Villas in Menorca

Just a few hours by plane from the UK and with year-round sunny weather, the Balearics is a perfect destination for travellers with kids. The most laid-back of the islands, Menorca is also the most family friendly.

Self-catering holidays in Menorca combine luxury with practicality; think more space, multiple rooms and perhaps a private swimming pool or barbecue area. A wave of boutique rentals and new Menorca villas have opened in recent years, catering to families who want a local experience without jeopardising style and comfort.

With a 135-mile-long coastline, Menorca has more than its fair share of beaches. Beautiful bays are lapped by calm, clear shallows, which are safe for kids to splash about in.

Snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding will keep teens occupied if you're seeking things to do in Menorca with your family. The shore-hugging Camí de Cavalls, a 115-mile defensive trail connecting watchtowers, cannons and fortresses, can be explored on foot, by bike or on horseback.

Thousands of megalithic sites peppered across the island can’t fail to stir the imagination of all ages; these imposing stone structures, caves and structures were built by the Talayotic people between 1500 and 123BC. Throw in water parks and jousting-filled festivals, and you can see why Menorca is one of the best family-friendly destinations in the Mediterranean.

It’s all about embracing the slow life on Menorca villa holidays. Days are spent hiking through olive and orange groves down to secret coves, shopping for traditional leather sandals in artisan stores, and feasting on day-fresh seafood at harbourfront restaurants. A new generation of creatives are shaking up the scene, from reimagining centuries-old sandstone quarries as arts and cultural centres, to transforming Menorca villas into boutique boltholes.

And if you want adventure, there’s plenty of it. Menorca may only be 30 miles long, but it’s home to the Med’s largest protected marine reserve. The sea teems with marine life, thanks to local conservation initiatives such as the Underwater Atlas project preventing boat anchors disturbing the seagrass beds. Snorkelling and diving are the best way to explore this watery playground, while back on dry land, you can hike, bike or horse ride the historic Camí de Cavalls.

Here you have some inspiration on things to do in Menorca:

Diving in Menorca

Menorca is one of the most underrated diving destinations in Spain, with rich marine life, excellent visibility and diverse seascapes including reefs and caves. For an added adrenaline rush, ditch the gear and freedive some of the finest underwater sites, such as the Swiss Cheese cave, with its tangle of tunnels and brilliant blue light; Millennium Falcon, dubbed Menorca’s only cenote; and the Biblioteca, an extraordinary cave adorned with gold-tinted stalactites.

Discover the landscape

Explore the scenic landscapes of Menorca, from the unspoiled coast to the hilly rural interior. Hike picturesque walking trails to the summit of El Toro, Menorca’s highest mountain, for epic views, or horse ride parts of Camí de Cavalls, an ancient bridleway tracing wave-lashed cliffs, hidden beaches, ancient monoliths and lighthouses.

Snorkelling in Menorca

Menorca is home to the largest protected marine environment in the Mediterranean. Make the most of the teeming waters by snorkelling; head to the coves to the east of Binimel-là beach where you might see octopus and even a Moray eel.

Visit the Museu de Menorca

Step back in time at Museu de Menorca, housed in the cloister adjoining the church, to see a series of displays exploring the island’s early cultures, from Talayotic and Roman to Byzantine and Islamic.

Birdwatching in Menorca

Go birdwatching around the wild lagoon of S’Albufera, home to over 100 species of water bird. A network of paths showcases the natural beauty and rich wildlife of the region, with maps available from the visitor centre.A scattering of archaeological sites across Menorca nods to the Talayotic era (1500BC–123BC), during which sophisticated cultures built dozens of cone-shaped structures. One of the best is Cornia Nou near Mahón, with a staircase you can climb to reach the top.

Visit archaeological sites in Menorca

A scattering of archaeological sites across Menorca nods to the Talayotic era (1500BC–123BC), during which sophisticated cultures built dozens of cone-shaped structures. One of the best is Cornia Nou near Mahón, with a staircase you can climb to reach the top.

At opposite ends of Menorca, Ciutadella and Mahón are connected by a strand of history that stretches across the island. Wedged into the western flank, Ciutadella’s narrow streets are arranged around a grand Gothic cathedral, the sole architectural survivor of a ruthless Ottoman attack in 1558 and witness to various power battles between France, Britain and Spain throughout the 18th century.

To the southeast, the thread loops further back in time to the Talayotic era with the remains of Torre d’en Galmés, a prehistoric village that thrived between 1100 BC to the Roman conquest of Menorca in 123 BC.

At the eastern tip of the island, the gigantic natural harbour at Mahón was transformed into a military base by the Royal Navy when the British arrived at Menorca in 1708. In between, the thread loosely wraps around a smattering of traditional whitewashed fishing villages, such as northern gems Es Grau and Fornells, and southern coastal resort towns like Cala En Porter and Punta Prima.

Menorca villa holidays are the best way of getting an insight into authentic Menorcan life; pick a beachfront bolthole for toes-in-the-sand days or a classic finca for laid-back rural charm.

Several airlines connect the UK with Menorca: British Airways runs flights from Heathrow; easyJet serves Bristol, Gatwick, Liverpool, Luton and Southend; and Ryanair offers services from the East Midlands. Jet2 connects Belfast, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle; while Monarch runs flights from Birmingham, Leeds/Bradford, Luton and Manchester.

From Menorca’s airport, a shuttle bus runs regular services to Mahón’s main bus station at Placa de S’Esplanada (every hour, October to May; every half-hour, June to September). A taxi to the centre costs about €10.

The easiest way to get around Menorca is by car. A good highway – the 45km ME1 – links Mahón, at the eastern end of the island, to Ciutadella at the western end. From this main thoroughfare, roads run to the main resorts, beaches and villas in Menorca.

By car

Hiring your own car is the best way of getting around Menorca, as you’ll be able to easily reach the hidden corners of the island. Local car hire companies, such as Autos Ciutadella, Autos Mahon Rent and Sol Car Hire, offer the best rates, with daily fees starting from around £30, though you’ll pay more for higher-category cars. The main rental companies are located at the airport, with some additional offices in Ciutadella.

By public transport

You can get around Menorca by public transport, though it’s not as flexible or easy as having your own car. A reliable bus network connects the main towns and beaches in high season, though services elsewhere on the island are generally patchy.

The main bus companies serving Mahón and Ciutadella are TMSA and Autocares Torres, with Autos Fornells also running services from the capital. The bus between the two towns takes around an hour, or the express option shaves 15 minutes off this time.

By boat

A water taxi service runs from Cala Galdana and Sant Tomàs, providing scheduled (and scenic) services to Trebalúger and Fustam beaches.