Postcard From Menorca

POSTCARD FROM ...

Menorca

Mix sun-soaked beach days with cultural discoveries in our photo guide to the Mediterranean’s most laid-back island

Words: Rick Jordan

Photography: Daniel Schäfer

The neighboring islands of Ibiza and Mallorca may be better known, but Menorca has a go-slow charm all its own. And while it may be small — just 30 miles long — it packs a lot in, from megalithic remains and harborside fortresses to a lively food scene and sandy coves perfect for summer dreaming.

Natural rock arch over the sea with people relaxing on the rocky coast.

Person in hat stands before ornate door of ancient building with strong shadows.

A woman walks past a stone church entrance with an archway and a cross.

Historic stone building with clock tower, battlements, and palm trees on a street.

The cobbled streets of Ciutadella all lead to the cathedral, whose history tells the story of the island. Built on the site of an early mosque and later destroyed by Turkish invaders, it now stands proud, with a vaulted roof resembling angel wings. In summer, listen to one of the organ concerts held here.

Beyond the cathedral, the island’s former capital is home to an atmospheric jumble of Gothic and baroque architecture, where every corner tells a story. Don’t miss the Victorian fish market, with its charming green and white tiles, for a taste of local life.

Woman tending a vibrant fish market stall with fresh fish and seafood on ice.

Arched market building with green & white checkered pillars, signed "Plaza de la Libertad".

destination

spotlight

Old stone buildings, purple garden, large tree, and "Hauser & Wirth" sign under blue sky.

Sailboat on blue water seen through open door and trees.

A short boat ride across Mahon Harbor brings you to the little island of Illa del Rei and one of the Mediterranean’s most exciting art galleries, Hauser & Wirth. What was once a military hospital is now home to a vibrant collection of modern art — from Eduardo Chillida to Cindy Sherman — landscaped gardens and a cantina set amid the olive groves.

HAUSER & WIRTH sign on a rustic wall, framed by trees and plants.

White rabbit sculpture on rusty metal art in a green garden with an old stone building.

Rustic "CANTINA" entrance with fruit cart and outdoor seating.

Bright shop interior with rustic ceiling, blue lamps, plants, and displays.

Butterfly chairs on grass overlooking a bay, with white houses on a distant green hillside.

Sandy beach, turquoise sea, and a village on rocky, green hills by the coast.

A calm, clear bay with a boat, rocky coast, and white buildings built into the cliffs.

A white house with a tiled roof nestled among green hills, overlooking a rocky coastline and the blue sea.

Sunny beach with people, blue sea, and a village on a rocky coastline.

With white sand and turquoise waters, Menorca’s beaches could easily be mistaken for the Caribbean. Each has its loyal fans. Some walk from Mahón to Cala Mesquida (first photo), others prefer the quiet Cala En Vidrier, while families flock to the gentle, sloping shallows of Arenal d’en Castell.

Crowded street lined with old buildings and unique hanging straw & flower decorations.

Woman sips coffee outside a cafe named Pigalle on a sunny day.

Apricot pastry and latte on a wooden table with a blue striped cushion.

Colorful, eclectic clothing store with unique apparel and artistic decor.

A warm room with terracotta floor, wooden furniture including a large table, and a light gray sofa.

The charming capital of Mahón has plenty for keen shoppers. For fashion and lifestyle objects, head to Cha Cha Cha or visit the Tabouret design shop for stylish interior items.

Pause your exploring for a flaky sourdough croissant and locally roasted Mistral coffee at Pigalle Mahon. This family-run panadería (or bakery) sources ancient island grains and salt from the Fornels salt marshes and supplies bread to all the top restaurants on the island.

A sailboat anchored in a clear blue cove with a sandy beach, people, and tree-covered cliffs.

The dramatic cliffs and aquamarine waters of Macarelleta are worth the hike from Cala Galdana. It’s also possible to hire boats in Cala Galdana for a private exploration of the area’s rugged coastline and for discovering idyllic swimming opportunities.

Scenic bay with beach, cliffs, and green hills, viewed through a rustic wooden fence. A bird soars.

A coastal inlet with clear turquoise water, sailboats, rocky cliffs, and green foliage.

Outdoor dining in a vineyard with an umbrella, table set with food and wine.

Crispy fried fish or calamari with onions, white wine, and charcuterie board.

Entrance to Bodegas Binifadet winery, white building with sign, olive trees, and stone walls.

The 32-acre (13-hectare), family-run vineyard at Binifadet combines historical techniques and low-intervention farming to grow a range of native grape varieties. It is also home to a beautiful terrace restaurant serving island classics and straight-from-the-vines rosé.

Black and white striped lighthouse on a rocky coast overlooking the sea.

A coastal seascape with a rocky foreground, blue water, distant green cliffs, and two seagulls, one flying.

Winding road through rocky, green hills leads to a distant lighthouse, with people walking.

Perched on the wild north-east tip of the island where slate cliffs tumble into the sea, the black-and-white-striped lighthouse at Favaritx was built in 1922 after a series of shipwrecks off the coast. Now it’s a beacon for walkers keen to explore the rugged landscape and beachgoers in search of quiet, hidden coves.

Outdoor dining patio under large trees with tables, chairs, and a person walking.

Gourmet meal with soup, stuffed squash blossom, and bread on a wooden table outdoors.

A charming white cottage with an arched window, set in a lush garden with purple flowers.

A hand spoons food from a bowl with wine, bread, and another dish on a wooden table.

