Holiday Homes on Menorca

Renting a holiday villa in Menorca doesn't just give you the chance to enjoy its beautiful beaches - exploring its regional cuisine will also be a highlight of your holiday.

Queso de Mahón This salty cow’s cheese can be soft (young) or hard (aged). The rind is coloured orange from paprika.

Fish meatballs For an authentic local seafood experience, try cod meatballs in garlic sauce, or scorpionfish meatballs in tomato sauce.

Rape a la Menorquina This hearty Menorcan-style monkfish dish includes tomatoes and potatoes, sure to keep you satisfied.

Tumbet This crispy side dish, usually served with grilled meat or fish, comprises fried garlic, potatoes, aubergine, and peppers.

The weather in Menorca is one of the main draws for visitors. The island receives more than 300 days of sunshine a year, with just a brief period during autumn and winter threatening the otherwise idyllic weather.

The best time to visit is spring and end of summer, when temperatures are just about perfect and it's less busy than the summer months. Cool breezes offer a pleasant respite from the heat, and also make it an excellent spot for water sports.

The main appeal of Menorca is its many, many excellent beaches. You can easily find a beachfront villa or holiday apartment and spend your days soaking up the sunshine.

Son Bou is the longest beach on Menorca and has plenty of great stores and bars. Cala en Porter in the south is beautiful, and has strong currents that make it ideal for water sports - don't worry, there’s a lifeguard to keep you safe. Cala Galdana is one of the most popular beaches on the island, with great water and sand combined with extensive facilities creating a place you can easily spend a day. For a more rustic experience, head to Cala Turqueta, which has no facilities whatsoever - just a beautiful beach and great turquoise water for swimming in.

While you’re more than free to just lie on the beach during your stay in your Menorca holiday villa, to do so would be to miss out on one of the best reasons to visit the island: the fun activities. Rent a kayak and spend the afternoon out on the water, which offers you the opportunity to go exploring and reach secluded beaches. Or go for a hike along the Camí de Cavalls hiking path, which dates all the way back to 1330! This trail can also be traversed on a bike, or even the local way - on horseback.

Menorca has just the things to make a holiday special: stunning sunsets over Mediterranean’s largest natural harbour, megalithic ruins, historic port towns, and beautiful sea.

Maó Rent a Georgian-style holiday villa in this bustling clifftop port town to learn about its rich British past. Stroll downhill along the shop-lined Plaça S’Esplanada all the way to Plaça de la Constitució to visit the 18th-century church, Esglesia de Santa Maria. In the heart of the town, gape at Mao's largest religious structure, the neoclassical Esglesia del Carme, and visit the Museum of Menorca – housed in a tranquil 17-century monastery, the museum details the area's Talayotic, Roman, and Moorish history. Take a glass-bottomed boat tour from the town’s sheltered harbour and wrap up the day with a romantic dinner by the yacht-lined quayside.

Megalithic sites Menorca was once home to Talayotic settlers, whose presence in the areas dates back to 2000 BC. There are 1,500 megalithic ruins throughout the island. Visit the impressive funerary chambers of La Naveta des Tudons, the caves of Cala Morell Necropolis, the fascinating megalithic village of Torre d’en Galmés, and the intact cyclopean wall in the village of Son Catlar.

Ciudadela Also called Ciutadella, this fine harbour town on the west coast exudes Andalucian charms. Visit Ses Voltes, a 14th-century Gothic cathedral with Moorish archways. Get a dose of the island’s history in the museum housed inside the town hall (Ayuntamiento). For beach lovers, Ciutadella may be the best place for a villa rental thanks to its proximity to the beautiful beaches of Cala Turqueta and Cala Macarelleta.

Menorca loves its local events and festivals, and with luck there’ll be some taking place during your stay in your holiday villa or apartment. The summer celebrations begin towards the end of June with the Sant Joan Festival, which takes place in Ciutadella and features fireworks, performances, jousting, and much more.

From this point on, Menorca's festival season is upon us. Every weekend until early September, there’ll be many similar festivals taking place across the island. Find out which ones are close to your Menorca holiday villa and head out for a day-long celebration of all things Menorca, and especially the island’s favourite residents - the horses.

Summer also brings a series of classical concerts, which are just about the perfect way to spend a summer’s evening. These take place in a number of venues across Ciutadella, including the famous church, and offer a relaxing and memorable addition to your trip.

There are some excellent restaurants on Menorca, but you don’t have to venture far from home to get a taste of the island. Stop by one of the famous food markets and stock up on delicious fresh fruit and veg, meat, fish, and two of the local specialities - cheese and mayonnaise - to enjoy with friends and family at home in your Menorca holiday villa or apartment.

Cala Macarelleta Beach

Only accessible via Cala Macarella, this picture-postcard beach offers white sands and turquoise waters. The beach is small, secluded and well worth a visit.

Mahon Port

This port is nestled in a natural harbour, complete with beautiful scenery. Many ferries and boats can be spied here, and there are plenty of restaurants offering local and international cuisine.

Cap de Cavalleria

Located to the north of Menorca, this spot offers sandy beaches and Spain’s oldest lighthouse. There is also an eco-museum to visit on site.

Cathedral Basilica of Ciutadella de Menorca

The Ciutadella de Menorca Cathedral was rebuilt in 1813 and originally placed on the site of an old mosque. The great marble altar of the cathedral is covered by a 15-metre canopy.

El Toro

El Toro is the highest point on Menorca, hosting incredible views across the island. It is home to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Toro, and is accessible by car or foot.