Spain / Menorca

"Compass Points & In Between"

The praises of Menorca are few, when compared to Mallorca & even discreet little Formentera. And when time forces a choice among the 4 Balearic islands, Menorca is usually the first to get dumped. If it means you have to cut back time on other islands to see Menorca, do it. Especially if you like low-key islands. Less affected by tourism than Mallorca & Ibiza. And with a style all its own.

East, there's Mahon. West, there's Ciutadella. And places in between. Stay at the Rural Sant Ignasi. Old, relaxing & full of charm. A good base outside of Ciutadella. No need to stay in Mahon, an easy drive to get there. See the harbor, walk the streets. And visit Mahon's Atenue Library to see their world famous seaweed collection. Pretty incredible.

Back West, have a late afternoon coffee on Ciutadella's Blaca de'es Born. When light on the beautiful old buildings makes them glow. It's one of our favorite town squares on all of the Balearics. Take a stroll to really enjoy the architectural delights of this town. Like the veiled stone face over a doorway, pictured here. Eat dinner at "Ca's Ferrer de Sa Font" in a town mansion. Good traditional food & very atmospheric.

Guidebooks tell you to eat lobster stew in Fornells, on the North Coast. Nice little harbor setting. Quayside restaurants lining the street. "Es Pla" is a good choice. But we think tourism has over-priced everything in this town.

Be sure to go rural, into the bucolic countryside. Menorca's tidy farms & wildflowers, on little country roads, all the way to the Cap de Cavalleria. Your Northerly point. This spot will "blow your mind" or at least blow your hair on a stormy day. Waves smashing cliffs. A forlorn looking lighthouse. Goats wandering about. Incredible vistas. Like the Scottish moors. We happened to be there on a beautiful day. Then we went back in rougher weather, when the sea was wild. A wonderfully moody place.

Binibeca Vell, your Southerly point, is a study in town planning. Menorca jumped into the tourism business & this is the result. A must see. For what it is (and nearby to some of the best accessible beaches on the island). So different from the other compass points. We still talk about it.