Things to see in Spain

A Visit to Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

When most people think of Barcelona, Spain they think of Gaudi’s architectural wonders, such as the beautiful Sagrada Familia. However, the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona deserves your attention too. Here are just a few highlights.

*The streets of the Gothic Quarter are fun to wander, there is something of interest around each corner.*

Barcelona’s Gothic Cathedral (La Seu)

The 14th-century cathedral is beautiful and worth a visit – check out the main interior (nave), choir, side chapels, crypts, cloister, and chapter house. You can also do a rooftop walk of the Cathedral for a great view overlooking the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. There was some restoration work going on while we were visiting the Cathedral.

*The main facade of Barcelona’s Gothic Cathedral.*

*Above – interior views of Barcelona’s Cathedral, including the nave and beautifully painted choir stalls.*

*Left – Crypt of Saint Eulalia, Barcelona’s patron saint, constructed at the start of the 14th century. Right – the beautiful and peaceful cloister.*

Palau Reial Major

The 14th-century Royal Palace in the Gothic Quarter is right next to the Cathedral. It houses some interesting displays and provides a great overview of the history of Barcelona.

*A two-headed calf in the museum and various displays of Catalan history at the Palau Reial Major.*

Barcino – The Roman City

Right underneath your feet in the Gothic Quarter are the partially excavated ruins of Barcino, the 1st century B.C. Roman settlement on which modern Barcelona was built. The Barcelona History Museum has done an excellent job creating displays and building walkways over the old streets, houses, and craft shops of Barcino, now all underground. The explanatory signs are in English as well as other languages and are very informative. Wine making and fish processing were important industries in Barcino.

*A 3rd-century salted fish tank – alternate layers of chopped fish and salt were left to marinate in these tanks for 20 days – yum!*

*Other views of Roman Barcino. On the right is an ancient baptismal font.*

Other Sights Near the Gothic Quarter

Just down the street (Via Laietana) from the Gothic Quarter is the harbor waterfront (Marina Port Vell) of Barcelona, with a large plaza (Plaça de Correus), numerous cafes, walking paths and gorgeous yachts everywhere. Marina Port Vell calls itself “the premier superyacht marina in Barcelona” and they aren’t kidding!

*A couple of the amazing yachts at Marina Port Vell. I’d really like to cruise the Mediterranean Sea in one of these!*

Las Ramblas is the main pedestrian thoroughfare in downtown Barcelona. Great for people watching, viewing architectural points of interest and grabbing a meal. We made our tour reservations to visit Montserrat Monastery (outside of Barcelona) at a tourist information booth on Las Ramblas.

*Everywhere you turn there is interesting architecture to be seen in Barcelona. These images are of the exterior of Palau de la Musica Catalana.*

Note: We spent a full half-day in the Gothic Quarter after arriving on a morning flight from Menorca. Our second day was spent touring the Gaudi sights, and our third day was spent visiting Montserrat Monastery. It was a perfect 3 days in Barcelona! We stayed in Casa Mathilda right in the heart of Barcelona, an excellent small hotel within walking distance of many sights and the metro (subway) system.

5 Unique Food Festivals Around the World You Need to Attend

If you love traveling and eating (let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), then food festivals are your dream come true. They’re the perfect combo of culture, chaos, community and of course, calories. But not all food festivals are created equal. Some are super local, others are ridiculously extravagant, and a few are just so quirky that you can’t help but grab a fork (and maybe a raincoat) and dive in.

Whether you’re into cheese rolling, fiery spice challenges, or want to slurp noodles in the middle of a lantern-lit street, we’ve got the bucket-list-worthy festivals you need to know about.

Get ready to drool, laugh, and maybe even book a flight. Here are 5 unique food festivals around the world you absolutely need to attend.

1. La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain

Okay, let’s kick things off with a festival that’s not just about food it is food. Or more precisely, throwing it. La Tomatina is the world’s largest food fight, and it goes down in the tiny Spanish town of Buñol every August.

Picture this: tens of thousands of people packed into narrow streets, wearing goggles and white shirts, absolutely drenching each other in overripe tomatoes. Sounds messy? Oh, it is. But it’s also insanely fun.

How It Works:

Trucks roll in loaded with over 100 metric tons of squishy tomatoes.
A jamón (Spanish ham) is placed on top of a greasy pole. When someone climbs it and grabs it, the tomato-throwing chaos begins.
For one hour, it’s a full-on tomato war. Then, fire hoses come in to wash everyone and the streets off.

Why You’ll Love It:

Besides being wildly entertaining, La Tomatina is a sensory overload in the best way possible. After the tomato storm, the town turns into a massive street party with paella, cold drinks, and live music.

Pro Tip: Don’t wear anything you care about. That tomato juice isn’t coming out.

2. Night Noodle Markets – Australia

Let’s switch gears to something a little less intense (and a lot more delicious). If you find yourself Down Under between October and November, you have to hit the Night Noodle Markets in Sydney or Melbourne.

