Menorca, Spain: the true home of slow

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Menorca is a beautiful, downtempo holiday location ideal for those who want to slow down for a few days.

this omnipresent pace of life, which sets the island apart from neighbours Mallorca and Ibiza, is evident in both the people and places.

The permanent po[CENSORED]tion is just 76,000 and it isn’t set up for hectic holidays and fast-paced mini breaks. Rather, it offers charming authenticity, with strict planning laws forbidding the construction of high-rise blocks and clubs. This attitude has resulted in a relaxed café and bar culture along with smaller hotels and villas to suit every budget.

There are a huge number of options for those seeking a relaxing holiday. For starters, Menorca has a wealth of idyllic sandy beaches. Among the best is Son Bou, the island’s longest and, further west, the narrow strip of soft sand known as Santo Tomas. It hardly lacks for other forms of natural beauty either: in 1993 the island was declared a Biosphere Reserve, becoming a select group of places where nature and people can live in happy communion with one another.

This sought-after status recognises the continued care taken over the many historical and natural treasures on the island. Menorca’s prehistoric relics, traces of which are said to date back as far as 2800 BC, include the Talayotic site between Alaior and Son Bou, Torre d’en Galmes, and a remarkable megalithic chamber tomb, Naveta d’Es Tudons, near the town of Cuitadella.

There are many more modern visual spectacles on the island, including the traditional fishing boats in the harbour in Mahon (said to be the second largest natural harbour in the world).

Mahon was a naval base in the 18th century, giving rise to some attractive Georgian architecture as well as a giant fort. Mahon, and Menorca in general, is a very family-friendly place: children are safe to explore while adults have drinks al fresco, enjoy the bustling food market, or potter around the stalls and shops before heading up the hill to nearby Cala Fonte.

Head across to the port steps where boats depart for tours or for a private experience rent a small motorboat in the south-east of the island and head over to Lizard Island to see an endemic lizard subspecies and a lighthouse.

Kayaks are an even gentler way of getting around and can be hired in the old fishing village of Fornells where excursions are organised and technique is taught. For land-lovers wishing to soak up the atmosphere on four legs there are plenty of riding tours available including trips through the countryside and around the recently reinstated Cami de Cavalls, a 115-mile coastal route that circumvents the island.

Menorca is also home to photography tours where you can learn to take pictures in some of the island’s most beautiful spots. If you prefer a brush to a camera, try a painting holiday ‒ excellent for solo travellers who want to add sociability and purpose to their trip and create memories you can keep on your wall forever.

Even the fiestas taking place throughout the summer follow the slow mantra. They resemble a big family party. A family party with horses. Stand back and watch the Menorcan-bred stallions from a distance (or run with the locals if you prefer) while sipping on the local gin and lemon drink, pomada.  For something more calming still, try the Menorcan chamomile flowers, brewed into a tea or liqueur, which are regarded as a panacea.