When to visit Menorca

The best time to visit Minorca is between May and October, when the weather is warm and perfect to head down to the beach. The high tourist season is between June and September, although this island never sees thousands of tourists like neighbouring Mallorca, making it pleasant to visit all year round.

Every festivity brings together the best the island has to offer, so why not visit Minorca at a time when the Menorquins are out celebrating? For centuries, Minorca has remembered its history and traditions in a special way, allowing visitors to get to know all the great aspects of the island: its typical produce, its fabulous gastronomy and wines, the beauty of the Minorcan horse and its pomada, a mix of Mahón gin with lemonade.

The most famous party takes place in Ciutadella when it celebrates its patron saint Sant Joan on the 23rd of June, lasting three to four days. As with most patron saint celebrations, people gather to watch the spectacle whilst caixers, or riders on horseback, dance their way through the crowds. On the evening of the first day, the locals engage in a mock battle with hazelnuts, filling the streets with them. The rest of the days are filled with traditional acts, with the Minorcan horse as the main attraction.

Although less known than the fiestas in Ciutadella, Mahón celebrates the Festes de la Mare de Déu de Gràcia with great pomp. From the 6th to the 9th of September, giant papier maché figures parade down the streets of the capital accompanied by a band. The locals dance to the sound of castanets and the festivities again centre around the Minorcan horse. During these fiestas, the caixers throw wineskins around, which bystanders catch and thoroughly enjoy back at home with their families. And for the finale a great fireworks display lights up the sky signalling the end of another great day in Mahón.

Minorca’s other festivities are equally cheerful and filled with different traditions, music and animation that can last for several days. Visit Es Castell from the 24th to the 26th July, during the Sant Jaume festivities, and witness the typical Jaleos (crowds clapping with cries of encouragement) and fireworks. Celebrate Sant Martí in Es Mercadal during the last week of July. And on the 25th of August, make sure to be in Sant Lluís to see the skilled riders on horseback.

Clearly, Minorca honours its history, its traditions and its land. Come and take part in this!