10 Things to Do in Menorca in April

April marks the beginning of spring for the easternmost island of this Mediterranean archipelago. During this time the terraces of restaurants and cafés begin to be reborn in all their splendor, favored by the increase of the temperature and a climate, although somewhat unstable, much more benevolent than the low temperatures of winter or the suffocating heat of the summer season.

This pleasant climate and the advantage of having fewer tourists during this time of the year than in the summer season gives a unique attraction to this month of the year. In addition to all the usual things to see and do in Menorca, there are some especially recommendable activities during this month, from festivals to excursions taking advantage of the good weather.

Although this activity can be done all year round, my recommendation is that you take advantage if you travel to Menorca in April to walk the Camí de Cavalls.

It is an old path of 185 km that circles the entire island of Menorca and has now become a route with 20 sections of between 5 and 13 kilometers long with varying degrees of difficulty and can be traveled on horseback, mountain bike or simply on foot.

Its origin is not entirely clear, but it is said to have been built during the 14th century as a defense system in which soldiers on horseback could protect the entire perimeter of the island.

What makes it special in April? Mainly its pleasant climate. During this month you can find great temperatures that will allow you to do the whole tour in five to seven days.

Another particularity of April is that you will be able to contemplate the flowering of forests and meadows along the route.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that this trail is an attraction not only for tourists but also for high performance competitions, events that attract an important flow of visitors. Fortunately, none of these massive events take place during the month of April, so you will have the opportunity to have a more direct contact with nature.

Along the route you can admire the natural beauty of more than 50 coves, the green shoots of the forests of the Albufera des Compte, the ancient fortresses such as the tower of Alcalfar, lighthouses like Punta Nati or a walking entrance to the charming towns of Maó and Ciutadella.

If hiking is your thing you can simply take a rental car or public transport and select one of the stretches according to your interest and physical capabilities of course, or contact one of the local tour operators for a guided excursion either on horseback, bicycle or on foot.

Every spring and already with a tradition of more than two decades, different forums of Ciutadella, Maó and other towns of the island receive various local and international jazz artists.

If the waters are still too cold for swimming, a bath of this music born in the south of the United States and all the cultural atmosphere that surrounds it is the perfect plan for an April in Menorca.

Concerts, dances, master classes, lectures, workshops and film and documentary screenings are some of the varied activities offered by this festival in various indoor and outdoor venues throughout the island.

Practical information

• Where: Various theaters and locations throughout the island.
• Price: Depends on the performance, but they are usually very economical.

Just a visit to this beautiful theater, a 19th century architectural jewel in the center of the island's easternmost coastal town is in itself a spectacle.

The Teatro Principal de Maó is known for being the oldest opera house in Spain, of classic Italian design and with its characteristic horseshoe shape, it hosts the spring theatrical season between March and May.

In addition to being one of the main venues of the jazz festival, the spring season of the theater presents each year a varied offer of opera, dance, drama, music and for the little ones the traditional children's theater festival.

If you are just passing through, you can schedule one of the guided tours offered by the theater, where you can learn more about its history and architecture. On the official website you can find more information about the theater and its program during the month of April.

Practical information

• Where: Costa Deià, 40
• Price: Depends on the performance

If you signed up to travel during this time of the year, it is likely that you will be able to witness how Easter is lived in Menorca (although some years it is celebrated in March).

In those dates, you will be able to contemplate processions in the streets of the main cities of the island accompanied by an endless number of local traditions that give life to this important commemoration of the Christian world.

Among the most popular processions is the procession of the Holy Burial in Mahon, which takes place every Good Friday in this city of the island. In it you can see the different religious groups called brotherhoods and go through the most emblematic points of the city accompanied by music and religious songs.

Another tradition of this commemoration is the Matances des Bujots (slaughter of the monigots), a pagan tradition that is celebrated in Ciutadella to end Holy Week.

This consists of hanging dolls of public figures, generally from the political class, in the streets to be the target of symbolic gunshots as punishment for their bad practices. A striking tradition that marks the end of the recollection and spirituality of the main week.

In addition, going to see this festival is the perfect excuse to visit all the attractions of Ciutadella, a town that is well worth a visit.

With temperatures perhaps not warm enough to take a dip, but tolerable enough for kayaking, kayaking during these dates also has the advantage that there will not be so many people in the sea.

Kayaking in Menorca is, without a doubt, an unforgettable experience, which is why there are so many kayaking and snorkeling activities on the island.

