Menorca Activities

Couples / Solo Traveller See and Do

Best things to See and Do

Inspiration ideas for Singles and Couples on Holiday on Menorca . Beyond the house beach and resort there's a whole lot waiting for you...

Good to Know

Inspirations

Nights Out
Live Music
Days Out
People Watching
Shopping
Culture Vultures

All Menorca has to offer

Travel Directory

Good to Know

Menorca Holidays for Couples, Singles

If you love beautiful landscapes, dream of remote natural sandy beaches, love to dine well and sip drinks under dreamy stars then read on. While Menorca is no 'Clubbers paradise', there are still plenty of places where you can dance the night away, none more spectacular so than Covas den Xoroi set in natural caves 25m above the bay in Cala en Porter with well known guest DJs from UK and Ibiza. Most of the dance clubs can be found in the harbour areas with smaller music and "chill out" bars in the side streets of of Mahon and Ciutadella as well as in Es Castell. There is a water taxi between Mahons' and Es Castells' attractive harbours that is an especially delightful way ' to arrive' on summer evenings.

Menorca Holiday Tips

The island is compact so get Out and About around Menorca . The Bus Network is cheap but time consuming, Scooters or small Hire Cars give you freedom especially in the shoulder seasons ( when beaches are empty ) .

See and Do Inspirations

Sights to See

Two Cities Ciutadella and Mahon with beautiful old city centres, packed with Cafe Bars, Restaurants and harbours for Boat trips.

Monte Torro / El Torro is the highest point on the island the name most likely coming from the Arabic, al-tor, meaning highest mountain. Though not a mountain it is worth a visit if you have a hire car for the stunning views ( particularly in spring when you can see over the length of the island) Afterwards you can enjoy the uality range of restaurants in Es Mercadal

Spanish Palaces

There are 11 palaces alone in Ciutadella from the time when it was the island's former capital. Several beautiful small palaces, among them Casa Saura, Palacio del Baron de Lluriach, Palace Torre Saura and Palacio Martorell, all 17th and 18th century. So many in fact that even the town hall is in a former palace. Tours and guides are available from the local tourist office opposite cathedral.

Island Palaces

All Menorca's Sights and Landmarks

Nights out

Check out the nightlife at your resort. Here's some Dance Club Live Music

You can choose between authentic hideaways sipping drinks at one the island's country house hotel bars, a waterside restaurant and bar. Listen to music or dance into the sunrise at one of the islands' clubs.

Menorca is always described in comparison to it's Balearic neighbours as 'quiet'. That's true but it doesn't mean there's not plenty of good (and lively) places for the young and not so young to go out in the evenings. The biggest concentraton of the best nightlife is located in the harbour areas of the Menorca's two cities - Ciutadella and Mahon aswell as Cales Fonts/Moll den Pons harbour areas of Es Castell. The better places are not just for the tourists but open all year round for islanders - so things start late, often after midnight. Don't be surprised if you turn up earlier and the places seem quieter and emptier than you expected. But then again, maybe that's what you prefer.

Live Music

Dance Clubs

Casino Maritim

Small scale Casino, with bar & dining set in a great location where the serious yachts are anchored.

Casino Maritim

Offering Roulette,Poker and Blackjack tables. Smart dress only, ID required (proof of over 18 ). Just follow harbour around to where the big motor Yachts are moored and you are in the right place.

Menorca Holiday Tips

Next door is Pizza restaurant Romani-which does good affordable pizzas in very pleasant surroundings. Also Cafe Oh La la- great place for early morning breakfasts ( opens 6am ) as the sun is rising over the harbours

Moll de Levant 287

Star Gazing

Yes that's right. Take a trip out to S'Albufera park , or a remote spot on the north coast on a clear night and you will be treated to a display to take your breath away. With no street lighting and the night sky shielded from any streetlights and city light overspill you'll see just how many stars there are out there. The distant stars normally invisible due to 'light pollution' are visible-its simply stunning! You'll need a hire car as taxi drivers wont drop off/pick up.

