Menorca's Beaches, Map

Good to know

Thoughtful planning laws introduced in the mid 70's means there are virtually no 'hotel skylines' behind resort beaches and many beaches remain wonderfully natural and amazing. You also will not find any beachside neon lit bars pumping out loud music with drunken singles groups or incessant beach sellers to bother you.

Fact - there are more sandy beaches (60+) than on Majorca and Ibizia combined so even in high summer you won't be fighting to lay down your beach towel - Menorcan beaches are never full like elsewhere. Shallow waters at beaches means the water is usually 2-3 degrees warmer than swimming pools and in September,October the sea is often at it's warmest!

Even the most distant beach is never more than a hour's drive away from your resort - it would a shame to miss something this special? If you decide not to hire a car, bus services link the most popular resorts and their resort beaches even some bus services to the virgin beaches.

• Menorca's 'best' Beaches Guide with photos
• Beach Locations with photos

Best children's Beaches: Due to their geological origins many of Menorcas beaches (very common on the south coast) have gentle falls into the sea, making the waters warm, with shallow sandy bottoms stretching for many, many metres out. This makes them attractive for smaller children. Additionally nearly all beaches have rocky fringes and clear waters for super snorkelling.

For the romantically and adventurously inclined there are many remote beaches only accessible on foot, where often you will find them completely deserted or with just a few like minded people.

Virgin Beaches - Secluded and Remote

Photo Guide to Virgin Beaches - The jewells of Menorca\'s beaches are the many undeveloped beaches enclosed in stunning and protective natural bays or wide natural panoramas on the north and south coasts. These so called virgin beaches or "calas virgenes" are amongt some of the most beautiful beaches you will find anywhere within a three hour flighttime from home. Virgin beaches, often remote, offer a touch of robinson crusoe feeling and Caribbean blues paradise close to home.

Even if you have small children don't miss the opportunity to spend at least half a day at one of Menorcas beautfiful virgin beaches. More and more have been made ecologically accessible by car and a short walk, without disturbing their natural prisitine state. You won't regret it!

The below Virgin Beaches are reachable on foot from following resort beaches

• Cala Macarella,Cala en Turqueta from Cala Galdana
• Son Saura from Son Xoriguer
• Playa Binigaus from Santo Tomas
• Playa d'Atalis from Santo Tomas and Son Bou
• Cala Pudent from Son Parc

Resort Beaches

For those who prefer resort beaches with Bars, Loungers and Umbrella hire then Menorca can also offer some of the best with daily cleaning and a range of water sports and beach side bars and restaurants. Topless sun bathing is usual on most beaches. Menorcas' longest sandy resort beach is Playa de Son Bou at just over is the 2.5 km long in the middle of the south coast.

Textile free ( Nudist / Naturist ) Beaches

There are no official naturist / nudist beaches on the island. However as it is increasingly popular, particulalry by the islanders themselves , more and more beaches are establishing their regular little unofficial textile free areas. Most well known perhaps is Binigaus beach - to the west of Santo Tomas. Easily reachable and there is a car park at entrance to Santo Tomas. Walk WEST 20mins. along the Santo Tomas beach ( Playa San Adeodato ) past the Es Bruc beach bar until you come to a large deep sandy beach backed by a picturesque valley. This is where Binigaus beach starts.

Remoter virgin beaches where you find textile free sun bathing are Algairens,Binimel-la,Cala Barril,Cala Calderer,Cala Coves,Cala Pilar,Cala des Tamarells,Cala Macarelleta, Cala Mica,Cala Pilar,Cala Pregonda,Cala Presili,Cala Mesquida, Cala Trebaluger and Cala Es Bots.

Menorca Holiday Beach Tips

1. 'If the wind is blowing from the north visit the south coast beaches, and visit the north if the wind is from the south' Also it still amazes us but it can be cloudy at one end of the island and bright sunshine at the other. So get in the hire car and head out if the clouds have appeared.

2. These virgin beaches listed below can be reached by car and a short walk even with small children. Give yourself a beach experience to remember - just go! Take a picnic and visit these places after 17:00. Often any parking or access charges will not be collected as the attendant has gone home, the beach will be emptying even more and you will be able to enjoy a magnificent sunset - and we promise you if you have any children, afterwards they will love you too!

• Cala Macarella
• Cala Mitjana
• Cala Mesquida
• Cala'n Turqueta
• Cala Algaiarens
• Son Saura ( Also by Bus no. 66 from Ciutadella )

3. By taking one of the half or full day boat trips, you can visit some of the bays and beaches that are only reachable from the sea. An unforgettable experience

4. Always ensure you have plenty of water with you when you visit the virgin beaches as often there are no bars or such facilities. Just pure nature. And don't forget a bag to take you rubbish home with you.

5. Two beach sun loungers and an umbrella are on average 15 Euros a day to hire! A sun umbrella in a supermarket will cost from 8(out of resort) -15(in resort) Euros. Buy one and leave it behind in your Holiday Home if there is not one to use there on the beaches. These lighweight rests below will cost no more than 8-10 Euros for a good quality one and are more comfortable than always resting on your elbows! (sink legs into sand for stability)