Advice

Excursions with children in Menorca

Walking through the fields, going into the forests, going through ravines or walking along the coast, Menorca has many amazing places to discover as a family.

 

To organize an excursion with children is a great way to know the charm of our island and be in touch with nature, while sharing moments together. And while you walk, you can take the opportunity to play games as Veo-Veo, find animals, guess sounds or look for signs on the path, so the children will be much more attentive.

From the Royal Son Bou we have selected for you some excursions to do with children in Menorca:

Barranco de Algendar

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The Camino Real, an ancient road from medieval times that people who went from Mahón to Ciutadella traveling in cars or horses, passes through the Barranco de Algendar. It is one of the most beautiful rural landscapes of Menorca.

The path is full of legends that you can read on the posters that you will find: the one at the Cruz de Son Gornés, the one at the Pozo de la Perdiz Blanca, ... Each of these signs suggests activities you can do on the route such as distinguish the most common aromatic herbs that you find and recognize them by their smell. Children will enjoy striving to guess them all.

There are times when it seems that the trees are tilting forming a passage to give you shade and the white rocks and the stone wall delimit the path until you reach the last section, the Cuesta de na Salema.

It is essential to stop along the way to rest in the Royal Cave, formerly used by farmers and hunters to protect themselves. It was a house in prehistory and, although it is not very large, it is the ideal place to sit and enjoy its cool temperature.

In this part of the Barranco de Algendar, in Ferreries, children will have fun when they see some of the animals that live there. The calm turtles eating on the banks of the road, the raptors that fly in such an elegant way that they seem to float in the air, and, of course, the cows that graze in the green fields that surround the entire path.

Cova d’es Coloms

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An excursion that will surely impress you is the Cova d’es Coloms, in Es Migjorn Gran. It is the largest natural cave in Menorca, measures 24 meters high, 100 meters long and 15 meters wide, and is known as La Catedral. Because of the archaeological remains found, it seems that in the Talayotic era it had some religious or ritual function.

To get to Cova d’es Coloms it is recommended that you go to Santo Tomás and from there you cross Binigaus beach. When you reach the end of the beach, you will find some stone drinkers where the road is divided, on the one hand, it leads to Cala Escorxada and on the other, to the right, it will lead you into the Binigaus ravine. Next, you will follow a narrow path that runs between forests and rocks within the ravine. The indications to reach the cave are not very clear and, in many cases, they are painted on the rocks. You can make a fun game with the children to see who discovers the arrows that will take you to your destination.

Before arriving at Cova d’es Coloms, there is the Cova de Na Polida, it is a cave that is difficult to access and cannot be reached at the end, since it has been closed to protect a family of mouse bats that live there. After this cave, on the right, you will find the path you must follow, and in a few minutes, you will reach the spectacular Cova d’es Coloms.

The funny thing is that Cova d’es Coloms means Cueva de las Palomas, because there is a natural drinking fountain where the ringdoves are going to drink and cool off.

This excursion is more recommended for children from 5/6 years. The route does not have much difficulty, but there are narrow and steep areas.

And what do you think if you finish the excursion with a good dip in Binigaus beach?

Castell de Santa Àgueda

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Climbing the Castell de Santa Àgueda is an excursion suitable for the whole family. The castle is located on top of a 264 meter hill and access is only for pedestrians.

About 3 km from Ferreries in the direction of Ciutadella, there is the Camí dels Alocs, you must continue about 4km, where the road entrance is. To climb you have to walk about 1.5 km, and you reach the top in just over half an hour.

The castle is the most important heritage of the Islamic era. It was built by the Arabs on a fortification of the Roman era, and in 1287 it became the last point of resistance of the Arabs, when the island was invaded by Alfonso III.

Currently only the remains of the fortification remain, but it is worth climbing to enjoy the fantastic views of the western part of Menorca.

Parque Natural de la Albufera de Es Grau

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There are more than 5000 hectares of countryside, beaches and coves, lagoons, the island of Colom, the lighthouse of Favàritx, ... a large space to discover the most natural Menorca and privileged landscapes. It is the Natural Park of the Albufera de Es Grau, the nucleus of the Biosphere Reserve.

