Menorca with children proved to be one of our best family holiday decisions. Unlike its busier sister island, Mallorca, Menorca offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for families seeking beautiful beaches, easy logistics, and genuine Spanish charm.
We chose the Son Bou area and stayed at the Royal Son Bou Family Club, and it turned out to be exactly what we needed for a stress-free holiday with the kids. In this post, we’ll share our detailed experience and practical tips to help you plan your own Menorca family adventure.
Why Menorca with Children?
Menorca strikes the perfect balance for family holidays. The island is significantly quieter than Mallorca, and you will notice that as soon as you arrive at the airport. Instead of the intensity and Mallorca, with plenty of people queuing for taxis or for getting a rental car, Menorca’s airport seems almost empty.
Son Bou is also only 15 minutes away from the airport. So we were at the hotel’s reception in less than 30 minutes.
On top of that, the beaches are stunning but not overcrowded, the distances are manageable for day trips with children, and the infrastructure is excellent without being overwhelming. Most importantly, the island maintains its authentic Spanish character whilst being thoroughly family-friendly.
Son Bou Area: Perfect for Families
Son Bou, located on Menorca’s south coast, boasts the island’s longest beach – nearly 3 kilometres of soft, golden sand. What makes it particularly appealing for families is the combination of:
- Safe swimming: The beach slopes gently into calm, shallow waters perfect for children
- Excellent facilities: Beach bars, sunbed rentals, and clean facilities all within walking distance
- Hotel proximity: Several family-friendly hotels sit directly behind the dunes, like Royal Son Bou Family Club and Sol Milanos Pingüinos.
- Easy access: Simple parking and direct beach access from accommodations
Some of the resorts facing the beach are literally right there, a tunnel or fence away from the sand and sea.
Royal Son Bou Family Club: Our Hotel Review
The Royal Son Bou Family Club exceeded our expectations as a genuine family-focused resort. Unlike many hotels that simply claim to be family-friendly, this property is purpose-built for holidays with children.
The location couldn’t be better – you literally walk from the hotel reception, across a small path through the dunes, and you’re on Son Bou beach within 2 minutes.
All facilities needed by the family are provided, from cots and highchairs to washbasins and bed bars. There is also a pram/stroller and baby carrier rental service, a nursery and childcare services, a children’s buffet and a service to prepare purees for babies.
Kids Club & Entertainment
The hotel’s kids’ club was great. The entertainment programme runs throughout the day with age-appropriate activities:
- Morning: Pool games and mini-disco practice
- Afternoon: Craft activities and treasure hunts
- Evening: Mini-disco and family shows
The staff was amazing as well; they genuinely engaged with the children and spoke excellent English alongside Spanish and German.
It is called Kikoland Kids’ Club, and the activities are split into multiple age groups, ensuring age-appropriate fun:
- Baby Club (0-2 years): A secure area with toys, cots for rest, and supervised activities promoting development.
- Mini Club (3-4 years): Focuses on imagination with crafts, costume workshops, cooking workshops, a bouncy castle, and water games.
- Maxi Club (5-6 years): Includes sports, games, and crafts to foster skills.
- Kids Club (7-9 years): Activities like challenges, skill games, and aiming games.
- Junior Club (10-12 years): Offers exercise, outdoor sports, and fun board games.
- Teeny Club (13-17 years): Available in high season, offering more independent activities
Room Types: What to Expect
We got a room on the second floor, which didn’t bother us too much, but of course, it is an extra effort, in particular carrying our daughter and the luggage. If you’re travelling with very young children or pushchairs, you might want to specifically request a ground-floor room when booking.
The rooms themselves are well-designed for families:
- Separate sleeping areas for children (depending on the room)
- Mini-fridge and basic kitchenette facilities
- Balcony or terrace (most rooms)
- Air conditioning and a safe
- Adequate storage for family luggage
Beach Access & Activities
The beach access from the Royal Son Bou is super easy and direct. It takes 5 minutes from the smaller pool. There is a secured door (to open with your room card) to then walk through a path, pass a farm gate, and you are on the beach. Super convenient.
There are facilities on the beach for various water sports, including:
- Snorkelling and observing marine life.
- Paddleboarding (SUP).
- Kayaking.
- Pedalos (pedal boats).
- Windsurfing and Jet-skiing (equipment rental is available from providers on the beach).
The nearby Son Bou Scuba diving centre (a hotel collaborator) offers special courses for children and a wide range of excursions for the whole family to explore the Menorcan seabed.
Getting Around: Transport Tips
Use local taxis rather than pre-booked transfer services. For instance, the hotel offered an airport (Mahón) pickup service for £60, when a taxi that you can take at the airport costs around £35. Unlike Mallorca, there was no queue; the taxis were actually waiting. On top of that, they didn’t ask for a car seat, and our 2-year-old daughter sat on our lap with no issues.
Taxis Menorca is the taxi association in charge of the taxis. If you need taxis for moving around the island, you can always call 699 00 77 90. They are organised by area, so you should be able to find a car wherever you go.
Car Rental: Local Options
If you decide to rent a car during your stay (which we’d recommend for exploring the island), you’ll find excellent local options right near the hotel.
The advantages of renting locally rather than at the airport include:
- Better prices: Local agencies often beat international chains by 30-50%
- Personal service: More flexible terms and helpful local advice
- No airport queues: Skip the crowds and lengthy pickup processes
- Convenient location: Easy to collect and return without transfers
There are three reputable local agencies located across the street from the hotel: Owners, Balmes, and Autosvalls. We used the latter as it was cheapest, and it was really great. We paid €65 for the day, plus an additional €6 for a car seat. A taxi returning to Ciutadella would cost more.
Additionally, if you prefer the big names, Europcar also has an office across the street.
Best Family Beaches
Whilst Son Bou beach is excellent, Menorca offers several other family-friendly beaches worth visiting:
Cala Galdana
A horseshoe-shaped bay with calm waters and excellent facilities. About 15 15-minute drive from Son Bou, it’s perfect for a day trip.
Arenal d’en Castell
Another safe swimming spot with a wide sandy beach and good restaurants. The water stays shallow for quite a distance, ideal for children.
Cala Turqueta
More secluded and requiring a short walk, but the stunning turquoise waters make it worth the effort for families with older children.
For activities beyond beaches, consider:
- Monte Toro: The island’s highest point with panoramic views
- Mahón harbour: Boat trips and harbour walks
- Ciutadella: Historic town perfect for evening strolls
- Fort Marlborough: Small but interesting historical site