Summer Send Off: A Late-September Weekend in Menorca
Disclaimer: We booked everything 10-days before we departed which is extremely rare for me as the stereotypical, type-A, eldest daughter. I know for a fact that we have barely scratched the surface of Menorca. The below recommendations are the findings of quick research on Menorca’s west coast.
HOW WE GOT THERE & GOT AROUND
We were a little unsure about flying with Transavia, a Dutch budget airline, for the first time but honestly, it was pretty smooth sailing. As with any budget airline, you can expect to pay extra for bags, seats, drinks, snacks, etc. The boarding process was a little delayed but nothing crazy, and we still arrived on time!
But the biggest perk of all was that the flight was only 2 hours from AMS (Amsterdam Schipol) to MAH (Mahon, Menorca)!
It's really challenging to get around Menorca without a car so I would recommend hiring one. Mainly because the island's best-kept calas and platjas are tucked away. There is a bus system but it turns a 10-minute drive into a 1-hour 40-minute journey. However, the island is small, you can drive from coast to coast in an hour.
We had a little Volkswagen Golf which was perfect as the free street parking in lots of areas was competitive! It cost us about €100 for 3 days. We did have friends who rented theirs for €56 for 7 days so it's worth shopping around.
WHERE WE STAYED
We've been partial to staying in hotels over Airbnb's lately but since we planned to spend most of the day exploring the island we opted for an apart-hotel that we booked through Airbnb.
Arcos de Marés is located in Cala en Blanes on the west coast of the island closer to Ciutadella de Menorca. We always try to find that balance between a quieter residential area within walking distance of the action, and we struck gold with this neighborhood. It was right on the water, had free street parking, and was a 5-10 minute walk to bars, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, car hires, boat rentals - literally you name it!
WHERE TO SWIM
If there's one thing Menorca has to offer, it's endless swimming spots. They do get incredibly busy though so it's best to get there early. The water is SO clear and the perfect temperature. I know we didn't even scratch the surface of all the various swim spots around Menorca.
WHERE WE ATE
We only really ate out for breakfast and dinner! We decided to grab groceries to make sandwiches to bring to the beach for lunch each day which I also highly recommend!
BREAKFAST
We grabbed coffee from this cute little shop across from the cathedral in Ciudadella. It was in the perfect spot too nearby lots of shops and cafes!
We went to brunch here because it was near our Airbnb again - it was unfortunate our waiter forgot to put our order in so it was a long wait.
LUNCH/DRINKS
This was the little beach bar that we got drinks from! They also had seating and served food there too!
DINNER
If you take one thing away from this, it's book your sunset dinner at Coral Menorca. It was by far our favorite meal in Menorca.
This was right by our Airbnb and perfect for a 10:30 pm dinner after arriving from the airport but I wouldn't prioritize going here.
We decided to go here on our last day and I will say it was nice to have a lounger to tan on but it was a bit overpriced.
I wouldn't waste your time with Ivette.
Here are some additional recommendations that I came across during my research but we didn't get to!
HELPFUL TIKTOKS THAT HELPED MY RESEARCH 😊
I have to give credit where credit is due. There were a few really detailed TikToks that helped me through the planning process.
OVERVIEW
Climate: We had good weather for the end of September! It was perfect during the day but did encounter some rain on our last day. Temperatures in late-September are supposed to be between 66°F to 78°F (19°C to 26°C).
Best Time to Visit: They say the best time to visit Menorca is May and June, and September. It'll be the hottest and busiest in July and August. It was definitely quiet in September.
Travel Tips: 1000% rent a car so that you are in control of your own timeline and can get around the island! A lot of places close down for the off-season - we were there for the last weekend of the season.
Packing Tips: You don't need much but I would prioritize packing beach towels as most people just set up on the beach.
If you have any other questions about visiting Menorca, please feel free to reach out! I love working with individuals directly to plan a custom itinerary that matches their expectations for their trip.
Just reach out to me directly (:
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