Jewel of the Mediterranean

Menorca - turquoise seas & golden sands
 
Discover Menorca’s understated beauty and tranquil charm on this self-guided, two-centre walking holiday, with hire car included. Stay in high-quality hotels, sample delicious cuisine and fine wine, and enjoy leisurely walks to idyllic bays and quiet villages.
Jewel of the Mediterranean. 7 nights
Jewel of the Mediterranean. 7 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday on Menorca

The understated beauty and tranquil charm of Menorca will captivate and surprise. The rural interior of gently rolling hills and wooded valleys leads down to a stunning coastline of golden sandy beaches and hidden coves that are a delight to explore on foot. With pretty fishing villages, traditional market towns and the grand ports of Maó and Ciutadella, this island has so much to offer, not least the excellent cuisine, fine wines and a rich and fascinating history.
On this leisurely holiday on the beautiful island of Menorca, explore an extraordinary coastline of tiny, pine-fringed coves, linked by ancient coastal trails and guarded by crumbling watchtowers. Away from the sea lies a fascinating interior, rich in history, from remnants of the unique Bronze Age Talayotic culture to the bustling market towns of today that echo the traditional rural nature of the island.
 
Gallery

 

Walking & More

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. There’s no fixed itinerary, so take your pick of our suggested walking routes as the mood takes you.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The best time for flowers is March, April and May, when there are also lots of butterflies.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 14 14 15 17 21 25 28 28 26 22 18 15
    mm 61 52 50 45 32 17 5 23 61 99 84 78
  • Arrival in Es Mercadal

    Night 1: at Hotel Es Mercadal (the first of four nights here).

    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Choice of walks from Es Mercadal: 6km to 15km

    We suggest several walking routes using our detailed notes, which explore the north and south coasts, and the wooded valleys of the interior.

    Cala Santa Galdana to Cala Turqueta (grade 1): 10.5km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 230m
    An easy south coast walk which is best undertaken at the beginning and end of the season when the beautiful pine-backed bays of Macarella and Turqueta are less crowded. Both beaches are perfect for swimming, if you need to cool off.

    Santa Galdana Gorge (grade 1): 6km, 2hrs; ascent/descent 35m
    This is a short but worthwhile linear route that leads along a wild gorge adorned with wildflowers to reach dramatic limestone cliffs, accompanied by birdsong. NB we have not provided an elevation profile for this route because it is largely on the flat.

    Ferreries circuit (grade 1-2): 11km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 250m
    Away from the coast we suggest this delightful circular walk through woodland, flower-strewn meadows and a dramatic gorge with panoramic views in all directions. It makes a lovely walk for birdwatchers, botanists and photographers alike.

    Sant Tomas circuit (grade 1-2): 15km, 5.5hrs; ascent/descent 310m
    This circular walk follows part of the Camí de Cavalls, a beautiful coastal path. On the way, visit some of Menorca's most famous caves and return on an old donkey trail through the woods.

    Cala Algaiarens to Cala Morell (grade 1-2): 11km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 285m
    This leisurely stroll starts in the pine-forested valley of Algaiarens where Egyptian vultures and bee-eaters can often be seen. Over the dunes you reach the beaches of Es Bots and De's Tancats from where you follow a clifftop path to the village of Cala Morell and one of the largest Bronze Age necropolises in Europe. There is a pleasant café-bar in Cala Morell for refreshments (May-October). You return the way you came.

    Platja de Cavalleria to Cala Pregonda (grade 1-2): 10km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 300m
    This moderate linear walk links the sandy bays of Cavalleria, Binimel-la and Pregonda, and is one of our favourite north-coast walks. You follow coastal footpaths that weave over delightful rocky headlands, across golden dunes and through shady woodland with plenty of opportunities for a swim. You return the way you came.
    Explore beautiful coastal paths
    Cala Santa Galdana to Cala Turqueta: 10.5km
    Ferreries circuit: 11km
    Sant Tomas circuit: 15km
    Cala Algaiarens to Cala Morell: 11km
    Platja de Cavalleria to Cala Pregonda: 10km
  • Es Mercadal to Alcaufar Vell
    Today, you leave Es Mercadal and head south-east with plenty of time to admire the many prehistoric sites that dot the landscape, or to discover the capital of the island, Maó – stroll through the narrow streets, enjoy pleasant shady squares or lunch at an elegant harbourside restaurant. Your destination for the next three nights is Alcaufar Vell near the coast.
  • Choice of walks from Alcaufar Vell: 8km to 13.5km

    Alcaufar Vell to Sant Esteve & Fort Marlborough (grade 1-2): 13.5km, 5hrs; ascent/descent 200m
    There's no need for a car for this relaxing walk that leads through the hotel grounds to the Morro watchtower on the coast. After visiting the small harbour of Alcaufar, continue along the Camí de Cavalls and via country lanes, to reach the impressive ruins of Fort Marlborough set in a vast ditch. This 18th-century British fort is well worth a visit before lunch in nearby Cala de Sant Esteve. You can shorten the walk by returning from Cala Rafalet or by catching a bus back.

