Menorca

Menorca – What you should know

Menorca is the windy sister of the Balearic Islands — and that is both its trademark and its greatest climatic difference from Mallorca and Ibiza. The Tramuntana, a powerful northerly wind, sweeps across the flat island especially in winter and spring, bringing clear air but also cool temperatures and occasional gusts. In summer the wind gives way to the hot, calmer high-pressure weather of the western Mediterranean.

Menorca's swimming season runs from June to October: temperatures typically sit at 25–28°C (77–82°F), and the bays of the south coast display turquoise water that can rival the Caribbean. Menorca is less developed for tourism than Mallorca — as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve the island is largely protected from mass construction, which also means quieter beaches.

The best travel time is June and September: the weather is stably sunny, the sea warm enough for swimming, and the island considerably quieter than during the main holidays. In September the Tramuntana is usually still weak, evenings are warm, and prices drop sharply after the end of peak season. Those who want to combine hiking and snorkelling will find in Menorca one of the most unspoilt destinations in the Mediterranean.