Rustic dining room with long wooden table, woven chairs, botanical prints, and terracotta pendants.

Those in the know book lunch at Smoix, set in a former shoe factory, for modern Mediterranean dishes like its famous crawfish ravioli, which showcase the island’s culinary creativity.

Hot air ballooning, Natural environment, Outdoor recreation, Sky, Aerostat, Cloud, Balloon, Leisure

Hot air ballooning, Natural environment, Aerostat, Nature, Plant, Parachute, Balloon, Leisure

Hot air ballooning, Natural environment, Aerostat, Atmosphere, Sky, Cloud, Azure, Aircraft, Balloon

Hot air ballooning, Mode of transport, Natural environment, Aerostat, Daytime, Light, Nature, Balloon

Sky, Cloud, Plant, Sunlight, Happy, Leisure, Hat

Hot air ballooning, Natural environment, Aerostat, Sky, Ecoregion, Azure, Balloon, World

Terrestrial plant, Wood, Organism, Grass, Trunk

For a bird’s-eye view of Sedona’s red rock formations, buttes, mountains and juniper forests, take a hot-air balloon ride with Red Rock Balloons. You’ll have to rise before dawn to greet the sunrise from above, but the magnificent views are well worth the early morning wake-up call.

Hot air ballooning, Sky, Aerostat, Balloon

Hot air ballooning, Natural environment, Plant, Sky, Cloud, Nature, Parachute

Bottle, Nail, Finger, Gesture, Drinkware, Wrist

Rustic red and yellow building with a balcony, white cross, and olive tree.

Waiter in "Nonna Beach Menorca" shirt carrying drinks on a tray outdoors with cacti.

A rooster with a red comb stands on a stone wall, surrounded by green leaves and rustic elements.

Three plates of food, including salad and grilled shrimp, held by people.

Menorca may not be Ibiza, but there’s a little of the White Isle’s boho party vibe at the laid-back Nonna Bazaar restaurant from hotelier Arnaud Zannier. This sprawling farm estate is set amid pines, oaks and grazing cows in the island’s tranquil countryside. A children’s play area makes this fun for all the family, while a DJ spins tunes amid the lemon groves.

Arched yellow-ocher room, red hexagonal floor/wall tiles, stone altar with candles and silver hearts.

Rustic outdoor dining table with food, wine, and chairs on a stone patio.

Woman from behind on a balcony, viewing a palm-lined dirt road and fields under a clear sky.

Colorful fish carpaccio with olives & herbs on a white plate, next to a blurred drink.

A large white windmill with grid sails stands above a white restaurant with outdoor diners on a sunny street.

Sliced steak with potatoes, peppers, and red wine.

Inside a stone-walled restaurant with arched ceilings, set tables, and wooden chairs.

An asado (or barbecue) is a place to gather around for Spanish-style fire cooking with foods seared to perfection on the grill. Moli des Comte Asador is set beneath one of the island’s historic windmills in a stone-vaulted barn and has a menu where visitors can tuck into everything from prime cuts of beef and seared scallops to playful bites like popcorn chicken and even hot dogs. Save space for some very creamy desserts.

A picturesque canal town with boats, outdoor dining, and a historic building on a stone wall.

Smiling chef presenting a plated dessert under a copper lamp.

Woman in straw hat dining by canal with seafood, fries, and rosé wine.

Take a night-time tour of the underground galleries of San Felipe Castle, gaze up at the walls of La Mola Fort and sample Menorcan specialties in the cafés and bars that line the quaysides. Café Balear is the perfect spot for watching the world go by over a plate of its signature lobster and chips or must-have Dubai chocolate.

Standing on the harborside, it’s easy to imagine ships sailing here from empires past — Greeks and Phoenicians, Romans and French. Today, the port resembles a huge amphitheater for watching island life go by.

Bustling harbor with boats, a town on cliffs, and blue sky.

Where to Stay

Set on a quiet Blue Flag beach, White Sands Beach Club offers the chance to soak up the island’s magical landscapes while enjoying easy access to all the sights. With its terracotta roofs and whitewashed walls, the resort resembles a traditional village, with relaxing palm-shaded gardens. Family-sized Suites have sea-view balconies, while a playground, pool and miniature golf will keep all ages entertained.

Sunny resort with white buildings, a large pool, and sun loungers overlooking a bay.

White Sands Beach Club is built in the style of a traditional Menorcan village, complete with restaurants and sea views

Discover Menorca with Hilton Grand Vacations.

Visit bluegreenowner.com or club.hiltongrandvacations.com to book now!

Member Resort Availability

Scroll →

Upload file

Club Traveler is published three times a year by Hilton Grand Vacations Club, LLC, and distributed exclusively to Owners, Members and Guests of Hilton Grand Vacations properties. All rights reserved. The publisher is not responsible for omissions or errors. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine in any format or medium without written permission from Hilton Grand Vacations is prohibited.

Hilton Grand Vacations disclaims all liability for any and all advertisements, promotions, articles and other affiliated content contained within this publication. The opinions expressed in each article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hilton Grand Vacations. Hilton Grand Vacations does not make any representation regarding the availability of or endorse any of the products or services provided by third parties.

Hilton Grand Vacations® is a registered trademark of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. or its subsidiaries and licensed to Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. Hilton Grand Vacations and its properties and programs operate under the Hilton Grand Vacations name pursuant to a license agreement with Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Cookie Statement

Global Privacy Notice Updated

Site Usage Agreement