One of the ‘Top Things To Do’ on any seaside summer holiday is to schedule a time to see the sunset over the sea. In most places, this is something you can only do if the coast where you are is facing west. However, on the small island of Menorca, spectacular sunsets over the Mediterranean and the mountains of Mallorca can be seen from different vantage points not only on the western coast of the island but also from several spots on the north and south coasts too.
This is one of the most appealing aspects of Island life, having the time to embody the local lifestyle philosophy of #slowlife. Well before selfies, social media and hashtags were a thing, or Slow Life was a trending digital movement, the Menorcans have had phrases that are often said and well lived by: ‘No frissis’ (Menorcan for ‘Don’t Rush’) and ‘Poc a Poc’ (Literally means ‘bit by bit’). Both are said to remind you to slow down, take it easy and make time for what is most important to you. Delight in your life and the daily magical moments that are already yours yet you may not have the time to savour.
I like to time my walks out in nature within the last 30 minutes of the sun setting over the sea. The scenery changes as the seasons do and the sunset moves from going down behind the Mallorcan mountains to over the Mediterranean Sea. Depending on when you are in Menorca you will get a different view.
The most colourful sunsets of all are caused by the wind and accompanied by sparse clouds which can produce a full range of colours from dark blue to pink to bright yellow simultaneously. The locals know the more pink and orange the sunset, the more wind is likely the following day.
And it’s not just the colour of the sun or the sky that changes, but also the shades of liquid gold and midnight blue that appear on the surface of the gently wavy sea. If you are lucky, a sailing boat or two will be passing by just at the right moment for you to easily capture THE perfect filter-free photo. Nature does like to remind us that it can produce a daily miracle so amazing that it’s worth scheduling in time to witness it.
Just this week I went to one of the most popular sunset spots on the island on my regular walk, the same spot that is deserted in January was full of cars and hundreds of people to witness the colour show for themselves and take dozens of photos to get a selfie as awesome as the scene itself.
Yet in those last few moments before the sun went down everyone was captivated by the experience of being there, so much so that once the sun completely disappeared there was a round of applause from the crowd!
For the sunset!
This happens every single day, yet we have to wait for the weekend or to be on holiday to appreciate it.
I smiled to myself as I passed a family of three generations who were all in awe of the sight. I was tempted to make a joke and remind them that there will be a repeat showing tomorrow: same time, same place, guaranteed. Sadly we tend to miss so much of the magic in our busy lives, yet it must have been so special for three generations to be together. That sunset that day and the photos they took together will remind them of how they felt in that moment for the rest of their lives.
So to quote the Village People (unless you prefer the Pet Shop Boys), when you are ‘Together, Go West’, to discover some of the best spots to enjoy your magical Menorcan Sunset.
Take the Me-1 main road across the island towards Ciutadella and then head either North, South or straight into town to find each of the following spots (and keep singing if you want ‘Go West, life is peaceful there, lots of open air, where the skies are blue, this is what we’re gonna do’).
TOP SUNSET SPOTS IN THE WEST:
On the southern side of Ciutadella:
Turn right at the roundabout at the end of the Me-1. For all the following spots turn left at the next roundabout onto the RC-1 (Ronda Nord), with the exception of Cala Morell where you turn right at this second roundabout.
- Far de Cap d’Atrutx – Cap d’Artutx Lighthouse
Situated on the southern-western tip of Menorca the lighthouse is an excellent vantage point to enjoy the sunset. If you position yourself on the southern side of the lighthouse you can get the best photos with the lighthouse in the shot. The lighthouse is also home to a restaurant and chillout bar called Artrutx Sea Club Cala’n Bosch with a full menu, cocktails and DJ sessions during the summer months. From the end of the Me-1 turn left at the roundabout and follow the signs to Cala Bosch and then Cap dÁrtrutx. - Miradors de Cala Blanca – Viewpoints of Cala Blanca
Situated on the southern side of Ciutadella, follow the signs from the Ronda Sur for Cala Blanca turning left at the 6th Roundabout. There are two Mirador viewing spots at the midpoint of the street called Avinguda de Cala Blanca which is a one-way street heading south. You can view from any point on the street with limited parking available and there are some bars and restaurants towards the end where you can enjoy a meal or a drink, The Blarney Stone Irish Pub is a popular spot for many years.
- Torre des Castellar – Castellar Tower, Sa Caleta
A small historical defence lookout point that remains in excellent condition despite the occasional beatings from the sea due to strong western winds in winter. The tower is synonymous with Sa Caleta and Santandria and sunset photos with the tower in the foreground are always stunning.
- Castell de Sant Nicolau – Saint Nicolas’ Castle, Ciutadella
The best vantage point in the centre of Ciutadella is arguably at this small ‘Castle’ which is another tower in pristine condition that sits at the mouth of Ciutadella Port. If you position yourself on the south side of the castle you can capture photos with the castle in the foreground, the Sa Farola Lighthouse in the middle (on the northern entry point to the Port) and the sun setting down behind it.
