The best places to stay in Menorca

Cala Galdana

Best place to stay for families

Cala Galdana has everything you need for an idyllic family holiday. Set on a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, the resort’s main beach is safe, clean and stunning. The water is crystal clear and very shallow – ideal for younger children – and you’ll find all the usual watersports to keep older kids occupied.

Away from the beach, the resort has a good choice of restaurants and bars, as well as a wide range of hotels and apartments. Many hotels here cater for families, with kids’ clubs, playgrounds and dedicated kiddies’ pools. For older children looking for more adventurous activities, Aquarock waterpark and go-karting track is just a 30-minute drive away.

Where to stay in Cala Galdana

Four-star Comitas Floramar is a great-value choice for a family holiday. The rooms are bright and spacious plus there’s a pool, games room and sports courts. If you prefer a self-catering stay, Ilunion Menorca has several two bedroom apartments complete with a kitchen, living room and terrace.

Cala’n Porter

Best place to stay for couples

Perched on a cliff overlooking the resort’s main beach, Cala’n Porter enjoys spectacular sea views and a laidback atmosphere that’s ideal for couples. Its wide sandy beach is one of the most dramatic spots in Menorca, surrounded by towering cliffs that stretch out into the sea.

When it comes to eating and drinking, there’s plenty of options here – but you’ll want to put Cova d’en Xoroi at the top of your list. This romantic restaurant is built right into the cliffside and is one of the best places to watch the sun go down.

Alternatively, a taxi to Menorca’s capital, Mahón, takes less than 20 minutes. Head over in the late afternoon to enjoy a few hours exploring the pretty streets before dinner in the colourful harbour.

Where to stay in Cala’n Porter

There’s plenty to love about adults-only Hotel Sa Barrera. There’s 26 clean and comfy rooms, the breakfast is well reviewed and it’s just 200m from the beach. Seth Playa Azul is equally close to the coast with plenty of local shops and restaurants on the doorstep. For a real sense of R&R, consider renting a private villa.

Son Bou

Best place to stay for budget travellers

If you’re looking to holiday in Menorca on a budget, Son Bou is a great place to stay. Despite its small size, there’s a great range of apartments and villas to choose from, and a long stretch of sandy beach to while away your days.

Nearby Prat de Son Bou nature reserve also makes for a magnificent (and free) day out, with dunes, marshes and birds to spot. For a cheap but fascinating history lesson, visit the prehistoric Talayotic site of Torre d'en Galmés, too.

Where to stay in Son Bou

Going all-inclusive is a great way to keep the budget in check. You can snap up a great deal at Royal Son Bou Family Club which is jam-packed with entertainment options. Alternatively, HG Jardín de Menorca has a variety of simple but stylish self-catering apartments and three lovely pools.

Mahón

Best place to stay for great nightlife

While Menorca isn’t famed for its nightlife like some of the other Balearics, there’s still plenty of choice for a party. Capital Mahón, the cultural and social hub of the island, has the most going on, with a lively harbour and old town to explore.

You’ll find restaurants serving Menorcan specialties, bars with live music and even a few late-night clubs. Alternatively, Ciutadella, on the other side of the island, is known for a busy harbour where you’ll find most of the island’s clubs. If nightlife is your thing, you might want to spend a few nights in both Mahón and Ciutadella.

Where to stay in Mahón

Stay at ARTIEM Capri and you’ll be just a stone’s throw from Mahón best bars and restaurants. The rooftop pool is the perfect place to recuperate after any late nights. Or for a blissful bolthole in the heart of the action, you can’t beat Boutique Hotel Sant Roc & Spa.

Es Castell

Best place to stay for foodies

Es Castell is a traditional harbour town known for fresh seafood. All whitewashed buildings and colourful wooden boats, the waterfront is every inch the classic Mediterranean setting.

The real highlight, however, is the food. Head down to the harbour in the early morning and watch the town’s fishermen returning from sea, the day’s catch fresh off the boat. Be sure to try the local specialty, caldereta de langosta, a delicious lobster stew.

Away from the waterfront, you’ll also find a great selection of authentic tapas bars and family-run restaurants specialising in Menorcan cuisine, such as queso de Mahón, a local cheese seasoned with paprika, and oliaigua, a tasty tomato soup served cold.

