Menorca holiday guide: western Menorca

Menorca West

West coast beaches

Map of western Menorca; Ciutadella, Cala en Bosc

Western Menorca is the island's busiest corner, featuring not only the city of Ciutadella but also a number of popular resorts and many attractive beaches

Cala Mitjana
Easily reached by car from Cala Galdana, yet well enough tucked away to ensure it is quiet. An unspoilt sandy cove surrounded by pine-clad cliffs

Cala Galdana
Extremely popular and very beautiful, Cala (sometimes Santa) Galdana is known as the 'queen' of Menorca's coves. A horseshoe of golden sand nestles between tall limestone cliffs, with pine trees reflected in the water. Busy at high season

Cala Galdana beach

Cala Macarella
Off the beaten track but reachable by car from Ciutadella and with its own car park, Macarella and its smaller neighbour Macarelleta have only a few facilities but are very beautiful and popular

Cala en Bosc
Very convenient for the resort and its restaurant-lined marina area but a small beach which can get crowded

Cala en Bosc beach

Cala Blanca
Small beach handy for Ciutadella and offering good swimming and the convenience of several beach restaurants

Cala Santandria
Situated between Cala Blanca and Ciutadella and a very attractive rocky inlet with medium sized beach. Plenty of facilities

Sa Caleta
Near Santandria; small and pleasant beach with a beach bar, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire

Cala en Bruc
A tiny beach in a charming spot; there are platforms built into the rocks for sunbathing and diving

Cala en Bosc

Cala en Bosc marina Life in Cala en Bosc centres around the very smart marina area, which is lined by restaurants, shops and bars from which you can take up a vantage point and watch the world go by. There's plenty of entertainment on offer, a small local beach and several other beaches close by, and lots of watersports laid on for those of an active persuasion

Cala en Bosc picture gallery

Cala Blanca

Harbourside at Mahon Port Quite a large resort, Cala Blanca's chief attraction is its charming, if small, beach which is fringed by pine trees and lined with popular restaurants and bars. One of these has a water chute which is a big hit with the children. You can hire pedaloes, sunbeds and beach umbrellas, and the bathing here is very safe

Cala Blanca picture gallery

Ciutadella

Ciutadella Menorca's ancient capital is a day-trip must. When the British moved the capital to Mahon, the island's noble families stayed put and their magnificent homes dominate the city. The old town's narrow streets are a delight to explore, if busy in peak season, and there is plenty of architecture to admire. The shopping is excellent and the harbourside cafes, restaurants and bars are a real draw and an excellent place from which to watch the world drift past

Ciutadella picture gallery

Restaurant guide

Properties for rental

Menorca has a multitude of restaurants. Many offer standard tourist menus and most offer a menu del dia (menu of the day) costing 3-10 euros - excellent value for money. Many new restaurants open each season offering much more than standard tourist fare. In July and August advance bookings are advisable in very popular restaurants if you wish to eat after 8pm.
Local specialities are calderata de llagosta (lobster stew), paella, fresh fish and shellfish. Do not miss the locally made mayonnaise, an invention of Mahon (Mao).

Some recommendations in the west
La Romantica, Cala en Bosc. Small, friendly and family run and with an excellent menu del dia.
Pam Boli, Ciutadella. A meat-eater's paradise, with a menu which includes ostrich, red deer, kid and rabbit, as well as more conventional choices.
La Tasca, Ciutadella. Very traditional Spanish restaurant, simply furnished and with an excellent menu. The steaks are superb!
Sa Nacra, Sant Andrea beach. Perched on the rocks overlooking the small bay, this is a charming location. Not an extensive menu but the gazpacho and paella are among the best we've tasted
Las Brasas, Los Delfines. A traditional grill but with a good menu and reasonably priced.
St Ignassi, Ciutadella. If you want to treat yourself, try this beautiful rural hotel restaurant. The setting and the food are delightful.

Cala Blanca 3 bed villa VFW001
Superb air-conditioned family villa with large pool and five minutes walk from the beach

Cala Galdana 4 bed villa VFW051
Spacious villa, 10 minutes walk from the beach, with a large shared pool

View all our Menorca West properties