The island of Menorca and its essentials
- David JAMES
- Aug 27
- 15 min read
It is the most "natural" and "secret" island of the Balearic archipelago, and is ultimately not so well known.
It blends into a unique, thematic, authentic and sometimes even mystical landscape.
In 1993, Menorca became a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Since then, the little sister of Majorca and Ibiza has resisted the sirens of mass tourism and cultivated the “High quality & Humility” spirit.
Its paths marked by the Cami de Cavalls punctuated by watchtowers and renamed GR 223, this superb marked path goes completely around the island, 187 kilometers with views of the Big Blue, its green hills crisscrossed by dry stone walls, its peaceful white villages, the lagoon and the park of S'Albufera des Grau, a veritable pantry for the island's birds, with its waters rich in crustaceans, its fields of samphire, its banks carpeted with rushes, a refuge for many seabirds, its majestic lighthouses as essential landmarks, its four thousand year old Talayotic culture, its golden calas with turquoise waters in the south and its coves of a unique orange in the north, make it much more than just an ideal Mediterranean stopover from spring to autumn.
Menorca is therefore a natural jewel of 50 km by 20 km to explore and which can be felt all year round.
- Discover the atmosphere of the island of Menorca for a meaningful journey -
LANGUAGE
According to the Statute, the two official languages of the Autonomous Community, and therefore of Menorca, are Spanish and Catalan, which is also the territory's own language.
CASH
The official currency in Menorca is the Euro, as in the other countries of the European Union integrated into the Monetary Union.
CLIMATE
Menorca enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and slightly rainy. If 300 days of sunshine appeal to you... welcome home.
From June to September, it's hot: temperatures can rise to 30°C in summer. In winter, between November and April, it's between 10°C and 15°C with rarely sunny days.
The presence of the Tramontana wind helps to bear the heat. It doesn't rain much in summer, about 2 days per month. September is really only slightly less beautiful but is still an excellent time of year, the sea is warm and often exceeds 25 degrees.
The sea is beautiful, calm and ideal for all water sports.
It is advisable to prevent sunburn, as in all hot countries.
In winter it is mild, in autumn you can take a bath if the temperature of 18 to 20 degrees suits you :) ... the late season in Menorca is just magical.
It is clear that in October or April you will be in heaven to have the beach of a cove in Menorca almost all to yourself, and what about the rest of the year, which inspires desires for disconnection, discovery and tranquility.
A climate that suits all desires, all year round.
Above all, in the morning, look where the wind is blowing and you will know where to spend the day.
COMING TO MENORCA
There are numerous regular, direct flights from many major French and European cities, especially from April to the end of October. Since the end of 2022, a trip to Menorca is possible year-round from Paris with two airlines.
Although direct flights - except for the information above - are not available during the low season, Menorca is still accessible via the main Spanish cities in mainland Spain with a short stopover.
The island council and the Menorca Tourism Foundation have decided to develop the French market with positive repercussions on new air links in the coming years.
Menorca Airport is located 4 km from the city of Mahon, the economic capital of the island.
Due to its small size, almost all accommodations can be reached within an hour.
MOVE
Yes, provided you take your time and savor the different landscapes and atmospheres.
Renting a car in Menorca is essential to discover all the island's secrets. A single major road crosses the island from east to west, from Mahon to Ciutadella. From this road, short sections lead off to the seaside resorts. Therefore, there is no road that goes all the way around the island... at least not for cars!
Horse riders, cyclists and walkers can enjoy the magnificent Cami des Cavalls, which runs around Menorca.
Likewise, the bus lines mainly run from Mahon to Ciutadella. To get from one coastal town to another, you automatically have to go back along the main road. And to reach the most beautiful coves, it will almost always be on foot. So, make sure you wear good shoes! But rest assured, the island is not large and journey times are never very long.
Let's not forget the Taxis, Water Taxis and all the private transfers available almost all year round.
ACCOMMODATION
You will have a relevant choice according to your expectations and travel objectives.
