Menorca on film: a guide to the wild Balearic isle

Discover Menorca, the wild Spanish isle that’s one of the best-kept secrets on the Mediterranean, where those in the know are casting off to embrace sun, sea, and art.

SOAK UP THE SUN AT CALA MACARELLETA

A tranquil cove beloved by locals and summering Spaniards alike, this tiny pocket of sugary white sand and gin-clear water may not be easily accessible, but is well worth the effort. Take a scenic trek along the pine tree-strewn cliff trail to enjoy paradise found.

TAKE TO THE WAVES

We spent a morning at sea on a traditional llaüt that pootled about 15 miles an hour around the craggy cliffs of Fornells on the northern side of the island.

GO TO MARKET

As with many heritage cities, the beating heart of Ciutadella comes to life on market day. A pretty pile of green-and-white tiles, the old-school Mercat Municipal is located on Plaza de la Libertad. We sipped on espresso at a nearby café and took in the scenes of leathery-skinned fishmongers and butchers slicing their wares for abuelas doing their weekly shop.

FINCA BY THE WATER

During our trip, my boyfriend and I once spent all afternoon at a gorgeous finca at the not-so-secret beach cove Cala Binidalí. There, we escaped the heat with a refreshing swim and a dive or two off the rocks. With its candy-blue tables, Binidalí Som Sis beach bar is a great place to rehydrate afterwards, positioned just at the top of the inlet’s pathway.

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR

Replete with pristine beaches, hidden coves, and almost impossibly blue waters — minus the teeming crowds of big sister Mallorca — no trip to Menorca is complete without some serious R&R on the coast.

TAKE THE PLUNGE

Ciutadella dwellers with a daredevil streak often head to Cala en Brut, just outside the city, to get the heart racing with a cliff jump or two. It’s also a popular spot for rockpool bathing.

A QUICK-HIT GUIDE TO MENORCA

  • STAY — Torralbenc, a cream-coloured farmhouse estate tucked between rolling farms and vineyards.
  • EAT — Restaurante S’Amadaror, serving the freshest fish, or Cap Roig, for delicious lobster stew.
  • BEACH — Cala Macarelleta, a tiny secluded cove situated near Cala Macarella.
  • DRINK — Mahón’s Sa Bodega for glugs of red vermouth, or Bar Augustin for natural wine.
  • SHOP — Concept store Casa M for vintage and homeware and Le Souvenir for interesting gifts.
  • COFFEE — Café Central and Pigalle, both located in Mahón.
  • DO — Art appreciating at Hauser & Wirth before lunch at on-site restaurant Cantina.

Previous

Sun-kissed, self-care stays await at Teranka, Formentera

Next

The best sea view hotel rooms in Italy

Latest stories

Game, set, relax: 8 boutique hotels where tennis takes centre court

As Wimbledon fever comes into full swing and the strawberries-and-cream season begins, there’s no better time to dust off your racquet and serve up your next holiday with a tennis twist. From clay courts surrounded by Umbrian olive groves to oceanside matches along Australia’s western shores, these boutique stays combine

7 boutique hotels to inspire your next holiday

What moments are you manifesting for your travels this year? Whether it’s sipping mezcal by a private lagoon somewhere in the Mexican jungle, meditating creekside beneath Sedona’s red rocks, or dining on just-plucked artichokes in the Apulian countryside, these boutique stays offer immersive, considered experiences in carefully sought-out corners of

Top things to do, see, and eat in Cefalù: plus, where to stay in Sicily

As you drive into Cefalù, the dramatic Rocca di Cefalù towers over the town’s sandy-hued buildings, setting a history-steeped scene for this once-humble fishing village. While tourism has certainly made its way here, this beloved Italian beach destination still holds onto its character, feeling far less polished than Taormina on

Cancale to Cap Fréhel: Brittany’s Emerald Coast

Get swept away to France’s far western shores, an enchanting region where gleaming white-sand beaches give way to dramatic tides and wind-sculpted headlands. Here, the pace slows, the landscapes stretch wide, and the towns feel wonderfully unspoiled. This four-day road trip traces the curve of Brittany’s Emerald Coast, beginning in