anywhere on this earth such as this place with friendly n happy people !
    We stayed at White sands in Arenal den castell where you get your own private horse shoe shaped cover where the water is crystal clear.
    Tasted the best paella at Flamingo. Yes, Pomada was amazing too so refreshing.
    Loved our long walks at fornells and our Gin tasting in Mao. The organ music at the Santa Maria was breathtaking!
    Did not forget to purchase a few pairs of Mibo Avarcas while visiting their factory in Es Migjorn Gran
    Loved loved loved this blessed island n hope to return again in summer!!

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 10, 2017 at 4:03 pm

      Hola Shala, wow, it sounds like you’ve had a brilliant trip. I’d definitely love to go back there, and avarcas would be at the top of my shopping list!

      Reply
      • Shala Perera says

        November 11, 2017 at 10:27 am

        Hola Gretta, thank you for your reply. Going through your profile I realised that we live in the same part of the country.. The south east of England! I live in a little village in Kent between
        sandwich and Deal. I love the countryside. And also I realised that you have lived in Italy! My husband and I simply love Italy too last month we were holidaying in Tuscany with family it was simply awesome! Four years ago just the two if us travelled quite widely in Italy starting in Venice and ending up in sicily! I loved Assisi the best. Driving through those gorgeous quaint villages n towns will always remain in my mind. Lovely connecting with you Gretta. Have a lovely day

        Reply
        • Gretta Schifano says

          November 13, 2017 at 7:35 am

          It’s great to connect with you too Shall! Italy’s always been my favourite place to travel – my husband and I did an extended Venice to Sicily trip too, years ago!

          Reply
  3. Jenny/Mum says

    August 2, 2017 at 6:39 pm

    After reading this post about Menorca, I was keen to find out more and to look into going on holiday there. I have just booked a week in September with Saga Holidays and am really looking forward to it. Thanks for giving us all this information and inspiring me to visit Menorca

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      August 9, 2017 at 6:16 am

      You’re welcome – have a great time! xx

      Reply
  4. Alan Holmes says

    June 11, 2017 at 10:02 am

    I love Menorca, I’m coeliac and have found plenty of places to eat and buy food. Asador Las Dunas is a great restaurant for gluten free in Son Bou. Island is small enough to explore and lots of interesting history.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      June 11, 2017 at 11:27 am

      Thanks for the recommendation – I’ll add it to my list, for if I go back!

      Reply
  5. Nicola Dunkinson says

    June 1, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    Really enjoyed reading this Gretta. I first visited Menorca with my parents when I was around 8 and didn’t really remember much of it so I loved getting to see a lot of it with #mustseemenorca. Such a shame I didn’t get to chat to you! Pomada is my new favourite drink by the way!

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      June 2, 2017 at 2:19 pm

      It was such a great trip – pomada’s my new favourite drink too! Thanks for commenting, and sorry that we didn’t get to chat.

      Reply
  6. Suzanne says

    May 28, 2017 at 6:14 pm

    I first went to Menorca about 20 years ago and I was delighted to find that it hadn’t really changed very much since then. It’s still as beautiful and unspoiled as it was then.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 29, 2017 at 5:07 pm

      I was really surprised by how lovely it is there.

      Reply
  7. Emma Thatcher says

    May 28, 2017 at 7:58 am

    I went to Menorca once as a little girl, when we stayed about a mile from Binibequer and used to walk there most days, so it’s lovely to be reminded of that by your post. I also went to Menorca with my children a few years ago and we stayed in Son Bou. My oldest daughter and I rode some of the Cami De Cavalls on horseback. It was a great experience. I wrote quite a lot of posts about Menorca on my blog as it’s such a beautiful place and so family friendly. The bus networks are really good too and we ended up travelling by bus to Mahon as it was much cheaper than taxi’s.
    Emma Thatcher recently posted…Romance at Painswick Rococo GardenMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 29, 2017 at 5:08 pm

      It looks like a beautiful area to stay in. I’ll have to check out your posts Emma.

      Reply
  8. Jenny (Mum) says

    May 27, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    I went to Menorca in 1972 when it was a very quiet Island and have often felt it would be interesting to return. I remember that we stayed just outside Mahon at the Hotel Agamemnon. we hired a Fiat 500 and explored the island in a very leisurely way.After reading about your trip, I definitely want to go back to Menorca.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 27, 2017 at 8:14 pm

      I reckon you’d like it – sounds like it’s time for a return trip!

      Reply
  9. Cathy (Mummytravels ) says

    May 27, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    This sounds so gorgeous – I haven’t been to Menorca since I was about 6 but it’s the Balearic island I most fancy returning to. Especially after reading this…

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 27, 2017 at 8:13 pm

      It was my first visit to any of the Balearics – I had no idea how gorgeous it was.

      Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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