Long weekends Mahon Menorca in September

So spoilt by choice by long weekends Mahon Menorca in September – we have been regulars for years and this time of the year is magic, a favourite out of the 7 trips so far! Whilst most crowds are gone and kids are back to school, average temperatures are 26C, 12 hours of daylight and a very warm Mediterranean, ideal for swimming and snorkelling.  And girls weekends away have now been scientifically proven as therapeutic for all parties involved, including families at home, so hats off to weather in Menorca in September, best beaches near Mahon and long weekends with dear friends!

We loved the Balearics for a long time, but 2017 marked the year when one of my best uni friend moved back to Menorca. No wonder that translated into many getaways together, so we jump at the opportunity also to put together best beaches near Mahon Menorca, favourite restaurants, lounges, clubs, and sailing.

Mahon long weekend

We opted few times for Mahon as a base: great to soak in the history and culture by day, many of Menorca best beaches are a short drive from Mahon plus wander around gorgeous lounges and clubs by night.

Our favourite beaches near Mahon Menorca?

1. Los Bucaneros beach (20 minutes drive or ~Euro20 by taxi from Hotel Can Alberti), by one authentic and cute beach chiringuito with wooden benches. And whilst it has been recently renovated, it keeps its Menorcan charm, great for casual bites by the beach, aperols or Mojitos.

Pair it with a stroll in Binibiquer Bell (pretty fisherman village) and for a proper lunch by the sea head to Taberna del Corso : seared tuna, calamari, salads, pan con tomate and great bottles of albarino.

After lunch by Taberna del Corso

2. Es Grau nature reserve  (15 minutes drive or ~Euro15 by taxi from Hotel Can Alberti) makes a gorgeous active half day or full day: there’s kayaking within the reserve to deserted beaches, SUP or simply chilling and having a long lunch at Tamarind.

Tamarind Es Grau

Menorca kayaking Es Grau

Private beaches from Es Grau

Sunset Es Grau

3. Nature Reserve S’Albufeira(20 minutes drive or ~Euro15 by taxi from Mahon), promenades by stunning lunar landscapes and the lighthouse Favaritx.

Our favourite beach lounges near Mahon Menorca?

A. For drinks and dinners chasing sunsets we love Bambu, always a treat plus short drive to Mahon (20min to be more precise).

Best dinners and sunsets in Menorca at Bambu

Best cocktails and sunsets in Menorca at Bambu

The team is fun whilst the cuisine prides as fresh, local and sustainable. Some fine ingredients from both land and sea from Menorca’s artisan food producers as well as Bambu’s own herb garden, Mediterranean cuisine with Asian touches.

Best dinner with sunset Menorca Bambu

Best sunsets by Bambu beach bar Binibeca

2. When we didn’t sink pomadas or aperol spritz by Bambu, we love sunsets at Cova d’en Xoroi,  tables and terraces carved into the cliffside and DJs who turn the caves into a club after dark.

3. A bit further by the North West Coast (28min drive from Mahon), there is another stylish chiringuito and club:  Isabella in Fornells opens from sunset o’clock and rolls on until late. And in September there used to be the sailing 52 super series, we loved dancing the night away with gorgeous sailers !

4. Sadly now closed, sunset drinks by the lighthouse overlooking Mahon’s harbour, fingers crossed it will re-open soon!

Sunset drinks Mahon in September

Best trips from Mahon which don’t involve the beach?

What else to do in Menorca ? Cheese and vineyards at Hort Sant Patrici

What else to do in Menorca ? Cheese and vineyards at Hort Sant Patrici

A. Head to Hort Sant Patrici to check out locally produced wine and cheeses; a stunning boutique hotel, museum and vineyards. The gardens and vineyards surround Ca Na Xini historic house, converted into a boutique hotel with a charming restaurant with Minorcan cuisine.

Menorca vineyards at Binifadet

Menorca in September wining & dining at Binifadet

B. For vineyards closer to Mahon and dinner head to Binifadet (15 minutes drive rom Mahon): great cuisine with local ingredients exquisitely cooked and going greatly with Binifadet wines. And beautiful wine and vineyards beside, this is a beloved family project that we adore.

Best restaurants in Menorca Fontenille Torre Vella

Siempre Viva Fontenille

C. Chic lunches and treks in Menorcan beautiful countryside? A bohemian retreat surrounded by fields of olive trees, Fontenille Torre Vella treated us with the best lunch on the island. And ladies who lunch apparently live longer and for sure better 🥂The best pan con tomate, burata with gazpacho and thon crudo, Fontenille’s fab rose flowing . Another 20 minutes drive from Mahon and we absolutely loved Fontenille’s eco credentials: the food comes from Torre Vella’s beautiful gardens and orchards; waste is composted and water is recycled for irrigation. There are vineyards and soon Fontenille’s wines, but for now one should indulge pre or post lunch walks around the 200-hectare grounds stretching to the coast.

Sant Joan de Binissaida

rbsh_vivid

D. More Cami de Caval, lunching and dining by Sant Joan de Binissaida (15 minutes drive rom Mahon) lure with organic vegetables picked from their garden as well as fresh seafood and fish. We have spent 3 great days in here in 2021 and adored the food: Menorquin octopus and skate, tomatoes and aubergines.

Our favourite hotels in Mahon Menorca?

For the latest and hottest opening in Menorca, head to Hotel Can Alberti! We adore their art exhibitions with live music, or cultural week-ends partnering up with Mahon opera!

Hotel Can Alberti Mahon

Glorious boutique Hotel Can Alberti Mahon – art gallery opening

Casa Ladico Mahon could be also a great pied a terre : Menorcan old building with Mediterranean old charm renovated chic and sleek. The location is right in the historic Mahon and few steps away gorgeous views over the harbour; for guests like us, there’s a green yard therapeutic and feng shui to forget about all, relax and dip in a swimming pool. Tranquillity, charm and eclectic go hand in hand.

The dinners used to be great, the wine selection gorgeous and the dishes exquisite. Opened in 2017, Casa Ladico Mahon makes a perfect couple getaway, parents retreat (no kids under 12!), friends looking for cosy dining, wining.

Trek to Los Bucaneros, Menorca’s loveliest chiringuito

My sweetest Menorcan friend treated us many times with days organised at perfection in Mahon:  markets, days by the beach, strolls and dinner in the glam and buzzy harbour.

But the best way to see this island remains sailing. Chilling out by crystal clear waters, Maldives looking like – life does not get sweeter than this.

Few sailing itinerary options depending on the winds, but in 7 trips we never got tired of Menorcan seas and landscapes!

Cava and lunch on the boat and thereafter more sailing and swimming at sunset by picturesque Fortalesa de la Mola and Castell de Sant Filip.

Sailing Menorca in September

Binibeca Vell coast

Travelling during the pandemic (July 2021). Being fully vaccinated and travelling from UK to Menorca was easy, just a couple of extra forms. For coming back to London we booked our private tests 3 days ahead of our travels and thereafter booked for London Day 2 private tests. The travelling guidance has been fluid though, always best to check the latest UK Foreign travel advice.

For more getaways in Menorca to Es Castell head here; for best restaurants in Menorca head here;  Menorca with kids head here; for sailing  here and for more rural Menorca family holiday by Llucmacanes head here.