Discover hidden coves, island art galleries and tasty bakes on this dreamy Spanish islandDiscover hidden coves, island art galleries and tasty bakes on this dreamy Spanish island
The Balearics are hard to beat in summer, and while Mallorca and Ibiza tend to draw a consistent crowd, the laidback, little sister island of Menorca has quietly begun to attract discerning travellers – and for very good reason, too. With a breathtakingly rugged landscape, hundreds of unspoilt beaches, and a rich cultural tapestry that encompasses French, British, and Catalan influences, it’s no wonder that Menorca has earned itself a reputation as the ideal holiday destination.
Time seems to stand still in sun-drenched corners of the island. From sampling the freshest seafood and rubbing shoulders with the locals at the best markets, to going off-grid and discovering the dramatic coastline on foot (think hidden coves and sleepy villages galore), there are plenty of ways to acclimatise to the slower pace of life here, while still ticking off all of the sights. And yet, there’s lots of buzz to plug into too, from art galleries to multi-sensory restaurants that evolve into DJ-led evenings, along with a flurry of boutique hotel openings giving the island a fresh, design-led edge.
Enjoy an organ recital at the Cathedral Santa Maria de Mao
An enormous behemoth straddling one of the central squares in Mahon, it’s pretty hard to miss the majestic Cathedral Santa Maria while wandering around town. Take a peek inside the Neoclassical build, and prepare to be stunned by the intensely ornate interior and impressive gold-trimmed organ, which boasts just over 3,000 pipes. Every day at 1pm (other than Sundays) between the months of June and October, visitors can enjoy a mesmerising organ recital, which is well worth blocking out your calendar for.
Discover the local markets in Mahon and Ciutadella
Naturally, you’ll be surrounded by crystal clear waters while on the island, so expect to sample seafood of the freshest quality. Go back to the source by having a pootle around the traditional pescaderia municipal in Mahon, where you can haggle over fresh fish and also sample pinxtos (small plates) to wash down with plenty of sangria. In Ciutadella, the fish and meat market situated at bustling Placa de la Llibertat is a daily hive of activity, where you’ll spy throngs of locals gossiping and people-watching; grab a table at Ulisses, a chic wine bar that serves tasty tapas, which is situated right by the market and makes an ideal spot for observing the buzz.
Spend an afternoon at the Hauser & Wirth gallery
Located on the formerly abandoned Isla del Rey, this gallery from the Hauser & Wirth team is one of Menorca’s most exciting new additions. After mooching around the changing (often avant-garde) exhibitions, enjoy a leisurely al fresco lunch at on-site restaurant Cantina, which is an offshoot of Bodegas Binifadet, one of the island’s most loved wineries, and browse the curated gift shop. As of 2025, the gallery has also added an Education Lab to its offering, designed to accompany key exhibitions through interactive workshops and collaborations with local universities. Also on the island is a former military hospital, which is equal parts fascinating as it is eerie (private tours can be arranged). With an hourly ferry departing to and from the island, it makes for a great day out.
Enjoy sunset drinks and dinner
Sunsets on Menorca are a guaranteed showstopper, so why not enjoy the view while perched at the dinner table? For a refined meal while overlooking the sea, En Caragol is a must-visit, serving up a mouthwatering menu of the freshest seafood dishes, along with an impressive wine list – alternatively, the relaxed S’Amarador in Ciutadella offers traditional sharing plates with views over the quaint harbour. For an incredibly laidback and under-the-radar destination loved by the locals, Cap Roig is perched on the cliffside overlooking the eastern side of the island and serves up unfussy, rustic dishes and generous platters of paella to dig into.
Explore the island’s many beaches and coves
Naturally, it’s not a visit to Menorca without a dip in the sea. There are plenty of rugged coves and sandy bays to choose from, so take your pick from the hundreds that line the island’s perimeter. The most beautiful calas are known to be on the south side of the island, but be prepared to scramble over limestone crags and wander through forest-green pines to make your way down to the sea: it’ll all be worth it when you spy the turquoise-blue waters and powder sand. During the summer months, make sure to set off early (as there are often limited numbers allowed on each beach) – even the lesser-known ones, such as Cala Mijtana, Cala Mitjaneta, and Cala Trebalúger can fill up quickly. Or head to the island’s southwest coast, where you’ll discover Playa Son Saura’s sparkly blue waters and pristine stretch of sand. While you’re there, nearby Nonna Beach is the ideal pit stop for farm-to-table cooking just minutes from the coast.
