Menorca's beaches: a family-friendly guide

The most accessible beaches in Menorca are almost always wide bays of fine sand and transparent sea with a seabed gentle enough to be suitable for children. Some are endless tongues of sand looking only at the horizon line above the sea, behind which dunes and bushes form a backdrop. Others are gathered, though spacious, coves surrounded by high cliffs full of vegetation. Few have facilities directly on the beach.

Winds must be taken into account when choosing where to go. As in the rest of Spain, winds constantly lash the island, changing direction. It will be good to check on the specific day, from which direction the wind blows, and choose a beach with opposite exposure, if you want to avoid finding very rough seas that bring with them large amounts of seaweed (and some jellyfishes).

Beaches in the south tend to be of whiter and finer sand, while in the north there are alternating golden and reddish beaches, and a few rarer white beaches.

These are the beaches we recommend for families, in order of preference.

PLATIA DE SON BOU

Southwest exposure / free beach | equipped / fine sand / beach bar

Our absolute favourite beach is this kilometer-long strip of white sand lapped by shallow, clear waters. A succession of very long bays, interspersed with small lagoons with rocks and protected by dunes and low vegetation.

The easternmost area is overrun with people and umbrellas, as it is closest to bars and services. The area west of the parking lot, on the other hand, is more livable, and increasingly deserted as you move further away, until you reach an area frequented almost exclusively by nudists.

PLATIA DE SANT TOMAS

Southwest exposure / free beach | equipped / fine sand / restaurants and stores nearby

Arriving at the resort of the same name, continue past the first bay, erroneously indicated as Sant Tomas (this beach is actually called Sant Adeodat) along the road that runs alongside the residences, at the end of which you will find several parking lots. A small pedestrian road runs along the entire bay and comes out at various heights on this beautiful beach.

The urban settlement behind it is covered by vegetation, and the beach is a gentle stretch of white sand with shallow waters. Thanks to the wide shoreline, it is also a great place for sand games, as well as providing a fairly livable space despite the crowding.

Extra Tip: In the Es Pins restaurant, overlooking the very beach at the east end, you can eat great tapas. Try the chipirones, really delicious fried baby squid.

ARENAL D'EN CASTELL

North exposure / free beach | equipped / fine sand / restaurants and stores nearby

The built-up area right next to the beach does not detract from this beautiful bay with clear sand and calm waters even on windy days. Behind the beach is an organic settlement consisting of low, white, terracotta-roofed houses with bars and stores.

The beach is wide and frequented by families, and the view of the tree-lined cliffs enclosing the sea very pleasant.

ARENAL SON SAURA (Nord)

North exposure / free beach | equipped / fine sand / restaurants and stores nearby

This beach, unlike the more famous southern resort of the same name, is located to the north, near the urban center of Son Parc. It is a very wide beach, with a short, steep shoreline in the area to the west, closest to the parking lot. Moving to the opposite end, toward the urban center, it becomes much gentler and the beach fades into a very shallow lagoon that goes a few dozen meters into the sea. In this area you are also more sheltered from the winds.

This beach has the characteristic of having pink sand, thanks to the shells of colored microorganisms that live in the sea and that break up mixing with the sand, giving this bay a special note.

CALA GALDANA

West exposure / free beach | equipped / fine sand / restaurants and stores on the beach

Among the best-known beaches on the island, you will know it immediately when you search in vain for a parking space among the multitude of cars that storm the entire urban agglomeration behind the cove. Here it was really a stroke of luck to find parking, and also a place on the beach, literally overrun with umbrellas, sunbeds, pedal boats and whatnot.

The fame of this cove is well deserved, as the waters have a wonderful colour, the white sand frames them together with the very high tree-lined cliffs, overlooked by cottages and hotels. The only downside is the huge Melia hotel that towers over the beach, much to the delight of its customers who enjoy this beautiful view.

Also, the beach is very narrow, which contributes to the fast crowding. Of course, there are bars, stores, and hotels right on the beach, as well as toilets and showers. You can try to come very early in the morning to enjoy the beach without too many people.

To get an overview of the bay, there is a mirador on the cliff to the east, which can be reached by car, but also via a steep flight of steps from the bottom of the bay.

CALA D'ALGAIARENS

Northwest exposure / free beach / fine sand / no services

Free and very wide beach, golden in colour like northern beaches. Parking is a 3-minute walk away. Two bays follow each other in the same basin, the second one quieter, less windy and less crowded.

PLATJA DE SON SAURA / DE BELLAVISTA

Southwest exposure / free beach / fine sand / no services

Another popular beach, offering silky white sand and crystal clear waters. Unfortunately, on the day we visited it, there was a strong wind, which leads large amounts of posidonia seaweed ashore. Depending on the wind direction, you could move to the next bay, connected by a wooden footbridge and a few minutes' walk, Platja de Bellavista.

When we were there, this second bay was literally overrun with seaweed, to the point where you could not enter the water. The first beach is small and very well known, and it fills up quickly. There is a beautiful pine forest behind it, where you can take refuge in the hottest hours embraced by the scent of the pines.