The Rodríguez Femenias reception center, on the road from Mahón to Es Grau, has a small exhibition on the different ecosystems of the park. There they offer you all the explanations about the 3 itineraries that you can choose, all easily accessible so you can prepare a fun family outing.

The first itinerary, Sa Gola, takes you to the beach of Es Grau along a path surrounded by large trees. The viewpoint, with an impressive view of the lagoon and the animals that live there, is one of its attractions. It is interesting how salt water entrance to this freshwater lagoon is regulated. You will see it from the bridge at the beginning of your tour.

The second itinerary, Santa Madrona, has several wooden screens in its path so that children can observe water birds without disturbing. A little silence and we will enjoy your games in the lagoon.

The third itinerary, the Mirador de Cala Llimpa, is one of the easiest to travel and ends at Punta de na Verda from the bottom you can see the white houses of Es Grau. The Observatory den Biel, a wooden house with drawings of all the birds that inhabit the area allows you to see them naturally, in their own habitat, and recognize them by the images. Cormorants, ducks of all colors, galapagos, ... the children will be so entertained that they will want to stay there for a long time.

Salinas de Mongofre

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Salinas de Addaia and Mongofre within the boundaries of the Albufera d’Es Grau Natural Park. Two salt flats of the nineteenth century separated by a narrow strip of land, which have been in disuse since 1990. It is a bird nesting area, making it an ideal place to observe them.

To start the excursion, you have to reach the urbanization of Addaia and, from there, follow the signs of Camí de Cavalls. It is an easy and flat route of about 3 km, there is only one descent that will be uphill on the way back.

On this excursion you can see seagulls, storks, ducks and other birds. It is important not to shout or make a lot of noise so as not to scare these animals. How many different species are you able to see? A fun idea is to bring a notebook for children to draw the birds and other animals that they discover during the excursion, it will be a nice memory to take back home.

Canteras de s’Hostal

Ruta mágica por las Canteras de S'Hostal en Menorca

This impressive place, which ceased to function as a quarry about 20 years ago, has become a space where you can learn how the typical Marés stone of Menorca was worked. Its cuts in the high walls, the botanical gardens, those corners in the shade of the trees, the labyrinth in which children will be lost in fun trying to find their way out ...

A marked route will walk you along the paths that have already been rehabilitated. You will see the Totem, a tall stone sculpture formed by the cuts that the stonecutters made and you will hear the sound of the water of the medieval garden.

The botanical gardens have the names of all the plants that have been incorporated giving color to a simple landscape of white and ocher stones that seem scratched by work

In addition to visiting these facilities you can approach the Wildlife Recovery Center located in the same enclosure. It is like a hospital for animals. Children will love to see how they take care of them and the explanations of the guides who take care of them until they are recovered and can return to their natural habitat.

Various cultural activities are organized between the high walls every year in summer: theater, music, ... says that the acoustics are incredible and, in addition, when the sun goes down, the shadows make fun shapes on the walls.

Excursion to the beach

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And what if you combine hiking and beach? The trip to one of the most beautiful coves of Menorca can be a real excursion and, after a walk, it will be very pleasant to bathe in the sea and enjoy a day at the beach.

  • Getting to Cala Pregonda from Binimel·là beach is an easy and simple route, about 30 minutes, but there is no shade. Cala Pregonda is located in the north of the island and for its golden sand, its transparent waters and the rocks that protrude from the sea is one of the most spectacular coves in Menorca.
  • From Cala Galdana you can go to Cala Mitjana on one side or Cala Macarella on the other. Without a doubt, they are two of the most beautiful beaches of the island, surrounded by vegetation, with crystal clear waters and fine white sand, they are a true paradise. They are also the most famous, so they are very popular during the months of July and August.
  • In the northern part of Ciutadella is Cala Pilar, a beach of golden sand and transparent waters, surrounded by clay soil. To get there you will have to follow a path that goes into the forest.

It is essential to keep in mind that virgin beaches do not have any service, so do not forget to bring everything you need.

To carry out any of these excursions it is very important to always bring plenty of water and some food, as well as sun protection. And of course, both children and adults, you will need suitable walking shoes and comfortable clothes.

Get up early, get strength with a good breakfast in one of our restaurants and go exploring Menorca. Are you ready to live authentic family adventures?

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