This vibrant, open-air Asian street food festival turns local parks into a glowing paradise of lanterns, sizzling woks, and savory goodness.

What You’ll Find:

Dishes from across Asia: think bao buns, pad thai, pho, dumplings, ramen, Korean fried chicken you name it.
Fusion magic: Laksa-loaded fries? Kimchi tacos? Yes, please.
Craft beers, cocktails, and bubble tea to wash it all down.

It’s like taking a food tour through Asia without leaving the city.

Why You’ll Love It:

There’s something magical about slurping noodles under lanterns while live music plays and the smell of garlic and sesame floats through the air. Plus, the festival is totally cashless, just tap and chow down.

Pro Tip: Go early. The lines for the trendiest stalls get loooong, and you’ll want to try everything.

3. Cheese Rolling Festival – Gloucestershire, England

Let’s be honest: British cuisine doesn’t always get the best rep. But one thing they do incredibly well? Cheese. And they’re willing to risk their lives for it.

Every spring, the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling Festival takes place in Gloucestershire, and it’s every bit as bizarre and glorious as it sounds.

What Happens:

A 9 lb wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down a steep hill.
Dozens of brave (or slightly unhinged) people throw themselves down after it.
First person to cross the finish line at the bottom wins the cheese.

It’s wild. It’s muddy. And yes, people actually get hurt. But it’s also one of the most uniquely British things you’ll ever see.

Why You’ll Love It:

Even if you don’t join the chase, it’s worth going just for the spectacle. There are stalls with local food and cider, and everyone’s in a great mood probably because they’re either eating cheese or watching people tumble down a hill for it.

Pro Tip: Don’t run unless you’ve signed the waiver. Watching from the sidelines with a sandwich is a perfectly respectable choice.

4. Salon du Chocolat – Paris, France

This one’s for the sweet tooths (or is it sweet teeth?). If chocolate is your love language, then Salon du Chocolat is basically your soulmate. Held annually in Paris, it’s the world’s largest event dedicated entirely to chocolate and cocoa.

Yes, it’s as dreamy as it sounds.

What’s Inside:

Over 500 participants from 60 countries, including top chocolatiers, pastry chefs, and cocoa producers.
Workshops, demos, tastings, and even chocolate fashion shows are, yes, actual clothes made of chocolate.
Chocolate sculptures are so beautiful you’ll question whether it’s legal to eat them (spoiler: it is).

You’ll learn everything from bean-to-bar production to fancy ganache techniques. And you’ll probably leave with a suitcase full of treats.

Why You’ll Love It:

Aside from the obvious chocolate overload, Salon du Chocolat is surprisingly educational. You’ll discover ethical cocoa farming, meet artisans, and even try rare single-origin bars. And the vibe? Pure Willy Wonka.

Pro Tip: Don’t go on an empty stomach you’ll think you can eat it all. You can’t. (Trust me, I tried.)

5. Pizzafest – Naples, Italy

When it comes to iconic food cities, Naples might just top the list. It’s the birthplace of pizza, after all. And every September, it throws an epic celebration known as Pizzafest.

Ten days of pure, cheesy, crusty heaven.

What’s Cookin’:

Dozens of pizzerias from Naples (and beyond) set up shop along the city’s seafront.
Thousands of pizzas are baked in traditional wood-fired ovens.
You’ll get everything from the classic Margherita to crazy, modern twists with truffle cream or fried dough.

There’s also music, fireworks, pizza-making workshops, and contests for the best slice.

Why You’ll Love It:

Pizzafest is unapologetically joyful. The locals are proud, the pies are piping hot, and the vibe is pure Naples. If you’re a true pizza nerd, this is the pilgrimage you’ve been waiting for.

Pro Tip: Pace yourself. It’s tempting to try every stall in the first hour, but that’s a rookie move. You’ve got ten whole days to eat your way through pizza paradise.

Bonus Mention: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – New Mexico, USA (With a Side of Green Chile)

Okay, this one isn’t a food festival per se, but it deserves a mention because of the way food plays into the overall experience. Every October, Albuquerque fills the sky with hundreds of hot air balloons during its world-famous Balloon Fiesta and on the ground? It’s a feast of New Mexican flavors.

We’re talking:

Green chile everything: burgers, fries, tamales, and even green chile lemonade.
Navajo fry bread topped with sweet or savory goodness.
Local coffee, cinnamon buns the size of your face, and roasted corn on the cob.

There’s something about eating spicy food while watching giant balloon animals float above your head that just feels… right.

Food Festivals: A Feast for the Senses (and Your Passport)

Here’s the thing: food festivals aren’t just about food. They’re about culture, people, stories, laughter, and a shared love of things that taste amazing. Whether you’re rolling in tomatoes, chasing cheese, or swirling chocolate on your tongue, you’re doing more than eating, you’re experiencing something unforgettable.

So if you’re planning your next adventure, skip the tourist traps and try a food fest instead. You’ll meet locals, discover new dishes, and maybe even fall in love with a flavor you never expected.

