holidays in Menorca

3:36pm Friday 25th June 2010 in Holiday information

The Gem of the Balearics

Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands bobbing gently in the Mediterranean Sea. The most demure of the three, holidays in Menorca are totally laid back and all about relaxation. The island is a firm favourite for families with young children, groups of friends in need of a chill out break and romantic couples.

The island is a perfect mixture of stunning natural beauty with stretch upon stretch of lush landscapes and culture to keep you overwhelmed. Traditional Spanish culture oozes from Menorca and is evident in the magnificent architecture, for a taste of religious history head to the cathedral in Ciutadella for a fantastic day trip.

With 120 beaches scattered around the coastline of this pretty little island you are more than spoilt for choice during your stay. From wide stretches of sandy beaches surrounded by restaurants and shops to intimate rocky coves, you can find it all here.

Mahon is the capital of the island built around a spectacular natural harbour, the second deepest in the world to be precise, and should definitely be on your to do list wherever you stay on the island. The traffic free city streets here make ambling around the extensive selection of shops, boutiques and cafes an extremely pleasurable and stress-free experience Afternoons can be spent strolling around the harbour or enjoying delicious meals in one of the many restaurants overlooking this natural beauty. The harbour comes to life on an evening with a varied assortment of entertainment from traditional live music bars to nightclubs that stay open until the early hours. There is enough nightlife in the capital to keep party goers entertained although it is not on the same scale as San Antonio in Ibiza or Magaluf in Majorca.

All of the resorts within Menorca are carefree, relaxed and just the thing for sun worshippers and beach lovers. Cala' n Forcat on the western side of the island is lively in a family orientated way. Small sandy coves and calm shallow waters make days on the beach extra desirable safe in the knowledge that youngsters are fine to paddle in the glistening sea. A wide assortment of restaurants that cater for even the fussiest of diners prepare delicious meals daytime and evening and the selection of fun pubs, karaoke bars and nightclubs is enough to keep everyone entertained, young and old. If you can drag yourself out of the warm Mediterranean Sea or away from your sun longer for long enough, a trip to the water park within the resort offers a fun filled day for all the family.

On the other end of the scale is S'algar on the south east coastline. Extremely tranquil this is the place to head if you want to get away from it all and recharge your batteries. Although be warned you may never want to leave this peaceful retreat where holiday makers spend their days soaking up the suns glistening rays on the rocks by the waters edge soaking up the views of the swaying palm trees. The resort offers a nice selection of shops, delicious restaurants and bars which is just enough to keep you going during your stay here. A short stroll along the coastline will take you to the spectacular sands of Cala Alcaufar should you want a little beach time during your holiday.

There are many more resorts on the island to choose from when taking your holidays in Menorca the only downside being that you can't stay in them all.