The best beaches in Menorca

Best beaches for families

Santo Tomás

Just along the south coast from the busier beach at Son Bou, the crystal-clear teal water and white sand here are straight out of a holiday brochure. Bookended by sand dunes on either side, there’s also a children’s playground and pedalo hire, as well as lifeguards. If you want to bring your own lunch there’s a picnic area and there are bars nearby with children’s menus.

Es Grau

Calm, shallow waters make this large sandy bay, just north of Mahon, a favourite with local families. The water is so shallow, you can safely wade out a good hundred feet without even getting your knees wet. The beach itself is shielded from the winds by the pine and tamarisk woods behind and there’s also paddleboarding, snorkelling and kayaking. A path through the woods leads to the S’Albufera des Grau nature reserve and there are shops, restaurants and bars in the nearby village.

Son Saura

Made up of twin sandy crescents on the southwest coast – Banyul and Bellavista – these blissfully unspoilt beaches are remote enough to be far from shops and bars but they’ve still got lifeguards, bathroom facilities and a car park. The shallow, calm waters make them a favourite with local Menorcan families but you will need to bring your own drinks and a picnic as there are no restaurants nearby.

Best beaches for getting away from the crowds

Cala Pregonda

Just west of Fornells, on the northeast coast, Cala Pregonda is often described as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Why you might ask? The answer is powdery golden sand and sapphire waters so clear and full of marine life, they’re made for snorkelling. It rarely gets busy however as the nearest car park is at Binimel-La beach – about twenty minutes’ walk away through the countryside. Bring your own food and drink as there are no beach bars.

Cala Pilar

You’ll need to walk for about half an hour through woods to get to this amazingly secluded beach but it’s worth it when you do. With soft sand a reddish brown that looks more like something out of Utah or outback Australia than the Mediterranean, and clear, teal waters, it’s one of the most striking landscapes on the island. With somewhere this remote, however, don’t expect to find facilities, so be sure to bring your own water, food and parasols.

Best beaches for watersports

Fornells

The gorgeous fishing village of Fornells is a key centre for watersports on the island. You’ll find everything here from surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and waterskiing (try Wind Fornells) to scuba diving and snorkelling (Diving Menorca). The harbour is also renowned for its seafood restaurants. Look out for the local speciality of lobster stew.

Binibeca (aka Binibèquer)

There are no hotels in sight at this small sandy cove on the southeast coast but you will find sun-lounger hire and a diving centre, Binibeca Diving, with scuba diving, snorkelling and boat rental. The beach is also great for families and has some of the loveliest beach bars and restaurants on the island.

Son Xoriguer and Cala’n Bosch

These twin sandy beaches on the southwest coast specialise in watersports. At Son Xoriguer, Surf and Sail Menorca offers windsurfing, paddleboarding, motorboats and kayaks, while Cala’n Bosch has jet-powered flyboarding, kayaks, snorkelling and boat trips. If you’re travelling with children, there’s also a small waterpark nearby, Aquarock.

Best beach for birds and wildlife

Cala Trebaluger

This pristine cove has got to be one of the quietest beaches on the island. About twenty minutes’ walk from Cala Mitjana on the south of the island, this small, gorgeously unspoilt bay has soft white sand with pine clad hills on either side. There’s also a freshwater river with kingfishers and terrapins. A nature lover’s paradise.

Best beaches near a major resort

Cala Galdana

Cala Galdana may be one of the major resorts in Menorca but the Blue Flag beach is no less lovely for it. The large, sandy horseshoe bay is flanked by rugged, pine-clad cliffs on either side and the waters are just as clear and clean as elsewhere. There are plenty of hotels in the resort as well as shops, restaurants and bars.

It’s also good for watersports, from kayaking to stand-up paddleboarding, and nature lovers will enjoy the nearby marshland full of falcons, frogs, toads, bats and shrews. Buses run regularly between Cala Galdana and Mahon.

Cala’n Porter

Attached to the resort of the same name on the island’s south-eastern coast, this is one of Menorca’s most popular beaches and it’s another family favourite thanks to its clear, shallow waters and soft white sand.

It’s pretty enough to feel unspoilt with pine-clad hills on either side of the bay but there are also plenty of facilities from lifeguards and beach volleyball to a kids’ playground, not to mention bars, shops and restaurants just behind the beach. It’s not a great choice if you have any mobility issues as there’s a steep flight of steps between the beach and the road.

Arenal d’en Castell

One of the largest resorts on the northeast coast, this almost circular bay is another favourite with families thanks to its shallow, clear waters and soft golden sand.

There are surfboards, loungers and pedalos to hire and a railed wooden boardwalk leads to the cafes and bars. If you want somewhere a little quieter but don’t want to walk too far, head to the wooded sand dunes at the eastern end of the beach.

Best beaches for a castaway vibe

Cala Mitjaneta

It’s hard to find a truly under-the-radar spot on Menorca but while Cala Mitjaneta is far from secret, it’s managed to retain a tranquil, unspoiled vibe.

Nestled on the southern coast, this crescent-shaped cove framed by rugged cliffs and lush greenery is the little sister to Cala Mitjana. If you’re up for an early morning swim, you can paddle between the two to find your ideal spot on the sand.

It’s also accessible by boat or foot – the nearest parking is around 1.5km (1 mile) away. Come prepared with your own supplies.

Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta

Another set of twin stunners, Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta are Menorca’s postcard shot – think powdery white sands, gin-clear waters and dramatic limestone cliffs.

Cars are banned in high season, but a bus from Ciutadella can get you within ten minutes of these spectacular beaches. Your other option? Arrive by foot by following part of the Cami de Cavalls path from Cala Galdana. It’s about a 40-minute walk.

There’s not much here besides pure beauty – but isn’t that the point?

Cala Escorxada

Reaching Cala Escorxada involves a bit of effort: you can either take a taxi boat or strike out from Santo Tomás on the Cami de Cavalls for an hour-long trek. It’s worth it for this quiet spot.

This sandy cove on the south coast is embraced by rock formations that protect the shallow waters for easy swimming. To fully enjoy the beach, bring your own food and drinks, as there are no facilities in the vicinity.

Platja de Cavalleria

Located on Menorca's northern coast, Platja de Cavalleria stands out with its dramatic red cliffs and expansive stretch of golden sand. It’s relatively unspoiled, set against a backdrop of rugged terrain that’s a striking contrast to the island's more sheltered coves, but still easy to access with a car park just 500m away.

It’s also a popular surfing spot, although it’s unlikely you’ll catch any big waves in summer.

This is another beach where you’ll want to bring a picnic as there are no restaurants or cafes nearby.