Oh, and a pro tip for the plane ride home? Don’t forget to pack snacks. Something like Farmer Jon’s microwave popcorn makes for a great travel buddy when you’re reminiscing about all the wild and wonderful food you’ve tasted on your trip.

Final Thoughts: Bring Your Appetite (and Your Camera)

Let’s be real. Most of us travel for food anyway. So why not build your whole trip around it?

There’s something magical about eating a bowl of noodles under the stars in Sydney, or clinking glasses of wine after a pizza tasting in Naples. It’s about connection between cultures, people, and your taste buds.

Note: Image courtesy of: https://www.freepik.com/

Exploring Gaudi’s Architectural Wonders in Barcelona

Following an awesome 10-day trip to the islands of Mallorca and Menorca, Spain, we flew to Barcelona directly from Menorca to spend a few days there before heading home. This was our first time in Barcelona. There is a lot to do in here, and we decided to take one day and visit several sights that represent the influence Antoni Gaudi (1852 – 1926) had on the architecture of this beautiful city. He was an extraordinary architect and designer who incorporated design elements he found in natural forms (such as the shape of shells and trees) into his architectural work – hence the unique elements you find in his buildings.

Please note it is worth planning ahead and getting your tickets for the sights below in advance, especially during the summer months. We were in Barcelona in October and the city was quite busy with tourists.

La Sagrada Familia

This is likely the most famous landmark in Barcelona (as attested by the large crowds) and is the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world. This church has been under construction since 1882. The hope was to complete its construction by 2026, the centennial anniversary of Gaudi’s death; however it is likely to extend beyond this date. The Church has a layout similar to a typical medieval European Gothic Cathedral, but the interior design is very unique. The completion of the tallest spire, the Jesus Christ spire, will make La Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world (approximately 173 meters).

Side note: We paid for a “tower view” as part of our entry ticket and were disappointed. Very little was visible – you could see a little bit of construction work going on and some obstructed views of Barcelona, but that was about it. Perhaps at some point there will be a view or tour available from the top of the tallest spire – now that would be worth it!

*Views of the exterior of La Sagrada Familia.*

*Views of the central nave. The columns look like trees. The interior is very light and airy with the soaring ceiling and stained glass windows.*

Views of the Nativity façade over one of the main entrances – you can study the detail and various images for hours! It is difficult to get an image that captures the essence (and detail) of the whole façade. The Nativity *façade* was largely completed during Gaudi’s lifetime – he wanted to set an architectural example for others to follow who would be completing this work after his passing.

Park Güell

This famous park on a hill overlooking the main part of Barcelona, was named for Eusebi Güell, who partnered with Gaudi on several projects. Park Güell was originally going to be a residential neighborhood and Gaudi was commissioned by Güell to design it, in the early part of the 1900’s. Rather than becoming a residential neighborhood, this area became a park, and like La Sagrada Familia, it is now a major tourist attraction. The Park has many interesting architectural design features and it is worth a couple hours to just wander and explore. The Park reminded me a bit of a gingerbread house – you can imagine all the various features found in the park being part of a fairytale land!

Note: The park does require a ticket and they do sell out, so plan your visit in advance.

*Views of Park Güell. View of downtown Barcelona (left) and the Hypostyle Room* (right).

*Other interesting features of the park – highly decorated viaducts that were going to be residential streets.*

The Portico of the Washerwoman, a famous landmark in the Park.

La Pedrera – Casa Milà

About 10 blocks southwest of La Sagrada Familia is Passeig de Gràcia, a street on which are located several buildings showcasing Gaudi’s designs, including La Pedrera – Casa Milà, the last private residence designed by Gaudi (built 1906 – 1912), now an apartment building that represents how Gaudi envisioned living quarters. In addition to the apartment rooms, I highly recommend going to the attic and then the rooftop. The attic is a small museum showcasing how they designed the support structure for the building and the rooftop is unique and provides some great views of La Sagrada Familia. I also recommend getting the audio tour, it will help immensely with understanding the things you see.

*Interior apartment view of La Pedrera – Casa Milà. We loved the decor and features like early 1900’s appliances.*

*Views of the attic architecture and furniture displays at La Pedrera – Casa Milà.*

*Rooftop views of La Pedrera – Casa Milà.*

Casa Batlló

Just down the street from La Pedrera – Casa Milà is Casa Batlló, another Gaudi creation. In the attic museum of La Pedrera – Casa Milà you learn how Gaudi renovated the original building to create what we see today as Casa Batlló. You can also tour this building, we did not do so, it’s just a question of how many Euros you feel like spending in a day seeing Gaudi’s architecture!

Visit Montserrat: Must-See Monastery Near Barcelona

While there’s a lot to see in Barcelona, Spain there’s also a lot to do outside this beautiful city. We were only in Barcelona for three days and decided to spend one of those three days visiting the famous monastery of Montserrat, known as Santa Maria de Montserrat.

