Menorca

Quiet coastal hiking trails, rich gastronomy and an intriguing history — this stunning Balearic isle offers plenty beyond its dazzling beaches.

- By Connor McGovern. Photographs by AWL Images, Daniel Schaefer and Alamy

At the summit of Mount Toro is a statue of Christ, his arms outstretched as if embracing the island. Comparisons between him and his Brazilian counterpart are easy to draw, but this is a more modest affair — a fraction the size, with a fraction of the visitors.

After all, Menorca is hardly one to shout about its charms. The second-largest of the Balearic Islands is a relaxed affair, where agricultural traditions hold sway and life moves to a gentler beat than that of its party-loving sisters Majorca and Ibiza. Venture inland and you’ll see that quiet, rural beauty at its best: juniper and pine trees circled by red kites; pretty, whitewashed villages; and dry-stone walls crisscrossing a landscape that feels like it hasn’t changed for centuries.

Not that it’s always been a peaceful sanctuary in the sun. Menorca has seen its fair share of conflict and conquest, having been controlled by a host of Mediterranean powers, including the British, who occupied the island three times between 1708 and 1802. This succession of occupants has left rich relics to explore, from the mysterious towers of the prehistoric Talaiotic people to military fortresses looming over brilliantly blue seas.

This year, Menorca is one of two European Regions of Gastronomy: a seal of approval for a land that draws heavily on its natural bounty, from honey to seafood. The island has also been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993 and, as a result, resort development is limited, which makes it a refreshingly low-key escape. Sometimes, it seems, the partying is best left to the neighbours.