Travel tips to EU's prettiest island + Europe's English skills
Published about 11 hours ago • 14 min read
Hi Reader,
How are you doing this week?
I spend a few days with my best friend last week, doing simple yet fun things, and making sure his technical expertise on anything was put to good use ;)
I visited some car dealerships to decide what car to buy (I haven't owned one in over 10 years!), we went to Port Aventura, the amusement park 1h from Barcelona, and rode ALLLL the rollercoasters, until we had no more adrenaline left, and I also took him to walk the Cami de ronda coastal path in Costa Brava, it is so beautiful there.
It was a lovely Catalan summer vacation filled with great food, sunshine and siesta.
In this week's email 📩:
I visited Menorca, the virgin Balearic island north of Mallorca, solo a couple of weeks ago and had an absolutely perfect time with the help of a local friend who showed me all the non touristy bits. Check out my tips below
Language barriers are one of the most commonly mentioned concerns for solo travelers, what European country has the best English kills?
We have very few spots left on this year's trips, jump on the chance to join us in Morocco, Georgia, Australia, the Xmas markets or Oaxaca!
Off the beaten path Menorca travel tips
If Ibiza is the party island and Mallorca is the touristy and developed one, Menorca is the untouched of the Balearic Islands.
Traditionally, this was the choice for Spanish families to come and relax, but the French and more recently, the Italians, have discovered its beauty and are now making up about half of the visitor numbers.
Historically, Menorca was occupied by the French and the British, the only one of the Balearic islands to be British, and it was an important military base for both thanks to its strategic location in the far north bit of the archipelago.
In the 20th century, it was also a US naval base, and this is why tourism developed much later than on Mallorca or Ibiza.
Thankfully, this delayed popularity also helped preserve its nature; Unlike Mallorca where almost all beaches are built, Menorca's beaches are virgin and devoid of any real estate development.
I was a bit concerned that traveling over a weekend in July would be a bad idea; Peak season, heat, crowds...
But, with the help of a local friend, I had the most beautiful time and confirmed that, just like in other tourist destinations such as Barcelona, tourists congregate in popular spots, and it does not take much to avoid crowds if you just don't go to these places.
While the famous beaches were full, there were as many beautiful ones that were quiet and I enjoyed empty streets in Ciutadella and Mao and many peaceful hikes.
When to visit Menorca
Macarella beach
Even though I went in July, I would not recommend coming at this time of year.
The best time to enjoy Menorca is June and September, when temperatures are milder and crowds less intense.
July / August are best to be avoided because they are hottest, most humid and the famous beaches are packed, though if you follow my tips, even a peak summer trip will be fantastic.
If you care less about swimming but still want to enjoy the hiking and nature, May and October may also be a great idea. The water will be cooler but the crowds will have also dissipated.
The winter months from November to April will be very quiet and the colors of nature may be less vibrant, but this is also a good time for hiking.
How to get to Menorca and around
The path between Macarella and Macarelleta
Menorca is an island so you need to fly or take a ferry to get there.
Flights are available from main Spanish cities (Madrid, Barcelona (only 30min), Mallorca (10min), Valencia, Sevilla, Malaga, Bilbao) and several European ones (London, Lyon, Paris, Brussels, Milan, Cologne, Lisbon, Frankfurt, etc.).
Ferries sail from Barcelona or Valencia, in mainland Spain, or Mallorca, the nearby island.
You need a car and your own two feet to get around Menorca.
There are public buses to, but you will need much more time and won't be able to reach off the beaten path locations but the most popular ones. Or you will have to join day trips.
Cars can be rented at the airport and all international car rental companies are available, but they are expensive. A car rental in the summer is minimum 100 EUR per day with insurance, plus petrol.
There are cheaper options if you are willing to take a bus to the farther away rental location at the airport that are listed on rentalcar.com.
Airlines like Vueling / Ryanair offer car rental options as part of the flight booking process, and these tend to be quite appealing, so compare when booking your trip.
If you are combining the trip with a few days in Barcelona, you may want to take the ferry over instead of flying, so you can bring your car, and save money on a longer rental.
Even though you can drive to most places in Menorca, there is always some kind of walking involved from the parking lot. This can be an easy 10-min walk or a 45min hike though the famous Camins de cavalls, or horse paths, that circumvent the island.
