Hidden away 130 miles off the coast of Spain, Menorca beckons with a sultry allure. One of the glamorous Balearic Islands, Menorca’s rugged coves, powdery white-sand beaches, and picturesque valleys unveil a natural beauty unmatched by anywhere else in the Mediterranean.
While neighboring Ibiza and Mallorca have long hogged the spotlight among visitors, Menorca’s understated charm and stunning landscapes have begun to capture the hearts of travelers from around the world.
Menorca is celebrated for its ancient medieval villages, lovingly restored farmhouses, and elegant vineyards. If you’re craving a laid-back retreat where you’re surrounded by nothing but unparalleled beauty, you’ll never be stuck for what to do in Menorca.
With such a great choice of things to see and do, you may not know where to begin. To give you a helping hand, we’ve put together a list of the absolute best things to do in Menorca. Add these activities and attractions to your Menorca bucket list, and you’re guaranteed to have an incredible time exploring one of the most stunning islands in the Mediterranean!
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15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Menorca, Spain
1. Seek Out Blue Lobsters and Conger Eels
For some of the best sights in Menorca, head to the North Coast Marine Reserve. This stunning natural space covers a huge area of around 125 acres and is like a dream come true for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Grab your gear of choice and head below the water’s surface, where you’ll discover hundreds of species of marine life and flourishing coral formations. The visibility of the water here is superb throughout the year, so you’re always guaranteed of an excellent view. You’ll have the chance to spot all sorts of magical creatures when you dive under, including blue lobsters, conger eels, barracudas, and octopuses.
There are 15 easily accessible dive sites spread throughout the marine reserve, giving you plenty to choose from. Depending on which one you pick, you’ll find everything from giant rock formations and mysterious caves to swim-throughs and even ancient shipwrecks.
2. Step Back in Time to the Iron Age
Despite its small size, Menorca boasts over 1,500 fascinating historical sites that practically transform the island into an open-air Iron Age museum. Credit goes to the remarkable Talayotic civilization that thrived in this part of the world more than 3,000 years ago. Their legacy lives on throughout Menorca in the shape of impressive stone structures that tell all kinds of stories.
If you’re interested in seeing what the tiny Balearic island looked like millennia ago, one of the best things to do in Menorca is to check out the megalithic defense towers known as talayots and taulas. You don’t need a map to seek out these treasures – they’re scattered all over the island. There are so many that you’re pretty much guaranteed to spot at least a handful during your visit!
The highlights we recommend seeking out include the Torralba d’en Salort and Trepuco settlements. Both of these are regarded as Menorca’s prehistoric capitals and offer a captivating glimpse into the island’s ancient past.
3. Explore Ciutadella de Menorca
If you’re looking for somewhere with a bit of life, one of the must-do things in Menorca is to check out Ciutadella de Menorca. Once the capital of the island, Ciutadella appears to be a place that time has forgotten. Here you’ll find dusty cobblestone paths, narrow winding streets, and imposing architecture that dates back to medieval times.
Ciutadella is a wonderful place to simply wander and see where your feet take you, but if you’d like to have a starting point, we suggest heading for Placa des Born. This is the main square in the town, home to a beautiful 14th-century cathedral that displays a unique blend of neoclassical, baroque, and gothic influences.
This part of the town almost always has a buzzing vibe, thanks to all the bars, restaurants, and shopping spots. Ciutadella’s natural harbor is another focal point worth checking out. This charming area is a wonderful place to eat – there are loads of waterfront seafood restaurants with gorgeous sea views.
4. Go Wine Tasting
Whether you’re a total oenophile or you’ve never found a type of wine you’ve actually enjoyed before, going wine tasting at a vineyard is one of the most fun things to do in Menorca. Winemaking is absolutely huge across the island, with many hotels and restaurants even making their own!
The Binitord Bodega is a wonderful family-owned winery that organizes tours and tastings. Sign up for a guided tour, and you’ll have the chance to wander around the vineyard and learn how wine is made. If you visit during the fall harvest, you may even be invited to pick some grapes yourself!
After you’ve taken a tour of the winery, you’ll head to the tasting room, where you’ll try two delicious types of wine made on-site. You’ll also have the opportunity to sip vermouth, a type of fortified wine. A local selection of cured sausages and cheeses will be served with your drinks, completing your tasting experience.
5. Try the Best Lobster Soup
If you’re a fan of seafood, one of the top things to do in Menorca is to seek out a seafood restaurant and order caldereta de langosta. “Langosta” means lobster and “caldereta” refers to the terracotta dish that the soup is cooked and served in.
