Minorca - Top 5 Best South Coast Holiday Resorts

Menorca's Best South Coast Holiday Resorts.

Our top resort list features some of Minorca's most popular holiday destinations. We highlight which resorts are ideal for families, couples, sports and entertainment.

Menorca's south coast is a sunshine haven, with lots of warm and relaxing sandy coves, impressive blue flag beaches and calm, shallow waters. You'll find a good mix of activities for youngsters, plus plenty of secluded coves for older sun worshipers and an abundance of watersport options in larger resorts.

Menorca's top holiday hotspots consist mainly of low-rise hotels, villas and apartments, with Cala en Porter, Cala en Bosch and Cala Galdana being three of our favourites - so read on to discover more.

Top Tip: Research which of our featured resorts is close to Minorca's must-visit towns, attractions and places of interest, such as beautiful Ciutadella (Menorca's 'must visit' ancient and first capital city).

1. Cala'n Bosch

Family Friendly Cala'n Bosch (or Cala en Bosc) is a modern holiday resort located on the southwest coast of Menorca, approximately 10km south of Ciutadella. Cala'n Bosch has a lively feel and provides plenty of facilities for families and couples. Resort facilities include a waterpark, numerous shops, bars, cafés and restaurants serving traditional Menorcan and European-style cuisine to keep holidaymakers pleasingly nourished and entertained.

Cala en Bosh is a purpose-built holiday resort with a charming traditional Balearic feel. The resort's relaxed appeal is 'provided in part' by its superb coastal location, plus a low-rise building development policy of mostly traditional terracotta-topped whitewashed villas and apartment complexes.

The resort's main attraction is its busy, picturesque and well-designed marina. The marina is home to plenty of bars and restaurants that cater for different styles and tastes - and from early evening onwards the marina is transformed into a hub of entertainment with a low-key lively buzz. The marina fronts one of Menorca's most beautiful bays that shelters a beach made of fine white sands and crystal-clear blue waters. The family-friendly sea shelves gently into warm waters, making it ideal for sunbathing and swimming.

Cala en Bosch is connected to its smaller 'low profile' resort neighbour, Son Xoriguer, which is just around the headland and only a 5-minute walk away. Son Xoriguer provides additional resort facilities and further beach-front options, including a beach filled with sunbeds (made for relaxing), and a wide selection of watersport activities, such as windsurfing and scuba diving. Nearby you have the exciting Aquarock Waterpark providing fun and attractions for all tastes and ages. The park includes a wave pool, tall and float slides, a jacuzzi, a relaxing lido, restaurants and a karting circuit.

Top Tip: If you're looking for a quiet and relaxing adult-only accommodation, check out the highly rated, bright and modern Menorca Mar Apartments complex, located within easy reach of the coast and resort centre.

2. Cala Galdana

Cala GaldanaCala Galdana is set in one of Menorca's most beautiful pine-clad bays and is possibly the most photographed resort on the island. The picturesque beach at Cala Galdana fronts a beautiful half-moon-shaped cove surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs, pine trees and luxury private villas. The beach consists of fine white sands plus very calm and shallow turquoise seas that are particularly well suited to families with young children.

The resort attracts holidaymakers from across Europe, providing a good mix of holiday accommodations to suit most budgets and tastes, ranging from low-cost self-catering properties to 5-star luxury-grade hotels. If your looking for something special, check out the impressive and family-friendly (5-star) Meliá Cala Galdana hotel, it has an excellent beachfront setting and lovely sea views - the hotel has two swimming pools, relaxing gardens and a luxury sun terrace.

Cala Galdana is a medium-sized resort compared to others and attracts both families and couples who are looking to relax, unwind and enjoy a good mix of attractions. Resort activities include watersports, scuba diving, a small water park, mini golf, cycling and hiking routes, plus Equestrian shows and horse riding facilities nearby.

Other resort facilities include three family-friendly beachfront restaurants serving classic Menorcan cuisine and the other classic - burger and chips. There are also plenty of supermarkets, shops, restaurants and bars to keep you entertained and well-nourished.

• Visit the impressive Cova d'en Xoroi, one of Minorca's most lively night spots. The Cova d'en Xoroi is built into the rockface and is known for its live music, relaxing cliff face bar and spectacular sunsets. The Cave is located at Cala en Porter and is open from morning to dawn.
• Visit the Museu de Menorca in Mahon. The museum houses a collection of over 200,000 artefacts tracing the island’s history from prehistoric times up to the present day. The museum is housed in beautiful buildings; that once formed part of a Franciscan monastery, dating from the 15th century.
• Visit the highest point on Minorca at El Toro (350m above sea level). Located in the centre of the island, El Toro has spectacular 360-degree views from its summit - you can drive or walk to the top.
• The best way to discover Menorca's south coast is to hire a car, especially if you fancy checking out alternative resort life, beaches and the island's many ideal snorkelling coves and cycle routes.

3. Cala'n Porter

Cala en Porter is one of the island's longest-established resorts, located in the municipality of Alaior. Cala'n Porter is best known for its highly rated family-friendly beach (possibly the best beach in Menorca). The resort also provides good evening entertainment, popular scenic coastal walks, ancient caves with cliff-face bars and a nightclub - in short, Cala en Porter is perfect for families and couples.

Cala'n Porter sits proudly on cliffs overlooking a pine-clad bay, it has a pretty beach of soft white sands that slope gently into clear turquoise waters. The resort's eastern side has raised terraces covered with private villas, apartments and a few bars.

