People who know the Balearics well consider Menorca to have the best beaches among the four islands. Some of them are long strands of silky white sand backed by dunes, while others are tucked away into coves indented into the island’s rocky shoreline. In general, the island’s northern coast is wilder than its southern one, and some of the best beaches are reachable only by boat (a service that can be arranged by most hotels).
Nearly 10 miles northwest of Ciutadella on Menorca’s northern coast, this beautiful crescent of white sand has a smaller, emptier twin just behind the headland. Pine forests offer shade when the sun becomes too strong or you’re ready for a siesta.
This wide, wild sandy beach is the perfect place for a swim during a day trip to the pretty port of Fornells or before a visit to the Far de Cavalleria, the northernmost lighthouse on the island. It is easily accessed by car.
The beauty of this beach on the southern coast makes a popular place for yachts to moor for the day. Have lunch at Chiringuito Toni on nearby Cala Galdana; it overlooks the beach and serves delicious roast chicken, grilled swordfish and paella.
This is the best beach within a 15-minute drive of Mahón. It’s on the eastern coast and has a wide strand of oat-colored sand, along with amenities like parking, toilets and lifeguards. Have lunch on the shaded terrace at Restaurante Cap Roig, which serves dishes like fried baby squid, grilled sole, paella and a salad of tomatoes, onions, capers, Mahón cheese and tuna.
A 20-minute walk from busy Cala Mitjana on the southern coast, this wild beach is a place you could have all to yourself if you get there early enough. After a swim, rinse off the salt in the river in a gorge behind the beach.
This exquisite, tranquil white-sand cove is framed by parasol pine-covered cliffs and lapped by shimmering turquoise water. It’s about a 10-mile drive from Ciutadella on the southern coast, and since there are no concessions here, you should bring water, snacks, beach blankets and anything else you need for a blissful day of lounging and swimming.
It’s best to arrive early at this stunning white-sand beach on the southern coast if you visit during July and August, when it’s deservedly popular with the locals. The warm, shallow waters here are ideal for children. If you run into a self-appointed parking attendant when you arrive, it’s prudent to give him a couple euros for peace of mind.
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