On the Northern Coast of Ciutadella:
Turn right at the roundabout at the end of the Me-1. For all the following spots turn left at the next roundabout onto the RC-1 (Ronda Nord), with the exception of Cala Morell where you turn right at this second roundabout.
- Coastal Roads of Sa Farola, Cala Blanes, Cala Brut, Cala’n Forcat and Cales Piques.
There are 5 coastal roads around the picturesque coves that sit to the north of Ciutadella where you can enjoy a clear view of the sunset every day. Go straight on the Ronda Nord till the roundabout where there is the Eroski supermarket, go straight ahead to get to the Sa Farola coastal road, or turn right to get to the other vantage points. There is a well-known spot with a view, a recently reopened restaurant called Coral Menorca. It sits on the Avenida de Los Delfines, the one-way coastal road between Calas Piques and Cala Forcat at the end of the Los Delfines urbanisation. - Pont d’en Gil, Calas Piques – ‘Gil’s Bridge’
This natural wonder has become one of the most popular spots to watch the sunset, a bridge shape cut into the coastal rocks by the sea that closely resembles the now collapsed Azure Window on the island of Gozo in Malta made famous by the first season of Game of Thrones. From here you can see the sunset with the Pont in the foreground and the sunset on the horizon next to Cap de Formentor on the north coast of Mallorca. It’s so popular that when I went to visit yesterday there were two marriage proposals in the space of 5 minutes! One Spanish couple and one English couple. Both got a round of applause from everyone!
To get to the Pont you park where you can on the street and walk to the right along the coast for 5 minutes. You can see the sunset perfectly from that road if you don’t want to walk over the rocks, and during the summer the Sea Club Menorca Apartment Complex has a pop-up bar with a DJ in the evenings. - Punta Nati, North Coast – Punta Nati Lighthouse
This spot is worth it but is a bit of an adventure to get there. Due to its popularity, during July and August, it’s restricted in the evening to bus access, with no car parking access at all from the turn-off at the roundabout from Ciutadella. Information online about bus access and timetables, the bus is 4€ return and 15 minutes duration. If you go by car any other time of the year, there is parking close to the end of the road, then there is a 1km walk to the lighthouse and the coast along the rest of the road and rocks. So you want to know the time the sun sets and calculate 45 mins earlier so you are not rushing.
- Cala Morell, Ciutadella North Coast
Whilst technically on the north coast and not the west coast, this list would be incomplete without including Cala Morell. There are two beach bars/restaurants with a view that are open in the evening: Enricana and Ivette. What makes the view of the sunset from Cala Morell so special is the elephant-shaped rock formation that sits at the tip of the cove. An unforgettable view at any time of the day, yet at sunset is particularly remarkable. Its position means that you can see it from any point around the cove, but the best photos are arguably taken from the ‘Mirador Elefante’ as markets on Google Maps which is located on the far northern side of the bay. Ideal for capturing the sun setting in the west.
TOP TIPS TO ENJOY THE SUNSET:
- Check the time of the sunset before you go
Wherever you go on Menorca for your date with the sun, don’t be late, it won’t wait for you! Depending on the time of year the time changes from 5.00pm to 9.30pm. It’s either side of 8.30pm in August. Search online beforehand.
- Plan to arrive 30 minutes prior
The sun disappears behind the horizon at the time indicated so to really enjoy the moment you want to arrive earlier. I recommend planning to be at your spot an hour beforehand with parking time included. Remember ‘No frissis’. - Consider Parking Limitations
Most spots have limited street parking and In the high summer season, it fills up fast. Be prepared for traffic congestion at this time of the day, to park a short distance from your destination and calculate parking time into your arrival time. Some places you can park easily or walk to, others in summer are closed for access and you have to get a bus. - Consider the Wind & Cloud Factors
When you are choosing your day and checking the weather for the time of the sunset, check the wind direction and strength. A light breeze of less than 25km/h will not affect you like a 40km/h or more strong noisy wind. Avoid days with strong wind and clouds blocking the horizon. Safety first, of course. - All you really need is perfect timing and to know your destination
Some of the most glorious sunsets I have enjoyed all alone in the quiet months of winter. And some have been during the summer with friends and family, a chilled bottle of my favourite beverage and my preferred songs playing on my car radio. You don’t even need a camera, just to be fully present in the moment.
If it’s a showstopping sunset that stops you in your tracks and commands you to slow down then so be it. Sometimes you will catch it as you are in transit from one place to the other, but for me even after all the years of living here, the sunset is always a good reason to intentionally just be.
Menorcans also say ‘Hi ha temps de tot’, meaning ‘There is time for everything’. So choose to invest it in what matters to you most.
If you do capture the sunset at any of these locations, let me know by tagging @menorcablue on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok. I would love to share the moment with you.
