Menorca’s captivating cocktail of cultural hotspots, natural gems and timeless cuisine make it an all-round holiday hit. Whether you're a nature fan on the lookout for remarkable wildlife, a historian keen to delve into the island’s heritage or a foodie dreaming of diving teeth-first into moreish dishes, there’s all that and more.

Get your culture fix

There are stacks in store for the culture-conscious traveller here. Take the island’s capital, Mahón, which has a past to fascinate any history buff. Cast your eyes around and you’ll spy Georgian architecture alongside quaint cafés and buzzy tapas bars. Beyond the city, you can get a snapshot of local life in the island’s traditional fishing towns and villages. Binibeca Vell’s as picturesque as they come, with its whitewashed walls and cobbled streets, while Fornells is the place to be if you’re searching for standout seafood.

For a unique day out, pop Lithica on your sightseeing hitlist. This fascinating network of quarries is set just outside Ciutadella and promises hours of fun. Get lost in labyrinths made of plants and stone or have a picnic in the medieval garden. Come summer, it becomes an open-air theatre too, hosting various concerts.

Did you know that the island’s history actually dates all the way back to 2100 BC? Across the countryside, you’ll spy megalithic stone monuments called taulas. Legend has it, these were built by giants, but in reality though, they were the work of prehistoric people who settled on the island in the Bronze Age. There are a few different settlements you can visit, but the site of Torre d’en Galmés, between Alaior and Son Bou, is the largest.

Don’t miss…

There are few better ways to spend a balmy summer evening than having a mooch around Menorca’s night markets. Each village has its own on different days, so find the one that’s closest to you. Admire local craftsmanship like Menorcan avarcas (leather sandals), perfect as a gift for your nearest and dearest, or a treat just for you!

 Munch on Menorcan must-eats

One of our favourite things about Menorca? The food, of course! The isle’s hot on the radar as a destination for foodies, having been awarded the European Region of Gastronomy Award for 2022. And it’s easy to see why, with a menu of drool-worthy delicacies centred around local produce and super-fresh ingredients. Mahón - Menorcan cheese, should be top of your to-chew list. There are many farms across the isle where you can learn about its production, while enjoying some samples too! Other delicious dishes include caldera de langosta, a flavoursome lobster stew, and oliaigua, a vegetable-packed soup.

Stalls brimming with sun-ripened fruit, wheels of tangy cheese and tasty tapas platters… Menorca’s food markets are made for mouth-watering moments. At the Mercat des Claustre market in Mahón, fresh fruit and veg from local farms fight for attention amongst artisan crafts. Once you’ve finished browsing and feasting, make your way down to the Mercat des Peix, where gleaming towers of freshly caught fish await. In the summer, this market transforms into a bustling hub with live music and events.

How about washing down all that fab food with a glass of Menorcan wine or a refreshing pomada (gin and lemonade)? If you’re a wine connoisseur, you’ll love roaming around the island’s vineyards. There are nine wineries in total, offering tours, tastings and an insight into their centuries-old winemaking traditions. Gin more your thing? Check out the Xoriguer Distillery in Mahón.

Try this…

Got a bit of a sweet tooth? You’ll love bunyols, fried doughnuts showered in sugar. These one-is-never-enough treats, traditionally eaten to celebrate All Saints’ Day, are best enjoyed warm and dipped in honey.

Discover next-level nature and scenery

In 1993, UNESCO certified the whole of Menorca as a biosphere reserve, making it the perfect place to switch off and reconnect with nature. Make a beeline for S’Albufera d’Es Grau Natural Park, the island’s ecological heartland. There are three marked walking routes which wind through the park’s wildlife-rich wetlands. Look out for the various observation points along the way, where you can catch a glimpse of bird species like red kites and booted eagles.

If you want to soak up the island’s scenery in all its glory, Monte Toro, the island’s highest peak has got you covered. Sitting at over 300m, you can reach it by car, bike or foot. Be sure to take your camera, as the postcard-perfect panoramas are unrivalled. You can even see across to Majorca on a clear day! Afterwards, take the time to explore the 13th-century Mare de Déu del Toro Sanctuary.

If you’ve still not quenched your thirst for fresh-air fun, point your walking boots in the direction of the Canyon of Algendar. It’s 7km long, starting near the town of Ferreries and running all the way to Cala Galdana Beach. Not only is it a sight to behold, but its limestone walls, reaching up to 80m high, house two caves which can be traced back to the Talayotic period. A diverse selection of plants and wildlife thrive here too!

Don’t forget to visit…

There are seven lighthouses scattered across the island, each boasting fantastic coastal views. Cavalleria lighthouse, situated on the most northernly point of Menorca, is one of the top places to watch the sunset. Find a spot and get ready to be wowed as the sun paints the sky in kaleidoscopic colours. It’s also close to the old Roman settlement of Sanitja, so you can tick off two sights in one trip!