Cala Morell, Minorca.
Find “still” hidden coves and virgin beaches
Minorca It is famous among many other things for its beaches and coves of great beauty. However, the boom in tourism in the last ten years has resulted in the overcrowding of many of them. If you are one of those who longs to be alone, or almost alone, on an idyllic beach or remote cove, you are in luck, because the island of ensaimadas carefully guards some treasures such as Cala Pilar, Binigaus or Cala Escorxada , whose access is only on foot. Not suitable for the traditional tourist. But if what you want is to discover your own paradise, pull Google Earth and you will be able to find little beaches that are not even cataloged as such on the maps. You will feel like a true Robinson Crusoe.
Cala de Mitjana, Menorca.
**Buy some shoes (or better several) **
A real temptation for the fashion victims of heels and not only, because M enorca has a long tradition in the craftsmanship of footwear ranging from the avarcas, the traditional Menorcan sandal, to much more sophisticated options from the hand of well-known designers.
The new covers : The Menorcans have been able to reinvent with real talent the rustic rawhide sandals in a super chic alternative for the summer . Marvel at the wide range of colors, hand-painted designs and different materials. Where to buy them? You will find countless shops all over the island from the traditional ones to the most trendy ones.
We recommend you Little Palau in C/ Major d'es Born, n 7 in Ciudadela. The Menorcan island is also the cradle of the emblematic Mascaró brand that was born in 1918 as a ballet slipper craft workshop. Today the company led by the third generation has become a firm with great international projection. One of its three lines, Pretty Ballerinas It already sells more than 1,000 pairs a day throughout the world and celebrities such as Kate Moss or Nieves Álvarez cannot live without them. Stop by their factory shop in Ferreries (near Citadel) and enjoy trying on the new collections and the rest of the season . However, you will find better discounts on other lesser-known brands that are equally as great in design and quality.
Note: Pons Quintana with stores in Mahon (S'Arravaleta 21) and Ciudadela (Sabaters 5 - Poligno) Its factory shop in Alaior offers significant discounts . and we loved it homers (c/ poici, comerciants i botiguers, 35, Ciutadella) brands with only nine years of history but with really cool designs . A trick? If you use a 37 foot you are in luck. Homers sells the samplers in that issue at discounts of close to 80%.
These MIBO house sandals are perfect for sightseeing in the most comfortable way.
Drink a “pomada” at Cova d’en Xoroi
Legend has it that Xoroi, a man who came from the sea no one knows how, probably a survivor of some shipwreck, used this cave located on the south coast of the island as a refuge. The " Xoroi Cave " located on a cliff, in the urbanization of Cala'n Porter , is one of the biggest attractions of the island.
The cave has various terraces and viewpoints at various heights and currently it is a music bar during the day and a disco at night . We do not mind, sometimes, the excessive crowding of the caves because this site is one of those that is worth not only seeing but experiencing. Settle on one of its terraces with impressive views of the sea (you will have to be patient) and enjoy the traditional Menorcan drink, pomada, a combination of Gin Xoringuer gin and lemonade , and feel the privilege of being in one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean.
Sa Cova D'en Xoroi (Cala'n Porter, Menorca)
Contemplate the sunset of Cap d'Artrutx
As if it were a ritual, the surroundings of this lighthouse with its characteristic blue and white stripes and built in the mid-19th century, are invaded at dusk by a silent procession of foreigners and locals. Some equipped with cameras, others simply with a bottle of wine they gather to admire the slow cadence of the sun that insists on turning the sky into an impossible palette of colors from faint yellow to intense saffron. No one speaks, absolute silence. The sun plunges almost literally into the sea and a burst of applause greets the beginning of the night . Simply wonderful.
Cap d'Artrutx, Menorca.
Explore the local gastronomy
It sounds cliché but it is that, How is such a small island capable of producing so many and varied gastronomic specialties? Sobrasada, Mahon cheese, cured meats... without forgetting its famous ensaimadas and traditional pastissets, pastries in the shape of a five-petaled flower. To find a bit of everything go to Ca Na Fayas (Murada d'Artrux 28, Ciudadela) a good option although there are many others. And if we talk about restaurants, the options are endless. We propose two:
Aquarium (Lago de Cala'n Bosch, 07760 Ciutadella, where you will find fish, shellfish and rice dishes with excellent value for money and of course the traditional Menorcan lobster stew.
A more sophisticated alternative is Case Consol , (Placa des Born 17), with impressive views over the port of Ciudadella and dishes as delicious as tuna with tomato jam.