Getting There

There are various ways to get to Montserrat, you can take a train from Barcelona, drive a car, hike up the steep hills (as pilgrims have done for centuries), or take a tour. We decided to take the easy route by joining a day-tour from Barcelona. We made our reservation at a tour kiosk on the beautiful Las Ramblas street in Barcelona. The tour bus drove us up to the head of the valley right below Montserrat and then we took a steep train ride (Cremallera Rack Railway) the rest of the way up the mountain.

On the return, our tour bus met us at the bus parking area next to the Monastery and we drove all the way back down to Barcelona. The bus ride was about one hour each way. I think we had about 3 1/2 hours to visit the monastery, which was enough time to visit the Basilica where the Black Madonna is housed, visit the various shops, walk up to the St. Michael’s Cross overlook/viewpoint (fairly steep but paved most of the way), take the Sant Joan funicular (super steep!) behind the monastery to a spectacular viewpoint and access point for the hiking trails high above the monastery, and to be back to the Basilica in time enough to get in line to (hopefully) see the Boys Choir perform. Reservations are now required to see the Boys Choir and our tour did not include those reservations – our tour guide warned us of that fact when we got on the bus. However, we waited in a line in front of the Basilica shortly before the afternoon performance and we were able to get in and find seats at the last minute.

Monastery

One of the best features of the monastery is its striking setting in the Montserrat mountains. It was originally founded in 1025, and I can see why it was founded here – a protected site that is not easy to get to and pretty easy to defend! The Monastery has a long and famous history, it’s been a pilgrimage site for a thousand years because of the Black Madonna, housed prominently in the Basilica.

*Above – various views around the Monastery grounds, including the entrance to the courtyard of the Basilica (left), and Monastery Hotel (right).*

*A very interesting statue of a knight – his eyes followed you left or right – you could swear they moved!*

The Basilica courtyard (left) and interior (right) – the Black Madonna is in the upper center of the image – it was hard to get a good zoom-in photo in this light. You can buy a ticket to get a closer look.

*One of Montserrat’s Benedictine Monks.*

More about Montserrat’s history can be found here. In addition to a day trip, you can stay overnight at the hotel on the Monastery’s grounds if you wish.

Montserrat Boys Choir

Montserrat Monastery is home to one of the oldest boys’ choirs and music schools in Europe, dating back to the 14th century. It’s called Escolania de Montserrat. More information on the choir can be found here. We were so glad that we were able to see them perform. We visited in October and they were doing a couple of performances that day, and luckily we were able to get into the Basilica for their afternoon performance, in perfect timing with our tour visit.

*A view of the Boys Choir at Montserrat’s Basilica.*

A short video of the Boys Choir performance.

Views From Around the Monastery

Sant Joan Funicular

You can buy a ticket to take the steep funicular ride up the hill behind the Monastery. I highly recommend this if you have time. The views are incredible, and you can hike all around the tops of these mountains.

*View from the top of the funicular at Montserrat Monastery.*

View looking west from the top of the Sant Joan’s Funicular at Montserrat. There are a number of trails in the area, including pilgrimage routes down to the Monastery. We went a short distance on several trails just to check them out, but we didn’t have time to explore the area too much. We loved the interesting rock formations – the mountains reminded us of the Front Range (part of the Rocky Mountains) near Denver, Colorado.

St. Michael’s Cross Viewpoint

A short steep hike from the Monastery takes you to St. Michael’s Cross, also known as *Creu de Sant Miquel*, which has a commanding view of the Monastery and the valley below. The trails are well sign-posted.

Visiting Santa Maria de Montserrat is a great way to spend a day in the Barcelona region. If time allows, definitely make the visit!

Exploring Menorca’s Unique and Fun Coastal Towns

In addition to beautiful beaches, Menorca, Spain has some interesting and scenic towns to explore. During our short visit, we mixed in visits to the island’s towns, historic sites and beaches. The island is small and it only takes about 45 minutes by car to get from one end of the island to the other. Since the island is not large, any of these towns would be a good “home base” during your stay in Menorca. We decided to say in Cala Galdana, more of a resort area for our first time in Menorca which was also a good choice.

*Map showing the relative locations of the major towns in Mencorca.*

Ciutadella de Menorca

Ciutadella is located on the western end of Menorca and was a busier town than Mahón (discussed below), although that may have been due to the time of day we visited (early evening). Ciutadella is home to the main ferry route connecting Menorca to Mallorca. The town is ancient, dating back to the Carthaginians (~300 BC), and has a long (and at times sad) history, particularly in the 1500’s when the town came under siege by the Turks, who took the survivors and sold them into slavery in Constantinople (Istanbul).

