Get The Kids Enthused About The Family Holiday In Menorca

Family holidays can be daunting to organise, especially if you have children of differing ages and interests. Luckily, Menorca has something for everyone.

It truly is a wonderful island, but if you are still to convince your children, then these fun facts might help to get them enthused about the trip and work out exactly what they like to see or do during the family holiday in Menorca.

It’s An Archaeologist’s Paradise

Menorca has 1500 megalithic sites, making it a fantastic destination for anyone interested in the history of ancient civilisations. From burial chambers to villages and caves carved out of the rocks, there are plenty of monoliths to visit all over the island.

The Naveta d’Es Tudons, situated over in the West, is rumoured to be the oldest building without a roof in the whole of Europe. What’s more, this ancient tomb lies just a stone's throw away from the Ciutadella, which itself has some highly immersive and well-preserved military forts to explore. Your youngsters will have a great time running around and discovering these too. 

Where Mayonnaise Was Born

There’s nothing quite like sitting in a beachside bar, dipping your chips into some homemade mayonnaise in the place where the sauce originated.

To be precise, mayonnaise, or salsa Mahonesa, is named after the Menorcan capital Mahon. Under the French occupation in the eighteenth century, the recipe was taken to Paris and launched at a victory feast.

Make sure to sample some of this classic mayonnaise during your family holiday in Menorca. The flavour is incredible, and it will quite literally give you a taste of history thanks to the simple, traditional ingredients which are still used to this day: olive oil, garlic, and eggs.

Home to the World’s Second Biggest Harbour

The capital Mahon isn’t just famous for its namesake side dish. The natural harbour here is the second largest in the world (after Pearl Harbour in Hawaii): it’s 900m wide and stretches a massive 5km in length.

Due to constant invasions and occupations, the strategically placed harbour boasts a rich history for you to dip into as you watch the yachts sail by.

A Defensive Path Runs around the Entire Island

The Path of Horses, or Cami de Cavalls, is a defensive path dating back to the fourteenth century. Stretching 185 miles, the track encircles the entire island and was originally designed as a way to fend off invaders.

Since its recent renovation, the path has become a popular destination for hikers and horse riders alike. Travelling the whole circumference on horseback would take a week, but, luckily, the path is broken into 20 beautiful stages so you can hop on and off as you please; ideal for exploring with the children.

It’s a Biosphere Reserve

In 1993, the island was granted the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve thanks to its incredibly diverse landscape.

While you explore on your family holiday in Menorca, you’ll discover all kinds of stunning terrain: valleys, sand dunes, wetlands, caves, and, of course, protected beaches. The island's low population has really helped preserve a certain kind of untouched beauty.

In addition to this breath-taking backdrop, Menorca is home to an amazing array of flora and fauna. In the S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park over on the eastern side, you can spot amphibian and bird species and enjoy a picnic too.

Where to Stay

To get the most out of your trip, make sure to consider renting a villa for the duration of your family holiday. In Menorca, we’re seeing more and more holidaymakers opting to stay in this kind of accommodation.

With a kitchen included, you’ll have the flexibility of self-catering and most villas have a private pool too. There’ll also be plenty of space for you to relax together instead of being separated across hotel rooms.

As you can see from this local trivia, there is so much to see and do on this Balearic island, so get the kids excited about the trip before you go and everyone will have an even better time.

Author Plate

Brenda Jaaback, Managing Director of Bartle Holidays, is a renowned Menorca expert. From its history to its people and from its wildlife to its cuisine - no secret of the island remains hidden to her. Personally selecting the finest properties for her clients, Brenda is the go-to person for anyone looking for a relaxing family holiday in Menorca. Bartle Holidays makes no warranty as to the accuracy of information contained in this article and excludes any liability of any kind for the information.