11 Things to Do in Menorca in October

Menorca, neighbouring Palma de Mallorca, is a Mediterranean island full of unusual places, historical sites and gastronomy to enjoy. If you're looking for a getaway before the cold of winter arrives, all there is to see and do in Menorca makes it the best option to visit in October.

The temperatures in autumn in Menorca are quite warm and in October you'll still find days with temperatures over 20°C. Therefore, you will be able to enjoy nature in comfort. Moreover, as it is not high season, you will have the opportunity to visit the island without so much tourist hustle and bustle.

Menorca has prehistoric sites, which are candidates for UNESCO World Heritage status. The name Talayotic comes from one of the island's most famous constructions, the talayots, which are large watchtowers. There are also remains of funerary and religious constructions.

October is ideal for visiting the ruins during the day because of the pleasant climate and the possibility of seeing them practically alone. You can follow one of the suggested routes through which you can visit several of the prehistoric sites, or simply choose one of the archaeological sites and concentrate on it.

If you want an excursion with spectacular scenery, I recommend climbing the cliff Assentament Costaner de Cala Morell, from where you can see a village of artificial caves, and appreciate a dreamy sunset. The climb is not easy, but it is well worth the view once at the top.

Autumn is a good time to relax and savour some of the **island'**s unique flavours. In Menorca they make a lot of use of seasonal products, something that not only improves the dishes, but also allows you to get to know its culture through its gastronomy.

In October, vegetables such as pumpkin, aubergine, peppers and onions take centre stage, although the real stars of the season are mushrooms.

The most popular ones, which you will find in many markets and on many menus, are sclatasangs, a very tasty variety.

You will also be able to take part in some gastronomic activities:

• Cheese: October is a great time to visit a farm where the famous "Queso de Mahón" is made. In most of them you will be able to taste it and even learn how to make it in a cheese workshop.
• Wine: wine production on the island has grown in recent years and, with it, wine tourism activities. How about booking a visit to a winery?
• Gin: although you may not know it, gin is a very popular product on the island, something that is attributed to the British occupation. If you want to taste the drink and find out how it is made, you can visit the Xoriguer shop in the port of Mahón.

If you are in Minorca in the second week of October, you may be able to witness one of the most striking natural spectacles of autumn: the Draconids, the first star shower of the fall.

Moreover, you will find few better places than this island to see it, as it has even been certified as a Starlight destination, which distinguishes those places that take care of the quality of their dark sky and their commitment to defending it.

In order to see this star shower you need to go somewhere where there is no light pollution, something relatively easy to do in Menorca. Good places to go are Son Saura, Macarella cove and the part of the coast between Cavallería and La Vall, where you can even go on a stargazing tour.

In some of these places there are plans to install night viewpoints to promote astro-tourism, as well as several Talayotic settlements.

Did you think that because it's October you wouldn't be able to enjoy the beaches of Menorca? Nothing could be further from the truth, as apart from the fact that the bathing temperature is usually very pleasant, there is no better activity than looking for a quiet cove to relax in with hardly any people.

In the north of the island you can find Cala Pregonda, where there are beaches with reddish sands and stones of the same colour, as well as the expected crystal clear waters that reflect the blue of the sky.

In the south of the island there is Cala Mitjana and Cala Mitjaneta, with white sand and great vegetation around the beach. For these beaches you have to arrive early, because that's where most of the tourists go, but the views are worth it.

Another one of the most incredible beaches I recommend is Cala Galdana, which is basically like a giant pool of sea.

If you don't want to be satisfied with just visiting one of these coves, you can also book one of the boat trips to several of the island's coves.

If you like nature, being in contact with animals or even if you are travelling with children, a horseback ride could be the perfect activity for you. Getting to know Menorca on the back of one of these animals is a very different and fun way of sightseeing. You will be accompanied at all times by a guide on a leisurely ride along the Camí de Cavalls, natural paths from the city to an inland route towards Cala Mitjana, and you will finish with a fabulous ride along the beach.

If you are looking for adventure, movement, and to get closer to the island through its coasts and its caves, a kayak tour is ideal.

Kayaking in Menorca is incredible and very affordable, and if there is one thing the island is not short of, it is kayaking excursions and activities. Also, one of the advantages of October is that you won't find crowds on the beaches or in the water, so your kayaking will be more pleasant.

Although the weather in October is usually fine, it is not unusual for the odd day in October to be very cloudy or windy. In these cases, when walking down the street can be uncomfortable, you can book a very original and fun activity: a jeep safari in Menorca.

This excursion is one of the most popular activities for children in Menorca, as they will be able to comfortably see several attractions of the island.

With a local guide and aboard an open-top vehicle, the excursion has stops at some of the island's lesser-known coves, as well as at several spectacular viewpoints.

Although touring all that Ciutadella has to offer can (and should) be done all year round, in my opinion October is one of the best months to do so. Apart from the good temperature, the best thing is the tranquillity of being able to stroll through its streets without finding them full of visitors.

There are tours of the most picturesque streets, which last about two hours and take you past places such as the Llabrés Pharmacy, one of the island's modern buildings, and the Santa Clara monastery, which has a considerable historical past.

You can also organise a route on your own, wandering through the picturesque streets of the port and stopping for lunch or a drink in one of the restaurants.

And you can also enjoy the many handicrafts made in Menorca, such as the renowned shoes proudly made on the island.

Cranc is a small-scale festival that takes place at the end of September. It is usually held in venues such as the terrace of Es Claustre, which used to be a convent of the Carmelite Order and is now a space dedicated to culture.

The Cranc festival brings a variety of musical styles, both Spanish and international, and is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the first autumn nights of the season, full of freshness and vitality.

If festivals, even on a small scale, aren't your cup of tea, keep an eye out for DJs and singers at Es Claustre all year round - just check the official website to find out what's on when you're there. Don't forget to book in advance.

Practical info

• Where: Pati del Claustre del Carme, 50
• Price: from €20
• Timetable: varies depending on the performances

October marks the end of many of the activities that take place during the summer in Menorca. For this reason, it is the time to make the most of it and visit, for example, the Capllonch craft market in Ciutadella, which closes its doors at the end of the month.

A great plan would be to visit all the attractions in Ciutadella during the day and wait until 7 pm, which is when this night market usually opens. There you will find various stalls, most of them dedicated to the sale of handicrafts. Of course, there are also some stalls offering typical local food, which you can use for dinner afterwards in one of the best restaurants in Menorca.

Practical information

• Where: Carrer del Pere Capllonch, Ciutadella
• Price: free
• Opening times: Monday to Thursday: 19:00 to 0:00 / Friday to Sunday: 17:00 to 1:00

If there is a place and a time when you feel like taking a bike and cycling through some incredible landscapes, that is Menorca in October. Precisely that month, the island hosts an event that celebrates this type of active tourism: the Volta Cicloturista Internacional a Menorca.

If you are interested, you can sign up for three cycling stages of between 28 and 100km per day in the middle of the island's nature. Of course, these are routes that require you to be in good shape.

If you're not so used to cycling, the island also has a number of different routes that you can do without any problems. Many companies rent bicycles all year round, including electric ones.

It is worth mentioning that all sporting activities in Menorca are carried out in a sustainable way, promoting respect for nature and the environment.

Practical information

• Where: Registration is done online
• Price: Around 70 €.
• When: Around the 20th of October

The weather in Menorca during the month of October is, in general, very pleasant. The average maximum temperature is 23º, while the average minimum temperature is 16º.

Moreover, most of the days are sunny, although occasionally there may be a storm or the wind blows with some strength.