Music and Dance

Clubs (Music,Dance)

Yes, there are dance and chill out clubs on this little island and some in surprising locations too! In Ciutadella there are several at the head of the harbour area ( Pla de Sant Joan ), so you can easily move between them as you please - many have outside rooftop terraces to enjoy starlight summer nights. And in the old city there are chilled out Cafe Bars in gardens and former wine cellars. Mahon's clubs and venues gather around the harbour and in the old town. There are also the popular island jazz venues.

For most clubs go very late, midnight and onwards!

Cova d'en Xoroi - Dance Club a location like no other

Located in huge spectacular natural caves some 25m above the moonlight Med. Toast the Moon shining down and dance through to see the Sunrise - literally!

Undoubtedly the most dramatic nightspot on the island. Set high, literally in the cliffs, above the sea it's an atmospheric dance club with one of the most original locations. With themed nights, guest DJs, music and dance acts DJs.

Opening times: 11:30 'til 05:00. Daily May to October and weekends outside of these months.

Menorca Tips

Cova Bus : Pick up service ( from main beach resorts ) arrival Midnight - Depart Xoroi at 5a.m - see nuratravel.com/Experience/cova-de-xoroi/

Special promotions ( check website,flyers and posters in bars) enabling free entrance to the night club if you visit the caves earlier in the day.

Can aslo be enjoyed as a daytime and sunset venue

Club and Discoteca listing

Places with Live Music

There are formal and informal annual sponsored music events mostly in Mahon and Ciutadella (see weekly what's on sheet from Tourist Offices ). Menorca is not a marketing machine so you will need keep an eye open as you pass inviting bars for live music events as they come up.

Es Claustere - Mahon

During summer outside in the old Cloister courtyard-see local notices for that month at entrance to Mao Market or website for what's on (website in Spanish but easy to see what is on offer ) . 7pm - 3 am often with BBQ.

Club Akelarre

Located on the harbour front the of Mao (Mahon), Akelarre has been offering live jazz concerts for more than ten years and is one of the most popular live music venues in the city. Great Jazz and Blues with Live Music and DJs. Also a very nice place to have drinks, tapas, particularly in the courtyard at the back. Muelle de Poniente 41-43 07701 Mao (Mahon).

Jazzbah

A popular place in Ciutadella where you drink slushy Pomadas ( gin and lemonade). Jazzbah is a live music venue and club, playing funky jazz beats, house and rare grooves. As well as the main room (with a stage), there is a chill-out room and an outside terrace where you can cool off. Plaça de Sant Joan 3,07760 Ciutadella.

Live Music Venues

Fiesta not Siesta! All during summer each town has its own Fiesta with street parties , bands and last night firework displays

Tiping In restaurants, taxis etc. it is usual to leave 5-10% if you were happy with the service. A tip in spanish is called "propina" .

Cafe Bars - People Watching

Cafes and Bars

Around the city centres and harbour areas of Ciutadela, Mahon, Fornells and Es Castell there are a wide variety of Cafe Bars to suit varying ages, tastes and styles, from simple traditional to more contemporary modern. Best to wander along and pick out a place on sight and impulse. A few ideas below:-

Cafe Baixamar (Mahon)

A favourite meeting place on the Mahon harbour front. Lovingly fitted out with nostaligic and Jugendstil accessories, this place has a great atmosphere where you can spend many hours whiling away the night.

Cafe Bars (Es Castell)

Along the harbour sides of Es Castell ( Moll de Cales Fonts and Moll d'en Pons) often set in former fishermans caves are a great choice of Cafe bars with varying ,but always relaxed styles. Particulalry below Club nautic at the Cales fonts harbour entrance and down under Hotel Hamilton ( Moll d'en Pons ).

Hotel del Almirante (Es Castell/Son Villar)

Bar terrace at the Hotel del Almirante. A very british and nostalgic hotel located in a an old english gentlemans house - Lord Collingwood. A good stopping off place before moving off into Mahon.

See All Menorca's Cafe Bars

Shopping

The best shopping is outside of the beach resorts in the island's towns and cities. Note the Siesta always happens(outside of beach resorts) so shops will be closing from 1/1.30 pm until 5/5.30pm.

