If you live in Spain and are looking for a sun and beach destination that is relatively close by, Menorca is probably one of the most interesting for you. Its spectacular beaches and the tranquillity of the island mean that tens of thousands of national and international tourists visit the island year after year.
Crystal clear waters, good temperature, very unspoilt landscapes… Whoever goes to Minorca knows that they will find everything a beach lover values. Although they say that Sardinia is the Caribbean of Europe, I think you could say exactly the same about Minorca.
So that you don’t have to waste time looking for the best beaches and coves on the island, we have prepared a compilation that will be of great help to you. At the end of the list you will find a Google Maps map where they are all perfectly located. This way you will know the exact location and you will be able to make better decisions about a hypothetical itinerary or about the choice of accommodation during your stay. Take note and start packing your suitcase!
Escorxada Cove
This is located in the southern part, which is where most of the more reputable beaches and coves are located. It is not usually a very busy cove, since to get there you have to walk for about an hour on foot. There are no beach bars or anything like that, but the water here is crystal clear and you’re likely to see fish swimming around. Take a drink and some food if you don’t want to get dehydrated and try to go when the north wind is blowing so you don’t run into any waves.
If you decide to go by car to Cala Escorxada, there are three car parks where you can leave your car: Santo TomĂĄs, Cala Mitjana and the one next to the Es Migjorn Gran cemetery. Cycling is highly recommended.
Turqueta cove
For many there is no other like it. In Cala Turqueta you can enjoy transparent waters in a very small space. It is also located to the south and is usually frequented by many tourists, although the sun leaves earlier than on other beaches and this means that it empties out earlier at sunset.
To get there, follow the signs from Ciudadela to CamĂ de Sant Joan de Missa. It is very easy to get there and when you park you only have to walk 10 minutes to enjoy its privileged location. It is hidden among pine trees and there is a beach bar in the car park, but don’t expect competitive prices because there is no competition there.
Macarella Cove
This is another classic Menorcan beach. Its spectacular turquoise blue waters quickly attract you, among other things because it is usually one of those that are printed on the postcards of Menorca that you see in all the souvenir shops. There is a lifeguard and a beach bar, as it is usually one of the most popular in the area. It is also to the south.
To get to Cala Macarella you have to do the same as to get to Cala Turqueta, although you have to walk further and the road becomes more complicated and narrower as you go along. There are two car parks, one fifteen minutes away and the other five minutes away. The latter, depending on the time of year, usually costs 5 euros. On the other hand, if you’re a fan of hiking, you can take a half-hour walk from Cala Galdana to get there.
More information about Cala Macarella here.
Macarelleta cove
It is only 10 minutes away from Cala Macarella and is well worth a visit. It has a section dedicated to nudism and is even more unspoilt than its big sister. The water in this cove is just as clear if not clearer. To reach it from Cala Macarella you have to take a path on the right that invites you to go hiking even if you are not a fan of it. What is advisable is to be well prepared to walk along paths that are not exactly comfortable, and even less so in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius.
More information about Cala Macarelleta here.
Galdana Cove
It is also to the south of Menorca and is especially recommended for families, as it is quite large and has no shortage of services of all kinds. There are beach bars, shops, kiosks, sun loungers, etc. You can do all kinds of water activities and you can even take a walk to Cala Macarelleta in about 25-30 minutes. It is 23 kilometres from Ciudadela and 36 from MahĂłn. It can be reached by car in about half an hour and for this you have to turn off at Santa Galdana.
Pregonda cove
It has a special charm. Its waters may not be the most crystalline and its sand may not be the finest and whitest of all, but the atmosphere and vegetation surrounding Cala Pregonda make it a must-see. It is located in the north, which is not the most propitious area to enjoy the best beaches, but the red sand you will step on will transport you to Mars if you have imagination.
It is an unfrequented beach because it is far from the south and the main towns on the island, but also because it is a half-hour walk from the car park, which puts off most families with small children. From Ciudadela it takes about three quarters of an hour to get there.
