Menorca holds a special place in my heart for family memories. It’s almost ‘the’ perfect European beach holiday destination for families. Quieter than it’s bigger but equally gorgeous neighbour Majorca but with an impressive number of beaches, resports and the understated cosmopolitan vibe of Ciutadella and Mahon – it’s a place that has something for everyone.
Where else can you breakfast at a beachside café, lunch amid prehistoric ruins, and dine by a glowing marina, all potentially within a day? Menorca’s family-friendly diversity is incredible: calm and picturesque beaches, landscapes that belong on postcards, and activities where your kids can lose themselves for hours.
Our kids are now 14 and 10, and we’ve taken them to Menorca at ages 1, 5, 9 and 13 – and each trip has been memorable. In that time I’ve collected some real good family activities that combine those iconic must-sees with places you may not have caught onto yet. Think of it as your cheat sheet to Menorcan adventures your family will love and remember for years to come.
From turquoise beaches to ancient monuments that time forgot, these experiences offer unforgettable moments, practical tips from someone who’s been there with cranky toddlers and moody teens, and genuine insights to inspire your own Menorcan adventure.
Pristine Beaches for Family Fun
Cala Galdana: The Family Beach Paradise
There’s something utterly magical about Cala Galdana – one of the best beaches in Menorca. I stood there last summer watching my kids splash in those shallow, impossibly blue waters and thought, “This is what holiday brochures promise but rarely deliver.”
The beach is shaped like a perfect horseshoe with fine golden sand that doesn’t burn your feet. It’s backed by pine trees offering natural shade, which is an absolute godsend when you’ve forgotten sun hats (guilty as charged). What makes it properly family-friendly are the amenities – clean toilets, beach bars that don’t charge the earth, and those colourful pedalos that my kids literally begged to ride every single day.
I must admit, the parking situation can be a nightmare if you arrive after 10am in high season. We learned this lesson the hard way and spent 40 minutes circling like vultures.
Get there early, seriously. But once you’re set up, it’s absolute heaven for toddlers – the water stays shallow for ages, and there’s enough space that you’re not elbow-to-elbow with other families. It’s without a doubt one of the best beaches on the island.
Son Bou: The Endless Beach
Son Bou is massive. And I mean massive – nearly 3km of beach that seems to stretch forever. Once my eldest went running ahead and became this tiny dot in the distance, giving me a minor heart attack before she came racing back.
What makes Son Bou brilliant for families is the space. Even in August, we found a spot that wasn’t crowded. The kids discovered a little playground right on the beach, and my history-mad 10-year-old was surprisingly excited about the ancient ruins nearby.
The free parking is a mega bonus (though it fills up quickly), and I love how the beach gently shelves into the sea – perfect for nervous swimmers. There’s a paleo-Christian basilica just a short walk away that makes for a quick history lesson when the kids need a break from swimming. My daughter rolled her eyes initially but was actually quite interested in the end.
Santo Tomás: The Quiet Retreat
If you’ve had enough of beach crowds (and let’s be honest, with kids, sometimes you just need somewhere quieter), Santo Tomás is your answer. We stumbled upon it almost by accident after a wrong turn, and it became our go-to quiet spot.
The beach has this laid-back, unhurried feel. There’s a small playground that kept my youngest entertained when she’d had enough of the sea, and the pedalo rentals were actually cheaper than at the more famous beaches.
What I love about Santo Tomás is that it feels like you’re in on a secret. Not totally deserted, but just busy enough to feel like you’ve made a smart choice. Perfect for a low-key beach day when you all need to recharge.
Cala’n Bosch & Hidden Coves
Cala’n Bosch isn’t just a beach – it’s a whole marina complex that’s surprisingly great with kids. We here when our first daughter was almost 1. If you have a buggy with you, it’s easy here (except the one we hired was so small we did hurt our backs having to crouch). The marina comes alive at night with restaurants and ice cream stops that had my kids literally jumping with excitement.
For older kids (or if you’re braver than me), the hidden coves like Cala Mitjana and Macarelleta are worth the effort. The hike to Macarelleta nearly broke me in the heat, but my kids still talk about that beach as the highlight of their holiday. That first glimpse of the turquoise water between the pine trees – my goodness, it’s like something from a film.
