All to the white
Despite the fact that at present the place name of this urbanization is Binibèquer Vell, for its owners and for the more than one million visitors who visit the island of Menorca every year It was, is and always will be known as Binibeca Vell.
We find it in the south –specifically in the municipality of Sant Lluís– and only 10 km by car from Mahón and 50 km from Ciudadela. Its buildings that are dressed in white are the main tourist attraction that delights the most curious travelers and Instagram lovers (if we go to the social network par excellence, there are more than 38,000 mentions with the hashtag #binibeca that refer to the urbanization).
But Binibeca Vell is much more than the 'Instagrammable' postcard of our feed every summer. This fishing village hides a history and an infinity of attractions that make it a true jewel to visit in Menorca as soon as we get a chance. And if it is outside the circuit of the summer months, all the better, to avoid the frequent crowds that come together in July and August. Do we discover it slowly but surely?
Binibeca, much more than the 'instagrammable' town of Menorca
THE STORY OF BINIBECA VELL
“Binibeca Vell is to Menorca as the Sagrada Familia is to Barcelona. That is, a person who sets foot on the island, a person who is going to visit the fishing village,” he tells Traveler. Joan Ramon Rabassó, president of the Community of Owners of the Binibeca Vell Fishermen's Refuge.
With the tourist boom of the 1960s in Spain – a time when sun and beach trips took off – Menorca was still a very little exploited paradise with true virgin jewels throughout the island. Little by little **urban centers arose and in 1961 a group of Menorcan businessmen bought the Binibeca Vell marina. **
“With the idea that tourism in Menorca had not yet settled down and thinking that the beauties of the island were totally unknown, these visionaries decided that the place could be ideal to develop a spatial plan. They had very clear ideas: they wanted to build a high-class development”, says Joan Ramón Rabassó in the document he produced for the 50th anniversary of Binibeca Vell. And the truth is that they were not misguided at all.
The white houses are the indisputable hallmark of this coastal area
It was in the year 1964 when the Menorcan surveyor Antonio Sintes Mercadal –together with the collaboration of his close friend, the architect Francisco Juan Barba Corsini– They began with the construction of this coastal area that has given so much joy to tourism on the island.
Over the years they were a total of 165 homes with almost 8,000m2 built those that were built in this urban nucleus with several characteristics in common: its snowy color, its layout facing the sea and its uniqueness (You will not find anything similar in the rest of the earth's surface).
The owners found here the perfect refuge where they can enjoy the long seasons of good weather in the most absolute calm and tranquility: “A typical marina that at that time had no value and that a group of visionary promoters imagined as an idyllic location to enjoy a corner of Menorca” , indicates Joan Ramon Rabassó in the same document mentioned above.
Strolling through Binibeca Vell
“The picture of white houses constitutes an environment in the image and likeness of a typical Mediterranean fishing village, as if we were in the middle of the Greek islands. The initial idea was to recreate a village that would attract the attention of intellectuals, painters and writers who could have a unique environment to be inspired by”, he continues.
The result is, almost six decades after its creation, a destination that maintains the essence of that time but adapted to the tourist demands of today. Very busy during the summer months, but as soon as we get out of them we find the atmosphere and serenity that the first owners fell in love with in the early 1960s.
Binibeca: one of the essential corners of Menorca
AN ENCLAVE THAT MUST BE CARED FOR AND PRESERVED
Getting here has no loss. We will only have to follow the indications provided by the GPS or the signs on the road to Binibèquer Vell. Once the car is parked nearby, If we continue in the direction of the promenade, there comes a time when we come across the characteristic little houses.
Get lost, find yourself and get lost again in the narrow cobbled streets as if we were inside a labyrinth until we came face to face with the panorama just above the rocks of Caló d'en Fust. Here small anchored boats welcome tourists giving them a most picturesque picture.
If we want, we have the option of go down to the platforms to sit quietly and admire the place or even take a bath if the occasion allows it. If we are looking for something else in a cove format, less than 15 minutes by car from the area, there are strongholds such as the Cala Binidalí, Caló Blanc, Cala Binibeca, Cala Binisafúa or Es Ricó Fondo (the latter is ideal for snorkeling) with turquoise blue tones and crystal clear waters.
Cala Binidali
In numerous points of this set of white buildings we find posters that say "silence please" and some more clarifying in which you can read on behalf of the Community of Owners of the Binibeca Vell Fishermen's Refuge: “Please help us keep the fishing village clean. Respect the privacy and rest of the residents.”
Tourists must remember that we are dealing with an inhabited property –singular and unique yes–, but above all it is a private property in which one is lucky enough to visit it when passing through the island of Menorca, but that does not mean that it should not be respect the tranquility and daily routine of the neighbors who usually reside in these peculiar homes.
“Tourists should also keep in mind that they are inside a private urbanization (it has not been received by the City Council yet) and that it is as if they entered a home and therefore they should behave with the utmost politeness and delicacy possible, which unfortunately often does not happen. We only ask that you behave and try not to disturb the residents”, comments to Traveler.es Joan Ramon Rabassó. Doesn't seem so difficult, does it? Let's remember that the next time we drop by.
"Silence please"
SOME RECOMMENDED GASTRONOMIC ADDRESSES
In Binibeca Vell, in addition to strolling through the coastal area, we also find some points to take into account to **satisfy our palates as soon as hunger begins to make an appearance. aim! **
Sa Musclera (Poble de Pescadors, Carrer des Timó, 17): with a good value for money and where we will be able to delight ourselves with dishes of the island's typical gastronomy.
Bamboo Menorca (Passeig Marítim, 38): if we are looking for the perfect sunset in the south of the island, we do not need to go to the Cova d'en Xoroi to have it. Bambú Menorca was inaugurated in 2019 and in just over a year of life it has already become one of the places to be par excellence on the island. Spectacular sunsets from its terrace, refreshing cocktails and a unique atmosphere. Don't hesitate to stay for dinner after the ritual of seeing the sun merge with the horizon line in the sea!
the little fish (Poble de Pescadors Carrer des Timó): where, as its name suggests, it specializes in all kinds of fish, shellfish and rice dishes. Some recommendations? The steamed mussels, the baby squid, the rice in broth and the black rice are to die for!
na rose (Plaça Sa Font, s/n): one of the best places in Binibeca Vell to taste delicious local products: Dozens of varieties of cheeses, pâtés, toasts, sausages, smoked fish... you will not need more to find happiness in the form of lunch or dinner!