Menorca offers an idyllic holiday destination for all ages, and with so many coastal attractions, beaches and charming villages to explore, not to mention the restaurants, bars and swimming pools, most holidaymakers will spend their entire time on the island, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the scenery.
Those looking for a day trip may like to consider hopping over to the neighbouring island of Mallorca, which is actually only a mere 34 km / 21 miles away and to the south-west of Menorca. Further afield, the nightclubs and beaches of Ibiza may also appeal, although this ferry journey is a lengthy one and flying here is generally preferable, particularly if your time is limited.
Mallorca
Mallorca is the biggest of all the Balearics and this popular holiday island comes with a total population of just under 700,000 people. Many interesting attractions reside on Mallorca, although most holidaymakers simply come here for the glorious sun-drenched beaches, where soft white sand awaits. Popular beaches include the Cala des Marmols, Cala Figuera, Cala Murta, Cala Ratjada, Cala Sant, Es Carbo, Es Trenc and Magaluf, as well as those around the Mondrago Natural Park, where S'Amarador Beach is a real highlight.Palma de Mallorca serves as the capital and is packed with major resort-style hotel complexes. Tourists may also like to pay a visit to the town of Alcudia, which lies on the northern side of the island and is home to the S'Albufera Natural Park, some interesting Old Town walls dating from the 13th-century, and ancient Roman remains. Popular package holiday resorts include those of Cala d'Or, Cala Millor and Cala Moraia, while Calvia is another especially busy part of the island. On the north-eastern side of Mallorca, Pollenca is a characterful little town with a superb Sunday market, while both Soller and Valldemossa are known for their mountainous scenery.
IbizaIbiza may well live up to its reputation as being a party island packed with some of the world's most famous nightclubs, but that is just part of what is on offer here. If you are looking for beaches by day, followed by nightlife until the sun comes up, then Ibiza will certainly suit and has far more to offer in this category than Menorca. However, with more than 50 magnificent beaches and many quiet inland towns and villages, the island also offers much more low-key holidays, suiting families and older couples - you just need to plan ahead and choose the location of your hotel carefully.
Away from the throng of nightclubs, other attractions on Ibiza include mature groves of olive and fig trees, salt lakes and numerous pine forests. Ibiza town, the island capital, is widely regarded as ranking amongst Europe's very best preserved medieval towns, boasting a grand cathedral and a wealth of restaurants.
