Finding amazing beaches in Menorca isn’t too hard. The island has more stretches of sand than Mallorca and Ibiza combined – and they’re absolutely beautiful.
The difficult task is whittling the list down to the best. Do you choose the truly virgin beaches, with pin-up good looks but zero in the way of facilities? Or places perfect for families, with sandcastle-perfect sands and splashable shallows?
For our edit of the nicest beaches in Menorca, we’ve chosen a bit of a mix of everything, so you can decide which type of beach suits you. You’ll find descriptions of the beaches and what we love about them, but also handy practical information (how to get there, facilities, cafes) that’ll help you plan your trip.
Finding the best beaches in Menorca
Of course, Menorca is a popular beach holiday destination. But a lot of people don’t realise just how amazing the beaches on this little island are. Beautifully soft, fine white sand, the clearest turquoise waters. And, although some of them are in more built-up areas, so many are completely unspoilt – no beach bars, no loud music, no rows and rows of sun loungers.
There are dozens of glorious bays, coves and calas to choose from. Many of Menorca’s best beaches lie along the south coast of the island; the north tends to be a little wilder and windier, but with fewer crowds. It’s really easy to get around the island, and you can drive east to west in under an hour, so you can feasibly visit all of these within a week if you hire a car. If you’re looking to stay in a beach resort, Cala Galdana is in easy reach of three beaches on this list; for city lovers, Ciutadella is best placed for getting to the best south coast spots.
Playa Binibeca (Platja de Binibèquer)
Playa Binibeca was the closest beach to where we stayed in Binibeca Nou. It’s a scoop of soft white sand with a pine forest backdrop (you’ll need to walk through it to reach the beach – it only takes a minute or two) and calm, shallow waters that were bath-warm when we visited in late September.
An ice-cream van was always parked up beside the parking area, and a pizza van during high season, but other than that there’s not anywhere to buy food or drinks, so come prepared.
There’s a scattering of loungers and parasols to rent, but we were happy to plonk ourselves down on towels right beside the water’s edge so the kids could splash about to their hearts’ content. There are rocks on both sides of the beach so loads of opportunities for snorkelling, and the water is incredibly clear.
There’s a very small parking area at the top of the steps leading down through the trees, but you can also park all the way along the road.
Cala Galdana
Cala Galdana is one of the busier beaches in Menorca, but the crowds don’t detract from its good looks. (It’s also a starting point for reaching the next two entries on our list – so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a base resort that gives you easy access to a string of gorgeous beaches.)
The beach is set within a shell-shaped bay protected by high, tree-topped cliffs. The water is a Photoshop-perfect shade of turquoise, and stays shallow for quite some distance, so it’s a great beach for families with young children.
The beach is backed by lots of cafes, bars and restaurants, so there are lots of options when it comes to dining and drinking.
The Cami de Cavalls (the ancient horse track which circles the island and is now a popular walking route) passes through Cala Galdana. Follow it to the east and you’ll reach Cala Mitjana, then Cala Trebaluger; to the west, it brings you to Cala Macarella.
We found parking in Cala Galdana to be a bit of a nightmare. Even in late September, we were driving round in circles (along with many others) trying to find a spot in the town centre. Luckily, there’s a large car park at the top of the hill that leads down to the town, where you can park for free. The walk down only takes 5-10 minutes, but it is a steep one.
Cala Mitjana
Cala Mitjana is only a couple of kilometres from Cala Galdana, but couldn’t be more different. No cafes, no sun loungers, no restaurants – not even a block of toilets spoils the beauty of this picturesque beach.
It’s fairly easy to reach, so one of the busier of Menorca’s ‘virgin’ beaches. Once you emerge from the woods, you’ll find talc-soft sands, crystal clear waters, rocks to clamber on and even a teeny hidden cove (Cala Mitjaneta) that almost completely disappears at high tide.
