Things to See and Do - Overview
Ideas of places to visit and activities for all.
On Land
Walking
With so much of the island preserved by environmental laws the island has many, many beautiful places to walk and discover.
Its important to walk at the right time of day and to have plenty of water with you. And don't forget when walking close to the coast to have swimwear and a towel so you can take that well earnt swim on that remote beach you've reached!
There are deep lush gorges that start in the centre of the island and meander to the coast to open up out into a beautiful beaches. Take a walk early morning or evening in S'Albufera National park and enjoy a drink on the beach in Es Grau.
Menorca Tips
Always have a towel, swim wear, sunscreen and water with you.
Cycling
The island is rapidly ( for menorca at least :-) ) discovering cycling and making bigger efforts to provide for it. While there are very few purpose made cycle ways, alongside roads cyclists are allowed to use the 1.5m wide plus margins at the side of most of the major roads. There is now an increasing network of signposted recommended routes and more and more places offering cycle hire. Note most cycling requires an off road capable two wheeler!
Menorca Tips
The island has an extensive nextwork of the original horse bridalways ( " Cami de Caval" ) built long before the arrival of the motor car. There have been extensive projects to re-open these and signpost them as part of cycle tracks. Still only suitable for off road machines but increasingly signposted. Best to just go. The island is so small you'll never get lost!
Menorca Tips
Here are a collection of walks and cycling trips done and described by others on clear maps with points of interest on the way in photographs
Trips into the past
There are so many stone structures from Menorca's rich past its difficult sometimes literally not to trip over them. You don't have to be a historian to appreciate them. At some of the sites you get a real sense of life in its most primitive form. A few short years ago many of the sites were completely open, now some 30 or so have been made more accessible to the public complete with guide information and signange but charge a moderate entrance fee to cover personal and upkeep costs. But well worth it.
Menorca Tips
Visit late afternoons when the light is best and heat of the day is over. They may have shut up the ticket office but you can still go in and visit . Oh and make sure "little Johnny" does not scramble over the stones that have survived many,many years pre Johnny times :-)
Horses & Ponies
The horse holds a special place in the hearts of the islanders. The Island native race is a magnificent beautiful animal. You can enjoy the island scenery from on top of and behind (in a carriage) a horse. Ride through enchanting woods, gallop along the beach. Riders of all levels are catered for.
Fiestas
Fiestas sre not held for the benefits of tourists, so are genuine and much loved by the islanders. Each town has its own but will be ceremenonial and visual - with Riders showing off their horsemanship skills.
On and under the Water
Snorkelling
Menorca's crystal clear warm waters make snorkelling a real pleasure. Many of the southern beaches are in sheltered bays of gently shelving sand with borders of rocks making them ideal for snorkelling. From your own resort beach or via organised trips from boats to special locations.
Organised trip companies:
Menorca Tips
Cala en Porter has superb snorkelling in a spectacular location, with a great beach for other members of the party and you can buy basic equipment along the beach promenade. Cales Coves is a wonderful snorkel area with great back drop scenery.
A big part of the beauty of the island is that that you can't see from the land, but from the sea. The island's coastline and it's many seculded coves and beaches that can only be reached by boat. Boats can be charted by the half and full day with all the necessary crew and can be a real treat for all.
Boat Excursions
Join a regular boat excursion to different parts of the islands' beautful coastline and see the coves and beaches hidden from land.
O cruise along the coast, taking in virgin beaches and swimming in picturesque bays. Either aboard motor cruisers or under sail in more indulgent ways.
