Menorca, a biosphere reserve, is the quietest and most unspoilt of the Balearics, and a beautiful destination for a motorhome: turquoise coves that look Caribbean, a historic trail circling the whole island, whitewashed villages and an unhurried pace. That said, overnight parking is heavily regulated and you arrive by ferry. Here's the guide. (Complements our guide to the Balearics.)
The coves: the great treasure
- The south: white-sand, turquoise-water coves (Cala Macarella, Macarelleta, Mitjana, Turqueta), among the most beautiful in Spain. Many are accessible on foot from car parks (regulated in summer).
- The north: wilder coves with reddish sand (Cavalleria, Pregonda), with a different character.
The Camí de Cavalls
A historic trail (GR 223) that circles the whole island (around 185 km), connecting coves, lighthouses and landscapes. Walking or cycling stretches from wherever you park is the best way to discover the unspoilt coastline (see hiking and cycling). Many coves can only be reached this way.
Villages and culture
Ciutadella (the old capital, beautiful), Mahón and its natural harbour, the whitewashed inland villages, and the Talayotic sites (prehistoric structures, a World Heritage Site). An island with a rich history and a first-class cheese (Mahón; see cheeses).
How to get there and where to stay overnight
- By ferry from Barcelona, Valencia or Mallorca (book ahead; see crossing by ferry).
- Very strictly regulated overnight parking: Menorca closely controls where motorhomes can stay overnight, with fines for breaches; use campsites and designated zones and follow the rules (see overnight areas).
- Autonomy to enjoy the coves; get an early start to avoid crowds and full car parks.
In summary
Menorca offers postcard-perfect turquoise coves, the Camí de Cavalls circling the island and an unhurried pace, with heavily regulated overnight parking and access by ferry. The step to take today: book the ferry, plan to sleep at campsites (free overnight parking is virtually non-existent), and discover the southern coves by starting early and walking stretches of the Camí de Cavalls; travel with autonomy. Combine it with the Balearics.