More information about Cala Pregonda here.
Mitjana cove
This is another of the coves that form part of the club of coves in the south. Crystal clear waters, fine white sand, good atmosphere… It has everything to be desired by the thousands of tourists who visit it every year. It is very close to Cala Galdana and gives you the possibility of going to a smaller cove, Cala Mitjaneta. As with Cala Macarella, to go to the smaller cove you have to take a path to the right.
The road to Cala Mitjana by car is the same as the one to Cala Galdana. From Ciudadela in the direction of MahĂłn, take the Santa Galdana turnoff just before FerrerĂas. The car park is just a few metres from the cove, so you don’t have to suffer through long walks with all your gear on your back.
More information about Mitjana Cove here.
Morell Cove
It is in the north of Menorca and is especially recommended for its attractive landscape and for the history it hides. It is 80 metres long and about 50 metres wide and is not only surrounded by rocks that quickly catch the eye. There is also a Talayotic necropolis that houses a multitude of prehistoric caves that you can visit free of charge and that allow you to get to know a little more about an island that has more than just spectacular beaches and coves.
There is little sand, lots of rocks and drifting boats. This means that it is not a recommended beach for swimming. It is 9 kilometres from Ciudadella and to get there you have to take the Cala Morell road.
Presili Cove
It is located to the northeast of the island and forms part of the S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park. Its sand is white and fine, so for being in the north it has little to do with other beaches such as Cala Pregonda, where the sand is reddish. It is one of the best known nudist beaches.
To get there you have to go in the direction of the FavĂ ritx lighthouse both from Ciudadela and from MahĂłn. About 200 metres before reaching the lighthouse you can park on the left-hand side, but ideally you should continue straight on and take the turning on the right-hand side with signs for Camamil-la that take you to Cala Tortuga and Cala Presili.
Es Talaier
Located between Cala Turqueta and Son Saura, in the south of Menorca, we could say that it is one of the smallest. You can reach it from Son Saura on foot for about 15 minutes or by car following the road that you have to follow to get to Cala Turqueta. From the car park it will take you the same time to get to one cove or the other.
This cove has fine white sand and turquoise waters. The sandy surface is quite generous if we take into account that it is a very small cove. There are no beach bars selling water or snacks, so it is highly recommended that you take a backpack with refreshments and food so as not to dehydrate.
La Vall
This is another of the beaches in the north, very close to Ciudadela. In La Vall you can enjoy a full day because it is similar to the beaches in the south, with clean, transparent waters and sand that invites you to play paddle and practice all kinds of sports. You are likely to see people practising nudism, especially if you move very far to the right.
In La Vall there are two car parks that are not usually completely full. The walk to the car park is not difficult and is quite beautiful.
Son Saura
This is an unspoilt beach located in the south of the island. The fact that it is very large and visited does not prevent it from maintaining a very characteristic landscape. The water is extremely clean, but there is algae on the sand, which has always been a detriment to its popularity. There is parking and lifeguard service, and you can also reach it on foot from Es Talaier (about 10 minutes).
To be more precise, the Son Saura area is made up of the Banyuls beach (facing west) and the Bellavista beach (facing east). The former is 200 metres long and the latter is about 300 metres long.
Son Bou
It is in the south and is easily recognisable by the fact that it is the largest beach in Menorca. Located 20 kilometres from MahĂłn (40 from Ciudadela) and about 2 kilometres long, Son Bou is perfect for families. There are beach bars, sun loungers, parasols… And you can even practice all kinds of sports to burn calories and have fun.
The only bad thing is that it is not a virgin beach. It is a developed beach, although it is well adapted to the environment and offers all kinds of services. At the eastern end of the beach are the ruins of an ancient early Christian basilica that was discovered in 1951 and is said to have been built in the 5th century.
More information about Son Bou here.
Map of the best beaches and coves in Menorca
ArtĂculos recomendados:
– Beaches for mud bathing in Menorca
â Playas nudistas en Menorca