Menorca North vs South

6th December 2022

The contrasting north and south coast of the island are certainly something to discover during your time on the island. You have one end of the island which is more mountainous with darker rocks and stark landscapes. At the other you have more vegetation with lighter, softer and sandier rocks. The equally charming coasts offer their own uniqueness and reasons to visit, read on and discover what we love about the amazing Menorcan coast line.

There are some assumptions people can make between the north and south of the island, such as the north being colder or windier and the south being sunnier and warmer, however for Menorca, this isn’t the case. From the eastern tip to the west are 57 km and 19km from north to south, which means there’s not really much distance from all corners of the island, so the weather can’t be all that different.
The diversity of the landscapes between north and south has nothing to do with the weather or the amount of rainfall some people may assume but rather how the islands were formed 400 million ears ago. The different colours of the rocks correspond to different geological periods – the north and northeast you’ll notice predominantly red, black and grey rocks and on the south, west and southwest you’ll notice rocks are white.  

The North:

Exploring the north of the island is a must! Not only are there some pretty towns to explore but the beaches are unlike anywhere else. These are just some of our favourite places in the north including some of our favourite beaches.

Fornells:

Fornells is located on the northeast and was once a traditional fishing village. Here you’ll find a selection of quality seafood restaurants along the pretty waterfront, charming, white-washed homes and locals and day-trippers arriving here to set out to sail for the day. It’s a great base for exploring this side of the island with a few beaches and towns nearby. 

View our villas in Fornells and surrounding areas

Es Grau:

A popular village for tourists and locals alike with quaint whitewashed buildings, a handful of local bas and restaurants and a jaw-dropping beach which is a reserve with amazing wildlife. Take a day trip here and you won’t be disappointed, you can also rent a kayak or paddleboard across the bay or go snorkelling in the shallows. 

View our villas in Es Grau and surrounding areas

Port Addaia:

This is a quiet and lesser-known village on the north but it’s one of our personal favourites. With its own natural harbour, boats and yachts sail in and out all day which is wonderful to see. It’s also a residential area making it quite peaceful, and there are a selection of restaurants in the area too to try. 

View our villas in Port Addaia and surrounding areas

Cala Pregonda:

Unique for its rose-gold sands pinky cliffs, this secluded and less-explored beach is definitely one to see. This is one of the beaches though where a walk is needed before to reach the reward so be prepared! 

Platja Arenal D’en Castell:

This is one of the island’s largest beaches that is broad and goes on and on. The waters are calm making it ideal for little ones and there are a good handful or restaurants and bars overlooking the beach if you need to escape the afternoon sun. 

The South:

As if you hopped on a boat and travelled to another island, the south of the island is different in looks and vibe yet certainly just as beautiful and worth a visit. If anything, the south of the island is probably more known and popular with visitors to the island. These are our favourite spots on the south: 

Sant Lluis:

We love this town because it gives off a true essence of Menorca. There are also a great choice of quirky shops to mooch around and restaurants that are much-loved by the locals and tourists. It’s a great base to explore the south with beaches and the capital only a short drive away too.

Villas in Sant Lluis and surrounding areas

Binibeca Vell:

This is a quirky and characterful village like no other. A traditional fishing village designed with Moorish styling, this place is a labyrinth of alleyways and whitewashed houses overlooking a small harbour. There’s a pretty beach nearby and some lovely restaurants. 

Villas in Binibeca Vell and surrounding areas

Mahon:

We can’t not mention the buzzing capital of the island. Mahon is a historical treasure with so much to explore from the amazing natural harbour to the oldest Opera theatre in Europe. If you’re more of a foodie than a history buff, fortunately there are so many quality restaurants and cafes to choose from!

Villas in Mahon and surrounding areas

Santo Tomas:

Beautiful white sand, shallow depth and a pristine beach that goes on and on and backed by the peaceful countryside. It’s a great beach for families with an array of restaurants and bars to choose from, many looking out at the beach. 

Binibeca beach:

A popular beach for locals and visitors with its slowly shelving beach and clear bright blue waters. The beach is well catered for visitors offering space, amenities and activities to enjoy. You also have a great choice of places to eat for lunch! 

Whether you’re looking for a villa on the north or the south, we have the villa for you. We think wherever you stay, you’ll absolutely love! If you’d like to explore the Get in touch using our enquiry form and a member of our team will be more than happy to help you! 

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