Holidays in Spain: Menorca Resorts, Weather and Flights

Menorca island, Spain's second Balearic after Mallorca in the minds of most British holidaymakers, feels more measured than its neighbours. The coast is cut into small bays, or calas, while the interior is a patchwork of farming towns and ancient stone monuments. Maó, the capital with around 29,000 residents, faces a natural harbour on the east side, and Ciutadella is the other main town and ferry port.

What sets the island apart is how much there is to see between beach days. Sites such as Torralba d'en Salort, So na Caçana, Cornia Nou and the Dolmen de Ses Roques Llises trace a prehistoric past, the Castle of Santa Àgueda crowns a hill near Ferreries, and S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park protects a stretch of wetland and coast near Alaior. Out at sea off Sant Lluís, the Illa de l'Aire Lighthouse makes a fine spot to watch the evening light.

The best place to stay on Menorca depends on what you want from the fortnight. Cala'n Bosch is the resort British travellers search for most, a classic beach base for families and couples. Cala Galdana is the other big resort name, set on one of the island's bays and handy for walks to Cala Mitjana. If you prefer a town with shops, restaurants and a harbour, Mahón (Maó) puts you minutes from the airport, while Ciutadella offers a second historic town and a ferry port.

Inland, Ferreries is the best base for sightseeing, with the Castle of Santa Àgueda, the Cova des Coloms and the Son Mercer de Baix site all close by. Alaior, nine minutes from the airport, is near Cales Coves, Cala Llucalari and S'Albufera des Grau. Sant Lluís, three minutes from the runway, suits short breaks and is close to Binissafullet and the Illa de l'Aire Lighthouse, and Mercadal, 16 minutes away, sits beneath the Castle of Sant Antoni in the centre of the island.

The main season runs from June to October. Average highs in Maó climb from 26°C in June to 30°C in July and 29°C in August, with nights staying around 23°C at the peak. July is the driest month by far, with about 3mm of rain over a single day, while August and September can bring the odd heavier shower, with around six rain days each.

Menorca in October is a sound choice for anyone avoiding the school-holiday crowds: highs average 24°C, lows around 19°C and rainfall is modest. Winter is mild rather than warm, with temps in Menorca around 15°C by day in January and February, so the shoulder months from March to May and November suit walking and sightseeing more than sunbathing. School holidays push package prices up across the summer, so flexible travellers often look at June, September and October.

Menorca airport (MAH) receives direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies just outside Maó. Drive times are pleasingly short: about 3 minutes to Sant Lluís, 4 to Maó, 9 to Alaior and 16 to Mercadal, so most transfers are over before the children have finished their crisps.

Once you are on the island, a car on Menorca opens up the inland towns, the archaeological sites and the quieter bays that coach transfers do not reach. You can compare car hire on this page if you want to rent on Menorca for a few days or the whole stay. Ferries also use the ports at Maó and Ciutadella, useful if you are combining the trip with another Balearic island.

Most British travellers book Menorca as a package: return flights, hotel and airport transfers together, with a board basis of your choice, from self-catering through to all inclusive. On this page you can compare live package deals from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach side by side, which makes it easy to check a Jet2 Menorca holiday against the alternatives for the same dates.

If you would rather put the trip together yourself, you can check hotel prices, compare car hire and browse tours and tickets for the island, from boat trips to visits around the prehistoric sites and natural park. Prices and availability change constantly, especially over the summer school holidays, so it is worth comparing a few dates before you commit.