Access to the beach is via a long stretch of around 180 steps, which can be tricky to negotiate in places (especially for the young and elderly). However, a convenient mini-train service operates during summer months that can run you down to the beach and back. Access to the beach is also available via a longer (slightly inconvenient) 'walk-around' option which avoids the steps.

The beach has all you need, including sunloungers, shades, beach showers and plenty of watersports options - there are also a couple of bars close to the beach that serve drinks and snacks. Cala'n Porter is a perfect base for exploring the island, with several days out within easy reach of top attractions. Visit the island's capital Mahon, with its narrow cobbled streets packed with tapas, boutiques and chic bars and only 20 minutes away by car along the Me-12 main road.

If you fancy a break from the beach, there are a few scenic walking trails starting from the resort. There's also the Cami de Cavalls – a popular, well-established, and well-signposted hiking trail that runs through the resort and snakes all over the island, including along Minorca's North Coast and the island's popular west Coat resorts. Cala’n Porter is very family-friendly and has plenty of activities for young to let off steam, including play areas, amusement park-style rides and tennis courts.

Cala’n Porter offers a good selection of shops and small supermarkets to keep you going, plus there's a popular pop-up market held Monday and Thursday evenings from 7 - 11 pm. The market has a variety of stalls selling locally made wares, from leather goods and hand-made jewellery to crafted souvenirs.

There is a reasonable choice of nighttime entertainment with late bars and stylish restaurants conveniently centred within the resort. There's probably more choice of late bars in Cala'n Porter than in any other similar-sized beach resort on the island.

Top music bars include Flava, serving a good mix of eighties and dance music, plus Ayashe Lounge & Sound, for good vibes and cocktails. A must-visit nighttime haunt is Cova de en Xoroi, a popular nightclub known locally as The Caves. The Cave is set high up in the cliffs and has astounding sea views, live music and a great atmosphere. Top Tip: If you fancy a cold lunchtime beer (with background ambient music and great views) - head to Cova de en Xoroi - it opens early and closes late.

4. Son Bou

Son Bou may be on the small side, but it sits on the longest stretch of beach in all of Menorca. At 4km long, Son Bou's pristine beach is one of the island's favourites, with lovely soft white sands, beautiful sunsets and warm crystalline waters.

Son Bou is a family-friendly resort located halfway along Menorca's southern coast. The resort is conveniently located halfway between the capital Mahon and the medieval city of Ciutadella (both cities should be on your must-see list during your stay).

Swimming needs slight caution as there are strong offshore currents (swim only in designated areas and insight of lifeguards). The resort has the usual facilities including shops, bars and restaurants (with children’s menus). Beachside, you have the usual facilities, including sun umbrellas, loungers and showers, plus watersports for hire.

Son Bou is classified as an Area Of Natural Interest (ANEI), as it contains an extensive wetland area and important dune habitat located just inland from the beach. The beach at Son Bou is quite special, although I prefer Minorca's smaller and sheltered sandy bays, the only downside being they become extremely busy in peak season, which is not such a problem at Son Bou due to its expanse of beach.

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5. Punta Prima

The resort of Punta Prima is quiet, relaxed and family-friendly and is one of Menorca's original beach resorts, located just 10km south of Mahon on the island's southeast coast.

Punta Prima caters well for families and couples with a good mix of budget holiday apartments and luxury-grade hotels & spas, including the Insotel Punta Prima Resort and Spa and the family-friendly Barcelo Pueblo Hotel.

Punta Prima's beach is typical Menorcan with soft white sands and warm clear Waters; the seas are relatively safe but can have slight undercurrents, so take note of beach lifeguards and the swimming safety flag status. The resort's promenade backs the beach with easy access to shops, cafes, bars and parking facilities.

Punta Prima has a good mix of natural beauty appeal and good tourist facilities, including plenty of family-friendly accommodation, shops and a supermarket. There are plenty of bars and restaurants serving international cuisine and Mediterranean dishes.

One of the most popular local attractions is SPLASH Sur Menorca, located in Sant Lluis, just 5km by road from Punta Prima. The water park has adult-only slides, child slides, relaxing poolside sun loungers, plus plenty of child play areas. Splash Sur has restaurants serving burgers and chips, or you can enjoy a wide selection of dishes at the buffet at the Sur Menorca Hotel, Suites & Waterpark complex, all at reasonable prices.

If you fancy a rest from the beach, the Capital Mahon is only 11km (19 mins) away by bus (change at Sant Lluis). Alternatively, visit Binibeca Vell (think Portmeirion), a pretty village designed in the 1970s and built to resemble an old Mediterranean fishing village. Binibeca is a maze of narrow cobbled alleyways full of Moorish-style whitewashed houses and a small pretty harbour. Plan your visit at lunchtime and check out the 'Restaurante El Pescadito de Binibeca' for its excellent seafood menu. Binobeca Nou is the name of the local beach, which has sun loungers to relax on, plus a popular and laid-back beach bar. Binibeca is only 4km (10 mins) from Punta Prima - a convenient tourist road train service operates from Punta Prima to Binibeca during the summer.

My Favourite Minorca South Coast Resort.

It's difficult to pin down just one resort from the above list, however, Cala'n Porter and Cala Galdana stand out as strong contenders for 1st position. However, my ultimate favourite Menorcan destination is not one of the island's many stunning beach resorts - it's the ancient port city and former capital, Ciutadella.