Parking lots at some beaches are tiny and fill up as early as 8am and the roads are narrow and one-lane, so the local government has also set up these shuttle buses to some of the most popular beaches.
Finding out how the place you want to go to can be reached is important to plan accordingly. For example, I had been warned that to access a beach I needed to be there by 8am but tried anyway at 9am only to be turned away because the parking was full, and having to go around to park at another village and walk 45min to reach it on foot.
Note: Parking is typically free except for the blue & orange zones in the cities which are also free from 1,30pm till 5,30pm. You can pay for the blue zone parking at the machines.
What to see / do
Menorca is well known for its virgin beaches, its wild hiking and its culture.
For an island of this size, there is an unusually high amount of things to see and do.
Beaches
Macarelleta beach
There are so many incredible beaches in Menorca, it's hard to pick.
For Spaniards, Menorca is synonym with Caribbean-style virgin beaches that have been featured in famous beer summer ads.
This is the case with the 3 most famous ones: Turqueta, Macarella and Macarelleta. You won't find a spot to put your towel at either (or space at the parking lot) unless you go early (before 10am).
I was warned by my friend that they would be crowded, and he advised on alternatives, but I had to see for myself, and he was absolutely right. The parking at Turqueta weas ull at 9am, so I decided to walk the coastal path instead, which was stunning.
Beaches in Menorca can be split into 3:
South beaches are the image you see on postcards: white sand fluffy beaches with crystal clear waters that go from turquoise closer to the beach to deep blue farther in. The water is so beautiful that photos don't even look real here. These are the most crowded.
North beaches are red because of the red rocks and far less popular. Some of them, even in July, are pretty quiet and empty, not to mention they are wild.
Beaches in the East are golden instead of white, and are also far less crowded, and frequented by the locals.
Nudism: Menorca is known for being wild and natural and nudism is common. While some beaches were historically frequented by the nudist community, you can bare it all anywhere and can spot locals going naked any time, especially in the more secluded coves, the rocky outcrops and the quieter beaches. Going topless is also common. Tourists don't tend to do either, so if a beach is popular with visitors, you are likely to not find everyone covered up.
Wind: Menorca is very exposed and locals will check the wind forecast to decide which beach to go to. If the wind blows from the north, go to the southern beaches, and viceversa. Winds can be strong so this is not a trivial check.
Cala de cavalleria
Here are the best beaches depending on what you want to do:
Macarella (south): Accessible by shuttle bus from the parking lot or through a 30-min walk from Cala Galdana where there are more parking options. One of the few beaches with a chiringuito (beach hut) to have food / drinks. This is popular among Italian tourists and I was completely surrounded by them.
Macaralleta (south): The most beautiful of all the beaches in Menorca but also the most crowded and one of the smallest. By 10am I couldn't find a spot to lay my towel, it was completely full. Historically, this was a nudist beach but it is now 100% filled with tourists only, and nudism is all but gone. You can only access from Macarella on foot and the path is well worth it even if you don't stay. You need proper sneakers, flip flops won't cut it. No facilities.
Turqueta (south): You can get there by car, but the parking can only fit 200 cars and is full at 8am, so go super early, or reach on foot from Macarelleta. Another iconic and postcard-perfect beach, the kind Caribbean dreams are made of. No facilities.
Cala Galdana (south): This is one my friend would not approve of at all as it is fully developed with high-rise hotels at its doorsteps and all sorts of facilities. It's good for families though, and while busy, it is also beautiful.
Cala Mitjana (south): As beautiful as the other ones above but without the crowds because of the harder to reach 30-min walk. This is a virgin beach with no development or facilities.
Cala de Cavalleria (north): I spent some time in this red beach and the smaller and wilder cove next to it that is popular with nudist visitors. The beach is big so there is always plenty of space, even in the peak of summer, and the parking is only 10min walk from it. The smaller cove is famous for natural mud that is meant to be good for your skin. Covering yourself in it is now banned because people would take buckets of it away.
Cala Pregonda (north): A wild and natural beach accessible via a 30-min walk on the Cami de cavalls that is protected and almost always empty.
Es Grau (East): This is where my friend took me and it was a largely local spot that was uncrowded and very pretty, with various coves, beaches, small fishing hamlets and good spots for kayaking or snorkeling. We walked for about 3 hours and jumped in the water when it got too hot. Most of the spots were empty, even though it was the weekend.
