Published 13th May. 2026
Written by Tom Barber
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Tucked away in the shadow of Mallorca, Menorca is often overlooked in favour of its flashier neighbour. A shame because, for those willing to steer off the well-trodden track, there’s a medley of marvels to be found. This is exactly what our Co-Founder and Brand Director, Tom Barber, discovered on his trip to Menorca, which he spent tracing the deep history and quiet allure of this bashful Balearic island. Curious? Read on for his memorable moments and top tips...
I spent several days exploring Menorca’s white-washed villages, enchanting Medieval cities and sprawling olive groves. After touching down in the coastal capital of Mahon, I set off to explore the labyrinthine streets and sun-dappled paths.
Image by Carlota del Sol
Where to begin? I walked both the northern and southern portions of the 115-mile-long Cami de Cavalls trail, cycled from the rolling valleys inland to the coastal paths at the island’s edge and paused to admire Eduardo Chillida’s sculptures at the momentous Hauser & Wirth gallery in the port of Mahon. This was all broken up by a series of long, lazy lunches and quintessentially Spanish siestas, of course.
The sheer serenity of the place. It’s enchanting. I found myself constantly in awe of how quiet everything was. Often, when you’re in such a beautiful setting (and with such good weather, too) you find yourself having to share it with a bunch of other people, all jostling for that perfect photo or prime spot to settle into. But not in Menorca. Here, you can walk for miles without encountering a single person, and there are whole swathes of the island that feel virtually uninhabited – a real rarity these days.
Image by Carlota del Sol
Absolutely! The hidden courtyards in Ciutadella were ideal for wiling away an afternoon under the welcome shade of a white-washed wall. To reach these courtyards, you simply have to walk up from the narrow harbour along a network of lanes flanked by honey-hued stone walls. What makes these spots even better is that, while you’re searching for them, you'll pass a series of palaces glowing in the mid-afternoon sun. A top-tier experience, for sure.
Can I say everything? The food served in the island’s hotels and restaurants is truly excellent. That said, I have to give a special mention to the superb dinner I enjoyed at the lovely hotel Son Blanc, a former manor house that sources all of its ingredients from an organic garden on-site. And, of course, you can’t talk about food in Menorca without mentioning the local speciality: turbot (a highly prized flatfish).
Image by Fontenille Menorca Santa Ponsa
So much. The island is drenched in history. But if I had to pick a standout, it would be the Menorcan gates (my newest obsession). They’re one of the most elegant emblems of place I’ve ever encountered. This sadly dying craft sees local arader carpenters fashion gates using techniques that have gone unchanged for centuries. The horizontal rails and diagonal stiles are made from sinewy olive branches, which ends up creating a beautifully organic symmetry.
That would have to be visiting an island within an island – yes, really. The Hauser & Wirth gallery in the port of Mahon is set on Illa del Rei, a pint-sized piece of land in the middle of the main entry channel to Menorca’s capital. It’s accessed via a short 15-minute shuttle across the water, making for an extra tranquil experience while you peruse the artworks tucked away behind the gallery’s walls.
Image by Carlota del Sol
You must, must, must walk the Cami de Cavalls. There’s one stretch of trail in the north of the island – which is wild, rugged and volcanic – and another in the softer, more pastoral south. While both are beautiful, it’s this southern stretch which takes the cake for me, thanks to its white-sand beaches, aromatic shrubbery and constant birdsong. In the four hours I spent strolling along it, I only encountered four other people (and one tortoise). It was the most memorable walk I’ve ever been on.
Yes! I know I’ve mentioned it already, but I was truly blown away by how peaceful Menorca is. While neighbouring Mallorca and Ibiza have been transformed by resorts and partygoers, this plucky little isle has managed to fly completely under the radar. I can’t bang on enough about how amazingly untouched the whole place is. In a world of overtourism and overdevelopment, it’s a refreshing reminder that, sometimes, the best thing that can happen to a place is to be overlooked just long enough to preserve its sense of self.
Image by Carlota del Sol
Seafood lovers should head to Fornells. This charming fishing village is the best place on the island to sample Menorcan lobster. Oh, and if you’re ever in the market for a winning wine, plump for anything by the excellent local winery, Binifadet – these pair perfectly with an evening of chattering away under a canopy of olive trees. Yes, please!
Header image by Carlota Del Sol
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Tucked away in the shadow of Mallorca, Menorca is often overlooked in favour of its flashier neighbour. A shame because, for those willing to steer off the well-trodden track, there’s a medley of marvels to be found. This is exactly what our Co-Founder and Brand Director, Tom Barber, discovered on his trip to Menorca, which he spent tracing the deep history and quiet allure of this bashful Balearic island.
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