Take the scenic route
Menorca’s rugged coastline allows for plenty of off-the-grid exploring, so switch off and ramble across the island’s breathtaking landscape. Well-trodden hikes include the Camí de Cavalls (which encircles the entirety of the island, and usually takes between 10-15 days to complete, but can be broken into easier chunks) – or cover more ground by joining a horseback tour. If you’re in search of elevation, hiking up El Toro, Menorca’s highest hill, will provide sweeping views of the island from the summit.
Immerse yourself in the history of the island
Menorca’s cultural legacy is a patchwork of identities thanks to past British and French settlements. Remnants of these influences can be spied across the island, which has plenty of cultural sites to explore. In Mahon, the magnificent 18th-century townhouse Ca’n Oliver, once the home of the local bourgeoisie, houses an art collection spanning centuries and offering a crash course in the island’s history. Meanwhile, beautiful churches such as the Church of Carmen in Mahon, and the Cathedral of Menorca in Ciutadella are worth visiting for a lesson in island architecture. The fascinating Palacio Olivar in Cuitadella is a portal into aristocratic life in 17th-century Menorca, the grand interiors preserved exactly as they used to be, and stuck in a somewhat eerie time warp. Lastly, El Socors, the convent and cloisters of Saint Augustin features a striking, baroque church, and collection of prehistoric and Roman archaeology.
Spend day (and night) at multi-sensory destination restaurant Nonna Bazaar
Sprawling across a beautifully restored finca (and its grounds), a short drive from Ciutadella, Nonna Bazaar is less a restaurant and more a multi-sensory experience that unfolds slowly over the course of an evening. Arrive just before sunset to witness the estate’s 400 hectares bathed in warm, golden light while wandering the expansive grounds, cocktail in hand. Dinner centres around a farm-to-fork ethos, with locally sourced produce taking pride of place on the menu and generous Mediterranean platters designed for sharing (expect to rub shoulders with fellow travellers and stylish locals over supper). As the night draws on, the mood shifts seamlessly into DJ-led evenings, with live music and an open-air dance floor. There’s plenty to explore beyond the table too, from a thoughtfully curated boutique spotlighting local makers to a farm shop stocked with regional produce – if you’re bringing the kids along, there’s even ponies and pigs in the estate’s petting stables. It’s well worth booking ahead, particularly in peak season.
Hotel hop between Menorca’s most stylish boutique hotels
As discerning travellers increasingly swap the buzz of Ibiza and Mallorca for the quieter charm of Menorca, a new wave of design-led boutique hotels is steadily reshaping the island’s hospitality scene. Among the latest is Vestige Binidufa, opening in spring this year in the island’s unspoilt north. Set within a vast private estate, it pairs seamlessly with sister property Son Ermita, the two designed to be experienced as one fluid destination – making it easier than ever to hotel-hop.
Sample the best ensaimada on the island
It’s not a visit to the Balearics without indulging in a traditional ensaimada (or two). Herbera Bakery in Ciutadella is a local favourite thanks to their classic take on the deliciously moreish pastry – the ones baked here are perfectly chewy, sugar-dusted mouthfuls of joy. For a more flakey and modern interpretation (and with a French twist), check out contemporary bakery Pigalle in Mahon.
Guests are free to drift between the two properties, dipping into shared restaurants, wellness spaces and curated experiences (think jeep safaris, coastline cruising in a traditional Menorca boat, and mountain biking to local beehives), all while exploring the surrounding countryside that rolls down to three secluded coves. Thanks to the island’s compact size, it’s easy to broaden your stay further – perhaps splitting time near the south coast at relaxed rural retreat Menorca Experimental or by heading further east and basing yourself in Mahon at elegant townhouse hotel Cristine Bedfor.
