Menorca Best Guide

Beach

There is no house beach here but with Menorca you are never that far from the next beach.

nearby beaches

location

Airport 0 miles / km
Direct Transfer 0 Hrs. 0 mins.
All Transfer Options eg Shared Shuttle from 13 Eur pp or Taxi max. 4 pers. Eur , Public Airport Bus - none!

Bus Services operate all year

Is a good Holiday location for you?

A place for you?

for families

  • Purpose built holiday resort with lots of attractions, pleasant marina to sit and watch the world go by
  • Plenty to see and do within walking distances
  • Close to Ciutadella for a change of scene for mums and dads

for couples

  • Plenty of Bars and Restaurants within walking distance
  • Close to Ciutadella for better restaurants, musical entertainment and moonlit harbour strolls
  • Excursion boats to nearby virgin beaches
  • Watersports (Son Xoriguer beach )

(updated Jan 2024)

Son Xoriguer Location

The joint resort of Cala en Bosch and Son Xoriguer is located on the South West tip of the island. Approximately 45-50 mins., from the Airport. With views over to neighbouring Majorca and just 10km south of the beautiful old city of Ciutadella, which is reachable via a regular bus service. Also known by all these names: Cala D'en Bosch, Cala n Bosch or Cala en Bosc and Cap d'Artrutx.

Overview

A livelier resort ( by Menorca standards ) south of Ciutadella the hub of which is centred around the yacht marina. There is a wide variety of Bars and Restaurants surrounding the Marina and is a great spot to watch the boats slowly come and go at their own leisurely pace. Wander through the small selection of shops and local stalls in the evening, having enjoyed the sandy beach during the day, maybe even a day trip on the glass bottom boat, or visit Ciutadella just 15-20 minutes away. Note there is a late bus 00:15 back from Ciutadella so you can enjoy a long evening there too.

Built in the 1980s, Cala en Bosch / Son Xoriguer is one of a handful of resorts on the island purpose built for tourism. As such it contains more attractions than other resorts making it livelier than most. As such it also has the highest concentration of Hotels and Aparthotels on the island. Conversely it is not 'authentic Menorca' and also seasonal. There is a definite and quieter area for Villas and Apartments at the area locally called Cap D'artrux which is 10-20m slow walk from the marina.

Facilities

Beach

Cala en Bosch and Son Xoriguer each have their own beach. Cala en Bosch beach is next to the Marina and around the headland is the neighbouring beach of Son Xoriguer. Cala en Bosch is much the bigger of the two, has fine white sandy and is part of inlet which calms the waters for the smaller children and provides good snorkelling with it's rocks along the bay sides.

Being a purpose built holiday resort it contains all you need from a holiday resort while still retaining charm because of the popular Marina area. Neighbouring Son Xoriguer has perhaps become too dominated by hotels while Cala en Bosch ( Cap D' Artrutx ) still offers private villa accommodation away from the "buzz"/ noise giving you the best of both worlds.

Menorca Holiday Tips

It is quite common for the prices of the childrens entertainment to seem quite high at first sight, but often the charge is for a day ticket or a large number of hours, so you can always return later in the evening before or after a drink/meal or snack at the Marina. Make sure you get a stamp to allow them back in later.

Big Wheelers-Cycle Hire
Goody Goody park
Cala en Bosch-Marina
Bars for all tastes and budgets

Commercial

As a larger resort there are several mini zones where you will find shops offering summer clothing and foot wear, souvenirs. At the villa area Cap D'artrutx there is an area catering for the mainly villas accommodation there with cycle hire, supermarkets, Bar Restaurants and Titanic - a small scale childrens play park (pool, arcade games and pool tables) with catering. Around the Marina is a wide assortment of establishments ( to right of Marina bridge,western entrance to beach and northern side of Marina ).

Getting About

There is a regular bus run by TORRES ( No. 65 ) with stops around Cala en Bosch and Son Xoriguer to Ciutadella. Single is around 1.50 Eur. Can also get to Cala Blanca beach just up the road (10mns ) if you fancy a change of beach scene or the wind is coming from the south/ sea rough at Cala en Bosch ( Cala Blanca should be more sheltered in its westerly facing long inlet )

Mahon will mostly be written on timetables, front of buses and signposts as Maó, it's local name. If you are staying longer than a week take a trip on this good network and see some of the other sights, resorts/towns and attractions.

Bus, Taxi and Hire Car - Detailed getting about info.

Single 1,95

no. 65 : Ciutadella - Sa Caleta - Cala Blanca - Cala'n Bosch - Son Xoriguer : daily

The bus does a round trip so look at full timetable for a particular bus stop's departure time. Change at Republica Argentina ( walk to Placa Menorca 1mn ) for buses to Mahon.

