Travel
Serena’s Mindful Menorca
For urbanites seeking a restorative retreat, Menorca is the ultimate rural escape. A gentle alternative to the hedonism of Ibiza, the bustle of Majorca or the barefoot cool of Formentera, this Balearic haven will feed and water your soul, bringing you beautifully back to life.
A Note From Serena
There’s a quiet shift the moment you land in Menorca – a sense that everything can wait. Almost instantly, you fall into a slower, softer rhythm. This is the Balearics at its most understated and soulful: wind-shaped landscape, crystal-clear water and a coastline scattered with secret coves that you stumble upon rather than search for.
The days follow the light – morning swims, long, lazy lunches, and afternoons that gently fade into star-filled nights. Thanks to its UNESCO status, the island remains beautifully untouched, offering a rare kind of escape: one where you can truly switch off, recalibrate and embrace the luxury of doing very little, very well.
Where To Stay
Son Ermità
Somewhere along the winding road, heading north from the airport, Menorca begins to feel entirely your own. As you turn off down a dirt track, the landscape opens out, the sea flickers into view, and suddenly Son Ermità appears: a hilltop escape that feels less like a boutique hotel and more like a private world you have quietly (and very fortunately) slipped into.
Two restored fincas (Son Ermità and Binidufà) sit on adjoining estates within this vast countryside haven – 800 hectares of untouched campo, surrounded by wild hills, rustic olive groves and rugged coastal coves. Each has been beautifully restored, retaining original features – from high beamed ceilings to timeworn wooden doors – and somehow feel as though they have emerged organically from the land itself.
At Son Ermità, where I spent my stay, the interiors are exactly what you’d hope for, and more: calm, textural and deeply considered. Lime-washed stone walls and natural woods form the backdrop to every modern comfort – the softest bed linens, ambient lighting and generous rainfall showers. Luxury travel concierge, Vestige Collection, has created a true sanctuary, where thoughtful design quietly encourages you to slow down.
Beyond the setting, it’s the people who make Son Ermità unforgettable. Led by Simão, the team brings a warmth and ease that feels entirely genuine – attentive without ever being overbearing. What I loved most, though, was the sense of complete immersion: days that unfold naturally, without structure. Coffee and yoga in the soft morning light, long walks through the estate’s wild terrain, or hopping on a buggy to discover hidden paths leading down to untouched coves. Days drift between pool and shade, with long, generous lunches that stretch into sundowners on the terrace as evening falls.
Food is a central part of the experience, with locally sourced Menorcan ingredients from both land and sea – fresh, seasonal and quietly exceptional. And then there’s the silence, something you don’t realise you’ve been yearning for until you arrive. No urgency, no noise, just breeze and birdsong. A rare kind of luxury, rooted in space, stillness and total escape.
What To Do & WHERE TO EAT
Hauser & Wirth, Isla del Rey
A standout destination set on a small island in Mahón harbour. Reachable by boat, it brings together contemporary art, thoughtful architecture and beautifully designed gardens. Don’t miss the gallery shop for artist collaborations, local crafts and the most gorgeous books on art and design to take home.
Cantina
Set beside Hauser & Wirth, dine in the shade of the olive grove overlooking the harbour. The menu centres on sharing plates – fresh fish, rice dishes and vegetables cooked over fire, each one simple and perfectly done.
Binifadet
Part restaurant, part working winery in Sant Lluís, Binifadet is one of the island’s most distinctive dining experiences. Expect contemporary Menorcan cooking paired with wines produced on-site, all set among the vines.
Café Balear, Ciutadella
A harbour-front institution known for its lobster stew, this local spot is simple, atmospheric and exactly right after a day in the sun.
Blanca Madruga Cerámica
In Mahón, Blanca Madruga’s studio offers a more intimate glimpse into the island’s creative scene. Her handmade ceramics – tactile, minimal and quietly imperfect – reflect Menorca’s natural palette and a slower, craft-led way of working.
La Cerería
A former candle workshop turned beautifully curated concept store. Visit for sun-washed linens, artisanal objects and pieces by local makers. Expect to leave with more than you planned to buy.
Sa Mesquida Beach
One of Menorca’s most pristine stretches of coastline, just outside Mahón. Golden sand, clear turquoise water and a rugged, windswept backdrop make it ideal for a long, lazy day by the sea.
Camí de Cavalls
Circling the island, this historic coastal path is one of the most immersive ways to experience Menorca. Walk or cycle to discover a landscape that shifts constantly, revealing cliffs, open countryside and sea views.
What To Pack