Ciutadella is particulalrly delightful for window shopping, clothes and fashionable items as there are lots in the old pedestrian town,but DO wander the sidestreets where often the best are to be found. Mahon (Mao)'s shops are little more dispersed. Again the side streets of the old centre hold many a surprise.

Clothes Shopping Photo Guide

You will not find any anonymous shopping centres as such - Island is too small, no need for them. Menorca Shopping.

Shopping

A full list of places of interest ( museums, sights ) to visit and see can be found

Museums & Places of Interest

Couples - Days out - trips ideas

Majorca

You can get a plane hop (Iberia(Air Nostrum ), Air Berlin) from Mahon to Majorca, Palma to go and get back in the same day. So you can take in Palma town shopping and culture for a more "up tempo" scene. Alternatively there is a fast catamaran ferry ( 1hour ) to North East Majorca( Alcudia ) from Ciutadella port for foot and car passengers. NOTE for ferry You will need to book a cheap hotel for the overnight stay though.

Horse Riding

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.

Horse Riding on Menorca

Cycling

The island boasts a good network of signed routes, on and mainly off road routes. Mostly requiring off road capable bicyles eg Mountain bikes. In the larger resorts and cities where space allows there are now dedicated 'green lane' cycle ways.

Cycling on Menorca

Scenic Villages to visit

Torret Village

A village straight out of the picture books, traditional menorcan architecture, with lots of bougainvillea draped over the old white washed houses. Best to leave the car at the entrance roads and just wander respectfully or as part of a cycle tour. Home to highly regarded restaurants for food lovers (Sa Pedrera des Pujol, Sa Parereta d'en Doro, Pan y Vino ). From behind the unmissable watchtower you can wander down to the coast at Cala Torret.

Llucmacanes

An attractive residential village, several of the former farmhouses have been turned into homes and holiday rentals. A little supermarket. There are walks and cycling routes in the surrounding attractive countryside.

Wandering About

Cami de Cavalls

Cami de Cavalls, ('path of the horse') is a rough track medieval coastal path that originally followed much of the entire Menorcan coastline. The path encircling the island is now open to the public and can be freely used by hikers, cyclists and horse riders. The 184 kilometres of path is divided into 20 sections, each of which is now clearly signposted and fitted with an information panel giving details of that particular stretch. Parts of the Cami de Cavalls are open for horses ( see sign below). Other sections are accessible for walkers and mountain bikes. Originally created by occupying nations for the purpose of keeping an eye on the coastal defences as a horseback supply route.

It is a great way to see the coastline - 'natural' so take care at the cliff edges.

Menorca Holiday Tips

This recently completed attraction is still in its early stages of tourist development so you will need to plan any multi-day walks carefully as accommodation is restricted to holiday resorts facilities which may or may not be open outside of may-october

The various signs below indicate that a section of the Cami de Cavalls is under your feet or in that direction

Walking and walks on Menorca

Cala Galdana : Cami de Cavalls to Virgin Beaches

Two long routes east and westward starting at Cala Galdana ( so you can stock up on last minute water/food for trip) along the Cami de Cavalls. Route will take you along stunning coastlines where you can visit four of the island's most attractive Virgin Beaches. Bus no. 51 Mahon-Cala Galdana , Bus no. 52 Ciutadella-Cala Galdana and No. 53 From Ferreries.

Westward to Cala Turqueta 4.3 Km one way ( approx 3 hours return with stopping to enjoy views - terrain easy ) also passing Cala Macarella virgin beach. Startpoint in Galdana is signposted at steps next to Hotel Audax,ewestern end of resort.

Eastward to Santo Tomas 4.4 Km one way ( approx 4.5 hours return with stopping to enjoy views - terrain medium ) more up/down and also passing Cala Mitjana, Tebaluger, Escoxada . I.e te crem del creme of south coast virgin beaches. Startpoint in Galdana is along Avinguida de la Punta ( 3rd Left turn ).

Menorca Holiday Tip You could also have a friend drop off/pick up at either end as Turqueta/Santo Tomas is accessible by car.