  • Departing Placa del Pins Ciutadella at 7:00,8:00,8:45*,9:00,9:15*,9:30,9:45*,10:00*,10:15,10:30,10:45,11:00*,11:30,12:00,12:30,14:45*,13:00,13:15*,
    13:30,13:45*,14:00,14:15*,14:30,15:00,15:30*,16:00,16:30,17:00,17:30,17:45*,18:00,18:15*,18:30,19:00,19:45,20:45,
    21:30*,22:00,22:30,23:00,23:30*,24:30*
  • *=not on Sundays/Public Holidays
  • Daytime Entertainment

    Around the marina there is an assortment of indoor and outdoor amusements for small and the not so small.


    Cycling

    The whole area is totally flat so there is all manner of pedal driven two and four wheeler, single seater, multi seater cycles for hire dotted around the commercial centres for hire. There is a 10km cycle route to Ciutadella where you can also visit other beaches on this strip of the western coast to cool off.

    Paintball

    Just in case you needed an adrenaline rush located just outside the resort on the Ciutadella road ME-24 is a paintball site just opened in 2011 with various objects to hide behind. Full equipment hire.

    Boat Trips to Virgin Beaches

    From the marina there is a selection of boat trips to see the island from the sea and to visit some of those picture postcard beaches you can see above and read about in our beach guide.

    Boat Excursions from Cala'n Bosch

    Subject to weather there are 2 glass bottom boats making trips along the southern coast line and bays with it's virgin beaches. Usually with swimming stops ( at Cala Galdana ,Cala Trebaluger,Playa Binigaus ) and an extended stay ( circa 1-2hr mins ) at one of the bays ( Son Saura or Cala 'n Turqueta ) on route. Trips last circa 3.5 hours. First trip mornings is:10:00-13:30, second trip afternoons is: 14-17:40 note p.m.

    Holiday tip

    Booking in advance will usually secure 10% discount. Both boat companies travel the same route at roughly the same time for safety reasons-so pick the boat/itinery you like the best!

    See local Information boards at Marina for current itineries, times and prices as they change

    • Amigos ( www.holidaylines-menorca.com ) 2013 prices Adults (12+) 17-20 Eur ,Children (4-12) 10-10 Eur, Under 4's are Free. A trip to Cala Galdana beach ( 2hr stop ) or continue along for more beaches. With water slide.
    • Don Pancho
    Glass bottom - Amigos
    Amigos - Boat trip ticket office
    Boats moored near marina exit
    Cala Galdana and Route

    Boat excursions detailed guide

    Boat Excursions from Ciutadella

    Boatrips along coastline south and north of Ciutadella , including some sunset trips to Pont Gill (scenic sea landmark ). Note departures are from old City harbour.

    • Menorca Blava ( www.menorcablava.com ) offers full day trips ( 10:00 - 17:00 ) to south west beaches, with swim, beach stops and lunch included. Sunset trips on saturday evenings 7 - 9 pm ( includes music,appetizer and welcome cocktail ). Bespoke trips for larger groups.
    • Rutas Maritimas de la Cruz ( www.rutasmaritimasdelacruz.com ) Offers full day trips up to Cala Galdana along the south west beaches, with swim, beach stops and lunch included.
    • For boat hire/charter www.menorcaboats.com.

    Our Complete Beaches Guide

    Menorca Holiday Tip

    Playa Son Saura can even be reached on foot ( 1 hr - 1 hr 30min ) from a path starting from the eastern end of Son Xoriguer beach.

    Alternatively a little more personal is motor boat coast trekking - from Surf Sail Menorca.

    Motor Yacht Hire

    Several smaller motor yachts can be hired (daily) from the Marina for those with the inshore license who would like to explore the coast line

    Diving

    Blue water Scuba located in the commercial centre at Cap D'artrutx offer dives from the shoreline ( boat dives on request ) , free pool based try dives and equipment hire www.bluewaterscuba.co.uk

    Riding

    Small riding centre at Son Olivar Nou ( just outside resort on main road to Ciuitadella on right hand side )

    Watersports

    Cala en Bosch beach is just a few minutes walk from the Marina with all its facilities. On the beach you can hire pedaloes or just enjoy snorkelling in the bay.

    At nearby Son Xoriguer you can waterski ( peak season only ) ,windsurf ( tuition available ), sail on a Hobie Cat/Dingy or simply get wet on banana boat rides. Surf and Sail Menorca provide hire and tuition. Also Kayak hire.