• 3*** to 5***** luxury hotels
• Rural lodgings of various categories
• Boutique Hotel 4**** to 5*****
• Rural hotels and Agrotourism from 3*** to 5*****
• Fincas and stately homes
• Private villas
• Tourist residences of various categories
GEOGRAPHY
Menorca has an area of 702 square kilometers and 216 kilometers of coastline. The maximum distance between two points is 47 kilometers, between Ciutadella and Maó.
The coast of Sant Lluís, especially from Cala St Esteban, Alcaufar, S'algar and Punta Prima, at the eastern end of the island, are the most easterly points in Spain where the sun rises.
From a geological point of view, the island is divided into two symmetrical but very different halves:
the North, with a wild and uneven coastline, with rare and very rugged vegetation, numerous islets and golden sand beaches
the South, composed of flat limestone rock, with gently sheer cliffs, ravines sculpted by water and white sand coves surrounded by pine trees.
The highest point on the island is Mount Toro, at 357 meters with its 360° view.
NATURE
4 natural atmospheres punctuate the intimate island that is Menorca.
An island that reveals itself as we like to say: Chic – Authentic – Preserved – Secret .
Menorca - Biosphere Reserve
It was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993, due to its wide variety of natural habitats. Menorca knows that the secret to flourishing and living in harmony is none other than the care and preservation of its environment. This is why it is a land where nature and man coexist and coexist through the maintenance and upkeep of a perfect balance between them. It is home to a unique and astonishing variety of animal and plant species, natural landscapes and a remarkably rich biodiversity, thanks in particular to its climate and its significant and singular geological diversity. Through its fascinating rock formations, talayotic sites, ravines, dunes and meadows, Menorca will transport you to the heart of thousands of stories.
Menorca - Marine Reserve
The sea is undoubtedly one of the main elements that has shaped Menorca. For thousands of years, its waves have sculpted cliffs, sharpened reefs, dug caves, beaten and shaped the coastline to give birth to superb coves, magnificent coves but also pebble and fine sand beaches. Menorca actually has an almost unrivaled level of preservation and diversity, it is endowed with exceptional underwater world thanks to its protected marine reserve and is therefore still inhabited by marine species that have already disappeared on many Mediterranean coasts. It is a real refuge for multiple marine populations and shelters vast meadows of Posidonia, essential in the protection of the coastline.
Menorca - Albufera des Grau Natural Park
The most protected natural area on the island, the epicenter of the biosphere reserve, the Albufera des Grau Natural Park covers approximately 5,100 hectares and illustrates all the natural habitats that Menorca is home to: dunes, coastal islets, ponds, agricultural and livestock land, wild olive groves... It is a significant and remarkable biodiversity that is represented there with a considerable number of animal and plant species and countless endemic species. Water birds and birds of prey particularly like to wander there.
Menorca - Star Destination
Menorca has been internationally recognized as an exceptional and privileged destination for the excellent quality and protection of its night sky and thus, for the contemplation and observation of its stars. In addition to this certification, Menorca is now positioned as a “Starlight Reserve”, that is, a protected natural area that promises to combat light pollution.
It is one of the only destinations in the entire Mediterranean to have been awarded this double label.
CULTURE
Due to its strategic position, Menorca has been coveted by many different cultures of the Mediterranean; the Arabs, Romans, English and French are just a few examples of the many cultures that have fallen in love with the island.
This list is represented in cultural Menorca, with such varied routes as the " talayotic ", the British, the gastronomic and surprises... etc.
In a few lines...
Menorca is much more than meets the eye. Cosmopolitan, with a unique historical legacy, its strong personality permeates all its cultural manifestations. A constant source of artistic inspiration, the island's cultural heritage can be enjoyed year-round.
Experiencing culture in Menorca means letting yourself be carried away by your senses, being impressed by its majestic architecture, delighting in listening to an opera, surrendering to the rhythm of the music at concerts and festivals, feeling the thrill of the curtain rising at the theatre, marvelling at a work of art.
In Menorca, culture is present all year round. The Teatro Principal de Maó (a replica of La Scala in Milan) and the Teatro de los Born concentrate much of the island's cultural activity. Menorca also has concert and exhibition halls that offer a very interesting program throughout the year, where art predominates.
