In my humble opinion, you simply cannot beat a good family beach holiday. Whether you are chilling out with a good book whilst catching some rays or playing with the kids in the waters, the serenity and sense of calm that comes with these breaks are what a hard-earned holiday is all about.
So, what is better than heading to the beach on a family trip? How about visiting a different beach each day! The beautiful island of Menorca has seven inviting sandy beaches to check out – each with their own distinct character and atmosphere, so you will never get bored exploring this great island.
This “family beach crawl” is possible when you stay in the pretty town of Ciutadella, where you can simply hop on a bus in the city centre and set off to a different part of the island each morning. This also means that you don’t need a car!
Looking for teen-friendly activities in Ciutadella? Check out our handy guide here.
So, pack your suncream, book, swimming costume, bucket, spade and anything else you need and head to these top spots.
Beaches
Cala’n Blanes & Cala’n Forcat (Route 61) – You don’t even have to stray too far from the charming city of Ciutadella to get your beach fix as both of these beaches are a short bus journey away. Cala’n Blanes is the bigger of the two with a fantastic beach restaurant, whilst Cala’n Forcat has plenty to explore nearby and a very relaxing stretch of sand to flop on.
Cala Turqeta (Route 68) – This beach is frequented by the locals, so you know that it must be good! It is an incredibly beautiful and peaceful space that is surrounded by thick green woodland and protected by the local authorities – this makes it real hidden gem (shh, don’t tell anyone else!). You get dropped off at the car park and it is then a 10-minute walk through the pines.
Inside Tip: Make sure you bring plenty of food and water as there aren’t any nearby shops or restaurants.
Son Xoriguer (Route 65) – If you fancy a little more action than flopping on the beach all day, then be sure to visit Son Xoriguer to the south of the island. In addition to the alluring stretch of white sand, this large beach also features a handful of cool restaurants, cafes and bars.
Cala en Bosch (Route 65) – Take the short walk across the coastline from Son Xoriguer and you will find Cala en Bosch – another beach with plenty of culture all around you. This is also a good spot for watersports if you fancy some action and adventure!
Cala Galdana (Route 52) – Cala Galdana is the type of heavenly place that you thought only existed on postcards. Found on the south coast of the island, this stunning horseshoe shaped beach features warm shallow waters which are perfect for the kids. The surrounding area is truly stunning with palm trees, rocky coves and a long sandy stretch.
Cala Mitjana (Route 52) – A 25-minute walk from Cala Galdana is this superb beach which features dramatic rocky cliffs (head to the top for epic views!) and more shallow warm waters that are ideal for splashing around in.
Inside Tip: Instead of the lengthy walk, take a boat or kayak for a fun and rewarding way to access the beach.
Cala Macerella & Macarelleta (Route 52) – The lovely thing about these beaches is the fact that you have to take the historic Cami de Cavils (horse trail which runs the entire perimeter of the island) path to reach them from Cala Galdana. It will take you around 45 minutes, but the walk itself is rewarding enough with terrific aerial views of the vast blue waters and sandy beaches. Upon arrival, grab yourself a hard-earned beverage from the beach bar and flop on one of the sunbeds – heaven.
As you can see, you really are spoilt for choice here and the beaches vary drastically. Menorca is a wonderful island with a lot of natural beauty and charming towns, so be sure to take the time to visit the areas surrounding the beaches. Ciutadella is the perfect base for exploring, plus the town itself has a lot of character with a superb historic centre to explore. You and the kids will not get bored here!
How to Get to Ciutadella
Menorca may feel an entire world away thanks to its fabulous weather, but it is actually just a two and a half hour flight from London. Plenty of the budget carriers make the flight to Menorca Airport (MAH) with 68 flights made a week and returns as cheap as £39.
Ciutadella lies at the other side of the island to the airport, which is why it is best to pre-book a Shuttle Direct transfer – this way you don’t have to queue for a taxi or attempt to figure out the public transportation. The driver will put your bags in the back and then make the 40-minute drive to your hotel, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the ride. Similarly, a pre-booked transfer back to the hotel will be the best way to finish your holiday and ensure that you get to the airport with plenty of time to spare.
About Shuttle Direct:
Holiday-makers often forget about the journey to and from the hotel to the airport, but this can actually be the trickiest part of a holiday. Make sure that your family trip gets off to a smooth start by pre-booking a Shuttle Direct transfer from the airport to your destination.
Use the simple online booking form and a local driver will be waiting at the airport to get you to where you need to go.
