Top 5 Beaches in Menorca

Menorca, one of the three Balearic Islands, is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean Sea. Crystal clear waters, quiet coves, as well as long stretches of white sandy beaches make it a hot spot for beach lovers. I have travelled to Menorca five times so far, and I have never been bored of the beauty the island has to offer! Here are my top 5 beach recommendations, all given for different reasons; there is something here for everyone:

• Cala'n Bosch

• Son Saura

• Cala Galdana

• Cala Macarella/Macarelleta

• Son Bou

1. Cala'n Bosch

Cala'n Bosch is nestled in the south west of the island. Along with the stunning cove style beach is a bustling resort with many hotels, shops, and restaurants. This makes this beach location ideal for families. On both sides of the cove you are allowed to cliff jump as there is a lifeguard on duty during the day. You can also walk along the cliff sides, look to the right and you will see Far d'Artrutx (Artrutx Lighthouse) in the distance. There is ample parking nearby and the resort is easily accessed by car or bus, with just a short walk down to the beach. The café on the beach is great, with good service and a range of food and drink options. As seen in the picture there is also sunbed and parasol hire available, meaning all you really need to pack is a towel and sunscreen!

2. Son Saura

Son Saura is a remote beach location on the south west side of the island. Unlike Cala'n Bosch, the only way to access this beach is by car or boat. Follow Google or Apple Maps routes to 'Parking Son Saura'. From the car park to the main beach is about a 500-600 meter walk, making the beach a bit less accessible. This beach is perfect for those who want a quieter experience with no loud music, beach restaurants or the sounds of water sports. It is also perfect for children swimming and paddling as the water is shallow for quite a long way out. The water here is the clearest I have ever seen on the island, it truly is a beautiful spot. Expect to pack everything you will need for the day for this beach; towel, sunscreen, food, WATER, parasol, and beach chair if you usually take one, as Son Saura has no café or restaurant, and no option to hire sun beds or parasols. However, don't let this put you off, as it's a hidden gem.

3. Cala Galdana

Cala Galdana is on the south side of the island. A much larger beach than Cala'n Bosch, this resort boasts a large bay, ideal for water sports, snorkelling, and swimming. Cala Galdana is easily accessed by car or bus with a short walk to the beach. Other than relaxing on a sunbed with a good book, my favourite thing to do here it to walk to the very end of the bay, and climb up the staircase at the side of the cliff (as photographed above). From the top there are amazing views of the bay and beyond. Paddle boarding and kayaking are excellent here, especially for beginners, as the water is usually very calm and clear for meters down. There are a few restaurant options along the beach, with a couple of cafe's higher up inside the hotels with great views of the whole bay. Overall, Cala Galdana is a lovely 'all rounder' beach experience.

4. Cala Macarella/Macarelleta

Cala Macarella, and its smaller sister beach Cala Macarelleta are seriously beautiful beaches! Accessible by car and bus with a 10 minute walk to the beach, it would be a shame to visit Menorca and miss these spots. The coves are nestled in a woodland, with the trees overhanging the beaches, acting as shade, which is perfect if you forget your parasol. Cala Macarella has a beach restaurant with a range of options, whenever we visited the service was good. For me the nicest element of Cala Macarella is the scenic walk over to Cala Macarelleta, where this photo is from. The rocky walk offers wonderful panoramic views. You should be notified that Cala Macarelleta is a nudist beach (it was last time we visited in 2018), so just be aware of this! Alike to many other beaches, the beaches here offer crystal clear blue waters. For Cala Macarella, you may need swim/aqua shoes to enter the water, as close to the beach it can be quite rocky. Yet this also makes it a perfect spot for snorkelling and rock pooling. I am not sure if there are lifeguards on duty here.

5. Son Bou

Son Bou is the longest beach on Menorca (2.5km), again on the south side of the island. Son Bou is another resort town with plenty of hotels, shops, and restaurants. The nice part about Son Bou beach is that it's a natural beach, alike to Son Saura, with shallow waters for a long way out, making it perfect for paddling and for children. Water sports such as kayaking, and paddle boarding can also be done from here, however with the water being so open, it is probably not the best location for beginners. The open water however makes it great for jet skiing and water skiing. Sun beds and parasols can be hired here, so all you need to bring is a towel and sunscreen! Be aware that towards the Santo Tomas end of the beach there is a nudist beach.