It is said that Menorca has more beaches than Mallorca and Ibiza together - over 120 beaches in total. In addition to the lovely stretches of sand in the urbanised areas, there are a wealth of outstandingly beautiful tranquil beaches all along the coastline.
Although many are still in their virgin state most can be accessed fairly easily. Some of the following are for the more adventurous and most have neither toilet facilities nor watering holes. They can all be reached by car, albeit by rough country lanes at times and parking is often a little way from the beach.
Here you have a small selection to choose from. Where possible we provide information as to its popularity, the water sports on offer, and the proximity of toilet facilities, car parking, bars and restaurants. We describe the layout and scenery of each beach in detail so you can decide on its suitability for your group.
Wherever you choose, there will be a restaurant or bar close by and with the months of July and August attracting more crowds than the quieter off season months. All can be easily located with the aid of a good map.
S'Algar is an attractive and well established holiday resort and whilst there is no beach as such, there are many rocky platforms on the headland where people can sunbathe. The waters are clear and enticing and perfect for diving enthusiasts. There is a fully-equipped diving centre where all equipment can be hired and tuition is given. Relax with refreshment in the pool area by the waters edge where sunbeds and shades can be hired. Tennis courts, bowling green and diving are all available in the resort.
A good expanse of soft, white sand with ample room at the rear for beach games as the sun goes down. A second, narrower stretch of sand with rock pools is adjacent. Very popular with families as the resort itself is compact and facilities are within easy reach. The beach is overlooked by "Isla Del Aire" - an uninhabited island with a lighthouse where passing yachts often take shelter. There can be currents in the sea and swimmers should heed the flag-warning system and only swim if the GREEN flag is flying. The bars on both sides of the sand are perfect for weary parents who can relax in the shade, dine or simply sip a refreshing drink, whilst the children expend their energy - under their surveillance - on the ample beach. There are ample parking and toilet facilites in both beach bars. Sunbeds, shades and pedaloes can be hired. A diving school can be found in the local hotel.
Tennis courts, hand ball and mini golf are available.
Cala Alcaufar is less than one mile from the resort of S'Algar on the south coast of the island of Menorca. The resort is a picturesque, small sheltered inlet with a sandy beach that shelves gently into the sea. The beach is overlooked by the fishermen's cottages that reach down to the waters' edge and the resort is popular with families and children.
The resort also has scenic walks out to an old Martello type tower on a headland, where there are good views out to S'Algar and the Isle de L'Aire at Punta Prima.
On the South-East coast - approximately 20 minutes drive from Mahon airport. There is a small, sandy beach with a rocky coastline on each side. To the rear of the beach there's a large, shady area, ideal for picnics. This beach is sheltered when the north wind (Tramontana) is blowing and there are often yachts at anchor a little way out to sea.
The wooden beach bar, perched on the rocks at the southern edge of the sands claims to be the only place in Menorca where you can drink with your feet in the sea. Sun beds, shades and pedaloes can be hired. There is a diving school in the cove at Cala Torret. Ample parking to the rear of the beach and public toilet facilites can be found by the beach bar and diving school.
The beach is located below the resort centre, flanked on either side by spectacular limestone cliffs. It's a beautifully sheltered deep expanse of white sand which can be accessed either by steps (lots!) or by road.
Sunbeds, shades and pedaloes can be hired from the beach. The car can be parked in the shaded area adjacent to the beach. For toilet facilities visit one of the rustic bars and order a refreshing ice or drink. Tennis courts, mini golf are both available .
These three neighbouring resorts all overlook the beach of Son Bou - the longest beach on Menorca. It has almost 2 miles of pale, golden sand, shelving gently into the turquoise waters. The beach bars serve anything from a light snack to a three course meal. It is a holidaymaker's paradise and its facilities include windsurfing, water ski-ing and agua-planing.
Due to occasional underwater currents there is a flag warning system which must be heeded. GREEN means its safe to swim. At the eastern end twin hotels overlook the beach but the further along one ventures the more isolated one becomes. It should be noted that, at the western end of the beach many sunbathers decide to abandon their clothing altogether!
A large car park is just behind the beach and public toilets can be found close to both beach bars. Water slides, maze, tennis court.
A long, narrow beach of pale golden sand, Santo Tomas is virtually a continuation of the beach at Son Bou. A path at the western end leads to the quieter beaches of San Adeodato and Binigaus. A flag warning system is also in use here due to the occasional currents and one should only swim when the GREEN flag is displayed.
It is a great favourite for families as the beach, shops, bars and restaurants are all within easy reach.