The International Jazz Festival is a benchmark that gives Menorca a special listening experience and takes place throughout the spring.
The cultural and artistic heritage of Menorca can be appreciated through the palaces of Ciutadella (old capital) by discovering life in the stately homes of the citadel.
The interior of the Port of Maó (the second largest natural harbor in the world after Peal Arbor) is home to unique sites such as Isla del Rey (King's Island) and Isla del Lazareto (Lazaretto Island). The latter is an old sanitary fortress where ships arriving on the island were quarantined. Isla del Rey preserves a unique 18th-century building and the remains of a 6th-century early Christian basilica. It also houses the Hauser&Wirth Menorca art gallery.
Menorca is a unique island which surprises with the extraordinary richness of its archaeological heritage. The island's fascinating Talayotic culture can be felt through the villages of Torre d'en Galmés, Son Catlar, Talatí de Dalt and Naveta des Tudons. Menorca Talayotica is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in September 2023 https://www.menorcatalayotica.info/es/Inicio
Menorca has always been a magnet for contemporary art. The island boasts a large number of art galleries showcasing the works of a diverse range of artists. You can see a representation of works by leading contemporary artists such as Marina Abramovic, Joan Miró, Miquel Barceló, or Antonio López at the LÔAC center in Alaior; or visit the Menorcan branch of the Hauser & Wirth gallery, located on Isla del Rey.
Menorca from village to village: the British heritage of Es Castell, the majestic character of Ciutadella, the melting pot of cultures of Maó, the artisanal spirit of Ferreries, the coastal character of Fornells, the French past of Sant Lluís, the entrepreneurial spirit of Alaior, the youth of Es Migjorn Gran or the crossroads of Es Mercadal and these fishing villages like Biniancolla or Addaia. Every place on the island has an incredible story.
Menorca's craftsmanship is a recognized wealth through its artisans such as araders (carpenter craftsmen) , paredadors (dry wall craftsmen) , esparto craftsmen, jewelers, ceramists... Menorca stands out in particular with its shoe industry: the authentic avarcas and its luxury products with the brands Pretty Balerinas and Mascaro. The creation of jewelry with its artisanal technique which has more than a century of tradition is also renowned.
Menorca has been a coveted island throughout history. Take a journey through time as you visit sites such as the Isabel II Fortress - La Mola, Sant Felipe Castle, and Fort Marlborough. These defensive structures will take you back in time to some of the most exciting military exploits in Menorca's history.
SECURITY and CLEANLINESS
Choosing Menorca as a travel and event destination means choosing a destination that is close and convenient.
It means choosing civil security, thanks to a specialized tourist police force, and it also means appreciating natural values, in a preserved natural setting and well-kept and protected urban enclaves.
Menorca is magnificent. Gentle, pristine, humane, respectful, and luminous. UNESCO recognized this in 1993 and declared it a Biosphere Reserve.
GOVERNMENT
Menorca belongs to the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands, whose Statute of Autonomy recognizes an autonomous government with headquarters in Palma de Mallorca, and an island government, called the Island Council, for each of the islands.
The Parliament of the Balearic Islands holds legislative power.
HEALTH
All towns in Menorca have medical services. The public health system includes a hospital located in Maó, the IB Salut Hospital Mateu Orfila, and several public medical centers spread across the island.
There are also various private medical centers on the island.
The Red Cross is present in the main villages and on the most popular beaches.
No mandatory vaccination.
FILMING & PHOTO
There are few productions made in Menorca, as this island has often remained in the shadow of its big sister, but it is no less pretty and full of charm.
On just 702 km2, the main road is 44 km long, there is an impressive diversity of landscapes, to which must be added a rich cultural heritage, which offers a wide and unique range of locations.
In addition to the advantages of 315 days of sunshine a year, the short distances between possible locations and the generous and enthusiastic character of its inhabitants, which make any film and photography production easy and more economical
All this if you can keep it a secret...shh!
SPORT
Menorca is obviously a sporting destination.
The great open-air sports arena that is Menorca allows you to do sports for all tastes, between land – sea – sky – mind
The practice of outdoor sports in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way is part of the DNA of the biosphere reserve; it is the soul of Menorca and the Menorcans.
