Binibeca Vell Menorca: Mediterranean charm and fun

Created for bohemians, intellectuals and creative souls, Menorca’s Binibeca Vell oozes immaculate white villas and Mediterranean architecture: we felt in love with it 6 years ago and kept coming back for its chic simplicity, a cute fisherman village perfect for late lunches and dips in the sea, dinners under the stars with chilled Torralbenc rose and fresh seafood at Bambu, cocktails and live DJs at BB.

Binibeca Vell Menorca

Binibequer Vell Menorca

Binibequer is the local name and you’ll find it often on the road signs will use this name; most English will refer to it as Binibeca, with ‘Bini’ reflecting the Moorish occupation (Bini meaning ‘belonging to the son of…’). Francesc Poch Romeu also felt in love with Binibiquer/ Binibeca Vell and kept on painting it on canvas; the consistency architecture of the 200 something white houses and their wooden balconies, the tranquil cobblestoned streets and the seafront make a wonderful base for Menorcan holidays or just long weekends given its 15minutes drive to Mahon airport.

Binibequer beach

Binibeca Vell coast

Dining and wining favourite spots & restaurants Binibeca Vell :

Best cocktails and sunsets in Menorca at Bambu

Best sunsets by Bambu beach bar Binibeca

(1) Bambu for sunset drinks and Asian and Mediterranean dinners: fun vibes for outings with kids or friends or both, the staff is accommodating and graceful 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.

We keep on going year after year, in 2023 we were blew away by the cheese cake (best we ever had?!),  octopus croquetas, pan con tomate, shrimp tempura and seabass (not necessarily in this order though!). The kids adore the burgers and the chicken as well as exploring and running around by its generous greenery over the sunset and later under the stars.

Best dinner with sunset Menorca Bambu

Best of sunsets Bambu Menorca

(2) Sa Musclera for cosy tapas and a relaxed late lunch and dinner: fideu with mayo to start with, gambas al ajillo, pan con tomate, pulpo and padron peppers did not disappoint! The kids were less impressed with the burgers but the fries and home made lemonades were very popular.

(3) Taberna del Corso : over the years we loved lunching by the sea in here and indulging into seared tuna, calamari, salads. Or if one needs simply a drink or gelatto, there is an icecream & pizza van next to the car park.

South West Menorca

(4) By the beach: Binibeca’s casual chiringuito by the sea Los Bucaneros sadly closed down in 2023 and we missed its bare authenticity; the years before we adored the simple lunches by the sea :  eggplant hummus with crudites, croquetas, roasted seabream and fries, quick service under Bodega Binifadet’s ownership, whilst retaining the old rustic fisherman house charm. With Bucaneros closed in 2023, we reckon Paupa bar is a great option by the sea and a mere 10 minutes walk by Cami de caval or the coast, just by the diving school.

(5) 1o minutes drive from Binibeca and inland, Binifadet spoils one’s taste buds with fantastic wines and food by the vineyards: in 2023 our favourites in here have been the aubergine, the potatoes mayo salad, les moules and bacalao (cod); the lemon tart is delicate and filled with flavours and their Rosado Tanca13 Binifadet best in Balearics and dare we say in Spain?!

BB DJ & Cocktails Binibeca

BB Cocktails Binibequer

Binibequer beach & nearby gems. Besides strolling Binibiquer’s charming streets and climbing up to cocktail bars or simply soaking in the white villas and brownish roofs against a backdrop of the Minorcan sea, one can enjoy some of the best island’s swims in its turquoise crystal water surrounded by pine forests and wild olive trees .

Binibequer beach

Cala Torret is an 7 minutes stroll by Cami de Caval from Binibequer beach and swimming by Binibeca diving school is great: Bar Paupa is here as well for an aperol after or a casual bite.

Binidali beach, a 10min drive from Binibeca

South Menorcan crystal clear beaches

A 10 minutes drive from Binibeca there’s also Binidali beach with its chic Som Sis bar, its mojitos are fantastic, just remember that in 2023 on Wednesdays they are closed.

Kayaking by Binibeca

Kayaking South West Menorca

For some great kayaking, deep caves and huge stalactites head to Es Canutells (20 min drive from Binibeca): cave of s’Esbrufador with three holes in its upper part through which you can see the sky; cave of Ses Atxes with an immense stalactite and so much more until you reach the Binicalaf area. This entire kayaking route is virgin, with high cliffs and no houses or buildings in sight; one can snack and have a drink in the kayak, snorkel and swim, couple of fantastic hours by the sea, exploring south Menorca at its best.

Swimming, dining and wining on repeat ON but in case one is inclined for more, Binibeca is a great base for kayaking and the South West coast has wonderful caves to be explored, coves and stunning crystal sea pools.

We stayed at Villa de’s Ullestres in Binibeca in 2023 and the kids adored splashing in the pool, while the adults chilled by its greenery: breakfasts on the terrace, drinks and snacks, all beautiful and easy. Our friends stayed at Sant Joan de Binissaida as per our recommendation and trip back in 2021; Mahon is a simple 20 minutes drive and so is Es Grau biosphere reserve; for best restaurants in Menorca, head here and for more Menorcan inspirations and getaways with kids, head for our 10 Things to do in Menorca with kids.