Cute villages
There are many hamlets and villages around the island that are worth a stop.
Binibeca: A tiny fishing village with narrow streets and white washed houses.
Fornells: Super cute fishing village famous for the caldereta de llagosta, lobster bisque, and for its pretty port.
Ferrerías: Pretty and very quiet inland village with pastel-colored houses.
Castell: Almost attached to Mao and an atmospheric port with lots of restaurants and bars that are worth an evening stroll and dinner.
Light houses
A quick Google of Menorca and you will see that besides the beautiful beaches, its lighthouses are also famously photogenic.
Most of them will be accessible on foot from the parking lot, though you could drive closer in the low season, and depending on their location on the island, they are good for the sunrise or sunset. Expect them to be popular at sunset.
Punta Nati
Far de Cavalleria
Far de Favàritx
Ciutadella
The capital of the island is also where most of the hotels and tourism infrastructure is. Quiet during the day, when most close for siesta break, and lively at night, with all the bars and restaurants around, Ciutadella is pretty and easy to explore on foot.
The city center is all pedestrian, cobblestoned and painted in pastel colors, giving it a warm yet bright feel. The port is also big and filled with bars and restaurnts.
The town is packed with stores selling hand made items, local delicacies and clothes. The 13th century Catedral de Santa María is worth a visit.
Mao
Mao is home to the island's international airport, but it is smaller than Ciutadella and far less popular with tourists.
I stayed here when I visited and found it a very practical place to stay, with plenty of free street parking and places to eat and drink.
The port area is pleasant, and filled with restaurants to eat at. This is also the best place to access Illa del Rei from. Its town center is well preserved, mostly pedestrian and pastel color. I found Mao a pleasant town.
Fun fact: Mao is the second largest natural port in the world.
This former military hospital is an impressive example of the civil society volunteering to preserve its heritage with lots of love and care.
After decades of abandonment, a project to rebuild Illa del Rei, or King's Island, was presented by a not for profit association of local citizens willing to bring it back to its former glory. The city hall approved the effort and hand work started to be done with the help of donations in kind.
Years later, the work of maintenance continues and local volunteers come every Sunday morning before it opens to the public to take care of the gardens, prepare camomile sachets, keep artefacts clean and well preserved, etc.
Volunteers offer guided walking tours and I highly recommend the Sunday morning ones that are done before the island opens to the public and end with a popular breakfast with free flow of beer, wine, cheese and cold cuts and coca (flatbread topped with vegetables or meats).
The island is also home to the Hauser & Wirth gallery which is also worth a visit.
You can access the island by a 15min boat trip from the old port of Mao via the Yellow Catamarans. Boats depart every hour on the hour and return at 30 past until 11,30pm. You should budget at least 4 hours if you join a walking tour and more if you plan to stay for lunch / dinner.
Talaiòtic archeological sites
There are a few "Talaiòtic" archeological sites in Menorca, but the best preserved is the one in Trepucó, not far from the airport. The remains of this ancient civilization is now listed as World Heritage by UNESCO and some of their structures are believed to be the oldest in Europe, dated from the 15th century BC.
Other
There is a lot more in Menorca to see and do.
Lithica: An art installation designed around an old quarry.
Monte Toro: A view point with 360-views of the island.
Es Cau: This cave-bar in Castell is the island's best kept secret and a super authentic, organic and lovely way to spend a couple of hours listening to live music and Havaneres, a type of music historically sang by small groups of fishermen. Impromptu concerts, guitar in hand, local singers and neighbours, meet in the evening to play music and sing a capella as local gather around with a pomada, a frozen lemonade with local gin Xoriguer, or beer, and sometimes join in. There are only a few tables and chairs, but feel free to sit on the stone stairs or benches around.
What to eat and drink
Enjoying a pomada
Menorca has its own cuisine and lots of dishes and foods that are only found here and the result of Arab, French and English influences.
Rubiols and formatjades are like empanades and filled with lots of things. They can also be sweet.
Lobster bisque (caldereta de llagosta)
Stuffed peppers, eggplants and zucchini
Pastissets, a sort of butter biscuit in flower shape and covered in caster sugar
Ensaimada, the most famous cinnamon-roll shaped soft pastry covered in caster sugar
Pomada is a lemonade + gin Xoriguer drink that can be served frozen
Fish is obviously commonly found as this is a fishing island.