→ Some sporting ideas:
Mountain biking on the Cami de Cavalls or the island's interior trails
Paddle surfing in all the spots surrounding the coasts of Menorca
Group or private riding on Minorcan or Spanish horses
Kayak immersion to navigate close to the coast on translucent waters
18-hole golf course for those who love to disconnect
Yoga Sessions – Meditation and Relaxation facing the sea from cliffs and other golden sandy beaches
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling in Surprising Places
Paragliding from Monte Toro, the highest point on the island
A real padel spot in Menorca with Gemma Triay as ambassador
Sailing, a love story with Menorca
Hike through Cami Cavalls to access magical viewpoints
GASTRONOMY
Thanks to its historic culinary tradition and deep rural roots, Menorca boasts a rich gastronomy and a wide variety of high-quality local products. This allows the island to offer a cuisine with its own local identity, unpretentious and based on the Mediterranean diet, which has been declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The last decade has seen the rise of a movement that reaffirms pride in local identity, extolling the praises of native ingredients, inherited traditions, and Menorcan recipes. This trend is primarily driven by a generation of cooks, local, national, and international chefs, winemakers, restaurateurs, politicians, artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs who see Menorca's diversity as a special gift.
Menorca is a place of gastronomy in capital letters. The proliferation of haute cuisine names on the island, as well as the combination of fresh, seasonal, and local produce, already essential in many cuisines, has made Menorca a gastronomic destination.
Declared a European gastronomic region in 2022, Menorca is one of the most avant-garde places on the culinary scene. Not to mention the roots that characterize Menorcan cuisine, organized around various 0Km products, which come from the countryside and the sea, and melt directly on the palate.
→ Some culinary references…
Prepare a typical Menorcan snack with sweet and savory cakes, rubiols, sobrasada canes... and enjoy them on the beach at sunset.
The island produces olive oil (Olid d'Oliva de Menorca) with great international awards.
Treat yourself to the authentic Menorcan ensaimada. You can tell Menorcan coca bamba apart by its tall, coiled spiral shape. Try it dipped in thick hot chocolate, just like they do in Menorca during local festivals.
Menorcan wines are increasingly appreciated around seven vineyards, including the renowned Binifadet and Torralbenc. The three colors are presented alongside a sparkling and a sweet wine.
In addition to the delicious lobster soup, Caldereta, there is a wide variety of traditional Menorcan recipes that you can enjoy in the island's restaurants: oliaigua, stuffed squid or aubergines, skate or baked lamb... not forgetting the variety of Menorcan sweets (imperials, meringues, half-moons, tortada...).
What could be simpler and more delicious than enjoying a Menorcan milk ice cream while strolling through one of the island's villages?
With its delicate and fresh flavor, Menorcan honey has become a highly valued product. It is made from a thousand flowers, sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), heather, rosemary, blackberry... Every year, more than ten thousand kilos of this precious honey, protected by the Mel de Menorca label since 2006, are produced in Menorca. Its fresh and delicate flavor has made it one of the most appreciated honeys and has been awarded national and international prizes.
Maó cheese is a hard cheese with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) made from raw cow's milk since ancient times on the island of Menorca and which takes the Catalan name from its town and main port, Maó. It is perhaps the most appreciated cheese in Catalan cuisine, also used daily in Spain and other countries by great chefs.
If there's one sausage that's most associated with Menorca, it's the sobrasada. Whether plain or spicy, in a sandwich, in a pastry, on its own, or even paired with the sweetness of ensaimada, it's a must-try on your list of Menorcan gastronomic delights.
Also try carn i xua, a sausage made with lean pork and bacon, considered the oldest sausage made in Menorca.
In Menorca, we toast with gin! Menorcan gin is the oldest gin produced in Spain: it was the English, in the 18th century, who passed on to us this love of distilling juniper. A process that remains faithful to the traditional, in wood-fired copper stills.