    Es Grau to the S'Albufera Natural Park (grade 1-2): 8km, 3hrs; ascent/descent 160m
    This circular walk begins in the sheltered bay of Es Grau and crosses a headland to the bay at Tamarells before swinging inland along farm tracks to return via the lake at Albufera in the wetlands of the Natural Park where there are many opportunities for bird-watching.
    On the Camí de Cavalls
    Alcaufar Vell to Sant Esteve and Fort Marlborough: 13.5km
    On the route from Es Grau to the S'Albufera Natural Park
    Es Grau to the S'Albufera Natural Park: 8km
  • Charming cities, ancient history & idyllic bays

    Maó
    You may like to return to Maó to enjoy a boat ride around the bay – one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Visit the waterfront and marina, and take a stroll alongside the historic deep-water harbour where there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. Alternatively, drive round the peninsula to explore the remarkable stone fortifications of La Mola.

    Ciutadella
    Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the elegant port of Ciutadella, the island’s former capital, where historic buildings, stylish shops and fine restaurants line the colourful harbour. Here we include a detailed city walking tour.

    Fornells
    An idyllic, whitewashed fishing village set around a palm-fringed harbour front, Fornells has a sizeable number of restaurants lining the waterside. All serve fresh fish and perhaps Menorca’s most famous dish caldereta de langosta, a lobster stew (pretty expensive, but delicious!). The former King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, is said to sail over regularly from Mallorca to eat this in his allegedly favourite Fornells restaurant.

    Talayotic Culture
    Menorca shares a common history with mainland Spain and the other Balearic islands – Phoenician colonisation, Roman conquest, 300 years of Moorish occupation (from 902) and eventual Christian re-conquest (1287). However, perhaps the period of most interest to the casual visitor is the Megalithic culture of the pre-Talayotic and Talayotic peoples that extended from 2500BC to the Christian era. This period is named for the distinctive cone-shaped towers that were built almost exclusively here and in Mallorca. The people who built them lived a pastoral life and occupied walled settlements though it’s not known why they built the towers. Some were built as solid constructions whilst others were built with multiple chambers. The Talayots also built large T-shaped structures made of dressed stone called Taulas, peculiar to the Menorcan Talayotic culture and always found close to a village. The Es Grau circuit visits one of the simplest and most unspoiled Talayotic sites on the island.
    The elegant port town of Ciutadella
 

Accommodation

Your two hotels, a charming town house and a delightful country estate mansion, offer excellent accommodation and high standards of service.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 02 April 2024 - 13 July 2024, 01 September 2024 - 31 October 2024, 01 April 2025 - 11 July 2025 & 01 September 2025 - 31 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    2 - 25 Apr 2024 £1065 £365
    26 Apr - 9 May 2024 £1215 £395
    10 - 29 May 2024 £1315 £445
    30 May - 13 Jun 2024 £1495 £565
    14 - 28 Jun 2024 £1595 £600
    29 Jun - 6 Jul 2024 £1655 £670
    1 - 9 Sep 2024 £1595 £690
    10 - 14 Sep 2024 £1550 £625
    15 - 28 Sep 2024 £1385 £560
    29 Sep - 24 Oct 2024 £1190 £390
    1 - 25 Apr 2025 £1110 £380
    26 Apr - 9 May 2025 £1265 £415
    10 - 29 May 2025 £1370 £465
    30 May - 13 Jun 2025 £1555 £590
    14 - 28 Jun 2025 £1660 £625
    29 Jun - 4 Jul 2025 £1725 £700
    1 - 9 Sep 2025 £1660 £720
    10 - 14 Sep 2025 £1615 £650
    15 - 28 Sep 2025 £1445 £585
    29 Sep - 24 Oct 2025 £1240 £410
    3rd & 4th person discount -£140 to -£145
    Single traveller supplement £140 to £150

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Price includes: 7 days' category B car hire (eg Seat Ibiza or similar with manual transmission)