*This windmill stands out as a primary landmark as you enter Ciutadella.*

*Street scenes in Ciutadella. There are some lovely pedestrian arcaded streets and shops and interesting architecture to be admired in Ciutadella.*

*We enjoyed a great tapas meal in Ciutadella!*

Mahón (or Maó)

Mahón is the largest town in Menorca and the island’s capital, located on the eastern edge of the island. It’s also the location of the island’s airport if you fly here. The town is quite pretty, with a lovely setting and harbor. There are some rumors that the word mayonnaise originated here! We found the town to be pretty quiet, with few tourists wandering about. Numerous boat tours are available from Mahón and perhaps most tourists were out for the day.

We had fun wandering the streets along the harbor and admiring the yachts at berth and enjoying some great gelato! Nearby are a number of prehistoric sites that may be visited.

Binibeca (or Binibeca Vell)

Binibeca is a white town on Menorca’s southeast shore that is relatively new but looks like an old fishing village! It reminded me a bit of the Greek islands. It certainly makes for a postcard view. The town was built in 1968, and is in a great location – close to Mahón and yet it feels somewhat remote. The area near Binibeca is a growing tourist spot, with many small hotels/resorts and homes popping up nearby in the years since the village was built. In addition, there are numerous beaches and coves within a short distance if you want to enjoy the warm clear water.

*View of Binebeca and its small harbor.*

*Views of Binibeca. It would be hard to find a more uniform-looking town anywhere in Europe!*

*A short walk from Binibeca will take you to some amazing coves and clear water – inviting you to stay and take a dip! We came back on another day and took advantage of these clear, warm waters.*

Fornells

Fornells is the only major town on Menorca’s north shore and would make a great home base for visiting Menorca, if you want to enjoy a quieter experience and slower pace. Unlike Binibeca, this is an authentic fishing village and it’s known for its great seafood restaurants.

*Residences and vacation homes near Fornells on Menorca’s north shore – this area had a “California coast” feel.*

*One doesn’t have to go far from Fornells to find a great beach – Cala Tirant is just a couple kilometers as the crow files from Fornells, or an 8 km (4.5 mile) drive.*

The Beaches of Menorca, Spain

Like the other Balearic Islands, Menorca, Spain is blessed with some amazingly beautiful beaches and coves. Since we were in Menorca for only 4 days, we couldn’t visit all of its glorious beaches, but we did get to swim at several and see others during our (too) short stay. Listed below (in no particular order) are beaches & coves we were able to visit.

*Primary beaches we visited are shown in red font.*

Note: Someone asked me about encounters with jellyfish in Mallorca and Menorca – there was only one place we saw any jellyfish and that was at Cala Mitjana on Menorca (described below). They were brown (not the technical name) jellyfish and harmless.

Cala Galdana

We stayed in Cala Galdana on the southern shore of Menorca–it is a lovely large cove, with a wide protected sandy beach, hotels, restaurants and tourist activity businesses nearby, a perfect spot to call home while you explore the island. The beach has numerous chairs and umbrellas for rent and the water is shallow and calm, making this a very family-friendly place to swim and enjoy the sun. Another plus of this location are the walking trails (part of the historic Cami de Cavalls) along the coast in either direction from Cala Galdana to other amazing places such as Cala Turqueta or Cala Mitjana. The trails are well signposted and point out the distance and direction of your destination (it’s a good idea to get a local island map). Make sure you are adequately prepared if you walk these trails – have plenty of water, sun protection, sturdy shoes and energy snacks.

*The Comitas Florimar hotel where we stayed in Cala Galdana. The rooms were large and had kitchen facilities.*

*Additional views of Cala Galdana’s beach area.*

*Walking along Menorca’s coastal trail (**Cami de Cavalls**).*

Cala Turqueta

This may be Menorca’s most famous beach. From Cala Galdana, it is just a few kilometers (6.4 km, or 4 miles) west by trail if you’re up for a little hike. The advantage of taking the trail to Cala Turqueta is that you avoid the parking problem. The Cala Turqueta parking area fills quickly (we arrived before 8 am and were turned away) and if you can’t get a spot you must drive back to the island’s main road and then down another road to another car park (Son Suara Beach – see below) and then hike from that car park along the coastal trail back to Cala Turqueta. I know this sounds a bit complicated, it’s because there is no coastal road connecting many of the beaches by car, you must use the main east-west road in the middle of Menorca as the main car route and then take the north-south spur roads that lead to the various beaches and coves. It’s not a huge issue, just be prepared to sometimes walk at least a couple of kilometers on the trails as noted above. The only route that connects the entire coastline is the non-motorized trail circumnavigating the island. In fact, a number of beaches can only be reached via the trail.

Bottom line, however you manage to get to Cala Turqueta, it is worth the effort!

*Cala Turqueta – get here early if you want a little quieter experience.*

*Above and below – views of Cala Turqueta, Menorca.*

Cala Mitjana

Cala Mitjana is less than 2 km (~1 mile) east of Cala Galdana via the walking trail and is very beautiful also. Since we walked, I’m not sure about the car park situation, but probably similar to Cala Turqueta – arrive early to get a spot if you need to drive here.

