The 7 Best Hidden Gems in Menorca

Menorca, the second-largest of the Balearic Islands, is a very popular holiday destination for many Europeans, particularly in the summer months. Sitting in the Mediterranean Sea just off Spain’s eastern coast, Menorca is the smaller and usually quieter counterpart of its bigger sibling, Mallorca. Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, there are lots of hidden gems that the island has to offer, and in this article, we’ll show you the 7 best hidden gems in Menorca so that you can enjoy seeing the sights off the beaten track.

Secret Menorca: Where to Find the Island’s 7 Best Hidden Gems

1. Cala Pregonda

While Menorca is known for its beautiful beaches, the majority of the well-known ones are often busy, especially in the summer months. However, the island also has a few well-kept hidden gems, and Cala Pregonda is just one of those.

In fact, it’s so well-hidden that the general consensus on the easiest way to reach the beach is by boarding a boat in another part of the island and arriving by sea! 

However, for those who want to arrive by land, you’ll find that the nearest car park is a good walk away, so you’ll have to be prepared to walk if you want to reach this undisturbed beach on Menorca’s northern coast.

However, when you arrive, you’ll be greeted by golden-red sands, unique rock formations and more – a true image of the last truly wild frontier in the Balearics.

And another advantage is that the water is so clear, you can often see fish swimming around without even having to snorkel – one less thing that you have to carry from the car!

2. Fornells

Another hidden gem on the island’s northern coast is Fornells, a traditional Menorcan fishing village, which has been left relatively untouched for centuries.

This offers a true glimpse into the slow pace of island life, and many of the residents have lived there for generations. Undisturbed by tourists, meaning that you’re not going to walk through marketplaces offering knock-off cheap football shirts and tacky fridge magnets here.

You’ll instead be greeted by the traditional white Menorcan village-style homes and the beautiful coastal waters, where the majority of the village’s inhabitants make their living.

On top of that, you’ll be served some of the freshest seafood on the island at any of the cafes, bistros or restaurants in the village, with the majority of the seafood used caught that very same day. You need to try their village speciality: caldereta de langosta – a local lobster stew that is simply delightful.

If you want to sit back, enjoy your holiday at a slow pace, and experience true Menorcan traditional living, then a visit to Fornells is a must.

3. Es Mercadal

Found in the heart of the island, Es Mercadal is another quaint Menorcan village, perfect for spending a slow afternoon in.

The majority of tourists, if they come this far inland, come to the nearby Monte Toro, which is Menorca’s highest point. The views from the top are spectacular and worth seeing, but Es Mercadal is a hidden gem that hardly any tourists know about.

This quaint village – with its traditional whitewashed villas – sits near enough to Monte Toro so that you can experience its beauty without having to climb up it (and let’s face it – who wants to do that in the middle of summer?), while also offering a peaceful, serent sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of other urban areas on the island.

Bring your favourite book, visit a local cafe or bar in Es Mercadal and spend an unforgettable afternoon under the Menorcan sunshine and the backdrop of Monte Toro. Bliss.

4. Pont d’en Gil

As far as coves and rock formations go, Menorca has plenty – but have you heard of Pont d’en Gil before?

Found on the northwestern coast of the island, Pont d’en Gil is a natural rock bridge, a geological wonder, connecting the mainland of the island to a small rocky outcrop.

This is a superb place to get that Instagram-worthy shot, especially when the sun goes down, but it’s also the perfect view to admire over a morning coffee or an ice-cold beer in the afternoon.

It’s one of those places that people might have heard about, but once they see how remote it is, it puts many people off.

But isn’t that the beauty of a hidden gem in Menorca? Fewer people there means less noise, less clutter, and more time for you to enjoy that gorgeous view, away from the hustle and bustle of busy seaside towns and beaches that the island is more well-known for.

5. Ca Na Pilar Restaurant

Found in central Menorca, the sleepy village of Es Migjorn is home to arguably the island’s best restaurant – and it’s a hidden gem that hardly anybody knows about!

Ca Na Pilar is a small family-run restaurant which operates out of a 200-year-old house in a quiet Menorcan village, and if that doesn’t charm you, then we don’t know what will.

The restaurant is run by native Menorcan Victor Lidón, who himself started his culinary career at the age of 16 at Ca Na Pilar, before moving to the Spanish mainland and gaining two Michelin stars, and then eventually returning to his roots to take over Ca Na Pilar.

If you want an authentic Menorcan dining experience, then a visit to Ca Na Pilar is a must. Food prepared with only the freshest and most local Menorcan ingredients, by a Michelin-starred chef, is one of life’s great experiences. And where better to enjoy it than in a beautiful old Menorcan village?

6. Cala en Porter

The south coast of Menorca is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island, and as such, they can often get extremely busy, particularly in the summer months.

However, there are a couple of hidden gems, one of which is the stunning Cala en Porter. 

Built into the cliffside, the small village resort town of Cala en Porter is a traveller’s dream. We’re talking local food spots, lazy and quiet bars, and a beach so beautiful that you’ll find it difficult to leave.

The beach is nice and sheltered by the natural rock formations around it, so it often goes unnoticed by most tourists. Because of its natural shelter, it means that you’re also protected from the elements, especially the wind.

If you want a quiet beach afternoon under the baking-hot Mediterranean sun without queuing for hours for an ice-cream and trying to find a spot to put your beach towel down, then a visit to Cala en Porter is a must.

7. Cala Escorxada

Perhaps the best hidden gem in Menorca is Cala Escorxada. Found on the south of the island, this beach is a 45-minute walk from the nearest car park, so you’re going to have to be prepared if you want to visit here for a day out.

Known for its calm, turquoise waters – perfect for swimming and snorkelling – and very few people, this beach is the true definition of a hidden gem.

It’s a medium-sized beach, so even if other like-minded travellers have also discovered it, chances are there’s plenty of room across the beach. Its rocky backdrop helps to protect you from the elements, and acts as a natural sun trap: perfect for topping up your tan.

However, it is still accessible even for those with reduced mobility, as it can be accessed via boat instead, meaning that everyone can enjoy this beautiful hidden gem – just make sure that you bring plenty of food and water with you, as there are no nearby beach shops.

This is a beautiful beach, and perfect for those who want to enjoy a peaceful day on the beach in southern Menorca.