Minorca Island - Menorca, Spain

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Menorca Calan Tu...

menorca La Vall

Minorca, cliffs

The calm and peaceful island of Minorca in the Balearic Islands is a unique natural oasis and a place to discover. Indulge yourself in a heavenly bath in the Mediterranean Sea or explore the island to discover both harmony and diversity. Minorca is relaxed and gorgeous, with a coast hiding some of the best coves of the Mediterranean. The island which breathes peace and natural beauty is declared Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It's 216 kilometer of coast is full of variety, offering a rough coast and red beaches in the north, while the in south you find fine white sand and hidden coves surrounded by pine forests. Options to enjoy the sun seem endless. However, there is always one and the same common denominator: crystal clear water.

Activities in Minorca

There are many reasons to enjoy this island, the coast is a privileged area. Minorca is a succession of coves and beaches that vary completely from the north to the south. The north, whipped by the continuous seawind, has been transformed into an abrupt, rough terrain. It is an uncultivated coast with dark rocks and small pebble coves. Meanwhile, the south is a calm paradise of relax, with coves of white sand surrounded by pinewood forests that almost reach the shore. Much of these lovely places can only be reached by foot or by boat. Then of course there also are some busier beaches with more tourism where you can enjoy activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and surfing among others.

Minorca It ws declared Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO for the rich ecology and scenery. The spectacular marine life in of the island has been a diver’s paradise for many decades.

A great way to discover the beauty of the inland is either hiking or biking by the established trails or doing an excursion on horseback. Speleology con be done both inland as on the coast, thanks to a grand succession of caves that open into cliffs and precipices. All of the climbing of Menorca can be found in Ferreries, Sant Lluis and Sant Climent. Golf lovers should head to Son Parc in the northern part of the island for an excellent nine hole course.

Minorca nightlife

Enjoying the nightlife of Menorca is a question of following your preferences and instinct. The range goes from endless nights of dancing and partying to enjoying romantic sunsets with soft music from a terrace near the sea. The areas of the harbor of Ciutadella and Mahón are full of bars.

Archeology on Minorca

Another activity is discovering the archaeological and cultural heritage. See interesting grouped monuments like the  Ciudadela historical house, prehistoric ruins such as Naveta des Tudons, or the Mahón archaeological site. Or perhaps you would like to venture into the small fishing villages and capture antique traditions.
Renting a car is the most common way to get to know the island, the maximum distance between the farthest points is no more than 47 kilometers To go to Menorca you can arrive by plane at the international airport located five kilometres from the capital, Mahón; or also from the sea at the harbour of Mahón or Ciudadela.

Minorca biosphere reserve

The grand quantity of diverse habitats is housed in Menoría island. It has been valued in the declaration as World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO (1993) for its precipices, caves, wetlands, islets, dunes, and beaches that house a large amount of species, some of them endangered.
The south of the island is characterized for the numerous precipices (around 40 in which 26 are peculiar to Menorca) that are a perfect environment for more than 200 species. In particular, you can enjoy the many different types of marine and predatory birds. Sea erosion has also provided the formation of numerous underwater caves, making as many underwater caves as inland caves.

The ponds, the marshes, and lagoons form a coastal wetland which can be seen at S´Albufera des Grau Natural Park that, besides, is a Special Protection Bird Zone (ZEPA). Here, the thorny bushes and birds such as the cormorant or the cenicienta puffin are common.
Throughout the island a perfect state of conservation is maintained, but if you would like to admire more of this venture to the islets (Aire, Porros, Colom...). The absence of human settlements has facilitated a refuge to a multitude of animals such as the Podarcis lilfordi lizard. In turn, mock privet, lentisco, african juniper and lilies of the sea have been found on this island.
The beaches and coves present white sand and transparent water that are rich in vegetation and animals. The grassland of Posidonia Oceánica is the first indicator of the quality and health of the environment. The interior landscape of this island is dominated with pinewoods, oaks, and olive tree forests. The oaks can also be found in Madrid but the pinewoods stand out a species exclusive to the island: Pinus ceciliae.