My top tip? Book one of those boat taxis to Macarelleta instead of hiking if you’ve got little ones. Worth every euro for the sea views alone, and you’ll arrive fresh rather than sweaty and irritated (not that I’m speaking from experience or anything).
Water Adventures for All Ages
Kayaking in Fornells Bay
Kayaking in Fornells with kids sounds terrifying, right? Trust me, it’s not. The bay is so sheltered it’s like paddling on a mill pond. We rented double kayaks so each kid could pair with an adult, which turned out to be a genius move.
I was very nervous before we set off (visions of capsizing with screaming children), but it was surprisingly easy. The water’s so clear you can see straight to the bottom, and my youngest spotted a starfish that had her chattering all day.
Book one of the guided tours that includes snorkeling stops – they provide all the gear, and the guides are brilliant with kids. Our guide Miguel knew exactly where to find octopuses hiding under rocks, which absolutely made the trip.
Boat Trips: Skipper for a Day
Renting a small boat was the single best thing we did in Menorca. For about €115, we had a little 5HP boat for 4 hours – no license needed and dead easy to drive. The guy at the rental place gave us a 5-minute lesson, and off we went.
We puttered along the coastline from Mahón, stopping at tiny beaches you can only reach by boat. The kids took turns “driving” (under very close supervision, obviously), and we brought a picnic to have on a deserted cove. It felt like a proper adventure, and the sunset cruise back to the harbour was magical.
Snorkeling & Sea Scooters
The north coast has some incredible snorkeling spots. Binimel·la became our favourite after I chatted with a local who tipped us off. The water visibility is ridiculous – my daughter counted seven different fish species in about five minutes.
Those sea scooters were a game-changer, especially for anyone in the family who isn’t the strongest swimmer. They pull you along underwater so you can cover more ground with less effort. My kids were absolutely buzzing after using them, spotting octopuses and even a small stingray.
For absolute beginners, Es Grau’s shallow, sheltered waters are perfect. We spent an entire morning there just floating face-down in the water, completely mesmerized by tiny fish darting between our fingers.
On our most recent trip to Punta Prima we chartered a private boat for a 6 hour day trip at a cost of around £600. But for that we had food, as much Cava and soft drinks as we could manage and the freedom to visit any of the cala’s we wanted and use the snorkels and paddle boards was something the kids and adults loved.
Waterparks: Splash Days
Splash Sur in Punta Prima is a teenagers’ happy place – big enough to be exciting but small enough that I won’t constantly panick about losing them. My teen must have gone down the Kamikaze slide about 40 times and my 8 year old (at the time) was even more of a thrill seeker!
For the younger ones, Aqua Center in Los Delfines worked better – more manageable slides and a splash zone that I’d imagine most kids will, I’m afraid, refused to leave. Quick tip: bring goggles for the saltwater slides unless you enjoy the unique sensation of eyeballs on fire.
Cultural Experiences for Curious Minds
Naveta des Tudons: Touch Ancient History
I dragged my reluctant children to this prehistoric tomb, fully expecting complaints. Instead, they were fascinated by its bizarre boat shape and the fact that it’s over 3,000 years old. Wait for your child to say something along the lines of, “People from the BRONZE AGE touched these stones!” with true wonder in their voice.
It’s dead easy to visit by car, and you can be in and out in 30 minutes if attention spans are waning. We paired it with a beach stop afterwards as a bribe, but it turned out we didn’t need one.
Fortaleza de la Mola: Fortress Adventures
This fortress saved our holiday during an unexpected rainy day. The kids went absolutely wild for the underground tunnels and machine gun rooms. The coastal views are stunning when the weather clears, and there’s enough space for them to run around without bothering other visitors.
Wear proper shoes though – I foolishly wore flip-flops and regretted it after two hours of walking on uneven surfaces. My child talks about the “secret passages” and pretends our garden shed is Fortaleza de la Mola when we’re back home.
Ciutadella Old Town: Cobblestone Charm
Ciutadella’s old town feels like stepping into a storybook. Those narrow cobblestone streets leading down to the harbour create a real magical atmosphere. We spent an evening just wandering, finding hidden squares and stopping for ice cream by the water.
The cathedral is worth popping into – it’s cool inside which provides blessed relief from the heat. And for dinner, we found this amazing place called C’an RAFA where the kids actually ate everything on their plates (yes, it’s true – miracles can happen).
