The best beaches in Menorca
In our opinion, Menorca is the perfect destination for all ages. It is an ideal place for those travelling with family, a significant other, with friends or even alone. It is the most beautiful island of the Balearic Islands, but of course, we cannot be objective.
The Menorcan coast has 131 sand beaches to discover and an infinite number of rock spots where one can take a dip without any problem, and which holds the essence of Menorca from yesteryear. The majority of the beaches are named “Cala”. These beaches do not cover many kilometers. Their horseshoe-shaped entrances provide shelter from the winds that batter the island.
The island terrain is more rugged in the North due to the scourge of our Tramontane winds during the winter, and much smoother in the South. For this reason, the beaches in the North are more untouched with thick white or reddish sand and those in the South are extremely white and fine-grain. An islander would tell you that if the Northern winds blow, you should swim in the South and if the wind comes from the South, go to the North.
For the Minorcans, the best time to enjoy the beach is at sunset, a magical moment when there is less people and the sun exudes warmth differently in a more enjoyable, relaxing way. The bond between sea and sun creates an incomparable setting and supports the beat of the island, that is, easygoing, slow life. Everything has its rhythm and time.
Each hidden corner of the island can be appreciated for its beauty and nature. It is difficult to choose the best beaches because each one has something which makes it special and different from the others.
The best beaches in the North Coast
1) Beaches of “la vall d’algaiarens” (The beach of “Es Tancats” – The Beach of “Es Bot”)
These beaches are characterised by their fine-grain sand and turquoise waters. They are surrounded by some of the most important dunes of the island, spreading inland about two kilometers. A protected zone, it has been declared a Natural Area of Special Interest.
The “Es Tancats” beach is the first that we come across and easily accessible. Once you arrive to the parking lot, you only need to walk approximately 250 meters and go down some stairs.
The walk to the “Es Bot” beach is somewhat longer (approximately 1 km), but it is truly pleasant with the crop lands and dune right beside, and as you go down the bath alongside the “La Vall” stream that finishes at the rear end of the beach and creates a wetland with numerous bird species and water turtles.
The only building that exists in this beach is the stand where Minorcans kept their small fishing boats and enjoyed family and friend gatherings during the summer months.
2) Cala El Pilar
Cala Pilar is one of the most striking beaches in the Costa Norte of Menorca. There are two paths that lead to the beach: going for a walk through the holm oak forest starting from the Alfurí parking lot or via the Camí de Cavalls which runs alongside the sea if you are coming from the Ets Alocs beach. The only drawback is that it is exposed to the Northern wines, but the contrast of ochres tones in the sand, blueness of the sea and greenness of the vegetation make it a sight worthy to be seen.
3) Cala Pregonda
This cove stands out for its beauty, having even graced the album covers of renowned Mike Oldfield twice. It is one of the more frequented beaches during the summer months, even though one must walk along the Camí de Cavalls approximately 2 km from the Binimel•la beach.
It is characterised by its reddish, fine-grain sand and the different islets that shelter it from the waves formed from the Northern winds.
It is an ideal spot for aficionados of scuba diving, given that there is a wide array of fish to see on the sides of the beach.
If you are more of a risk-taker and you want to jump from the rocks, you only need to go to the small islet, climb to the highest point and once there, see the perfect natural pool, in which to dive.
4) Cavalleria
This beach is located west of Cabo de Cavallería. Being that there is a parking lot 400 meters away from the beach, it is easily accessible even when you have to go down the wooden stairs.
It is a beach which is also left exposed to the Tramontane winds. For this reason, it is recommended to go there on a day when there is hardly any wind.
Apart from the rich marine wildlife and flowers ideal for scuba diving, one of its other most noteworthy characteristics is the “Escull de Ferragut”, which divides the beach into two parts.
5) Cala Tirant
Found alongside the “La Vall d’Algaiarens” beach, Cala Tirant is home to one of the two largest dunes in Menorca.
It is characterised by a stream that empties into the sea and promotes a moist area, rich in vegetation and marine life.
It is an urbanised beaches; however, it has been able to maintain its charm.
6) Cala Presili – Cala Tortuga or Morella Beach
These two virgin coves can be reached by the road that leads to Faro de Favaritx. Currently, this road does not permit private vehicles to pass. A shuttle bus coming from Mahón is the only means of transport that arrives there.
Before reaching the lighthouse, you must walk the Camí de Cavalls. After walking about 600 metres, you should take the first detour on the left to reach Cala Presili. It is a fine-grain sandy beach with views of the impressive Faro de Favaritx . On the right side of the beach you can see where the Presili point splits. On the other side, there is a small pebble beach that is an excellent place for those who like to practice nudism.
