autodidact

Fit, fifty-something couple going to Menorca / Minorca for a villa holiday.
Has anybody been there recently and can perhaps offer recommendations for restaurants, beaches and/or activities that are worth a try?

autodidact

Obviously not a popular destination .....

ekscrunchy

Menorca is not so popular with Americans, so that probably accounts for the lack of response here, since there are many US posters. I am curious about the island...

traveller1959

Here in Germany, Menorca is quite popular - mainly as a destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. It is one of the smaller Balearic Islands and has not much to offer besides nature trails, picturesque villages, natural beauty and spectacular beaches.

This is the reason why I have been several times to Mallorca but never to Menorca and, hence, cannot help.

This might be a first step into further research:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minorca

lincasanova

We enjoyed Menorca when we went to a friend's wedding there. It is a beautiful relaxing place. Unfortunately I cannot find my trip report, but it is quite dramatic in some places. Not very built up. Good scenery.

I am quite busy for the next two weeks but if I can search around for some of the neat places we went to I will post.

This is where the wedding was. It belongs to the bride's parents. It is an absolutely lovely place.

http://biniarroca.com/www/main.htm

We hired a car and toured the island for a couple days. We especially like d a café that was set along a ridge virtually hanging overlooking the water, utilizing some caves for other rooms of the café. It was amazing, as the weather also accompanied us that month of May.

There are some dramatic coves and cliffs and scenery. A beautiful place, low key. You will love it, I think, but will be happy to have a car.

ekscrunchy

Anyone spent time in Menorca? Your thoughts, please.



http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/04/15...e-reserve.html

lincasanova

It can be windy. But it is a lovely laid back place. Really considered upscale by many travelers form Spain. It seems more "select" although not luxurious except in the simplicity of the lifestyle.

We LOVED this place.

http://www.covadenxoroi.com/

My SIL ( from Chicago) says she HAS to go there one day!

If it weren't so much more expensive to get to than Ibiza, more people would go, I think. It is not a party island , either, so keeps the big crowds away.

One day I may make it to the horse festival there.
http://www.menorcaminorca.co.uk/menorcahorse.html

capxxx

I was there for a week, at a conference. We stayed at a pleasant resort hotel on the beach -- the Cale Galdana Hotel. There wasn't much in the immediate area, just a couple hotels, a sort of shop area (buy sunglasses and picnic food), and some boat rental type places. If I remember correctly, the hotel had a wonderful buffet service set up for meals.

Most of the tourists were British and German, and lobster red.

We also took a guided day-hike in the Algendar Gorge, which is beautiful. Most of it was shady and cool but there were some hot and dry sections of the hike that left everyone gasping.

My impression is the center of the island is kind of dry and wind-blown, but the Cales (little coves) are sheltered and lovely, on the south side at least.

The main city, Menorca, is charming and low-key. There are shaded parks and some old churches to poke into. We had a fabulous dinner on the walkway near the water (there were several restaurants lined up on that walk), but I can't find the name of the place.

montannito

Menorca has a lot to offer, but as others said, it is more laid back than the other Balearic islands. Do not expect huge parties there, apart from the local "Fiestas".

The main reason tourists come to Menorca is due to its beaches: it has some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, many of them unspoiled. Especially in August, it can get very crowded. I recommend June and September as the best months if you want to avoid the crowds.

Apart from beaches, there are many other activities you can do. Snorkeling and scuba diving were already mentioned. Kayaking is also very cool there.
Apart from sea-related activities, you can also:

• Visit Ciutadella old town and its harbour
• Walk along the Port of Maó
• Eat fresh fish or lobster at Fornells
• Take some pictures at Binibeca Vell (represents a fishing village with impolute white houses and very narrow streets).
• Sunset at Sa Cova d'en Xoroi
• Have dinner at Cales Fonts, in Es Castell
• Travel back 3000 years: Menorca has plenty of talaiotic monuments that were built during the iron age and are considered of great historical value. The regional government is actually working so the UNESCO declares it World Heritage
• Learn the history of la Fortaleza de la Mola
• Experience the local "Fiestas" (summer only)
• Visit the highest point: Monte Toro
• See different lighthouses and its wonderful surroundings: Cavalleria, Favaritx & Punta Nati
• Walk in nature: there is a path called "Camí de Cavalls" (the Path of the Horses), which surrounds the complete island. That is 186km! You can do just some segments.
• Enjoy the paradise beaches Menorca offers
• Eat tapas, paella, seafood, fresh fish, typical pastries and more

I wrote a post with more information about the points mentioned above, as well as many others. Feel free to have a look if you want to know more about it: https://www.travelinho.com/en/blog/what-to-do-menorca

montannito

Small correction: the main cities are Maó (aka Mahón) and Ciutadella, Menorca is the name of the island.