*Cala Mitjana – just another lovely day at the beach!*

Binibèquer Vell (Binibeca Vell)

I’ll share more about this unique town in another post, but this region of Menorca (southeast coast) has some great beaches and coves. It was one of my favorite spots on Menorca. We found this beautiful cove (below) just outside of the town of Binibeca Vell as we were exploring the area. It looked so inviting we came back another day specifically to swim here!

*A cove near Binibeca Vell – the water is so clear – bring your snorkel gear!* *There are several ladders on the cliffs making it easy to get into and out of the water.*

*Yours truly enjoying the warm, clear water near Binibeca Vell!*

Some of Menorca’s Other Beaches

There are so many stunning beaches in Menorca – below are a few others we visited during our various exploration travels.

Cala Tirant – this beach is on the north shore, near the town of Fornells. Wide, open and I’m guessing it wouldn’t feel crowded even on a busy day.

*Views of Cala Tirant, on the north shore of Menorca.*

Son Bou – this popular beach is on the southern shore of Menorca, and close to the Torre d’en Galmés prehistoric ruins if you want to mix a little culture in with your beach day. There are also some 6th century church ruins right next to the beach.

Cala des Talaier – another beautiful small cove and beach on the southern coast, between Son Saura and Cala Turqueta.

*Cala des Talaier – just off the walking path on the way to Cala Turqueta from Son Saura beach and parking area.*

Son Saura – another amazing, wide, shallow and calm beach area on the south coast of Menorca.

*Son Saura Beach, on the path from the Son Saura parking area to Cala des Talaier and Cala Turqueta.* *One really needn’t go any further than here to have a perfect beach experience!*

I hope I have convinced you that you don’t have to go to Hawaii for great beaches – the Mediterranean Sea and specifically Mallorca and Menorca are blessed with an abundance of beautiful, safe, white sandy beaches and some of the clearest, warmest water you will ever find!

Menorca’s Amazing Prehistoric Ruins

Menorca, Spain has about 1,500 prehistoric sites – a higher concentration per square kilometer than any where else in the Mediterranean Sea, this is why Menorca is known as an “open air museum”. Numerous ancient stone structures dot the island, especially the southern half. A map of many of the sites can be found here. A number of these sites have been quite well preserved, considering they’ve been around for nearly 3,000 years! The Talayotic (or Talaiotic) period (when many of these structures where built) was lasted from about 1200 B.C. to 123 B.C. (when the Roman conquest took place).

*The locations in brown font indicate the four prehistoric sites discussed below.*

While Menorca’s beaches are incredible (more on these in a future post), it’s also fun to explore other sights on the island, and we decided to visit four of these prehistoric ruins during a “day off” from the beach. These archeological sites typically charge a small fee and provide informational brochures for your visit. Why did I choose these particular sites? I just did a little research on Menorca’s prehistoric ruins and decided on these four as reasonable sampling of what can be visited relatively easily. The road signage on the island to these historical sites is quite good.

Naveta des Tudons

This ruin is on the western side of the island, not far from the city of Ciutadella. Navetas are tombs that are unique to Menorca, and are typically one to two levels high and round or elongated. Naveta des Tudons is the largest of all known Navetas on the island and is considered the oldest existing building in Europe. It dates from 1000 – 800 BC, and was in use for about 500 years. Archeologists found the remains of over 100 individuals inside. We had the site to ourselves late one afternoon.

*A view of the front of the Naveta. Note the careful stone fitting and placement work.*

*This image shows the burial ceremony and process and the layout of the interior of Naveta des Tudons.*

*These images show a side view and end view of the Naveta. Interesting stone work can be noted in both views.*

Trepucó

The settlement of Trepucó is one of the largest on the island, covering an area of around 49,240 square metres. However, what can be viewed today is only a small part of the site, dating from 1200-700 B.C. It is located near Mahón (or Maó) on the eastern side of the island.

*Other views of Trepucó, showing the domestic dwellings. Some areas were occupied into the Middle Ages, and still retain much of their original structures.*

Talatí de Dalt

This ruin is only 4 km (or about 2 miles) from the city of Mahón (or Maó) on the eastern side of Menorca. It’s about the same age as the other talaiotic ruins on the island, and reached its peak between the 4th and 2nd century B.C.

*Talatí de Dalt is interesting because there are a number of cave-like chambers and corridors to explore.*

This talayot (or talaiot) at Talatí de Dalt is representative of those found in many of Menorca’s ruins – their function is not completely understood – they may have been watchtowers, meeting places, or related to other ceremonial events.

Torre d’en Galmés

Torre d’en Galmés was probably my favorite of the Talayotic prehistoric sites we visited, due to its immense size and location. Lots of ruins to explore here. It is located in south-central Menorca, not far from Son Bou beach. It is believed that Torre d’en Galmés was a principal site and had oversight of many of the other settlements.