Its crystal clear, shallowwaters and the diverse landscape offered by the coastline with caves, small bays, cliffs and places barely intervened by man make kayaking an ideal activity to admire nature while respecting the environment.

There are a variety of local tour operators that offer kayaking excursions to various points of the island. Some of the most recommended excursions are the caves of the cove of Porter located in Alaior, the cove of Sa Torreta in the natural park of S'albufera des Grau, the bay of Fornells and the sandy area of Mongofre.

At this time of the year, when the island is quieter due to the lower number of visitors, it is the ideal time to experience the quiet pace of life or slow life that is breathed in the different villages of Menorca.

A trip by car around this small island, whose distance between the most extreme points does not exceed 60 kilometers, gives you the opportunity to take a day and visit most of its picturesque municipalities.

Immerse yourself in the charms that each town has to offer, interact with the local people, visit the historical centers, museums, stores, cafes and the typical markets that are usually installed every week in the centers of each town where you can buy handicrafts and gastronomic products characteristic of the island.

With its orography, good weather and great atmosphere, sport in Menorca has become another attraction. Not only athletes, but also local and foreign fans participate in some of the races held in April.

If you like to run 5 or 10 kilometers, half marathon or combine running with cycling, you can find three interesting races during the month of April. If you wish, you can participate in any of them or, if not, at least come to experience the special atmosphere that surrounds them.

The first one is the Corre Mô race, a popular five and ten-kilometer race organized by the Maó town council.

For more advanced runners there is the alternative of the Fornells Half Marathon, a traditional race that joins the towns of Mercadal and Fornells through the Tramuntana path. This competition, a reference in the calendar of races in Menorca, also has a ten-kilometer race for less demanding athletes.

Finally, and for more experienced athletes, there is the duathlon of the city of Alaior. This competition has different categories depending on the distances, the most demanding being the one that includes a seven-kilometer walk and a twenty-kilometer bike ride.

At the end of every April Maó Arrels is held, the fair of local products and cuisine of Menorca. It brings together the most renowned local and international chefs, as well as exponents of artisan production showing the world the richness of Menorcan cuisine.

During the two-day fair you can find farmers who cultivate ancestral varieties of fruits and vegetables, olive oil, the best cheeses of the island, local wines with Mediterranean character and other gastronomic treasures of the island.

In addition to tasting the best local products and buying directly from the producer, you can learn with live cooking sessions, tasting and even cooking workshops for children. After experiencing this fair, the best restaurants in Menorca will have no secrets for you.

Practical information

• Where: Fairgrounds of Maó-Menorca
• When: the last weekend of April
• Hours: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Although at this time of the year the water temperature is not the most pleasant for swimming, around 15 degrees, if you get a sunny spring day or you are one of those brave swimmers of cold water, this will be the ideal time to dive into one of the more than 100 beaches of the island.

These beautiful beaches, most of which are considered among the best preserved in the Mediterranean, offer a great diversity of landscapes. In the north are the red sand beaches, which are more difficult to access and therefore better preserved. In the south, the white sands and crystal-clear waters are a favorite of tourists during the summer months.

A plan in itself is to walk along one of these beaches without having to take a dip. Simply to walk along the shore, to contemplate the best coves of Menorca
best coves of Menorca or stay until sun set in a quiet environment free of mass tourism can be a perfect activity for your beach day in April.

Impossible to leave out the gastronomic richness that you can find on the island. At this time of the year, the restaurants closest to the coast begin to prepare for the summer season by opening their terraces overlooking the sea.

The gastronomy on the island is varied. Of rural origin and with great influences from various cultures. It combines pastoral, agricultural and fishing cuisine resulting in a variety of fish, sausages, meat and seafood dishes.

Not to be missed is the Caldereta de langosta (lobster stew), or the Oliagua, a soup with vegetables, oil and aromatic herbs. Or also the partridge stew with cabbage and the famous Mahon cheese, recognized worldwide for its designation of origin.

During Easter, you can also taste the great variety of typical Minorcan sweets and pastries, as well as the traditional Formatjada, a typical local pie filled with different ingredients.

Generally speaking, the weather in April is quite pleasant, with temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius during the day.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the weather is quite unstable during this time, so be prepared for some cold days or the occasional rain. So don't forget to pack a coat or a raincoat in your suitcase.

April is still considered low season, mainly due to the fact that the influx of tourists is considerably lower than in the summer.

This has the advantage of being able to get much cheaper prices on accommodation, airline tickets, car rental and perhaps on some excursions offered by local tour operators. Yet another reason to consider visiting this charming island at this time of year.