Menorca weather and deals

A Menorca holiday

opens up a bright and radiant island bathed by the magnificent Mediterranean sun, which reflects the dazzling whiteness of the whitewashed houses and the powdery white beaches.

Strange as it may seem, Menorca is basically an unknown island in terms of modern tourism. Its rocky and ever-changing coastline is made up of magnificent beaches and coves, some of which are being developed, and others which are secluded and quiet, where man has yet to tread.

Thanks to the shape of the island, it has a coastline of some 200 km. As a result, the entire island is really all sandy beaches.

Menorca weather - Thursday: sunny, Max Temp: 8°C (46°F), Min Temp: 5°C (41°F)

Menorca weather - Friday: white cloud, Max Temp: 7°C (45°F), Min Temp: 4°C (39°F)

Menorca weather - Saturday: light rain shower, Max Temp: 5°C (41°F), Min Temp: 5°C (41°F)

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The green countryside, the blue sea and sky, and the white of the buildings are the three main colours that go to form the island of Menorca. A visit to the island is like arriving at a promised land, where everything is simple and nice, as are its inhabitants.

Menorca has a variety of beaches and resorts. Fornells, an attractive fishing village on the north coast, is on a spectacular bay ideal for windsurfing and watersports. Close by is the beach Cala Tirant. Cala Galdana is one of the most popular beaches, set in a horseshoe bay. While Santo Tomas with its stretch of golden sand is a small resort favoured by families and honeymoon couples.

Son Bou

Is one of the longest sandy beaches on the island, backing on to open countryside and unspoilt by development, although there are a few shops, bars, restaurants and a discotheque nearby.

Binebeca and Binisafua on the southwest coast were Menorca's first resort centres, now mainly residential areas filled with private villas fronting numerous sandy bays. Choose from the following resorts in the Menorca:

Arenal D'En Castell

The name 'Arenal' means sandy, and the beach here is perfect. This one of Menorca's most popular beaches, with good facilities for water sports and the shallow water makes it a safe place for children. Arenal d'en Castell is a pleasant spot and there are lovely walks within easy reach, ancient sites to visit and it is the only resort on the island where there is a golf course.

Cala'N Forcat

Cala'n Forcat is situated on the rugged stretch of coast to the west of the former Menorcan capital, Ciutadella. Along with Cala'n Blanes and the Los Delfines complex it is part of one big holiday resort, springing to life at night with a wide selection of vibrant restaurants and bars. Although there is no large beach there are some small sandy coves about a 20-minute walk from the centre. If you don't feel like walking, the mini train runs every half hour and will take you to the beach. Cala'n Forcat is not only a good place for a relaxing holiday it is an excellent base for exploring the western end of Menorca.

Sa Caleta

Set around a small bay on the west of the island with a gorgeous beach and crystal clear water. The resort is family friendly with lots of bars, shops and restaurants.

Cala'N Bosch

Bright, sporty Cala'n Bosch is well placed for families looking to explore the best of Menorca - while having plenty of first-rate facilities on its doorstep too. It is a fashionable resort which lies just 9km south of Ciutadella. There are two beaches and a number of small coves close by. For anyone who likes water sports this is the place to come; it is the main centre for water sports in western Menorca - windsurfing, water-skiing, scuba diving and sailing are all readily available.

Life centres on the marina where most of the restaurants and bars are to be found and where expensive yachts are moored by the dozen. The marina is also the departure point for boats trips around the unspoilt south coast. There are two beaches here and some small coves within walking distance if you feel like getting away from it all.

Ciutadella

This was the capital of Menorca until the 18th century when British invaders renamed Mahon the new administrative centre it still is today. As you'd expect from an ex-capital city, Ciutadella has a rich architectural heritage, surely topped by the 14th century cathedral known as the Bishop's Palace. And when the sun goes down, there's a bustling nightlife in and around the harbour area, with some restaurants and tapas bars actually built into a nearby cliff face!

Es Castell

An ideal Menorcan resort if you're looking for a marvellous taste of traditional Menorcan life. It's a town with a long military history and the central square is home to a collection of shops & bars, and is the town's obvious focal point having been built by the British during occupancy in the 1700s. Interestingly, Es Castell is the easternmost town in 'Spain'.

Mahon

Supposedly the second largest natural harbour in the world (after Sydney), Mahon has always been a key Mediterranean port since sailors began navigating these waters. This well-established town is crammed full of atmospheric mazy streets where you'll find many shops, restaurants, bars and cafes in amongst a delightful easy-going cosmopolitan ambience. Thanks to the shape of the island, which is only 47 km long and between 10 and 19 wide, it has a coastline of some 200 km. As a result, the entire island is really all coast. The sea is a constant factor in the life of Menorca, and its numerous coves and natural harbours are ideal for the practice of all kinds of water sports. Menorca presents a fairly level landscape, its highest point being Mount Toro, on the top of which stands the shrine of the island's patron saint. The views from here are quite breathtaking.

Despite its popularity as a holiday Mecca, the Balearic island of Menorca remains one of the loveliest, most unspoilt islands in the Mediterranean. The local population support the control of resort development and the woodlands and fields of its hilly rural interior remain largely untouched. This is the result of a thriving local industry that is less dependent on tourism for its survival than the other islands are.

Aside from beaches and resorts the island also has plenty of interest for history buffs and culture vultures, with several attractions to experience, including a world famous pipe organ and several mysterious prehistoric archaeological sites related to the second millennium BC Talayot culture.

Mahon Menorca's capital town

Is an unavoidable port of call for visitors arriving on the island, and most head for the string of restaurants and cafes that line the harbour frontage. The town itself is sedate and conservative, featuring classic Georgian townhouses (bearing testimony to the British occupation of bygone days) and tall apartment blocks.

The town does have some attractions for those interested in making more of their holiday than dashing off to the beach. The mansion house, Golden Farm, overlooks the harbour and was once occupied by Admiral Lord Nelson. Also on the sightseeing list is the Xoriguer Gin Distillery where famed Menorcan gin is produced in an age-old process, and the celebrated huge organ (with more than 3,000 pipes) in the church Esglesia de Santa Maria la Major. The Swiss-made organ was brought to Mahon during the Napoleonic wars and is used during an annual music festival in July and August.

Ciutadella Menorca's second town, the compact port of Ciutadella, is west of the capital and linked to it by the main island road. Ciutadella is very different in character to Mahon, sporting a distinct Moorish and Spanish influence in its Gothic and Baroque grand mansions and palaces. The town does offer excellent restaurants, interesting shops and arcades as well as a relaxed ambience; perfect for wandering around. There are also some coves nearby inviting exploration.

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