One of the most popular dishes on the island, this sensational lobster soup tastes so incredible because it’s made with carefully selected female lobsters that are just the right age. This is because the older the lobsters are, the better the broth tastes. As well as the fancy seafood, caldereta de langosta also includes onions, cherry tomatoes, green chilies, springs of parsley, and pieces of bread.
Fornells is one of the best parts of the island to try this iconic dish. We suggest you seek out Sa Llagosta to order it. This charming seafront restaurant is run by the famous Chef David de Coca and serves many different decadent lobster dishes, including a flavor-packed caldereta de langosta.
6. Scale Monte Toro
For one of the best Menorca sightseeing opportunities, get a good night’s rest, then climb to the top of Monte Toro. The highest point of the island, this prominent hill rises 1,175 feet above sea level and rewards those brave enough to scale it with spectacular panoramic views that cover the whole island.
On a clear day, you’ll be treated to breathtaking vistas of Menorca’s diverse landscapes, including rolling hills, forests, farmland, coastline, and even neighboring islands. Gorgeous vistas aren’t the only thing you’ll see from the top of Monte Toro – you’ll also have the chance to explore a 17th-century monastery. Head inside, and you’ll find a restaurant with tempting Mediterranean dishes that will provide you with enough fuel to complete the trek back down.
The route to the top of Monte Toro begins in the quaint market town of Es Mercadal. It takes around 60 minutes to hike to the top. If you’re in a bit of a rush, you can rent a bike and make it up there in half the time.
7. Touch the Heart of a Horse During El Jaleo
El Jaleo is one of the most incredible Menorca attractions that you’ve absolutely got to check out. This amazing performance involves talented people riding their horses into the main square and encouraging them to rear up on their hind legs. Brave onlookers are then invited to touch the horse’s chest where their heart is and physically support the horse while it walks throughout the square on only two legs!
The horses are very well cared for and the owners are highly skilled, so there’s nothing to worry about. The once-in-a-lifetime event is accompanied by a huge number of locals dressed in traditional Menorcan clothes and cheering the horse on. There’s also loads of live music and dancing to enhance the buzzing atmosphere.
There isn’t a definitive date for this must-see event because it forms part of each region’s patron saint celebrations, which are held throughout the year. The best you can do is ask at your nearest tourist information kiosk or keep an eye out for posters advertising the event during your trip.
8. Go Horseback Riding on a Cavall Menorqui
Horses play a huge role in the history, culture, and heritage of Menorca. If you’d like to follow in the locals’ footsteps while having fun at the same time, one of the coolest things to do in Menorca is to go horseback riding on one of the island’s native horses.
Known on the island as Cavall Menorquí, these indigenous horses are jet back in color and absolutely mesmerizing. This natural, eco-friendly method of transportation is a wonderful way to explore the island. From gently trotting over cobblestone paths and walking over dusty rural roads to cantering through pine forests and galloping along golden beaches, a horseback-riding adventure in Menorca is something you’ll never forget!
If you’d rather admire the dazzling creatures from afar, consider getting tickets for a Son Martorellet performance. A spectacular combination of live music, visual effects, and equestrian skills, this amazing show allows you to appreciate the gentle giants in all their glory.
9. Kayak Along the Coastline
One of the most popular Menorca activities, climbing into a kayak and rowing through the crystal clear water is a fantastic way to see the island’s coastline while escaping the hectic summer crowds at the same time. Not only is it a fantastic way to see Menorca from a completely new perspective and snap some gorgeous photos, but it’s also the only way to reach a number of secluded beaches and remote coves that you can’t reach any other way.
We recommend you explore the North Coast Marine Reserve. One of the most stunning parts of the island, this protected area is home to all kinds of cool underwater creatures, which you’ll be able to spot from your kayak – especially if you rent a transparent one. Whichever type of kayak you get, you’ll definitely be able to spot the local seabirds that call the area home, such as shearwaters, cormorants, and seagulls.
Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you so you can take a dip! There are some excellent snorkeling spots within the marine reserve, so it’s worth bringing a mask and snorkel, too.
10. Try Oliaigua for Breakfast
If you love trying traditional food when you go on vacation, find somewhere that offers oliaigua for breakfast. One of the most delicious things to do in Menorca, eating oliaigua for your first meal of the day is about as local as it gets.
This must-try food is a simple recipe that local farmers would make when they’d had a poor harvest, their hens hadn’t laid enough eggs, or they didn’t get enough milk from their cows. The most basic version is made by combining water, oil, and whatever local herbs are available. The result is a very basic soup that’s surprisingly filling when it’s served with bread.
