Our favourite beaches in Menorca

Menorca is an island of two halves, the south coast defined by its long stretches of soft blond sand and the north more rugged and rocky. However, wherever you go on the Balearics’ smallest island, the Mediterranean Sea is never far away.

Home to some strong winds, all beach days here start with a forecast check with a northerly breeze indicating a trip south and vice versa. Thanks to its petite proportions, any of Menorca’s beaches can be comfortably reached by car wherever you choose to stay. Just remember that in the peak summer season, heading early hours is always key to guaranteeing a car parking spot at popular beaches.

Quieter than its neighbours Mallorca and Ibiza, this isn’t the island for buzzy beach clubs. Instead, relaxed days involve long chiringuito lunches, hiking between beaches via the coastal trail Camí de Cavalls or taking in the coastline aboard a boat.

These are the best beaches in Menorca to have on your radar for your next trip:

This sliver of a beach may be narrow but what it lacks in width it makes up for in length, stretching out for over one-kilometre on the island’s south coast. Surrounded by pine trees and with fine white sand and shallow water ideal for paddling, the sweet spot here is its wildness while still being very accessible. Although there are no facilities as such, at the far eastern end there’s parking and a reliable spot for a fresh fish lunch at Chiringuito Es Bruc. Naturally, the further you walk west from here, the quieter it gets.

This quintessential cala on Menorca’s south-west coast is the perfect horseshoe-shaped bay framed by low limestone cliffs and verdant pine forests. Reached by an easy one-kilometre walking path from the car park, it does get busy in peak summer season, families camping up for the day and children throwing themselves off the rocks into the water. Once you reach the main beach, you can easily walk further around on the coastal path to find quieter spots.

In the south west corner of Menorca, this beach is one of our all-time favourites with its gin-clear water and fine, pale sand. During summer (June to September), the car park is closed and it’s only accessible on foot via the Cami de Cavalls hiking path. Luckily, for those staying at our Santa Ana villa, this beautiful spot is just a quick 15-minute walk away, and its lack of car park means it’s never overcrowded. Plus, follow the coastal path around a little further and you will find another excellent beach called Macarelleta.

There is something very adorable about this teeny tiny cove, a miniature patch of sand at the end of this rocky inlet which creates the perfect spot for a swim. The sand may be prime towel real estate but there’s plenty of spots to lie lizard-like on a rock after a ten-minute scramble down some steps from the car park. Located in Menorca’s south-east corner close to the island’s capital Mahón, it’s also just a ten-minute drive from the airport if you want to start (or end) your holiday with a delightful dip.

A short drive from Mahón on the north-east coast, this wide stretch of golden sand is backed by rolling sand dunes and edged with rocky outcrops. While the water can be rougher than its southern counterparts, the rocky seabed creates transparent water ideal for snorkelling. There’s parking at the back of the beach and a gelato van in peak season.

If you’re searching for that deserted island feel, Cala Pregonda has it. Getting here is a challenge – the roads aren’t smooth and the nearest car park is a 25-minute hike – but that is part of its charm. Those who make the journey are greeted with an expanse of rust-hued sand that feels like a different island to the beaches on the south. Once you’re here, there’s a cluster of other calas to explore including Cala Son Mercaduret with its shallow, turquoise pools ideal for swimming.

Not a beach per se but a cove where you can clamber down a ladder (or jump if you’re brave) into the pristine water, coming back to the concrete platforms to dry off and take in the sun. Popular with young locals, it’s a buzzy spot come sundown and a lively vibe that provides a nice contrast to the tranquil beaches elsewhere. In the cluster of resorts north-west of Ciutadella there are plenty of places to park.

Dreaming of Menorca? Check out our curated selection of Menorca villas for your next trip!