Menorca: 6 things to do while on the island.

I hadn't expected to be able to take in so much of the Balearic island of Menorca while I was there so it was a massive bonus to see a fair bit of it. I was in a privileged position to be guided round the island by a local while we were creating photography for her brand and I saw well documented areas and more secret coves. In the interest of keeping secret coves.. well… secret I’m sharing here this quick fire 6 things I did on the island that are often covered by guides that I loved in the hope it saves you the time researching. There are things that I really wanted to do that I didn't get time for, in particular Binibeca which looks amazing.

Fornells.

This incredible old fishing harbour feels like an authentic slice of Menorca. I’m told it was a lot quieter but in recent years there’s been a surge in interest. I did overhear someone on the plane back to England boasting about their buy to let in Fornells - which is perhaps a sign of things to come but when I visited I really fell in love with the white streets and good quality fish restaurants. Not to mention the crystal clear waters and the abundance of fish darting around.

I really enjoyed the food at Sa Nansa and a dessert in the form of gelato (great vegan options) at Icardo Riera was the icing on the cake (see what I did there?).

Visit Mahón.

The capital of Menorca is well worth a day of your time. Get there early to catch the bustling fish market and people haggling. There’s an lector to take you down to the largest natural port in the Mediterranean and second largest in Europe. It’s a city full of military history with an abundance of great cafes and shops. Blog post coming very soon.

Pay Attention to the Towns.

Within Menorca, towards the centre of the island are small towns that are well worth getting off the bus and taking a wander round. I stayed in Ferrerries and some of my favourite moments of my stay are capturing the light bouncing around the streets of this market town.

Visit Ciutadella.

Different in feel to Mahón, the former capital of Menorca Ciutadella is a labyrinth of pleasing narrow streets and magical light. Check out my full post here.

Head to Monte Toro.

The highest point of Menorca at 365 metres also homes an iconic sanctuary of faith and convent. The gothic church is open to the public and the grounds around it provides sweeping views over the island. You can get there by Line 1 Bus from Maó/Mahón bus station to Es Mercadel and from there you can get a cab or walk up (but be aware it’s at least a 45 min walk uphill with tourist traffic on steep winding roads).

Grab a Sunset Swim at Sant Tomàs.

This lovely bay gifted us an epic sunset while we were capturing some stills at Sant Tomàs. An expanse of sandy beach filled with nude bathers offers gorgeous waters and a chance to just be. There’s a regular bus service there, just make sure you check the last back before you let time slip away.