Menorca is the northernmost island in the Balearic archipelago, the most peaceful, unspoiled and protected for its incredible biodiversity heritage. The perfect destination for a vacation immersed in nature, and in the traditions of a reality still very much linked to ancient Catalan culture, authentic atmospheres that have not been transformed with the advent of mass tourism.
In the centers of Mahon e Ciutadella , the main ones on the island, you can still find small stores and craft workshops of “ abarcas “, the typical Minorcan footwear. There is no shortage of small stores where you can find Menorca’s famous cheese, the “Mahón-Menorca DOP” , a Balearic gastronomic product of excellence produced exclusively on the island.
Golden beaches and calm sea to the south, rugged, impervious coastline to the north, kissed by the Tramontana, ideal for surfing and windsurfing, and then plenty of greenery. Menorca has been a Unesco Biosphere Reserve since 1993, an unspoiled island where you can do so many activities, long walks, hiking, mountain biking and even horseback riding. Among the island’s naturalistic and cultural treasures is the “Camí des Cavals,” or the “Trail of the Horses”: this is a route that can also be trotted, a good 185 km divided into 15 stages.
Spending an en plein air vacation in Menorca means discovering the identity and beauty of an unspoiled Balearic paradise. Campsites are also an economical and relaxing option, in close contact with nature, close to the sea and the best beaches on the island. The range of facilities is limited to protect the environment as much as possible, however, the quality, services and facilities are excellent.
Kayaking Menorca
Two campsites are currently located in Menorca. Campsite Les Baléares – Son Bou is located near Son Bou beach and the town of Alaior, southeast of the island. This is the largest campsite on the island with 70,000 m² of pine forest and large green areas, a large swimming pool and many facilities.
Also well organized is the S’Atalaia Campground, near the town of Ferreries, along the southern coast. The property is located very close to Cala Galdana beach, one of the most beautiful beaches with all kinds of services, also a short distance from Cala Trebalúger, Cala Mitjana, Macarella, Cala Escorxada or Binigaus, considered real pearls of Menorca.
In addition to these two campsites, there is a camping space with specific and limited conditions of use: it is the Biniparratx Camp , southeast of the island, between Cap d’en Font and Binidalí. The area is publicly owned and managed by theInstituto de la Juventud de Menorca, with the aim of providing a space for youth and children to participate in educational, cultural, recreational and/or training activities. Families who wish to participate jointly in educational activities can also use the facilities and stay in tents.
Natural Park of s’Albufera des Grau, the green lung of the island
Menorca is a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, and the epicenter of the protected area is the Natural Park of s’Albufera des Grau , one of the most fascinating places to explore. Declared a Nature Park in 1995, it has 5,000 hectares of lagoon extending in the northeastern part for about 2 km: land, sea and species-rich dune and islet systems.
Due to the diversity of habitats and landscapes, heterogeneous flora thrives: wild olive trees, mastic trees, laburnum, beech forests in the wetter areas, and dune vegetation where the sand meets the sea, with expanses of thyme and wild thistles, shrubs and brambles. The underwater flora is also generous: in the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon are some of the largest Posidonia meadows in the Mediterranean, in an excellent state of preservation.
The park’s diverse habitats also allow the flourishing of a rich fauna Who inhabits the sea, land and sky: S’Albufera d’Es Grau is the ideal place for lovers of birdwatching, here it is easy to spot herons, cormorants and birds of prey such as osprey, osprey or kite. There is no shortage of amphibian species, including the black sargantana, a unique lizard found only on the park’s inner islets.
For those who wish to take a dip in the transparent waters of the Park, Platja d’Es Grau o Cala Tortuga are perfect beaches to indulge in some relaxation, so in the many wild coves that draw the coast, beautiful Cala Morella Nou . Also belonging to S’Albufera d’Es Grau is the paradisiacal Illa de Colom , a 58-hectare islet separated from the mother island by a narrow strait of only 200 meters that can be crossed on foot.
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