A GUIDE TO THE BEST BEACHES IN MENORCA: THE QUIETEST ISLAND IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Menorca is said to be the pearl of the Balearic Islands. It is the quietest island in the Mediterranean, with sheer cliffs, idyllic turquoise bays and white stone towns. It is also the easternmost region of Spain and the first place where the sun rises and sets in the country.
The quiet island has little to do with its big sister Mallorca and much less with the more distant and rebellious Ibiza. Quiet winters and festive summers, north coast and south coast, Mao and Ciutadella, duality is part of the essence.
Its uniqueness lies not so much in the landscape as in the balance between tourism and conservation, which it has managed to maintain to this day. In fact, it has preserved a wealth of nature that has earned it the recognition of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
FIND THE BEST BEACHES IN MENORCA
The best way to visit the island is to enjoy all its nuances. Beautiful cities such as Mao and Ciutadella and charming inland villages such as Es Mercadal. These offer the perfect mix of cultural and gastronomic offerings.
But we cannot deny that the main attraction of Menorca is its fine sandy beaches and turquoise water. The south of Menorca has some of the most beautiful beaches.
The south starts at Cap d’Artrutx, the perfect place to enjoy the sunset. From this point, the coast stretches between coves of white rocks, pine forests and the endless sea.
The bays are connected by the so-called Cami de Cavalls, a path that circles the island for 185 km. Once used to scan the horizon, it now attracts travelers who like to explore the area on foot or by bicycle.
To get too many of these coves, it is necessary to walk some distance through the Cami de Cavalls, as it is not accessible by car. In summer, access to some of the most famous beaches is even closed to cars.
Small or large, in the north or in the south, the possibilities are endless. But here are some of Menorca’s most beautiful coves and beaches.
BEACHES OF MACARELLA AND MACARELLETA MENORCA
Macarella and Macarelleta are the most famous beaches on the island. They are far from urbanization, so they still preserve their natural environment.
In the 1970s, this place was a hippie neighborhood. They chose to establish their congregation in the caves of the rocks. Here they found the peace they were looking for on beautiful beaches far from civilization.
These beaches are a long walk away, making them less crowded than others on the island. Still, this hasn’t stopped them from becoming a place no one in Menorca wants to miss.
Macarella is the main beach, while Macarelleta is the younger sister. The latter has retained part of its dune system and is a true paradise.
GALDANA
This is one of the largest bays in Menorca and is easily accessible by both car and public transport. It is also one of the most fun to travel with the family, as there are all kinds of services and activities.
Galdana feels less authentic than other beaches in the area because it is surrounded by tourists. However, the crystal clear water is perfect for swimming and it is big enough for everyone to find a quiet spot.
In addition, the natural state in which this beach is located is very special. It is a round bay sheltered from the wind with fine white sand. It is without doubt one of the most beautiful urbanized bays in Menorca.
BEACHES MITJETA AND MITJANETA OF MINORCA
These two beaches east of Macarella and Macarelleta are also famous. They are virgin coves just 20 minutes’ walk from the famous Cala Galdana.
Mitjaneta is the little sister of Cami de Cavalls Mitjaneta. The latter is just a thin line of sand, so visitors to this beach spread their towels on the surrounding rocks and then take a dip in the crystal-clear water.
THAT BRUTE
It is a bay without sand, but there are rocky platforms that are perfect for relaxing. This makes it a special place, different from other bays in Menorca.
People use these levels to lie down and sunbathe or dive into the sea. In fact, this is a favorite spot for cliff jumping, as the depth of the bay is more than 4 or 5 meters.
You can jump into the sea from different heights. For the more adventurous and experienced there is a jump known as the “cave” with a height of over 10 meters.
PLEASE
To the north are peaceful backwaters with golden sand. Beaches like Cavalleria or Pregonda can be seen on many postcards. In the case of Pregonda, a winding red earth path leads to the beach and gives the impression of being on Mars.
A 20-minute walk along the path takes you to a beach of rocks and crystal clear water, surrounded by vegetation and pure nature. As it is not directly accessible by car, it is not one of the busiest beaches in Menorca.
In short, when you arrive in Menorca, you arrive in paradise. Here the Mediterranean explodes in a thousand shades of blue and offers us its most authentic side. For this it has earned the nickname “la Isla Bonita”. It’s full of unique corners, some of which are still hidden, and it’s an oasis of peace where you can get away from the routine.