The Best Beaches to Visit in Menorca
For a relatively small island, Menorca packs a punch. It boasts an incredible coastline and has some of the world’s most gorgeous beaches with powdery white sand, stunning shade of turquoise, and the prettiest scenery. Offering a relaxing beach getaway, many of these beaches are secluded and hidden from the public eye. Thus, they are much quieter than the more popular beaches of its neighbours, Ibiza and Mallorca. On some days, you can even have some beaches to yourself!
Below, check out some of the best beaches to visit in Menorca.
1. Playa Es Grau, Es Grau
Es Grau is a charming fishing village along the island’s northeastern coast, home to one of Menorca’s best beaches, Playa Es Grau. While many would come here for the beach, the village is a lovely place to explore. It’s in an area of outstanding natural beauty with unspoiled natural landscapes.
The sleepy fishing village of Es Grau is a haven for nature lovers and visitors seeking a relaxing seaside escape while experiencing the authentic Menorcan life. Families will have a great time playing with their kids in the shallow and crystal-clear waters of Playa Es Grau. Adventurous beachgoers can try snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking.
Es Grau is also home to S’Albufera des Grau. The nature reserve has a beautiful, tranquil lake home to fascinating marine life. The area boasts a rich landscape of plants, including several species of trees and wildflowers. What’s great about visiting Es Grau is there’s a fantastic selection of restaurants specialising in seafood and fresh fish tapas. If you’ve built up an appetite after a day of fun adventures, you’ll have plenty of options to indulge in delectable meals.
2. Son Bou, Alaior
Another Best Beaches to Visit in Menorca is nestled in the south of Menorca, in the village of Alaior, Son Bou Beach is the island’s largest and most family-friendly beach. It’s about 2.5 kilometres long and 50 meters wide and sits between Cap de ses Penyes and Punta Rodona. With its fine sand and crystal-clear waters, Son Bou is one of those beaches you should visit in Menorca.
On the eastern side of Son Bou, you’ll find cliffs up to 80 metres high. Meanwhile, the western side has smaller cliffs and a small, secluded cove that has become a favourite spot for nudists. Having a European Blue Flag quality certification, Son Bou passed the safety, water quality, and environmental conservation standards while providing comprehensive services for beachgoers.
Son Bou has a sandy seabed, which makes it a delightful beach to swim in. The dune separating the beach of El Prat de Son Bou is in excellent condition, with a rich flora. As one of the best-equipped beaches in Menorca, Son Bou has showers, toilets, parasol rentals, bars, sun beds, and accessibilities for disabled visitors. The area is well-marked, directing people where to bathe and swim.
3. Cala Pregonda, Es Mercadal
One of the best things about choosing Menorca for your beach getaway is you will have endless options for your accommodation. You will find plenty of stunning coastal villas in Menorca, perfect if you want to stay close to the beach. Some villas offer easy access to beautiful beaches like Cala Pregonda in Es Mercadal.
Thanks to the islets just off the shore of Cala Pregonda, bathers are protected from the swell and offer excellent opportunities for snorkelling. While you will find a few houses dotting Cala Pregonda, facilities are almost non-existent. Therefore, plan your visit accordingly.
Cala Pregonda is about a 30-minute walk from the nearest car park, so be ready for a short hike when going to this beach. Es Mercadal, the route to Cala Pregonda is well-signposted. Watch out for the brown signs leading to the Cami de Tramuntana and the north coast. Park your car at Binimel-la, where you can reach up a slightly rough track from the main road. Hike the rest of the way towards Cala Pregonda.
4. Cala Macarella, Ferreries
Cala Macarella is one of Menorca’s most spectacular beaches. Sandwiched between rocks, it boasts some of the most pristine waters and finest white sands on the island, perfect for sunbathing for hours. You’ll find it in the southwest section of Menorca, equipped with a lifeguard and a beachside restaurant offering a decent range of meals and snacks.
Cala Macarella features a strip of white sand overlooking beautiful turquoise waters and flanked by limestone cliffs. Located within the Natural Area of Special Interest in Ciutadella’s southern coast, its unspoiled beauty makes it one of the most beautiful beaches in Menorca. There is a small car park, about a 20-minute walk to the beach.
You’ll find a smaller beach called the Macarelleta, about 15 15-minute walk from Macarella. It’s also possible to swim towards the secluded cove. Like Macarella, Macarelleta is also stunning, but its seclusion makes it one of the favourite hangout spots of nudists. If you don’t mind sharing the beach with naked people, Macarelleta is a great beach to check out.
5. Cala Trebalúger, Es Migjorn Gran
Cala Trebaluger is one of Menorca’s most beautiful coves, located south of the island. It’s closer to other famous beaches like Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam. Swimming in Cala Trebaluger is one of the best experiences in Menorca.
Boasting a typical Mediterranean natural environment and featuring pristine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Cala Trebaluger is an ideal place to spread your towel to relax or hang out with friends and family. Since it’s an isolated beach, it is perfect for when you’re looking to enjoy seclusion away from the crowds of tourists on the more popular beaches on the island.
While you might be tempted to just the entire time, Cala Trebaluger offers the perfect setting for water sports like snorkelling and kayaking. Getting to the beach requires a good 40-minute walk from the parking lot of Cala Mitjana. If you don’t want to walk, you can come by boat.