Don’t leave without buying a pair of traditional Menorcan sandals (avarcas) – I still love wearing mine!
Festes de Sant Joan: Horses and Mayhem
If you’re lucky enough to visit during the Sant Joan festival in June, you’re in for a proper treat. We accidentally timed our trip with it once, and it was wild in the best possible way – horses prancing through crowded streets, traditional music, and a party atmosphere that even my normally-shy daughter got caught up in.
The horse parades are spectacular – those riders standing on galloping horses made my heart stop a few times. Check the festival dates when planning; it’s worth organising your holiday around it if you can.
Outdoor Adventures for Active Families
Camí de Cavalls: Coastal Path Explorations
The Camí de Cavalls is this incredible ancient path that circles the entire island. Obviously, I’m not suggesting dragging your kids around all 185km, but certain sections are perfect for family walks.
We did the bit between Binimel·la and Pregonda, which takes about an hour each way with kids. The views are sensational – all dramatic cliffs and secret coves. You’ll find yourselves collecting weird-shaped rocks while spotting lizards darting between bushes.
Bring loads of water and decent hats – there’s precious little shade, and nobody wants an overheated child in tow.
Horse Riding: Saddle Up
Even if you’ve never sat on a horse before, Menorca a Caballo offers rides suitable for complete beginners. Any horse-mad family members young and old will be in absolute heaven, while the more cautious can opt for a gentle pony ride at Trebaluger.
The trails take you through gorgeous countryside and along beaches that you can’t access by car. Watching my daughter’s face as her horse splashed through shallow water at the edge of a beach – pure delight that was worth every penny.
Lloc de Menorca Zoo: Animals and History
This isn’t your typical massive zoo – it’s smaller, more intimate, and focused on rescue animals. The lemur enclosure was the highlight for us; those cheeky little creatures jumped right over my youngest’s head, causing both terror and delight.
There’s a brilliant water play area for when the kids get hot and bothered, and bizarrely, a Bronze Age monument right in the middle of the zoo. We spent a whole day here, finishing with a picnic in the playground area while the kids pretended to be various animals they’d seen.
Practical Tips for a Stress-Free Trip
Definitely rent a car. Seriously, don’t even think about not renting one. Menorca’s bus system exists but trying to get to the best beaches with kids and all their stuff on public transport is a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone. We have hired a car twice for our entire trip. The roads are good and easy to navigate and even in peak season you’ll struggle to find any major traffic.
Time your visit for late April to June or September if you can – the weather’s still gorgeous but you’ll avoid the August madness. We went in late May and it was perfect – warm enough for swimming but not so hot the kids were constantly complaining.
For accommodation, we’ve tried both Cala Galdana, Cala’n Bosch, Son Bou and Punta Prima with great success – they all offer something a little different. If you’ve got really little ones, the Royal Son Bou Family Club is brilliant – kids’ clubs that they actually want to attend (miracle), and the rooms are set up for families.
Food-wise, don’t miss trying dorada a la Menorquina (sea bream with potatoes and veg). Even my fussy eater demolished it at a little restaurant in Binimel·la. Most places are geared up for kids, so you won’t be getting unwelcome looks if yours aren’t perfectly behaved.
Pack water shoes – some of those gorgeous coves have rocky entries to the sea, and nothing ruins a beach day faster than a child with cut feet. And if you’re staying in Cala’n Bosch, bring a stroller – it’s properly flat and easy to navigate – but don’t rely on the hire one’s if you’re tall, bring your own.
For rainy days (they happen, even in paradise), the Castillo Menorca play centre saved our sanity. It’s basically a massive indoor soft play with a café where you can drink coffee in peace while the kids burn off energy.
Your Menorcan Adventure Awaits
From snorkeling in crystal coves to exploring ancient ruins, Menorca delivers those magical family moments that’ll stay with you forever. It’s the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, without the crowds and madness of its bigger sister Mallorca.
I still daydream about our time in Menorca sometimes. My kids regularly ask when we’re going back, which is pretty much the highest praise a family destination can get.
So where will you start your Menorcan adventure? The hidden coves? The horseback rides? The fortress tunnels? Whatever you choose, I guarantee it’ll be the start of a holiday your family won’t stop talking about.