Holidays to Cala Blanca

A visit to Ciutadella is a must because the old capital is the best place to see the winding cobbled streets and historical architecture that really give you a feel of traditional Menorca. With Cala Blanca being such a modern resort, it’s easy to miss out on this experience otherwise. Ciutadella is also excellent for shopping, cafes and nightlife, and could even make a visit to the new capital of Mahon unnecessary.

The Festival of Sant Joan in Ciutadella is an annual event that brings many people to the old capital to see the traditional events which all involve magnificent Menorcan horses. Horses and their costumed riders race and joust for the crowds, and it’s considered good luck to touch the horses if you can. Fireworks finish off the festival for a real party atmosphere.

Proximity to Cala Santandria is also a top attraction, home to a sheltered cave with warm waters and plenty of activities and facilities.

Menorca’s delicious local cuisine showcases the island’s abundant fresh produce. There’s plenty of tasty and ultra-fresh seafood, from grilled sardines to the Menorcan fishermen’s stew, caldereta de llagosta (spiny lobster stew). You could also try grilled meat – such as pork chops, lamb or rabbit – or go for one of the hearty stews, which will feature lots of local vegetables and sausages. The island produces a wide range of renowned cheeses and charcuterie, including the celebrated sobrassada (a piquant pork-based spread) and cuixot, which is flavoured with local herbs such as fennel. These are traditionally accompanied by the pa amb oli (thick slices of bread rubbed with tomato and drizzled with olive oil) and a pitcher of locally produced wine.

If you’re keen to explore the island and have small children to entertain, it’s just 40 minutes in the car to the zoological park at Son Bou to see the kind of wildlife that kids will love, including kangaroos, monkeys, lemurs and parrots. You can top this off with a visit to the beach at Son Bou, which is bigger and busier than Cala Blanca but still a great place to swim, picnic and sunbathe. 

The opportunity to swim in such an unusual and naturally convenient cove is the main attraction of Cala Blanca. This is particularly good for families with young children, thanks to its shallow, warm waters.

Kids will also love the Aqua Center Water Park and Aquarock Water Park, which are both a short drive away and have watery attractions as well as places to eat, drink and relax while the little ones are having fun. 

There’s plenty of fantastic snorkelling around Cala Blanca, or you could rent a kayak and explore the rocky coastline. Scuba diving is also popular, and numerous suppliers in the area run courses and organise diving trips to some of the most popular diving sites. Menorca has some fantastic hiking paths, including the famous Camí de Cavalls, a medieval bridle path which is now a long-distance route that runs around the entire island. The nearest section runs from Ciutadella to Cap d’Artrutx via Cala Blanca and offers panoramic views and a wealth of local flora and fauna. Menorca is also a great place for mountain-biking, with scores of well-marked trails across the island. 

Diving is a popular attraction off the coast of Cala Blanca, where the calm and clear sea offers easy underwater exploration. If you’re a novice diver or have never given it a try but always wanted to, you may never get a better introduction than that on offer at Cala Blanca. Head to one of the many diving schools in the area for some expert help – then you can start taking advantage of the peaceful, shallow waters for learning and fun.

Cala Blanca is a quiet, low-key resort, but you'll still find a decent choice of nightlife. There are some atmospheric bars close to the beach, where you can watch the sunset with a drink in hand, plus a handful of livelier options in the main streets. During the summer, some of the pubs and bars organise karaoke nights and other events. There's isn't much in the way of big bars and nightclubs, but you could always hop in a taxi for Ciutadella, which has a wide choice of nightspots, from cosy little jazz bars to harbourfront cocktail bars with roof terraces, plus enough clubs to keep things lively all through the night.

Cala Blanca makes a fantastic base for a romantic holiday, with its beautiful curving bay, dazzling turquoise waters, and relaxed, low-key atmosphere. There are plenty of shops and restaurants on hand, and you’ll find plenty more in the charming city of Ciutadella, which is just 3 miles away. You can laze on the sands, soaking up the sun, then linger over a delicious lunch with sea views. Perhaps you could take a romantic stroll around the coast (especially lovely at sunset), or snorkel around the rocky cliffs and bays. In the evenings, you’ll find plenty of places to snuggle up over a cocktail or two, and there are lots of bars and clubs in nearby Ciutadella if you want to dance until dawn.

Cala Blanca has been inhabited since ancient times, and there are remnants of pre-Talayotic and Talayotic settlements in the area. These, unfortunately, can’t be visited, but there are plenty more superb archaeological sites that you could visit on the island, including the megalithic ruins at Talatí de Dalt and Trépuco. Ciutadella, just 3 miles away, is the fascinating former capital of the island, replete with stunning historic buildings, including a superb cathedral. This is set amid the atmospheric network of medieval lanes in the city’s oldest quarter, called Es Born, which spreads out around the charming port. There’s an interesting history museum set in a 17^th-century fortress on the cliffs about the town.