    Drive time between the airport and the hotels: out 0h30 / home 0h15

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Es Mercadal, Es Mercadal
    Junior suite double (no twins): 02 Apr - 13 Jul 2024 £33
    Junior suite double (no twins): 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £33
    Junior suite double (no twins): 01 Apr - 11 Jul 2025 £34
    Junior suite double (no twins): 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £34
    Alcaufar Vell, Alcaufar, near Sant Lluis
    Junior suite: 02 Apr - 26 May 2024 £33
    Junior suite: 27 May - 21 Jun 2024 £40
    Junior suite: 22 Jun - 13 Jul 2024 £57
    Junior suite: 01 Sep - 16 Sep 2024 £57
    Junior suite: 17 Sep - 01 Oct 2024 £40
    Junior suite: 02 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £33
    Junior suite: 01 Apr - 26 May 2025 £34
    Junior suite: 27 May - 21 Jun 2025 £42
    Junior suite: 22 Jun - 11 Jul 2025 £59
    Junior suite: 01 Sep - 16 Sep 2025 £59
    Junior suite: 17 Sep - 01 Oct 2025 £42
    Junior suite: 02 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £34
    Junior suite with terrace: 02 Apr - 26 May 2024 £48
    Junior suite with terrace: 27 May - 21 Jun 2024 £68
    Junior suite with terrace: 22 Jun - 13 Jul 2024 £92
    Junior suite with terrace: 01 Sep - 16 Sep 2024 £92
    Junior suite with terrace: 17 Sep - 01 Oct 2024 £68
    Junior suite with terrace: 02 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £48
    Junior suite with terrace: 01 Apr - 26 May 2025 £50
    Junior suite with terrace: 27 May - 21 Jun 2025 £71
    Junior suite with terrace: 22 Jun - 11 Jul 2025 £96
    Junior suite with terrace: 01 Sep - 16 Sep 2025 £96
    Junior suite with terrace: 17 Sep - 01 Oct 2025 £71
    Junior suite with terrace: 02 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £50
    'Standard' with terrace: 02 Apr - 26 May 2024 £20
    'Standard' with terrace: 27 May - 21 Jun 2024 £24
    'Standard' with terrace: 22 Jun - 13 Jul 2024 £37
    'Standard' with terrace: 01 Sep - 16 Sep 2024 £37
    'Standard' with terrace: 17 Sep - 01 Oct 2024 £24
    'Standard' with terrace: 02 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £20
    'Standard' with terrace: 01 Apr - 26 May 2025 £21
    'Standard' with terrace: 27 May - 21 Jun 2025 £25
    'Standard' with terrace: 22 Jun - 11 Jul 2025 £38
    'Standard' with terrace: 01 Sep - 16 Sep 2025 £38
    'Standard' with terrace: 17 Sep - 01 Oct 2025 £25
    'Standard' with terrace: 02 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £21

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include extra day's car hire.
    Hotel Es Mercadal, Es Mercadal (B&B) Double room Single room
    02 Apr - 31 May 2024 £97 £170
    01 Jun - 30 Jun 2024 £121 £222
    01 Jul - 13 Jul 2024 £165 £295
    01 Sep - 11 Sep 2024 £155 £283
    12 Sep - 30 Sep 2024 £121 £222
    01 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £97 £170
    01 Apr - 31 May 2025 £101 £177
    01 Jun - 30 Jun 2025 £130 £235
    01 Jul - 11 Jul 2025 £175 £315
    01 Sep - 11 Sep 2025 £165 £300
    12 Sep - 30 Sep 2025 £130 £235
    01 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £101 £177
    Alcaufar Vell, Alcaufar, near Sant Lluis (B&B) Double room Single room
    02 Apr - 30 Apr 2024 £112 £176
    01 May - 15 May 2024 £128 £205
    16 May - 18 Jun 2024 £185 £313
    19 Jun - 13 Jul 2024 £220 £370
    01 Sep - 05 Sep 2024 £220 £370
    06 Sep - 18 Sep 2024 £185 £313
    19 Sep - 03 Oct 2024 £128 £205
    04 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £112 £176
    01 Apr - 30 Apr 2025 £116 £183
    01 May - 15 May 2025 £135 £215
    16 May - 18 Jun 2025 £195 £330
    19 Jun - 11 Jul 2025 £230 £390
    01 Sep - 05 Sep 2025 £230 £390
    06 Sep - 18 Sep 2025 £195 £330
    19 Sep - 03 Oct 2025 £135 £215
    04 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £116 £183
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Maó (Mahon)
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly to an airport not listed here. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Mahon (Menorca) easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Mahon (Menorca) jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Mahon (Menorca) TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Mahon (Menorca) easyJet,  jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Cardiff - Mahon (Menorca) TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Mahon (Menorca) jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Mahon (Menorca) jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Exeter - Mahon (Menorca) TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Mahon (Menorca) jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Mahon (Menorca) jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Mahon (Menorca) easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Mahon (Menorca) British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Mahon (Menorca) easyJet,  TUI,  Vueling 
    Gatwick - Menorca British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Mahon (Menorca) British Airways 
    Heathrow - Mahon (Menorca) (via Madrid) Iberia 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Mahon (Menorca) easyJet,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Mahon (Menorca) jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Mahon (Menorca) jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Mahon (Menorca) jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Mahon (Menorca) TUI 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly to an airport not listed here. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 2 dinners
    2 picnics
    7 breakfasts
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • 7 days' category B car hire
 
Reviews

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We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Spain, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • (Castilian) Spanish is one of several official languages; Catalan, Basque and Gallego have equal status in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, respectively. The currency is the Euro. Spanish time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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