Villas in Son Bou

There is a choice of mini markets in the centre of Son Bou, selling daily essentials, food and BBQ supplies, as well as souvenirs, clothes and beachwear. An easy 15 minute drive north will bring you into the town of Alaior, which has a large supermarket as well as a few small boutiques selling clothes, jewellery and the traditional Menorcan shoes.

For a more serious session of retail therapy, 25 minutes’ drive takes you into the capital, Mahon, which has a twice weekly market and many chic boutiques to explore.

Son Bou has a great choice of cafes, ice cream parlours and restaurants offering varied menus from traditional Spanish dishes and fresh seafood to burgers, Chinese and pizza. The resort has a livelier atmosphere at night, with some of the bars putting on live shows. There’s also a fantastic Hawaiian-style cocktail bar with rattan sofas and hanging chairs!

If you fancy a change of scenery, Alaior, a short drive inland, has a selection of more authentic eateries. It’s main square, Placa del Ramal, also has a handful of friendly local cafes and ice cream shops.

At 2½ kilometres long, Son Bou’s beach is the longest on the island. It’s backed by a large area of protected wetland which means the only entrance to the bay is a short, downhill walk from the resort centre. There’s also a large carp ark if you prefer to drive, with a long boardwalk gently sloping down onto the sand.

Sunbeds and parasols can be hired, and you’ll also find a choice of water sports on offer during the summer months from pedalos and kayaks to banana boats! There are a few beach bars with seating right on the sand, offering tasty food for lunch and dinner, as well as soft drinks, hot drinks and cocktails – the perfect accompaniment for watching the sun go down. There’s also a shaded picnic area at the back of the beach with benches and seating.

Children will love spending time on the beach, and inflatables and beach games can be purchased in the resort. There are also several small coin operated rides for smaller kids dotted around the resort too. There’s scuba diving facilities within the resort catering for beginners and veterans alike, with various underwater tunnels and caves to explore.

Car hire can be easily arranged to explore more of the island as a family. A short drive inland is the popular Lloc de Menorca Zoo and the waterparks on either side of the island can all be reached within around 40 minutes.

On the far side of the resort are the remains of the Basilica de Son Bou, one of the oldest religious constructions on the island. Another of Menorca’s most important and well-known historical attractions, Torre d’en Gaumes, is around 10 minutes’ drive away from Son Bou. The largest pre-historic town in the Balearic Islands, Torre d’en Gaumes is the ancient ruins of a defensive wall guarding 3 stone watch towers, or talaiots, surviving from the pre-talayotic period to Roman times.