"The queen of the coves" - a wide arc of golden sand bounded by wooded cliffs and an emerald sea. Cala Galdana is one of the most ecologically important coves on the island, as well as being one of the most beautiful. The deep, horseshoe bay with sloping sand is great for families.You can hire windsurfing and snorkelling equipment, pedaloes and motorboats, learn to sail or scubadive or take a boat ride along the coast to picnic in a peaceful cove.
Nestled in the pine trees at the rear of the beach is a bar/restaurant with toilet facilities. A large car park can be found by the roundabout at the entrance to the resort - a couple of minutes stroll from the sands. Tennis court, mini golf, shallow water slides for the young
A deep, rocky inlet sheltering a small, sandy beach fringed by pine trees. This resort has three hotels and an array of bars and restaurants, some overlooking the beach - perfect for a light lunch but also popular when the sun goes down. There is a small water chute by the beach. The villas are all within an easy walk of the resort's facilities. Tennis court.
A small, family resort on Menorca's west coast, which seems to offer the best of both worlds - lazy, carefree days and fantastic shopping and restaurants right on the doorstep in the old town of Ciutadella. Sa Caleta has a small selection of shops and bars plus a couple of good restaurants within the resort itself and many more just a short drive along the coast.
The pretty sheltered cove with soft white sands and shallow waters is ideal for families with young children and the relaxed pace of life is perfect for those looking to wind down.
Set amongst pine-clad hills is the lovely beach of pale golden sand, wide enough never to get crowded. The sea is shallow and the dunes and pine trees at the back of the beach give some relief from the sun. There is ample parking by the bar/restaurant at the western tip of this lovely beach.
Sunbeds, shades and pedaloes can be hired from the beach.
Tennis courts, golf court and driving range
To the West of Ciutadella, the coastline is a succession of small beaches and pretty coves including small stretches of sand available at nearby Calan Blanes. There are no beach bars available but shops, bars and restaurants can be found within walking distance.
In recent years Calan Blanes, Calan Forcat, Los Delfines and Calan Bruc have all merged to form the largest resort on Menorca, but none of these areas enjoy the sandy beaches available elsewhere on the island.
Calan Bosch is one of Menorca's most fashionable areas with a popular yachting marina lined with restaurants and bars. The resort includes two sandy beaches, the smaller one of the two being a small bay close to the marina with sunbeds for hire. The second is known as Son Xoriguer which is a longer stretch of sand with watersports during the summer months and several bars and restaurants nearby.
On the south coast and one of the most attractive beaches on the island but can only be reached by crossing over farmland with much opening and closing of gates. The farmer charges a toll for the adventure but the journey is definitely worth the effort. Pine-covered cliffs look down onto clear blue water and a beach of soft white sand backs onto extensive pine woods.
Located between the larger resorts of Binibeca and Calan Porter is the deep inlet of Canutells with its small, sandy beach and few boat moorings. The beach is "virgin" in that it is left in its natural state and is not cluttered with sunbeds etc.
There is ample parking. For toilet facilities visit the rustic bar overlooking the beach and order a refreshing ice cream or drink.
Tennis courts.
A long sandy beach on the north coast which shelves down from the sand dunes to the sea. The surrounding countryside is open in character with low rolling and treeless hills. A beach with a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
Located on the North coast this beach can only be reached by climbing the whitewashed steps leading over the wall just to the west of Binimel-la. Well worth the effort, you'll discover a spectacular sandy beach framed by a lush pine and tamarisk wood and sea stacks rising out of the perfectly blue water.
On the North coast, this beautiful wild place with its sandy beach and jagged coastline can only be reached by a walk of around 30 minutes. Pick your way along the path lined with trees and fragrant bushes, wild honeysuckle and masses of wild flowers. The last stretch of the walk is down a steep sandy slope.
Best reached on foot from Cala Galdana. The walk takes around 30 minutes, passing the rocky cove of Mitjaneta before arriving at a deep sandy beach surrounded by cliffs riddled with caves.
Many people consider this one of the most perfect spots on the Menorcan south coast. You'll find you won't be alone here as others make the bumpy trip across farmland down the track leading to the gorge. There is a small beach bar and one can hire parasols or enjoy the welcome shade of the pine trees. The beach shelves gently into the sea giving ideal conditions for swimming.
Los Delfins beach is a small stretch of sand in a deep, rocky inlet of turquiose blue water. There are bathing platforms along the rocks and it's an ideal place for the snorkelling enthusiasts.
