Menorca: Spain's own paradise

Menorca is one of the four Balearic Islands, and far down my favorite one. I have visited all four, and they are all beautiful, but I feel like Mallorca is very touristy (most TV channels are in German), Ibiza is great for couples and young people who like to party, and Formentera is harder to get to, very expensive, and in my opinion too small to spend more than a day or two. Menorca is full of hidden wonders, with pristine blue water surrounded by cliffs, less visited than the other islands, and big enough to spend several days, or even weeks, discovering the island. Here are some of my favorite beaches and things to do in Menorca:

Rent a boat (with or without a license) from Cala'n Bosch

This to me is a MUST, and I recommend doing this at the beginning of your trip. Just make sure you pick a clear day with low/no wind, and rent a boat for the day. Pack enough water, drinks, lunch, snacks, etc for everyone on the boat, and bring sunscreen, towels, and your snorkeling gear. You will depart in the morning and go straight along the coast for about an hour, all the way down to Santo Tomas, which is two calas past the big building (Melia resort) in Cala Galdana. From there, you will return at your own pace, spending as much or as little time in each Cala. The reason I said to do this at the beginning of your vacation is because this is a great way to find and tag your favorite beaches to then go back to for the day. This is how we found our favorite beach, which is Cala Mitjana.

Take a walk down to Cala Mitjana

Cala Mitjana is about a 15 minute walk from the closest parking area (Parking Cala Mitjana). For this reason, once you get to the beach you will not see any buildings or structures, just an amazing view of clear blue water and natural rock formations, and also not often visited by families with little kids as it is not an easy walk for the little ones (especially on the way back which is all uphill). Also make sure to bring enough water and food, but pack light as you will need to carry everything. There is a very nice cliff, about 8-12 meters high (depending on which rock you stand) where you will see lots of people jumping from it. My kids begged me to let them do it at age 7, and my heart just stopped when I watched them jump. Now they keep saying they want to go back to their favorite cliff, so we have done this 3 more times.

Hike to Cova des pardals and take a swim

We discovered this by mistake. We went for a little walk along the cliffs, and found a hidden stairway that led down into a cave. If you get there early, you can set your stuff down by the rocks and go for a nice swim. This is also a nice snorkeling spot, so bring your gear. To get here, you can park near the Surf & Sail Menorca and start walking away from the town on the hiking trail. You will see some beautiful Calas, and then you will see the random staircase. Go down and enjoy the view!

Have a sunset drink at Cova d'en Xoroi Cliff-side cave bar

This cave bar has one of the most astonishing views in Menorca, and it is totally worth a visit! They offer daily visits, live. music at sunset, night sessions, VIP zone etc. Visit their website to see which visit is best for you and to check the prices.

Walk around Ciutadella and eat by the port

Old time Menorca, also known as Ciutadella, is a vibrant port town full of shops, street markets, restaurants, and with the characteristic architecture of the traditional Spanish towns. If you are visiting Menorca during the summer, I suggest you visit Ciutadella in the afternoon, close to sunset, and find a lovely bar or restaurant by the port to enjoy the sunset. Also, walk around the commercial streets near the cathedral if you want to do some shopping, and make sure you visit the municipal market or "Mercat Municipal" for some fresh fish, charcuterie and produce.