Menorca: 7 insider tips for the coolest Balearic island

Overcrowded beaches, reserved sunbeds and a feeling like being in a sardine can? What is usually part of everyday holiday life on Mallorca is only experienced on Menorca in high season - and not always. Because the Menorcans are smart: they have closely observed what the sister island does - and reacted with the opposite.

That's why there are hardly any built-up beaches on Menorca. Instead, around 100 beaches and bays along the 285-kilometre coastline await holidaymakers - without architectural sins and gigantic tourist strongholds, where you can really still find peace and quiet.

1. discover secluded coves

Nature conservation is taken very seriously on Menorca: In 1993, Menorca was declared a biosphere reserve by Unesco. That's why you can sunbathe on unspoilt beaches and swim in bays that are often deserted. Some of the most beautiful beaches are Cala Pilar, Cala Turqueta and Playa De Cavalleria.

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Cala Turqueta is a quiet jewel.

© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch

Remember: the more difficult a cove is to access, the fewer people there are. Sometimes you have to walk 30 minutes through pine forests to reach a beach, but it's worth it: then you really end up in picturesque corners that are untouched. Important: Good shoes and water are a must in your beach bag.

Tip: Near the village of Sant Lluís you will find the smallest beach on the island at Es Caló Blanc!

2 Hike and swim the horse trail

The most famous hiking trail on Menorca is the Camís de Cavalls (German: Pferdeweg). It was built as early as the 14th century to detect enemies in time. Large parts of the route run along the coast.

You can easily find your way along the Camis de Cavalls with the help of signposts.

© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch

That's also what makes it so magical: Because the route passes by the most beautiful bays, so you can always alternate between hiking and swimming.

Tip: The most beautiful section is in the south between Cala Galdana and Santo Tomas and leads along several beautiful bays!

3. visit Menorca's Instagram village

There are many pretty little villages on Menorca, but one is the most frequently visited: In the south-east of the island lies Binibeca Vell, which at first glance seems like a traditional fishing village. But it is not.

The Menorcan architect Antonio Sintes Mercadal designed the all-white village in 1972 to create a new tourist region. He succeeded so well that he won an architecture prize - and today many influencers stroll through the village with its narrow cobblestone alleys, whitewashed flats and Moorish arches.

Dress code: White! The houses in Binibeca Vell glow tone on tone.

© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch

Tip: It's best to come early in the morning, when there aren't so many people around. From Binibeca Vell you can walk to Binibeca Beach in about 20 minutes. Here you will find the cool beach bar Los Bucaneros (Carrer de sa Platja de Ponent 15, 07711 Binibequer).

4. drinking gin on Menorca

What is the holiday drink par excellence? That's right: gin and tonic. This cult drink has played a leading role in Menorca for a long time - and we have the British to thank for that. When they were on the island in the 18th century, they wanted to drink gin. But there was no gin on Menorca until then.

Cheers! A gin and tonic with a view of the sea heralds the start of a holiday on Menorca - every evening anew!

© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch

That's why the Xoriguer family set out to create the island's first gin. The rest is history and tastes really good: since then, the famous island gin has been produced in the Destilerías Xoriguer (Moll de Ponent 91) according to a secret family recipe.

The Destilerías Xoriguer is not only picturesquely situated - the finest gin is also produced here!

© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch

The island's gin is used to mix the national drink Pomada on Menorca. It consists of gin, lemonade and lots of ice and is available in every bar.

Tip: The cave bar Cova d'en Xoroi near Cala en Porter is always busy, but definitely a great place for a drink - whether for a sundowner in the form of a pomada or nighttime dance moves (admission 10 euros including drink).

Address: Carrer de Sa Cova 2, 07730 Cala en Porter, Alaior | Opening hours: June to September daily from 11.30am until nightfall. The rest of the year from 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively.

5 Discover the second largest natural harbour in the world

The port of Mahón, the island's capital, is the largest natural port in the Mediterranean and the largest natural port in the world after Sydney Harbour! And although Menorca as an island is rather small, the harbour has gigantic dimensions: the fjord is 5.5 kilometres long and up to 1.2 kilometres wide!

Spain's Sydney: On Menorca, nature created the second largest natural harbour basin in the world.

© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch

But it's only when you're sailing on the water that you realise the true size of the harbour area with all its islands, fortresses and villages. A harbour tour, which you can book for example via yellowcatamarans.com for around 12.50 euros per person, should therefore definitely be on your Menorca bucket list.

Tip: If you buy the tickets for the harbour tour in advance online, you don't have to queue at the ticket office.

6. shopping for shoes in Menorca

Normally, you don't have high expectations when it comes to fashion on small islands. In the towns of Mahón and Ciutadella, there are not only many shops, but there are also a few particularly creative people from the island who have made fashion history.

For example, Jaime Mascaró. He invented the trendy Pretty Ballerinas label on Menorca, which is worn by many Hollywood stars - most notably Olivia Palermo.

The traditional avarcas are relatively cheap to buy and a perfect Menorca souvenir.

© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch

But the actual island shoes were invented over 100 years ago for practical reasons: Because shoes were hard to come by from mainland Spain, the islanders created sandals out of the old rubber from car tyres and leather. Today, avarcas are available everywhere on the island - for just 25 euros a pair. Remember: The original always bears the stamp "Avarca de Menorca"!

Tip: In the village of Ferreries you'll find the outlets of the shoe labels: the Pretty Ballerinas factory shop (Calle Poife, 0 S/N), the Mibo factory shop (Polígono Industrial, Nave, B-6) and Ria (Carrer dels Trencadors 25).

7. taste Menorcan specialities

Snacks taste particularly good on Menorca. Bocadillos are often eaten on the island. They are baguette sandwiches that are super cheap and are on the menu even in the smallest café. One speciality that ends up on the famous rolls is sobrasada, a kind of spreadable sausage with lots of paprika that comes from the Balearic Islands.

At least as good is the Mahónes cheese: Queso de Mahón. It is made by hand with raw milk on the island's farms and therefore has its own protected designation of origin!

Tip: You can eat a bocadillo with a view on Monte Toro. The mountain is only 357 metres high, but it is definitely worth a trip, because the panoramic view over the island is impressive - especially from the terrace of the restaurant Sa Posada del Toro with a roll in your hand.