Today, the soup is often bulked up and made more appetizing by adding tomatoes, garlic, and green peppers, although many different restaurants have their own version made with whatever seasonal ingredients are available. El Faro de Cala Torret is an excellent place to try this dish, although it’s served as an appetizer instead of for breakfast.
11. Have a Fun Day at Splash Sur
Looking for family-friendly things to do in Menorca that your kids will like? You can’t go wrong with Splash Sur! You won’t find any high-adrenaline water slides here, but there are plenty of more relaxed ones that everyone can enjoy.
Take a look around, and you’ll discover mini waterparks dedicated to the smallest members of the family, gentle water attractions for slightly bigger kids, and fun-filled slides for the biggest kids. If you’re not a fan of waterslides, there are plenty of places to sunbathe, plus a lazy river that takes you around the park.
As an added bonus, all the sun loungers and umbrellas are available to use free of charge. Even better, you can bring your own food and drinks into the park and enjoy them in the dedicated grassy picnic area. If you don’t want the hassle of bringing your own food, you can eat at the park’s a la carte restaurant or splash out on the international buffet.
12. Cycle Across the Island
There are so many remarkable Menorca attractions that it’s impossible to name them all. One of the best ways to pack as many as possible in your vacation is to cycle around the island.
If you’re an experienced cyclist, cycling around Menorca will be surprisingly easy for you. The furthest parts of the island are less than 35 miles apart, but that’s not the most interesting route to follow. There’s a huge network of trails that crisscross Menorca and take you to all kinds of weird and wonderful places.
While there’s an almost never-ending number of trails you could follow, it’s best to stick to one of the official ones to avoid getting lost. There are 20 clearly signposted routes that are geared toward cyclists, with the Cami de Cavalls widely regarded as being one of the best. This route follows the rugged coastal trails around the island and rewards your efforts with some spectacular sea views.
13. Celebrate at the Mare de Déu de Gràcia Festival
Held each year at the start of September in Maó, the Mare de Déu de Gràcia Festival began as a solemn religious event but has since transformed into a more light-hearted and fun-filled festival that everyone is encouraged to join in with.
The highlight of the festival is the grand procession featuring the statue of Mare de Déu de Gràcia, which is usually adorned with elaborate robes and carried on an ornate platform. The procession is accompanied by religious music, dignitaries, and a large gathering of local people.
But for many people, the best part is the “jaleo,” which is a unique Menorcan tradition involving riders on horseback performing daring stunts in the town square. This captivating spectacle is a significant part of the celebration.
Make sure you hang around until the end of the festival. Around midnight, there’s a huge fireworks display accompanied by plenty of live music and dancing.
14. Seek Out Whales and Dolphins
It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re an animal lover because one of the best things to do in Menorca is to hop on a boat and seek out whales and dolphins. Thanks to its wonderfully clear coastal waters and biosphere reserve status, Menorca is blessed with an abundance of marine life, including common, bottlenose, stripe, and Risso’s dolphins, as well as sperm, fin, and minke whales.
Although you’re never guaranteed to spot whales or dolphins, you can increase your chances by traveling at specific times of year. The months between May and September are when you’re most likely to spot these magnificent creatures, as the warm sea water attracts a wide variety of marine life.
But even if you’re seriously unlucky and don’t spot a single creature, the chance to sail on a luxury boat, with the aquamarine Mediterranean Sea below you and the clear blue sky above you, makes the risk more than worth it.
15. Treat Yourself to Ensaimada
Ensaïmada is one of the most delicious and addictive dishes you’ll come across while in Menorca. This iconic sweet treat has been part of the local gastronomy for centuries and even has its own Protected Geographical Indication – that’s how good it is!
Ensaïmada is a type of pastry made from flour, water, sugar, eggs, yeast, and lard. The ingredients are mixed together like a type of sweet leavened bread, separated into individual portions, and rolled into snail-like shapes. They’re then baked until they’re puffy and golden brown before they’re sprinkled with powdered sugar and served.
Some ensaïmada also include a filling – typically it’s cabell d’àngel, a type of pumpkin jam that is wonderfully rich and flavorful. We recommend going to Can Pons in Es Mercadal to try this iconic dish. This wonderful bakery won the World Championship’s Best Ensaïmada Award in 2020 and makes some of the most incredible local pastries we’ve ever tried!
There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Menorca. What’s your favorite thing to do in Menorca?
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