To get to Cala Tortuga, once you have passed the detour leading to Cala Presili, you must continue walking approximately 1 km. You can find native vegetation and digestive flowers, such as the island manzanilla and slate stones, throughout the route. You can see the “Bassa de Morella” from the highest point of the road–a lagoon of 2.5 hectares of flooded area existing due to the impermeability of the land.
These are two must-see places in Menorca.
7) Es Grau
This beach, although urbanised, does not have hotel accommodations. Rather, it is almost exclusively made up of summer houses of Minorcans and some foreigners who were fortunate enough to buy such accommodations in this calm area. The area is located at little more than 7 km from the capital of Mahón.
It is a wide cove valued by families. Entering into the sea is very gradual, making it perfect for children. There is no fear that children go into the waters too much. It is also a perfect place to take morning walks and roam the entire beach.
The beach has two entrances: one from the urban centre and the other via the Camí de Cavalls the Natural Park of Albufera d’Es Grau. To enjoy a pleasant walk through nature, we recommend hiking the Camí de Cavalls. The path towards the beach is flat, easy and passes under trees. There are signs of the vegetation and fauna in the area.
If you choose to follow the path instead of going towards the beach, it will take you to the next virgin coves. Cala Vidrier, Cala Tamarells or Sa Torreta are within walking distance.
The Illa d’en Colom can be found just in front of the Es Grau beach. It was recently sold by the heirs of Antonio Roca Várez, who bought the islet from the state in 1904. An idyllic place to be able to anchor ships and enjoy your surroundings.
The best beaches in the South Coast
8) Binibeca
Despite its location in an urbanised area, the Binibeca beach preserves the essence of nature and tranquility of the island in its surroundings.
The pine forest that protects it is prepared with wooden tables and chairs in a picnic area. There, you can eat or have a snack with the youngest of the family.
The picturesque village of Binibeca Vell is 1.2 km from the beach. Designed to the likes of a fishing village, it was drawn up to roam about, but in which silence is requested for neighbours to rest.
9) Son Bou
It is the biggest beach in Menorca and where a great portion of hotels are found on the island. It offers almost 3 km of white, fine-grain sand and shallow waters, as well as all types of services for beachgoers. To the East of the beach, you can find the ruins of a Paleochristian basilica and a necropolis excavated in rock, which are estimated to have been built around the 5th century.
10) Binigaus
It is the longest virgin beach on the south coast. It can be accessed via two paths: either walking along the Camí de Cavalls from the San Adeodato beach or for hiking aficionados, roaming the Barranco de Binigaus from the village of Es Migjorn and making stops at the “Cova des Coloms” and “Cova de na Polida “.
In addition to swimming in its crystal clear waters, you can scuba dive to the Islote de Binicodrell, which is visible from any spot at the beach.
11) Cala Mitjana
Cala Mitjana is one of the most famous beaches on the south coast. It is easily accessible by car, which makes it one of the busiest beaches in summer. Its access is via a holm oak forest, where information signs can be found pointing out interesting rehabilitated cultural remains, such as lime kilns, small stables for pigs, coal bunkers and sheds for sheep. It is surrounded by impressive cliffs, contrasting with the white, fine-grain sand that motivate swimmers to immerse themselves into the clean, crystal clear waters.
12) Macarella
It is one of the most coveted pearls of the island. The public bus is the only means of transport to arrive via the Camino de Sant Joan de Missa.
Spend summer in the beach surrounded by cliffs where you can see the caves that were occupied and where the only building is the beach bar which will have you eating delicious food. Here you can enjoy a beach day on the white sand or a good siesta after eating under the inviting shade of the pine forest.
To the right of the beach and following a small path bordering the cliff, you can reach her younger sister … Macarelleta, most visited by lovers of nudism in spite of them no longer having it “exclusively” lately.
13) Cala en Turqueta
It is hidden among pine trees. In order to arrive to the cove, you will need to leave your means of transport in the parking lot (limited to 120 cars) and walk approximately 10 minutes. This aspect is what helps prevent big crowds that other beaches experience. The two white sandy beaches are separated by a rock ledge, differentiating them clearly: one is bigger, with a stream flowing into it during rainy seasons and the other of reduced size, ideal for couples.
14) Arenal de Son Saura (Des Banyul Beach — Bellavista Beach)
El arenal de Son Saura is created by two beaches– “De Bellavista” and “Des Banyul”. Both are relatively close to the car park. There is a pine tree forest to protect family giblets from the zona, as well as a picnic area to eat or have snacks. Due to the wetland and fertile abundance of the posidonia that the sea deposits unto the shore, the flora found in the area is one of the move diverse in the south coast.