Hostal Sa Roqueta

Surrounded by the Mediterranean and sheltered by rocky headlands, Menorca's clear and calm coves are ideal for snorkellers and divers. Its 216km coastline is one long string of beaches, including the golden Cala Mesquida on the western shore and the quieter Cala Trebalúger to the south. Spend your days relaxing on the sand at Cala Escorxada or wandering through the vibrant markets of Mahón, the island's capital.

You can book a Menorca hostel in a restored Spanish farmhouse with a large garden. Here you can relax on the patio or eat your free breakfast each morning under a shady canopy. There are also Menorca hostels right on the seafront, where you can go from the terrace into the clear waters in a few short steps. You can take an evening dip at a hostel with a pool or find one with a sociable shared kitchen and common room.

Menorca has two main cities: Ciutadella on the west coast and Mahón in the east. Ciutadella is the older of the two, with its Gothic cathedral and winding streets lined with stone buildings. Mahón is built on a steep cliff overlooking its deep harbour – walk up to Plaça d'Espanya to find a café with seats outside. For the best beaches, head to Mitjana next to Cala Galdana. Mitjaneta, a lesser-known cove, is also just around the headland, but you'll need to swim or hike to reach it.

There are many ways to explore Menorca. Hike through the 5000-hectare S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park to get to the secluded Tortuga beach or hire a kayak to see the coast from the water. There are plenty of boat trips in Menorca that visit hard-to-reach coves and tall sea cliffs. To discover more of the coast, follow part of the Camí de Cavalls trail on foot or horseback. For excellent views, head for Cova d’En Xoroi, high on a cliff with a bar during the day and a club by night.

Menorca Airport is just 5km away from Mahón. From there, you can get a bus into Mahón centre, which takes 15 minutes. To get to Ciutadella, hop on another bus: these run hourly and take an hour. There are also regular ferry services between Mallorca and Menorca – you can catch these either in Mahón or Son Oleo, just south of Ciutadella.