Monte Torro / El Torro

Monte Torro is the highest point on the island the name most likely coming from the Arabic, al-tor, meaning highest mountain. Though not a mountain it is worth a visit if you have a hire car for the stunning views ( particularly in spring when you can see over the length of the island) There is a pleasant Bar Restaurant Sa Posado del Toro at the top with inside seating and an open terrace with views to the south. Monte Toro is signposted from Es Mercadal in the dead centre of the island along the ME-1. El Toro in Catalan or Monte Toro in Spanish has viewing areas to take in the views to the north and west. Can also be walked along the good access road as is 'only' 350 meters high.

Monte Torre

Courtyard in front of 17th Century renaissance church

San Agueda Castle

Due to its political symbolism the castle was destroyed and abandoned by the re-occupying Kings of Aragon, but it remains one of the island most attractive walks with great views at the summit.

Built circa 1230 a castle contructed by the Moorish occupiers (the name is based on the Arabic name "Sen Agaiz") for defence sitting on top of the island's better vantage points on the island. Reached by a 45 min. climb up an ancient path which is in places was an old Roman road ( over two thousand years old ) - the views from the top are superb.

Like many ancient sites Santa Agueda has sprung many rich legends and myths including buried biblical treasures.

Travel the ME-1 between Ferrerias and Ciutadella. Take the turn for Els Alocs and continue 1.5 km until you reach an abandoned building on right ( see photo ). This marks the start of the path to the top of the hill.

Spanish Palaces

Wealthy landowners built their Palaces in Ciutadella and Mahon. While some are still privately owned today several are to view with multi-language guided tours

Island Palaces

Boat Excursions

Along the coast, taking in virgin beaches and swimming in picturesque bays. Either aboard boats or under sail in more indulgent ways.

Boat Excursions, Hire and Trips

If your own motor yacht is in dry dock or you're not rich enough to charter a Fairline or Sunseeker then an increasingly popular way to see the island is to charter or join a group on a 'rib'. These are safe rigid hulled sporty boats, lots of fun and can take you close into the coast line.

Boat Charter

Action Activities

All though Menorca is well known for it's relaxing style and quiet places, there is a growing number of activities for those who can't just sit still by the pool or on the beach. Karting Jet Ski,Jeep Safari

Sports

Golf

Son Parc Golf and Tennis

Son Parc offers the island's only 18 hole golf course set in wooded countryside complete with putting green and (floodlit) driving range. There are also tennis courts available for hire (raquets and balls can be hired at golf shop ) and Bar-Restaurant Es Bruc GOLF with outside terrace overlooking the course . Tee times can be booked in advance as can the tennis courts. Website

Bowling

There are several artificial greens at S'Algar where both novices and the experienced players are welcome. Woods can be hired.

Beach Life

With so many beaches, that are not just a few square feet of imported sand you'll easily find a spot away from the 'beach rats'. Take in our Virgin beach guide- It's really is a sin to visit the island and not spend at last some time on one of these magical beaches. At Es Grau you can even get the fisherman to ferry you across to a small Island beach.

Menorca's Beaches

Menorca Holiday Tips

Visit the beaches after five, thats when the locals will be arriving, enjoy a picnic and watch the sun set.

Hire a Sea Kayak in Fornells and explore some of the remote beaches on the far side of the bay.

At Es Grau a local will ferry you out to the local uninhabited island of Illa Den Colom to while away the day on the two idylic sandy beaches there. Don't forget a water bottle and some food. There are regular pickups though out the day until sunset, but make an arranged time!

Fiestas

Are 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.

Fiestas

Menorca Holiday Tips

During Fiesta season there is a special "jaleo bus" to take revelers to and from the Fiestas at night. Look out for timetables at bus stops and published in local guides.

Nights Out

Menorca is always described in comparison to it's Balearic neighbours as 'quiet'. That's true but it doesn't mean there's not plenty of good (and lively) places for the young and not so young to go out in the evenings. The biggest concentraton of the best nightlife is located in the harbour areas of the Menorca's two cities - Ciutadella and Mahon aswell as the side streets and Cales Fons/Moll den Pons harbour areas of Es Castell. The better places are not just for the tourists but open all year round for islanders. As such things start late, often after midnight. Don't be surprised if you turn up earlier and the places seem quieter and emptier than you expected. But then again, maybe that's what you prefer.