Where to stay in Es Castell

The food at ARTIEM Carlos - Adults Only has rave reviews, and you’ll have the choice of three restaurants and bars at this modern four-star hotel. Barceló Hamilton Menorca - Adults Only meanwhile, is just a stroll away from some of Es Castell’s tastiest tapas bars.

Ciutadella

Best place to stay for culture

Once the island’s capital, this picturesque port town is full of cobbled streets and pretty plazas.

It’s here you’ll find some of Menorca’s oldest and finest architecture. One building not to miss is the palm-fronted, gothic-style town hall. It was once a royal palace, but it now houses the tourist information centre – the perfect starting point for a historic tour of Ciutadella.

Other than admiring the architecture, spend your time shopping at arty boutique shops, wining and dining around the city’s Menorcan restaurants, and browsing the open-air market in Plaza del Mercat. There might not be a beach here, but with so much else to do, you won’t miss it.

Where to stay in Ciutadella

It’s hard to beat Aparthotel Ferrer Skyline for location – you’ve got views of Sant Nicolau Castle in one direction and the town centre in the other. This seafront complex has 16 apartment blocks and a stunning central pool. For a hotel stay within walking distance of Cituadella’s main shops and markets, four-star Seth Port Ciutadella is a top choice.

Punta Prima

Best place to stay for peace and quiet

The sandy beach at Punta Prima is the perfect spot for a summer beach holiday without the crowds. This low-key Menorcan resort is all about its beach, a soft sand bay with shallow turquoise water lapping the shoreline.

Other than a few low-rise hotels, a handful of little beach restaurants and the odd bar here and there, you won’t find much else in Punta Prima – and that’s the point.

If you’re looking to stay active and explore the area, the surrounding landscape is nice and flat and has some great walking trails, such as the coastal path to S’Algar. The walk covers 4km (2.5 miles) and takes around an hour, though you might want to give yourself longer to enjoy the stunning sea views en route.

Where to stay in Punta Prima

If you’re looking for a quiet getaway that still caters to children, look no further than Comitas Isla Del Aire. The smart complex has both one- and two-bedroom apartments with gardens and a large pool. Or for luxury and tranquillity combined, the gorgeous traditional suites at five-star Insotel Punta Prima Prestige Suites & Spa hit the spot.

Alaior

Best place to stay for authentic Menorca

Fancy a change of scenery? Inland Alaior will reveal an altogether different side to Menorca. From buzzy cafés and restaurants to shops carrying on the decades-long tradition of shoemaking, this countryside city hums with local life.

It’s fast becoming one of the island’s cultural destinations too, and the Alaior Art Contemporani (just €5 entry) is packed with more than a hundred pieces from Spanish and international artists.

For active travellers, Alaior makes a great starting point for hikes, with plenty of circular routes and slow-going but easy paths to the coast. Make time to visit the Munt de l'Àngel park for far-reaching views of the lush country.

Where to stay in Alaior

There are only a handful of hotels in Alaior, such as the stylish and well-rated digs at Encant de Alaior Boutique Hotel. Hiring a car will open up the rural retreats and agritourismos just outside of the city. One option is the five-star Amagatay Menorca, a lovingly resorted farmhouse that’s managed to retain an authentic feel.

Cala'n Bosch

Best all-rounder

With two beautiful beaches and a glorious palm-lined marina, Cala'n Bosch is the Menorcan resort that ticks the most beach holiday boxes.

There’s a lovely little beach right at the heart of the resort, or if you want to give some watersports a go, head to the sandy shores of Son Xoriguer.

After a day on the beach, the marina is a brilliant spot for a sundowner by the sea. You’ll find a massive range of restaurants and bars serving everything from fresh seafood to pizzas and paella. The vibe is lively yet relaxed, as locals and tourists sit together sipping on drinks and watching the returning boats moor up for the night.

Where to stay in Cala'n Bosch

You can take your pick of hotels in Cala'n Bosch. Going all in? Marsenses Paradise Club Hotel has got all-inclusive family holidays covered. Looking for luxury? Lago Resort Menorca - Suites del Lago has private pools and a swim-up bar. Prefer a laidback couple’s break close to the beach? Adults-only Valentin Star Menorca is the place to be.