Minorca is one of the most stunning Balearic islands. If you’ve never been here before, you’re in for a real treat. One of the best things about taking a holiday here is the price. So long as you do a little research, both accommodation and flights can be very cheap. Even so, you probably want to know a little more about the destination, right? Well, we’re going to provide you with lots of information in this post. We’ll talk about the best places to stay, and what you should get up to during your trip. After reading through, we’re confident you’ll understand just how fantastic this island can be.
On top of everything else, fewer western tourists travel to this island than others nearby. While Majorca is also a beautiful location, it’s often overcrowded with young people attending stag parties and getting a little too drunk. So, if you want to go somewhere with the same climate but a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, Minorca is perfect.
Here are some of the areas you might like to consider staying during your trip…
Ciutadella de Menorca
On the western side of the island, you’ll find this alluring town. It’s streets are lined with ancient buildings and stunning architecture that is sure to tickle your cultural taste buds. There are a couple of local churches that tourists like to visit, so perhaps stopping by during your holiday might be a wise move. It’s probably not the best place to take small children as there isn’t much for them to do except tag along with you. However, if you want a relaxing break in a gorgeous place, you can’t go wrong.
Es Mercadal
This small town on the northern side of the island has been popular with tourists for many years. While it might only have a small population, there’s plenty to do if you decide to take a day trip here. It sits in the foothills of Mount Toro and sports two amazing open air marketplaces. Here, you can purchase everything from essentials to custom local crafts. If you’re looking for some presents to take home to your loved ones, Es Mercadal is the place to go.
Alaior
With a population of around nine thousand people, this municipality is only twelve kilometres from the Minorcan capital Mao. Many tourists visit this location every single year, and it is famous for shoemaking and cheese. It’s also a brilliant place to bring the kids as there are plenty of activities to keep them occupied. Perhaps they might like to take a donkey ride through the town? Or maybe a trip to the local wildlife sanctuary would satisfy them? Whatever you decide to do, you won’t get bored during your trip here.
Here are some of the main tourist attractions you might like to visit during your stay in Minorca…
Cavalls Son Angel
Horse riding is big business in Minorca, and there are plenty of companies offering trail walks all over the island. The best trails you’ll find are in Ciutadella where the average horse tour lasts for around two hours. Your route will cut through some of the most amazing scenery, and you’ll see some alluring views once you reach your destination. On the whole, horse riding experiences on the island are very cheap. So, if you’re on a tight budget, it could be a great way of spending the day.
Cala Macarelleta
You simply can’t visit Minorca without spending a few days on the beach. While there are plenty of different options available to you, the most luxurious is Cala Macarelleta. With crystal clear waters and white sands, you’ll never want to leave. Also, this area is popular with billionaire yacht owners, so you’ll get to see some pretty cool boats in the local harbour.
Mahon Port
It might not be the largest port in the world, but Mahon is the perfect location to sit and enjoy yourself. Not only will you find lots of attractive pleasure and business boats, but some captains even run inexpensive trips out on the water. So, its a great place to take young children. The entire area is also surrounded by top class restaurants serving authentic Spanish cuisine. For that reason alone, it’s worth a look.
Isla del Rey
This is one of the only historic sites of note on the island. For hundreds of years, it has been neglected by local people and left for ruin. However, that has changed very recently. Around a decade ago, a group of volunteers decided to start work on making the area accessible to tourists. In less than ten years, they’ve managed to restore a large part of it to its former glory. Tour guides are available to show you around and give you information on the history of the area. So, make sure you employ their services.
Cathedral Ciudadela
While there aren’t too many religious sites on this island Cathedral Ciudadela is a sight to behold. It’s located right in the heart of Ciutadella and attracts tourists from all over the world. If you ever wanted to visit somewhere with real character, this is it. While you will have to pay a small entry fee, that money goes towards the upkeep of the building. So, it’s worth every penny.
Binibeca Vell
Binibeca Vell is a small village with plenty to keep you occupied. It sports narrow streets with whitewashed buildings and makes for an ideal location for exploration. There are lots of bars, restaurants and coffeehouses you should check out. Alongside those, there are also some fantastic shops selling clothing, trinkets and other local items. If you’d would like to stay here, there are three main tourist hotels you might like to consider. Just be warned that this area can become somewhat of a ghost town during the winter.
Now you’d read through all this information, we imagine you’ll want to go straight out and make your holiday booking. If you do that, ensure you shop around online for the best prices. As is the case with most holidays, you will save a lot of money if you book everything separately.
We hope you have a fantastic time!