Eating out is an important part of anyone’s holiday, and in Menorca you will not be disappointed. Most of the seaside resorts offer fantastic seafood, and many of the traditional fishing villages serve locally caught fish. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants offering traditional Menorcan cuisine and, of course, lots of tapas on the menu! The island is very family-orientated so there are plenty of international options and smaller sizes for the little ones.

Circumnavigating the entire island, the Cami des Cavalls is an old bridle path that offers fantastic walking opportunities. Although the route mostly hugs the coastline, it does venture in to the picturesque countryside and is a wonderful way to explore Menorca’s beautiful scenery. You can access the path from different points in the island, allowing you to break the route into more manageable sections. You can also explore the route via horseback or bike as well.

The old capital, Ciutadella, and the new capital, Mahon, are both not to be missed, with spectacular harbours, beautiful architecture and interesting histories. Both offer lively weekly markets where you can barter for local produce and pick up some lovely souvenirs to take home. Throughout the rest of the island there are lots of pretty traditional towns and villages you can visit, such as Binibeca Vell, Es Castell and Fornells.

With it's stunning, clear waters, Menorca makes a fantastic base for diving and snorkelling. S'Algar is home to the best diving school on the island, offering scuba diving and snorkelling excursions from the south coast. Or, head to Fornells for dives off the northern coastline. Whether you're an experienced diver or trying it out for the first time, you're sure to find something to suit your needs.

Aqua Center Waterpark, located in Calan Forcat, offers a great day out for the whole family. Little ones will love the children’s splash area, and there are plenty of slides, flumes and pools to discover. You’ll also find a play area with trampolines, plus a games arcade with a covered eating area. The waterpark is usually open between June and September.

Aquarock Park, located by Calan Bosch Marina, is a superb choice for all ages. With a wave pool, kid’s splash pool and a great collection of slides and flumes, it’s the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer’s day. Next door to the park is a go-kart track, great for a little friendly competition. The park is usually open between June and September.

Splash Waterpark is the newest of the islands 3 parks and can be found on the East coast. For the youngest visitors there is splash area with waterjets and mini slides, as well as a pirate ship play zone. Older children can race down the multilane slides, fly down the kamikaze or float along the lazy river! The park is usually open between May and September.  

Lloc de Menorca Zoo is sure to be a hit with the kids! The zoo has a range of species from farm animals, which children may be able to pet, as well as exotic creatures from around the world. There is also a small splash zone and play area, 2 museums, a picnic area, snack bar and a gift shop.

Boat trips are a superb way to discover Menorca's stunning coastline and crystal-clear waters. From Ciutadella you can arrange trips to some of the island's most secluded beaches - only accessible by boat. If you're feeling adventurous you can also hire your own boat for the day. Or why not take a glass-bottomed boat trip in Mahon to explore the spectacular harbour?

Known as 'The Queen of the Coves,' Cala Galdana’s wonderful stretch of white sand is thought to be one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The deep, horseshoe bay is sheltered by picturesque cliffs and is ideal for families with sloping sand and shallow water. During the high season you can hire sun loungers and parasols and there are watersports on offer including windsurfing, snorkelling and pedalos. A bridge leads over the river to the resort centre and parking area, but you’ll find some facilities including a kiosk and toilets on the beach itself.

The spectacular beach of Son Parc is thought to be one of the best on the island, a large sweeping bay with soft white sand. There’s a beautiful back drop of sand dunes and pine trees, plus a beachside restaurant serving food and cold drinks as well as ice creams and snacks. Sun beds, parasols, kayaks and pedalos are available to hire during the high season. The beach is walking distance from the resort centre but there is also a large car park if you wish to drive.

Calan Porter’s beautiful beach is located below the resort centre, accessed either via a flight of 180 steps or down a steep, short hill. Flanked on either side by spectacular limestone cliffs, the sheltered cove has white sand and clear waters. Sun loungers, parasols and pedalos are available to hire in the high season, and there is ample car parking space available in the shaded area adjacent to the beach. A short promenade features several gift shops and a choice of cafes – great for a lunch break or ice cream.

Located on the north coast, the spectacular horseshoe-shaped bay of Arenal den Castell is one of the best beaches on the island. This sheltered bay has soft, golden sand and gentle waters, making it a great choice for families. A boardwalk runs along the back of the beach and is perfect for a leisurely stroll. In the high season you’ll find sunbeds and parasols to hire as well as pedalos to keep the children entertained.  

Set on the west coast, Cala Blanca is home to a picturesque cove with soft white sand and clear shallow waters - great for families. The beach is around 10 minutes’ walk from the resort centre and is sheltered by rocky coastline dotted with restaurants and bars overlooking the cove below. During the high season you’ll find pedalos to hire as well as sun loungers and parasols.  

