Majorca or Menorca: which island should I choose?
These Balearic siblings might seem similar at first glance, but Menorca* and Majorca* offer different experiences for travellers of all kinds.
Whether you're after quiet relaxation, gourmet food or somewhere to entertain the kids, our Spain specialist weighs up these two Balearic beauties.
Getting there: find great value breaks to the Balearic Islands with Jet2holidays*, which departs from numerous UK airports year-round.
Getting active
With their delightful Mediterranean climates, both islands lend themselves to being outdoors most of the year, but your adventure level might dictate which island is better for you.
Majorca's dramatic Serra de Tramuntana mountains are made for more extreme thrill seekers with their epic peaks. Although there are a few more gentle hikes, many mountain treks are not for the fainthearted, but you will be rewarded with dense forests, charming towns and villages, and some pretty spectacular views.
If you prefer adventures on wheels, mountain biking trails are plentiful, as well as canyoning, coasteering cliff diving and climbing for those seeking more vertiginous pursuits.
Hop over to Menorca and things are a little tamer but that's not to say they're any less impressive. The mountains here are lower but hikers will be in their element as the ancient Camí de Cavalls path circumnavigates the perimeter of the entire island.
There are some more trying sections but on the whole, the walks are relatively straightforward offering glances of secluded bays, lively resorts and historic ruins.
With the family
Due to Menorca's quiet nature, it's not the first place that comes to mind when planning a family holiday, but that also works in its favour; less crowded resorts mean space to spread out on the beach, less competition for activities and restaurants, and more natural wonders than you can shake a bucket and spade at.
While there are activities that older children might enjoy such as horse riding and kayaking, younger children can make the most of the calm waters of many of the bays and beaches, which are ideal for paddling and splashing around.
What sets Menorca apart is its history; children of all ages will love the tales of pirates and the Talyolitic people, the remains of whose settlements and tombs are dotted across the island.
Majorca, on the other hand, thanks to its size and population, is awash with family activities, both in resort and out, from go-karting tracks to waterparks such as Aqualand El Arenal* and Western Water Park*.
Try a day out at Reserva Park in the Tramuntana mountain range, where you can venture through forests, learn about animal rescue, stop off for a dip in a natural pool and try your hand at Majorca's longest zip line.
One place where all the family can get involved is Golf Fantasia*. This crazy golf is not like any you've seen before: it has three courses, 54 holes and will take your putting through caves, down waterfalls and, naturally, through a windmill or two.
What about food & drink?
There's not a whole lot to divide the food and drink culture in the islands, as there are some staples that are eaten across both, such as sobrasada (a spreadable chorizo often smeared on toast, grilled and drizzled with local honey), ensaimadas (fluffy sweet pastries often eaten for breakfast or merienda, an afternoon snack), and cocas (a savoury, crispy, almost pizza-like dough often with tomato and pepper toppings).
Both islands produce excellent and interesting wines, too, and many vineyards (try Bodega Vins Nadal in Majorca or Bodegas Binifadet in Menorca) offer visits and tastings.
The main difference is that the more high-end, big-name restaurants are found in Majorca, while Menorca has the more rustic style of local restaurants.
Palma takes the crown for food in Majorca where you can visit the San Juan gastronomic market, as well as restaurants serving the best of the island such as Andana by Chef Maca de Castro, housed in an old railway station.
In Menorca, make your way north to the town of Fornells. This pretty port is renowned for its food, such as the famous caldereta de langosta (lobster stew) and kinds of rice. Also, swing by Mahón (Maó) to taste the local Menorcan gin, Xoriguer, and try some local cheese.
The best beaches & resorts
This is where the situation gets tricky, as collectively Menorca and Majorca boast more than 350 beaches between them. Once again, even in high season, the beaches of Menorca tend to be a touch quieter and, even if they're not, you only have to hop around the coast to find a secluded spot.
Both islands have places where you'll find swathes of white sand such as Es Trenc in Majorca and Son Bou* in Menorca, which are popular with everyone from families to nudists as there is sufficient space for everyone.
Majorca has some serious resorts, unlike Menorca. There are famous ones such as Cala Bona* and Alcúdia* as well as the infamous Magaluf*, although there has been a concerted effort over the past decade to shake off its tawdry past.
You'll find resorts in Menorca, too, but they tend to be smaller and quieter, such as Cala en Bosch*, Punta Prima and Cala en Porter.
While both islands are extremely LGBTQ-friendly, Majorca has much more of a scene including a Pride parade each June in Palma. The capital city is the island's main hub and as such is an exciting city break destination.
That said, don't overlook Mahón (new capital) or Ciutadella (old capital) in Menorca, both of which have intriguing histories, excellent food and hotel options, and laid-back vibes.
Compare weather
Located around 60 miles apart, there's not a huge difference in the weather between the islands, other than in the mountainous areas of Majorca.
Use the graphs below to compare the weather in both destinations. Find out more about the climate in Menorca and the climate in Majorca as well as conditions across the region in our complete guide to the climate in the Balearic Islands.
Majorca vs Menorca
- Maximum daytime temperature
- Hours of sunshine
- Days with some rainfall
- Monthly rainfall
- Sea temperature
Maximum daytime temperature (°C)
Hours of sunshine per day
Days with some rainfall
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Sea temperature (°C)
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