    Water Park and Karting - Aquarock Cala en Bosch

    Aquarock is a collection of water fun, electronic amusements, trampolines and Go Karting. Staff are vigilant and the facilities clean and modern. On site Cafeteria with sensible prices. The waterpark is open daily (May - October) from 10:30 until 18:00 children under two are free. Over 11's count as adults. The Karting track is next door open daily from 10:30 until 22:30 See web site for current opening times and prices. Bus no. 65 from Ciutadella. Address Cova Des Moro, Cala en Bosch tel. 971 387 822

    www.aquarockmenorca.com

    Menorca Holiday Tips

    After 15:30 the water park entrance price is halved but closes at 18:00. Afterwards you can visit the nearby marina with its other childrens attractions ( eg Goody fun park ) with relaxation areas for mums and dads, have something to eat or just watch the world go by. Of the two west coast waterparks this is perhaps the better one to visit.

    Water Slide
    Wave pool
    Main Pool
    Large Relaxing Pool

    Bubbles Pool
    Wave Chutes
    Cafeteria
    'Hamster Balls' 7 Eur

    Spa & Wellness centre at the five star La Quinta Hotel in Son Xoriguer.

    Son Xoriguer - Nightlife

    As with most resorts in Menorca, evening entertainment here is generally to be found in the resort Bars but nothing that would ever compare to the neon jungle of the popular resorts along the south coast of Majorca. Mahon and Ciutadella however offer something for everyone, but with none of the "binge drink clubbing" to be found on Ibizia and Majorca. Menorca is NOT Majorca but that is why many people come here!

    The Bars and Restaurants around the marina come alive at night providing a choice of entertainment for all ages and tastes. In high season you can find a wide range street artists and small street traders offering their handicrafts and jewellry. The childrens play parks stay open late so mums and dads can also have some time to themselves.

    Son Xoriguer - Near By ( 10 km ) 

    Ciutadella

    A taste of former elegant times with fine old spanish palaces, moorish influences, a wonderful old centre and a charming little harbour. Ciutadella was the original capital of the island lying at the western edge of the island looking out to its bigger neighbour Mallorca. A superb contrast to the beach and holiday resort. Great atmosphere and shopping and a place to wander the pedestrianised old city and its many narrow streets with hidden shops and Cafe treats. Also competes with Mahon for the title of the best music bars and venues on the island. The scene for the spectacular Sant Joan festival in June, when stunning native black horses parade through the streets and the brave try to "touch the horses' heart" as it rears in front of them.

    Ciutadella guide

    Boutique and Design Hotels

    Agrotourism Hotels

    Ciutadella All Hotels and Holiday accommodation

    Beaches
    Old Spain - Palaces
    Old City
    Culture


    Old Harbour
    Clothes Shopping
    Placa Born
    Cafes

    Out and About in

    Buses -

    Looking for Airport Shuttle / Transfers?

    Good to know

    Bus Network Map with Bus stops to download

    TIP:Mahon will mostly be written on timetables, front of buses and signposts as Maó, it's local name. If you are staying longer than a week take a trip on this good network and see some of the other sights, resorts/towns and attractions.

    Bus Timetables and destinations -

    Airport Bus

    Bus Menorca Airport to

    Taxis -

    Airport to/from Airport one way Eur

    Good to know

    Menorca has no private Cab firms , Uber or ....'Dodgy Touts!'

    Taxis are licensed for a MAX. of 4 Passengers. (any Age child counts as 1 passenger)

    Summer peak In recent years Taxis have been in short supply due to not enough drivers for licensed areas. Consider a private transfer to reach Airport in good time for flight home.

    Comprehensive Guide Menorca Taxis - how to book

    Taxi Airport to

    - at a glance

    Bars & Clubs in

    ...our curated Bar and Clubs guide

    Bars Listings

    See and Do

    Our what to do and see in Son Xoriguer inspirations

    Villas & Apartments

    Packaged Self Catering Villas and Aparthotels Holidays

    From Jet2

    Just £ 60 pp deposit
    Holidays Son Xoriguer
    Jet2 Villa Holidays in

    Where to stay

    Pick of the Popular Hotels

    Tips and Advice

    What's the weather like in

    Weather Now Sunny

    has a mediterranean climate characterised by hot dry summers. Menorca has pleasant cooling Summer breeze. The sea temperatures at Son Xoriguer   will be around 22-26 degrees in Summer. In October the water is still warm. Spring time ( early March to April ) will have sunny days with temperatures around 20 and above , ideal for sightseeing, walking, cycling and horseriding activities.

    Weather and climate forecasts for the whole year

    Son Xoriguer - beaches nearby

    Son Xoriguer All beaches nearby on map

    Beach

    Villas in Son Xoriguer