You park in a big car park at the top of the hill outside Cala Galdana, and from there it takes 15-20 minutes to follow the downhill path through the trees to the shore. It’s a smooth path so fairly easy for little legs to manage (and buggies, if you need to bring one). There are toilets available in the car park, plus bins – please do take all your rubbish with you when you leave the beach, as there is nowhere to dispose of it.
You can also reach Cala Mitjana via the Cami de Cavalls – the beach is the start of section 14 of the trail.
Cala Macarelleta
You couldn’t round up the best beaches in Menorca without featuring Cala Macarelleta. Yes, you’ll need to take everything with you, and it’ll take either a hefty hike or a boat trip to reach it, but it’s completely worth it to step onto those pristine sands and spend a day wallowing in the brochure-blue waters.
It’s a teeny tiny beach, enveloped by pine-clad cliffs, so try and get there early to claim a spot. It’s a perfect place for snorkelling – the Posidonia meadows make the water incredibly clear, and there are lots of little rocky spots and caves around the cove that are great for spotting fish.
Cala Macarella
A 10-15 minute walk along the Cami de Cavalls brings you to the slightly larger Cala Macarella, where you’ll find a little more going on (a seasonal restaurant/café, toilets, lifeguard) – it’s a good option if you’re travelling with younger kids. Outside the summer months (June-Sept) you can park in a car park that’s a 10-15 minute walk from Cala Macarella. In peak season, you’ll need to walk from Cala Galdana (around 45 minutes, manageable in sturdy sandals), join a boat trip, or catch the bus from Ciutadella, which drops you off in the car park.
Cala Pilar
Nestled into Menorca’s northern coast, Cala Pilar is a little different to the beaches of the south. Gone are the silky white sands and calm shallows; in their place, you’ll find dramatic red rocks and wind-whipped waves breaking on the shore.
From the free car park, it takes around 45 minutes to walk to the beach itself. There’s plenty of shade from oak and pine trees, and aside from the final descent to the beach, it’s not particularly hilly. A final wooden staircase leads you down onto the sand, where you’ll find nothing but golden sand and glorious sea views (so take water and a picnic with you!).
Cala Pilar is an ideal destination if there’s a southerly wind blowing, as you’ll be a lot more sheltered. When there’s a wind from the north, the water can get a bit choppy, so bear that in mind if you’re planning on swimming.
FAQs for Menorca beaches
Are there toilets or changing facilities at beaches in Menorca?
Most of the beaches either have toilets close by or within a short walk (for example, Cala Mitjana has toilets up in the car park, rather than by the beach itself). Changing facilities aren’t as common, though you can usually find them on the beaches in bigger tourist resorts.
Do Menorca’s beaches have lifeguards?
A lot of beaches do have lifeguards during the summer months (some also offer a lifeguard service during the shoulder months of May & October). All beaches in resorts will have a lifeguard service, and a number of the more popular virgin beaches have lifeguards too.
How accessible are Menorca’s beaches?
Cala Galdana and Playa Binibeca are both accessible for those with reduced mobility. During the summer, they have a Red Cross service that can offer assistance. A number of other resort beaches are accessible, including Punta Prima, Cala en Blanes and Son Bou.
Are Menorca’s beaches public?
Yes, there are no private beaches in Menorca (hurrah!). Some areas might be reserved for businesses operating sun loungers, but there will always be plenty of space for you to roll out your towel on the sand.
Are the beaches in Menorca safe for children?
I travelled with young children and found the beaches to be extremely safe, with calm, often shallow waters and no big waves. The beaches on the exposed north coast can have rougher seas, so stick with the south if you prefer calmer shallows.
Is Majorca or Menorca better for beaches?
Both islands have beautiful beaches, but Menorca has a lot more of them to choose from – and they’re a lot less developed. If you prefer to have lots of amenities, watersports and things to do, Majorca might be better, but for unspoilt natural beauty, Menorca wins hands-down. Of course, you don’t have to choose – a ferry runs directly from Ciutadella to Alcudia, so you could have a few days on each island to compare!
That rounds up our selection of Menorca’s best beaches. If you’ve got any favourites, please do share them in the comments!