Recommendations for menorca holiday

[1newname]

I'd like somewhere in menorca that's not too touristy but with a bit of life, beautiful beaches and a nice hotel but not ridiculously expensive. Thanks!

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Take a look at Punta Prima in Menorca (maybe a little too quiet in the evening though depending what you're looking for)

Punta Prima is nice , the beach isn’t all that though, although all of Menorca is quite rocky and rugged so there’s not much in the way of endless sandy beaches. But you can walk for ages along the front above the coves, with lovely views.

Es Castell, Cala Fonts fishing harbour is gorgeous of an evening. From memory, there is a hotel close by and Mahon is up the road. Binibeca has a lovely beach and is very pretty. Cala Galdana at the other end of the island has a lovely beach. I’d always recommend a car to explore the beaches.

I went to Cala'N Bosch last year, lovely restaurants and not a bad beach but nothing really in the way of entertainment at night apart from maybe hotels. Thought I would love Menorca, it is very relaxing, but just not for me, I am definitely more an Ibiza girl! 😀 Really good for families with young kids though as everything seems to stop about 11. Some lovely adult only hotels around the harbour area though.

Hmm, I'm starting to worry we might get bored? I don't want party capital but also would like a bit of life

Arenal d’en Castell has a few nice restaurants, lovey beach. Not lots of hotels but we had an air BnB. Got a car and then explored other parts of the island.

I’d probably look at Ciutadella, or somewhere just outside it. For me it has the nicest balance on Menorca, a bit of life in the evening, pretty old streets, good food, but it still feels much less package holiday than some of the resort areas. We found it really easy from there to reach some of the lovelier coves too. If you want even quieter, Es Castell also seems like a good shout. For planning I found these helpful: https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/destinations/spain/menorca and https://www.spain.info/en/region/menorca-island/ . Hope you find a nice spot xx

When are you going or have you already been ? I have just returned from Menorca was there from the 24th May-4th June

Planning to go in August

We’re just back from Punta Prima, the beach is lovely! We had family with us including 18mth grandchild and we had a ball. I’ve read a couple of reviews saying the beach is poor but it was clean, golden sand that shelved gently into a gorgeous turquoise sea. Admittedly it’s very quiet but Binibeca has a bit more life and it’s not far away.

We stayed just outside Sant Lluis, a 15-minute drive from the airport and close to some lovely beaches. I'd recommend booking an Airbnb rather than a hotel.

The area we stayed in was lovely and quiet, and hardly any tourists around. Would definitely recommend hiring a car through Autos Menorca and booking it through booking .com. We flew with Jet2 so didn't have to pay extra for hand luggage or taking the car seat and pushchair on the plane for our 2-year-old.

There's a water park called Aqua Centre Menorca which we went to; whilst over that way we drove into Ciutadella for a coffee and bite to eat before going to the water park. I felt Ciutadella was crazy busy compared to Mao, and the main drag where the water park is reminded me of a British seaside town. Aqua Rock water park was a lot better!

We went to Son Bou beach, Binibeca Nou Beach, Cala Mitjana beach, and Cala Mesquida Beach, our favourite being Son Bou Beach.

Menorca absolutely isn’t Ibiza or Mallorca but there’s still plenty enough to do for a holiday. DH and I go most years.

There’s loads of restaurants around the marina in Cala N Bosch and different bars. Someone is usually playing the guitar in the square and you’ll find children, and sometimes adults, dancing while their parents are eating in the adjacent restaurants or having a drink in the bars. Cala N Bosch is close enough, about 15 mins, to Ciutadella too so you can get a taxi or a bus (although we hire a car) to go there for the evening.

Cala Galdana is my favourite beach on the island. There’s some lovely restaurants there too, but it does get very busy because it’s so beautiful.

Son Bou is very nice and popular and has the longest beach on the island.

Cala N Forcat is probably the most touristy area in Menorca, tbh, but it’s probably the most lively too.

Menorca is great for families. The beaches are really safe, the sea is great for snorkelling, it’s incredibly beautiful and everyone is really friendly.

Binibeca is amazing

Most resorts have restaurants, and a few bars, perhaps a few shops or an evening market, but don't tend to be late night kind of places, Beach areas are aimed mostly at tourists, but with a low-key, relaxed family vibe, rather than club/hen party types. Our favourites are Son Bou (amazing beach) and Playas de Fornells - very pretty, with a small choice of restaurants, a couple of cocktail bars, and a short distance from the lovely fishing village of Fornells, which is great for fish restaurants, and some late night bars, sometimes with live music.

I agree with the PP, Cala'n Forcat is probably the liveliest resort in the evenings, but also touristy. If you're after a bit of nightlife, but not touristy, then you might be better to head to one of the cities of Mahon or Cuitadella (towns by most peoples standards!) in the evening - there tend to be later bars, restaurants and some clubs, attended by a mix of tourists and locals. These can be reached by car, or bus/taxi fairly easily if you are staying at a beach resort nearby.

Another vote for either Punta Prima or Arsenal d'en Castell, we stayed AI at the Insotel Punta Prima last September. Really nice hotel with good pools, spa etc. There's Binibeca a taxi ride/land train away if you fancy a different day/evening out. Binibeca Nou beach is fab and it has a lovely beach bar called Bucaneros.