Menorca hotels

Menorca is the Spanish Balearics' shy little sister. Visit in the summer for swathes of pine-lined sandy beaches, rocky limestone coves and discreet family resorts. Come any time to explore the wetlands and windswept dunes and to spot rare birds.

Elegant little Maó sits on a cliff around a long, narrow inlet in the south-east of the island. Follow the coastline south for dozens of little rocky coves and secluded beaches plus a smattering of resorts (Binibeca Vell, Cala Galdana, Son Bou) with crowded strips of sandy beach. Take tapas harbourside in Moorish Cuitadella.

See Bronze Age Menorca at Torre d'en Gaumés and the cave necropolis at Cales Cove. Wander the streets of ancient capital Ciutadella to catch the Moorish influence in the elegant townhouses and tumbling streets behind the harbour or follow the scenic, twisting Cami d'En Kane from Es Mercadal to Maó for the rural experience.

Hike up to the little Baroque church perched on top of Monte Toro and glimpse Mallorca over the water. Track a pine-lined trail from Binimella to Cala Pregonda for virgin sand and jagged red rocks stalking through the sea. See the bleak promontory and lighthouse at Cap de Cavalleria and explore Phoenician remains at nearby Sanseria.

Skid along on a windsurfer in stiff breezes at Fornells or charter a yacht to seek out secret coves in which to snorkel. Ride a horse along Son Saura beach or trek the Camí de Cavalls bridle path circumnavigating the island. Twitchers take their binoculars to the Parc Natural S'Albufera des Grau to spy on seabirds and rare eagles.

Seafood dominates the menu and it would be sacrilege to miss a tasting of caldereta de llangosta , the island's revered lobster casserole. Sugary pastry ensaïmadas and the mild queso de Mahón , made from both cow's and sheep's milk, are other local highlights. Menorcans have a taste for gin and drink it with everything, mixed with a liberal dash of lemon juice or lemonade.

This is not Ibiza. Menorca offers low-key nightlife centred on the bars and clubs of sophisticated Maó and Ciutadella, plus a couple of thumpingly loud neon strips in fast-developing Cala en Forcat. The cooler-than-cool Cova d'en Xoroi at Cala en Porter is possibly a taster of things to come.

Grab some Xoriguer gin, a kilo of queso de Mahón and a pair of traditional flat slippers called abarcas from the excellent Saturday morning market at Ferreries and you will go home feeling like a native.