*I loved these hypostyle chambers with the stone roof supports. However, I’m not sure I’d want to be in one of these rooms during an earthquake!*

*Above – Other views of Torre d’en Galmés.*

*In addition to above-ground structures, there are a number of below-ground chambers in Torre d’en Galmés as shown above.*

If you get a chance and can tear yourself away from the beach for a day, don’t miss Torre d’en Galmés, or any of the other Talayotic sites on Menorca – they are the premier prehistoric ruins in the Balearic Islands, if not the entire Mediterranean Sea.

Tips for Visiting Menorca, Spain – Mallorca’s Somewhat Quieter (Yet Beautiful) Neighbor Island

When planning our trip to Spain’s Balearic Islands, we decided to visit Menorca in addition to Mallorca and I’m so glad we did! Menorca is quite different than Mallorca – much smaller in geographic size and population, with rolling hills (vs Mallorca’s mountains) and fewer, quieter roads. Yet Menorca has amazing beaches, quaint towns and other interesting sights definitely worth checking out. I will be sharing posts on all these sights in the coming weeks!

*This map shows the locations of places we visited while on Menorca. More information to come soon in future posts.*

I say “somewhat quieter” in this post’s title because even though the local population is only 1/10th of Mallorca’s (about 100,000 people live on Menorca vs. about 1 million on Mallorca), tourists (especially Europeans) have discovered Menorca and some of the most popular beaches can get pretty crowded during the summer months. You need to plan ahead (like going to the beach early (7 am) to get close parking spots or waiting until the late afternoon (5-6 pm)). That said, there are so many beach/cove options you won’t have trouble finding a spot to lay down your towel, even if it’s not where you originally planned to go.

*This gorgeous beach, Son Saura, was largely ignored as tourists walked further on the coastal trail to the more famous Cala Turqueta (we’re guilty as charged!).*

Menorca Travel Tips

Menorca is on of the three primary Balearic Islands, and only 43 nautical miles (80 km or 50 miles) from Mallorca. The other primary island is Ibiza, which is a little more geographically separated from Mallorca and Menorca (although closer to mainland Spain) and we did not visit it.

*Location of Menorca relative to Mallorca, Ibiza and mainland Spain.*

Getting There: Menorca is a short flight (about 20-30 minutes) or ferry ride from Mallorca. We flew to save time, and the flight was enjoyable because you could see a lot of the island from the flight path. You can also fly to Menorca directly from Barcelona and other locations.

Transportation: We rented a car on Menorca and this was a convenient way to get around, since we wanted to explore as much of the island as we could in 4 days. The roads are in good condition and fairly quiet, there’s not a lot of traffic. There is a bus system, but since we didn’t use it I don’t know how convenient or frequent the buses are.

Where to Stay: There are many options and we decided to stay in an apartment in the Cala Galdana area on the south coast. Besides being a beautiful location with a lovely beach, it was easy to get from Cala Galdana to almost anywhere on the island in less than an hour, including some amazing coves and beaches that are just short hikes away along a coastal trail.

*View of Cala Galdana from the pool area of the Comitas Floramar Aparments, where we stayed.*

There were a number of hotels, restaurants and shops in Cala Galdana, including various tour agencies for diving and other water-related activities. I think the best swimming beaches are on the southern coast, since they seem more protected than the north shore.

Menorca’s main towns of Ciutadella and Mao (or Mahón) are on either end of the island and seemed less tourist-oriented. However, they were both fun to explore and lovely towns. It seems that most tourists make their home base in one of several main resort locations on the south coast, except for the town of Fornells on the north shore, which has its own vibe and is a tourist hub as well. We noticed at least one campground not far from Cala Galdana.

Island Trail System: There is a trail system (Cami de Cavalls) than circumnavigates the island along the coast and provides access to many of the beaches and coves. There are signs along the trail indicating distances (in kilometers) between major beaches and towns.

*The coastal trail is shown on this map – the green route that circles the entire island on the coast. No motorized vehicles allowed on this trail system.*

We found the trails very useful. If one parking area was full, then we just parked at another accessible parking area and took the trail back to our desired beach – it may mean a slightly longer walk, but the tradeoff is enjoying the coastal scenery.

*View from the south coastal trail on the way to Cala Turqueta.*

If you want a little quieter getaway in the Mediterranean Sea, Menorca may be your spot! In future posts, I will share information on the island’s sights – beaches, towns and amazing prehistoric ruins.

Note: Featured Image is Cala Mitjana, just a few kilometers east of Cala Galdana.

Three Quiet Inland Sights in Mallorca

Although most tourists to Mallorca, Spain flock to the beach or the mountains to bike on their holidays in Mallorca, there are several “off the radar” spots to visit if you’d like to spend a quieter day during your stay. These three towns and nearby sites are relatively close to each other in the north-eastern part of the island and make good short stops if your traveling from the east coast to the north coast, which is exactly what we were doing. See other posts on Mallorca here.

