Menorca or Lanzarote in September?

[Pinkfluffyunicornsandrainbows]

We're looking at booking our first holiday abroad next September, just me and dh for a week. Possibly a villa as this is how we usually holiday as a family. We've been looking at Menorca and Lanzarote as we've seen a few nice and reasonably priced villas there and flight prices seem reasonable too. Has anyone been to either and would recommend? Any particular area to go to or avoid in either? Would the weather likely be nice? Pool and sea warm enough to enjoy? How expensive is it to eat/drink out? We don't want to spend too much as we'll still go away for a couple of weeks in August for our usual family holiday. We want a relaxing week enjoying the pool and going exploring the area on some days, lots of sun and good food.

I haven’t been to Menorca but have been to Lanzarote several times. It’s a beautiful island, so clean and easy to drive around. The weather should be decent in September, but nothing is guaranteed these days, the weather is very topsy turvy everywhere. If we were to go again we’d stay in Arrecife, we really loved this city, lots to do and next to the sea. We recently visited Tenerife, Puerto de La Cruz, have been several times but finding it very tired as a resort. We visited Santa Cruz on the island and it has lots to offer, lovely shops, restaurants, cafes etc and a beach, I’d definitely stay there in an apartment or similar 🤗

They are very different islands so it depends what you want. Lanzarote is made of volcanic rock. There are palm trees around developments, but it's very grey/brown. The weather will be warm in September, and the sea is warm.

Menorca will be 26 rather than 28 degrees and there is often a nice breeze there - it's known for it. It's much greener, with pretty little coves to explore, and a bit of history in the two cities, Mahon (home to mayonnaise) and Cuidtadella.

Google images will show you the difference. So, both warm n sunny, but so different in other ways

The sea will be much warmer around Menorca because that's what the Med is like at that time of year (29 vs 22 C today for example). Weather likely similar, but it could go either way, but both should be good.

I'd probably pick whichever is cheaper for good flights etc, because you can always go to the other place next time. Lanzarote is generally cheaper than the Balearics for eating out.

In Lanzarote I'd go to Playa Blanca, not sure for Menorca, but it's a small island that's easy to get around. I'd definitely visit Mahon and Ciutadella. Mumsnet often recommends Es Castell, which is near Mahon but Ive never been.

I would defo plump for Menorca. I’ve done both in September and every day in Lanzarote was cold, windy and grey until about midday. Wall to wall sunshine in Menorca, plus the sea was much warmer and calmer. I also preferred the food and architecture in Menorca.

That is just one experience though - maybe Lanzarote was having an off fortnight when we went.

I've been to both. We went to Menorca for 2 weeks at the start of September and it rained for a good 5 days the first week. That's kind of put me off the place even though I know these things can happen.

We went to Lanzarote in 2023 in August for 2 weeks and the weather was great. Would also recommend Playa Blanca if you go to Lanzarote. We had a lovely villa there - very reasonably priced. Could walk into town every night. Lots of restaurants to try. We had a car too so travelled round the island a bit.

Menorca hands down. I've been in October and weather was glorious. Both Mahon and Ciutadella are lovely little cities. And so many pretty coves and beaches. Charming and laid back. I have been to Lanzarote, Playa Blanca and wouldn't return tbh. Off to Menorca again in September actually.

Menorca. Save Lanzarote for a winter break.

I much prefer Menorca over Lanzarote - not that there's anything wrong with Lanzarote, but Menorca is my happy place. It's more peaceful, prettier, more charming than Lanzarote. But it's possibly also more expensive for villa hire and eating out. Not sure about the difference in flight costs

Menorca 100%

Lanzarote. Any of the Canary Islands are beautiful in September. I love Fuerteventura the most.

Menorca may be gearing down in September; depending on the resort you might choose.

Menorca may be gearing down in September; depending on the resort you might choose

Very unlikely in any tourist resort. While it's definitely not year round like the Canaries, I've been many times in September and in to October, and things don't really start to shut down until mid October onwards.

It's definitely gearing down in Punta Prima in September x

I still think The Canaries is a better option.

I'm really surprised by this, but perhaps it depends on what sort of things you like to do on holiday. I'm mostly prefer a villa/pool during the day, with a few mornings out to towns or beaches, and a restaurant in the evening. This, at least in my experience, isn't really affected by being out of the main summer holiday season.

But either way, I think Menorca or Lanzarote make a great choice - it's just that if I had to choose just one, it would be Menorca. Although I do think it might be a little quiet for some people - there's not much in the way of clubs etc unless you really search them out - but that's why I personally like it.

We've definitely found Punta Prima and Menorca in general winding down in mid September. We were told it was their last week so a lot of the restaurants didn't have all the menu choices because they were running their stocks down.

That might well be true for a couple of the restaurants, but the majority in Punta Prima don't close until mid October, and some stay open all year, albeit on limited hours. It certainly wouldn't be enough of a problem to stop September tourists having a good choice of places to spend an evening, and I'd still recommend visiting Menorca at that time of year. I have many, many times, and I've never had a problem finding an open restaurant. In fact, I'd say it's a better time to visit than in the height of the season, as it's quieter, more relaxed, no queues at restaurants. Some of the really good places can be hard to get in to during the main school holidays.