Set on the west coast, between the resorts of Sa Caleta and Cala Blanca, is the small beach of Cala Santandria. With soft sand and clear, shallow waters, this cove is popular for families and offers some great snorkelling opportunities. You’ll find a cafe overlooking the beach, ideal for an ice cream or light lunch, plus there are sunbeds and parasols to hire during the summer months. The beach is easily accessed by either public transport or by car, with free parking by the beachfront.

Set on the west coast, just south of Ciutadella, is the small cove of Sa Caleta. Overlooked by an old watchtower, this picturesque beach is flanked by a rocky coastline and offers fantastic snorkelling opportunities. There are sunbeds and parasols to hire in the peak summer season, and a snack bar for a light lunch. The beach is accessed via a flight of steps and there is a small parking area.

Calan Blanes is a home to a picturesque sandy cove lined with palm trees. Set in a long inlet and sheltered by the rocky coastline, this beach is a great choice for families with shallow, clear waters and soft sand. There is also a pirate ship play area – great fun for younger families. You’ll find sunbeds and parasols to hire during the peak summer months, as well as a beachside restaurant.  

Calan Forcat is home to a picturesque rocky inlet with bathing platforms and ladders down to the clear waters – great for a refreshing dip to cool off. A small bridge connects the bathing platforms, and there are a couple of little sandy inlets with access to the water. Although no real beach area, the cove offers spectacular scenery and the sandy Calan Blanes bay is just a short walk away.

Located just over the road from the bustling marina is the large bay of Calan Bosch. Popular with families, the beach has gently shelving sand and clear, shallow waters – great for paddling and snorkelling. During the high season you’ll find sunbeds, parasols and pedalos available to rent. At the nearby marina you’ll find plenty of parking as well as lots of restaurants and cafes to pick up an ice cream.

Santo Tomas has a long stretch of soft white sand which is split into 2 halves, Playa Santo Tomas and Playa San Adeodato, separated by the hotel on the headland. A long promenade lines the beach, creating an ideal setting for an evening walk. You’ll find sunbeds and parasols available to hire in the high season, as well as a choice of water sports on offer during the summer, including wind surfing, pedalos and jet skis. The beach operates a flag warning system due to occasional currents.

Backed by a large area of protected wetland, the stunning sandy shores of Son Bou is Menorca’s longest beach. The beach can only be accessed by one entrance point with a long wooden boardwalk sloping gently on to the sand. During the summer months you’ll find a choice of watersports on offer, such as pedalos and windsurfing, as well as sunbeds and parasols to hire. There are a few beach bars with seating right on the sand, as well as a shaded picnic area at the back of the beach for homemade lunches.

The beautiful sandy beach of Binibeca is flanked by picturesque rocky coastline on either side, ideal for snorkelling. The small cove is accessed via a shaded woodland which is a great spot for a lunchtime picnic. During the high sunbeds and parasols are available to hire, plus there are toilets as well as plenty of parking on the street above the beachfront. On the soft sand is a great rustic beach bar with seating right on the waters’ edge.

In Punta Prima you’ll find a stunning wide stretch of white sand, offering great views of the Isle Del Aire lighthouse - a small island just out to sea. During the high season there is a lifeguard on duty as well as sunbeds to hire and a water sports centre offering kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. There is plenty of parking available as well as a couple of beachside restaurants, with even more eateries located along the promenade offering great sea views.

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.

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. The beach can only be accessed via bus from Ciutadella (tickets purchased in advance). 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.

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.

On the North coast, Arenal De Son Saura is 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.

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 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 a rustic bar overlooking the beach where you can order a refreshing ice cream or drink.

On the way to Fornells turn left at Ses Salines. The beach is accessed by a wooden walkway or by road on the western side of the bay, but it is quite a long detour. The beach is sandy and backed by dunes and although well used rarely gets overly crowded. There are eating places and supermarkets in nearby Playas de Fornells. The beach is popular for swimming and windsurfing and kitesurfing are also popular on windier days.

Binisafuller - or Binisafua as it is sometimes known - is a small but beautiful beach on the South coast of Menorca, close to the authentic resort of Binibeca. The beach has white sand and shallow, clear water - ideal for families!

Cala Alcaufar 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. There are scenic walks out to an old Martello type tower on a headland, with good views out to S'Algar and the Isle de L'Aire at Punta Prima.

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.

Sa Mesquida, a small village on the east coast of Menorca close to Mahon, boasts one of the many fantastic beaches the island has to offer and is well worth a visit. The beach itself is 320 meters of golden sand surrounded by calm waters and rich countryside and is very popular with divers. The nearby village has a small shop and a restaurant, considered to be one of the islands' finest seafood restaurants serving freshly caught fish, boasting wonderful views over the water as you dine.