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Whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family or even solo, Menorca has a lot to offer. For us it was the perfect destination for a first toddler holiday abroad. Although it’s known as the ‘quiet’ island of the Balearics, there are still plenty of things to do in Menorca beyond lazing by a pool. Here are my recommendations of must-see sights, including donkeys, gin and picturesque towns.
Explore the old town of Ciutadella
Ciutadella was once the capital of Menorca and remains one of the island’s primary cities. Although Menorca’s star attractions are its beaches, a trip to Ciutadella is one of the best things to do in Menorca and should not be missed!
Grab an ice cream and wander the cobbled streets of the old town. Admire the Gothic architecture of the cathedral and soak up the sun in the picturesque port. Don’t miss some delicious Spanish cuisine for lunch. We dined at Raco d’es Palau, a traditional family-run restaurant on Carrer des Palau. We enjoyed our lunch at an outside table, plus they were well equipped to cater for my toddler.
Where to park in Ciutadella
We parked at Parking Quintana de Mar which had plenty of spaces and was free to park. It is situated right by the port and a short walk into the town centre. There are other car parks across the other side of the port, however I believe these fill up much quicker.
Wander the Greek-inspired village of Binibeca Vell
Binibeca Vell is a charming village on the south coast of the island, designed in the 1960s to mimic traditional Greek architecture. It was built as a private residential complex, however it is open to tourists from 10am until 10pm. Wander the narrow streets of the whitewashed picturesque village and you could honestly be forgiven for thinking you are in Santorini!
One thing to note is that the residential community has several rules in place for visitors which include being respectful of the private property – this means no instaposing on the staircases or sitting on people’s furniture.
As well as the residential area, there is also a small commercial centre offering a selection of restaurants, bars and shops. Enjoy a bite to eat and browse for a souvenir or two. We travelled to Menorca in May and found that the area had the best atmosphere during the day time.
I recommend stopping for a drink at BB Cocktail Bar. Me and my husband enjoyed a cheeky mid afternoon cocktail whilst my parents were babysitting back at the villa and the vibes were perfect. The bar has the advantage of being a rooftop bar so you get a great view and a pleasant breeze. I had the gin based cocktail Tramontana which came with a smoke bubble on top, because I am extra like that!
Meet the animals at Menorca Donkey Rescue
If you love animals, then paying a visit to a donkey sanctuary is one of the loveliest things to do in Menorca. Situated in Alaior (around halfway between Binibeca and Ciutadella), Menorca Donkey Rescue is a self funded and volunteer run sanctuary, so any donations are appreciated.
Menorca Donkey Rescue is home to around 17 donkeys, several cats and a pig named Peppa. We were able to pet some of the donkeys and cats, and we chatted to one of the volunteers who was feeding Peppa her breakfast. If you’re travelling with children then a visit to the rescue is an absolute must.
Menorca Donkey Rescue can be found just off the Me-1 road. Check Google maps. The opening times and days vary so check the rescue centre Facebook or Instagram before travelling.
You can donate to help the donkeys on their GoFundMe here.
Take a trip to Mahon
If you’re keen to take a trip away from the beaches and resorts, then a day in the capital might be the answer. Mahon is known for its large natural harbour and also for being the birthplace of mayonnaise!
On our visit to the city, the weather wasn’t too kind so we simply enjoyed the culinary delights on offer. We had a tapas lunch at Sa Botiga on Placa del Carme (although they have no highchairs so not toddler friendly!). We also browsed the nearby market Mercat des Claustre, although it was very busy.
My personal highlight of Mahon was visiting the Xoriguer Gin Factory. You can prebook tours of the gin factory to see behind the scenes of the distilling process. You can also just turn up to sample and shop. The samples available (at least during our visit) were unlimited and we did buy a few bottles to take home. Menorca is particularly known for its Pomada, which is a lemon gin drink. Our favourites though were Bloody Island and Cinc Cinc.
Where to park in Mahon
Mahon was problematic for parking. My advice would be to travel early and research car parks. Or simply use public transport.
Bask on the beautiful beaches
The beaches of Menorca are one of the reasons why people choose to holiday here. Blessed with white sand and clear blue seas, they are a star attraction for many visitors. We weren’t able to explore many of the island’s beaches but we did enjoy a couple of visits to Binibeca beach.
Binibeca beach is ideal for families as it has soft sand and shallow waters. There is also shady pine forest at its entrance, complete with picnic benches, to provide some respite from the sun. Also the pine trees smell amazing!
We also enjoyed an ice cream at a small kiosk beside the beach and there is a playground nearby however my daughter was a bit small to appreciate most of it.
Where to stay in Menorca
Menorca is a relatively small island so if you are planning on hiring a car, it is fairly quick and easy to get around. There are many great coastal resorts but our choice was to stay at Villa Beatrice in Binibeca. Binibeca is a quiet resort with plenty of rental properties and ideal for couples and families. There are some great restaurants, a lovely beach and Binibeca Vell all within easy reach by foot.
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