Good for meat and good for milk. This is the Vermella de Menorca, this native breed of cow. You'll recognize it in the fields for its reddish coat... and on the plate, for its flavor. Its meat is tender and of high quality, and its milk is ideal for making Mahón-Menorca cheese and ice cream.
A true culinary hotbed of seafood, Menorca is a destination where sea bass, sea bream, razor clams, octopus, lobster, almonds and other squid are enjoyed depending on the daily catch.
SOME AMENITIES
Telephone code:
00 34 + phone number from France
00 33 + phone number from Menorca
Time difference/France: no time difference
Flight duration /Paris: 1 hour 40 minutes
Electricity:
Power adapter: No
Socket: Type F
Voltage: 230 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Paris Tourist Office: 43 rue Decamps 75016 Paris, tel: 01 45 03 82 52
"Official" website: www.menorca.es and www.spain.info (both in French)
Balearic formalities for French citizens:
Valid national identity card or passport
No Visa Required
No vaccinations required
Rhythm of life:
Lunches from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Shops Mon-Sat 10am-8pm (watch out for Saturday Tardeo - some towns and villages may close on Saturday afternoon)
The 1:30-4 p.m. "siesta" is a given.
High season open until 10/11 p.m.
ATMs are widespread
Credit card payments possible
Job
Stamps can be purchased at tobacconists or post offices from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in major cities and until 2:30 p.m. in other cities.
Saturday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
In case of an incident or emergency, call 112
Ciudadela - Ciutadella
Cruz Roja Ambulances: 971 38 19 93
Town Hall: 971 38 10 50
Canal Salat Health Center: 971 48 01 12
Minorca Clinic: 971 48 05 05
Local police: 971 38 07 87
Mahón - Maó
Airport: 971 15 70 00
Cruz Roja Ambulances: 971 36 11 80
Town Hall: 971 36 98 00
Municipal Hospital: 971 36 12 21
Police station: 971 36 37 12
Mateu Orfila Hospital (Telephone switchboard): 971 48 70 00
Verge del Toro Health Center: 971 35 69 42
Dalt Sant Joan Health Center: 971 35 32 55
Maritime rescue: 900 20 22 02
Tourist Office: 971 36 37 90
Alaior
Town Hall: 971 37 10 02
Local police: 971 37 13 20
Red Cross: 971 37 12 38
Es Banyer Health Center: 971 37 29 31
Ferreries
Town Hall: 971 37 30 03
Red Cross: 971 37 31 39
Police officer: 971 15 51 77
Basic Health Unit: 971 37 36 70
MENORCA – CULTURE in brief
• British Remains Tour
• Megalithic sites tour
• Museum Circuit
• Religious circuit
• Ethnological itinerary
• Military sites tour
• Craftsmanship
• Gastronomy Route
• Popular festivals
• Heart of Villages
• Cultural & artistic events
MENORCA – MEDITERRANEAN in brief
• Its activities between Land - Sea - Air
• Accommodation and its atmospheres
• Its emblematic vineyards
• Measured nightlife
• Gastronomic, historical, cultural and artistic discovery
• Human encounters
• Some secrets...
Menorca – Cool Atmosphere in brief
• Health & Wellness
• Photographic tourism
• Outdoor painting
• Slow & Agro Accommodation
• Cool & Zero Km Cuisine
• Head in the stars
• Meditation & Yoga sequences
MENORCA – EVENTS in brief
• Events & weddings
• Meeting & Travel Incentive
• Meeting rooms & convention centers
• Special and exclusive occasions
• Typical and atypical restoration
• Travel and event agencies
• Destination Management Company
• Business Accommodation
• Transport & Transfer in Menorca
• Hostesses and VIP reception
• Unique event locations
• …
Yes, organizing your tailor-made trip to Menorca is something you deserve, enjoy and respect.
“A land of passage and refuge for many civilizations, this magical island is today a place open to contact with the world, a unique space for living exclusive, sensitive and serene experiences. ”
An inspiring and sensory journey to the island of Menorca is offered to you by our incoming agency Menorca Island , a true local DMC (Destination Management Company) , all year round.
Experiences in Menorca that inspire lastingly.
Let's discover your private , corporate , ethical travel project on the island of Menorca .
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