Menorca is famous for its wild grazing cows so beef is an excellent meat to eat
Fun fact: Mayonnaise was born in Menorca. The word in Catalan for it is Maonesa, meaning from Mao, and it is a sauce that was invented during the French occupation of the island. The French took it with them to their court and promoted it as their own.
Souvenirs to buy
A pair of avarques from Castell I bought
There are a lot of uniquely Menorcan things to buy, several of which are food related.
Sobrasada (raw cured sausage with paprika)
Ensaimadas (caster sugar topped pastry)
Avarques (leather sandals, Castell is a local brand with shops around the island - I bought two pairs and used to wear there kinds of shoes every summer)
Local wine
Xoriguer gin
Mao Cheese (protected under Apellation of origin and famous across Spain)
Where to stay in Menorca
There are a lot of boutique hotels and beautiful properties in Menorca but, if like me, you came for the nature and beaches, where you stay is less important and staying in town is a good idea.
I would suggest staying in Mao or Ciutadella, Mao being quieter and easier to park your car for free in.
I stayed at Aritem Capri in Mao and that was just perfect. It was well priced for a 4* hotel (200 EUR), rooms were spacious, it had a small rooftop pool and spa (Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath) and a lounge on the ground floor with complimentary unlimited drinks all day (incl. wine and beer), pastries and coffee in the morning, and proper food (salads, sandwiches, soups, etc.) from 2pm till late that were enough to have lunch and dinner, so I could come back late after a day of exploration and enjoy a quick and quiet meal for free.
People in Menorca speak a dialect of Catalan and Spanish, though English is widely spoken, as is Italian and French owing to the large amounts of visitors from these 2 countries.
Driving is easy, though roads can be really narrow, so you need to be careful (I got a flat tyre because I hit a rock that was by the side of the road in one of the narrow stretches to Turqueta).
Google maps works well but can sometimes take you to the wrong place (eg. it took me to Castell when I asked it to take me to Illa del Rei, because that is the closest shore to the island 🤦♀️), or not take into account road closures to some beaches in the peak season. Waze may help with this.
Most beaches have no signal, unless you are close to a town, so bring a book.
Anytime you need to walk to a beach, you should wear sneakers. Flip flops won't work as the paths are sandy, rocky and uneven. Some paths can be steep and slippery.
Credit cards are accepted everywhere and ATMs too.
Shops close at lunch time so don't expect to be able to do much shopping then. Take a cue and rest too.
Menorca is extremely safe for women traveling solo. I never felt unsafe at any time of the day or night. At the beach, I did not bring any valuables other than my phone (there is nothing to buy anyway), and I took the phone with me and kept it above water (even though it is waterproof). a small dry bag would have been a good alternative.
Europe's English skills
Being able to communicate is important when traveling solo and if English, or your own native tongue, are not widely spoken, you may feel frustrated to communicate or connect with locals.
This handy infographic has all the countries in Europe with the local population's English skills for your next trip.
Caveat: While this is useful info, it's also important to note that many countries with low English skills may still have a very well developed tourism infrastructure where English is widely spoken. This is the case in Spain, Italy or France.
Last availability for 2025
Here are the last few spots left on this year's tours:
🔔 3 SPOTS left on our Georgia tour 20 to 28 September => BOOK GEORGIA
🔔 1 SPOT opened up on our Morocco tour 6 to 16 November => BOOK MOROCCO
🔔 1 SPOT left on our Australia tour 12 to 23 October => BOOK AUSTRALIA
🔔 2 SPOTS left on our Iceland tour 28 September to 5 October => BOOK ICELAND
🔔 3 SPOTS left on our Oaxaca 12 to 18 October tour => BOOK OAXACA
🔔 1 SPOTS left on our Xmas markets tour 22 to 29 November => BOOK XMAS MARKETS
🔔 4 SPOTS left on our Cuba tour for New Year's Eve, the celebration you needed! => BOOK CUBA (PS Yes, Americans can travel to Cuba legally, directly and without any issues, reply to this email and ask us for details)
=> You can also see the FULL CALENDAR of tours with all the destinations.
Have an amazing rest of the week wherever you are 🫶 and send this email to a friend who may find it useful.
Take care,
SFT Co-Founders
Solo Female Travelers C/ Europa 18 5-2, Sitges, 08870