Manacor

If you enjoy professional tennis, you may have heard of Rafael Nadal, a former #1 ranked tennis player and winner of 22 Grand Slam Men’s Singles titles, including 14 French Open titles. Just amazing. Manacor is his home town and he has built a tennis academy there, just on the outskirts of town. We stopped by to take a look and visit the Academy store to pick up some souvenirs. The academy appeared fairly quiet while were there (September) and the facility was in the midst of expansion. If you or your children or friends are looking for some serious game improvement, this might be your place!

*There are multiple clay courts and hard courts at the academy plus dorm rooms, instruction rooms and workout areas. Not a bad place to spend a week or two brushing up on your tennis game!*

While there is more to Manacor than tennis, this was our main stop.

Petra

This little town is the birthplace of Franciscan Friar Junípero Serra, born in 1713, who made it all the way to what later became the state of California and established missions that led to the founding of the cities of San Diego and San Francisco. He represented the Catholic Church on what was known as the Portolá expedition (1769–1770).

Just outside of Petra, you can visit Bonany Monastery/Sanctuary, which sits on a hill (elevation 1,000 ft) above Petra and affords a lovely view of the island’s interior landscape. Signs from the town will lead you on the narrow road up to the monastery.

*Views of the surrounding countryside and town of Petra from Bonany Sanctuary.*

The monastery and church date to the 17th century when locals would ascend the hill to pray for rain for growing their crops, and a statue of the Virgin Mary was found on the hillside. The main church’s hours are short (10 am – 2 pm), so arrange your visit accordingly if you’d like to go inside. I believe the Sanctuary also offers some accomodations if you’d like to have some solitude during your stay on Mallorca.

*Inside the Monastery, through a viewing glass are these tiny outdoor scenes – quite interesting! Someone went to a lot of work to create these.*

Artà

Artà is a larger town than Petra but still easy to cover on foot and only 15-30 minutes from some lovely beaches on the northeastern shore of Mallorca.

Artà has a nice pedestrian street with fun and classy shops that leads towards the hill topped by the Sanctuary of San Salvador (Sant Salvador) with medieval walls surrounding it; this is one of the town’s main sights.

*The town of Artà with the Sanctuary of San Salvador dominating the hilltop.*

*The walls of Artà – including the view of the town from the top.*

*Another landmark church in Artà is The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, dating from the 16th century (views above and below).*

*Inside The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord they have an interesting museum, it is worth a visit.*

Ses Païsses

While exploring one of the shops in Artà, I saw a post card with a photo of some prehistoric ruins and I inquired about those ruins, and learned about Ses Païsses, a Bronze Age (approximately 900 BC) settlement, which is less than 2 km (or less than a mile) outside of Artà. This is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Mallorca and the Balearic Islands for that matter. This was an unexpected find and we enjoyed seeing this site. Ses Païsses was a prelude to what we were going to see in Menorca, which is home to a number of interesting prehistoric sites.

Artà would make a great place to call home for a night or two if you plan to visit this part of the island. We stopped here for a couple hours on our way to Alcúdia, our last stay on Mallorca.

Visiting Mallorca’s Drach Caves

One of the most well-known tourist sites in Mallorca are the Drach Caves (Cuevas del Drach, or Caves of the Dragon), located on the eastern coast in the town of Porto Cristo (see my post here for information on nearby beautiful beaches). The caves are known for having one of the largest underground lakes in the world (Lake Martel).

Drach Caves

Given the caves’ popularity as a cruise shore excursion and for other tourists on the island, it would be wise to purchase your tickets in advance here. Bring a light jacket, the air can be very cool. I highly recommend getting in line early for your appointed entry time so you can be one of the first ones into the caves for the best photos and to be one of the first to get on your boat ride at the end. You may be with 200+ other people at your tour time. We were staying in Cala D’ Or, only 28 km (17 miles) south of Porto Cristo, a convenient spot for visiting this part of Mallorca.

*The astonishing formations created over millennia in the caves.*

*Small pools of crystal-clear water in the Drach Caves.*

At the end of the walking tour of the caves, you are seated in stadium area by the underground freshwater lake (Lake Martel) – it is a spectacular setting. A boat with strings of lights appears from around a bend in the lake and live classical music is played (violin, flute & organ as I recall) as the boat sails past you in this unreal setting – kind of like “Phantom of the Opera”! Note: You are not allowed to take photos or video of the performance – they are very particular about this!

Following the performance, you have the opportunity to take a short rowboat ride to the exit path for your own “boating on the underground lake” experience. Or, if you wish, you can just walk on a path towards the exit if you’re in a hurry, since it takes a while to ferry 200-300 people by boat (there are multiple boats but each only holds about 10 people).

*The underground lake and a boat taking passengers on a ride to the exit path at the end of the tour.*

After your visit to the caves, if you want to make a day of it, there is a small cove for swimming next to the caves entrance. Bring your swimsuit (always good advice wherever you are on Mallorca!).

*This lovely cove is just a short walk from the Drach Caves parking area.*

Although the caves are very touristy, I highly recommend a visit. It’s not often you get to boat on a underground lake and watch a classical music performance in such an amazing setting.