11 Things to Do in Menorca in December

Everything there is to see and do in Menorca makes it a beautiful island and not only during the summer season. In December, the island offers interesting experiences for its visitors, many of them related to the upcoming Christmas holidays.

If you have decided to visit Menorca in December, you will find from Christmas markets to curious traditions such as swimming across the port of Mahon, without forgetting that you will enjoy the gastronomic specialties of these dates or, if you dare, to jump into the water to surf.

The city of Mahón, the most important of the island, hosts the most famous Christmas market in Menorca. The best thing about the Mahón Christmas market is that you can find all kinds of items: from decorative items, clothes, shoes, various handicrafts and, of course, good home-made local Christmas food.

Although this is not the only market of this type that is set up on the island during the month of December, other towns also have their own.

Practical information

• Where: Plaza de Colón, Ses Moreres street and Plaza de la Constitución square.
• Price: free
• When: around December 6 in the old town.

As happens in much of the world, the lighting of the Christmas lights is a milestone during the month of December. Among all its locations, I recommend that you go to see it in Mahon, usually on the first Sunday of the month and take the opportunity to book a guided tour of Mahon in Menorca.

According to tradition, the people in charge of turning on the lights are elves called Llumets. Legend has it that these kind beings inhabit the islet of Culóm, in front of the port of the city. Undoubtedly, if you are looking for things to do in Menorca with children, this is an experience they will love.

Practical information

• Where: Constitution Square in Mahón
• Price: free
• When: the first Sunday of December

If you like Christmas carols, in Menorca you will find two great concerts dedicated to this type of music:

• The Christmas Concert in this town is held in a hall set up expressly for the occasion. The following day a similar concert is held. You can find more information on the website of the Teatro Principal de Mahón.
• The concert of the Professional College of Menorca: it takes place in the middle of the month in the Municipal Theater of Mahón. And, a few days later, the Mahón Music Band offers another concert in anticipation of the arrival of the new year. On this occasion, the repertoire is very varied.

It may seem strange to you, but the best time to go hiking in Menorca is in winter: it is less hot, you will find fewer people and, above all, the landscapes acquire a breathtaking beauty. If you go to the island in December, I advise you to hike part of the Camí de Cavalls and even book a horseback ride in Menorca.

Depending on the weather, you can choose between the sections that go along the coast or one of the more inland, where the wind will be less strong. I can assure you that you will enjoy the scenery, the deserted beaches and the lush forests.

Practical information

• Where: Camí de Cavalls
• Price: free
• When: December

Another plan we suggest is to book a visit to a winery in Menorca. The island has a great winemaking tradition and is considered genuine by the winegrowers of the area. It is also important to highlight the commitment to sustainability that the island has with the Minorcan wine culture, but not only with this activity but in general, since Menorca is considered a World Biosphere Reserve.

In this visit you will learn about the history of wine production and the different vineyards of this island as well as enjoy a tasting of local wines, reds such as merlot and cabernet, and whites such as chardonnay and malvasia. In fact, it is worth mentioning that some of the varieties are included in the so-called Protected Geographical Indication "Vid de la Terra Illa de Menorca".

Practical information

• Where: Binitord Bodega, Cami Lloc de monges s/n, 07769 Ciudadela de Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
• Price: 26€.
• When: December

Although you are in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, not everything is going to be snorkeling in Menorca or diving in the island. If you travel in December you will have the opportunity to go ice skating. Every year, from a little before the middle of the month, a great rink opens in the Pabellón Menorca, in the city of Mahón.

Another option for skating can be found in Alaior, specifically in its Municipal Sports Center. There, also from mid-December, another ice rink is installed for all those who want to try this sport.

Practical information

• Where: Menorca Pavilion
• Price: consult
• When: mid-December

It may be less famous than in other parts of Spain, but Menorca 's gastronomy offers a lot of variety and, above all, quality. In December, in the best restaurants in Menorca you will find the usual dishes, such as Mahón cheese or lobster stew, but also other recipes that are usually only offered when the cold weather arrives.

Among these dishes are some rolls stuffed with minced meat, as well ascuscussó, a dessert of clear Arab origin. Also worth trying are pastissets and pomada, a gin-based drink that is very typical of Menorcan festivals.

Practical information

• Where: Menorca
• Price: check restaurant prices
• When: December

In December, with a much calmer atmosphere on the island and a bit colder, many times you just want to sit somewhere and relax. My suggestion for those moments is to go into a coffee shop and have a nice hot chocolate. Although you may not associate this drink with Menorca, the truth is that there are many cafes all over the island where they serve it. Some even have their own recipe.

And to accompany it, nothing better than a coca bamba, a typical local sweet.

Practical information

• Where: Menorca
• Price: ask for prices in cafeterias
• When: December

Being on the calm Mediterranean Sea, Menorca is normally associated with boat rides. However, this can change on certain days in December, especially when the north wind blows, the tramontana.

If you are a windsurfing or surfing enthusiast, you will already know that this is the time to go to places like Punta Prima to catch some waves. Another good place if you want to windsurf is Cala Tirant, where the waves can reach a height of up to five meters. Smaller ones, as low as 3 meters, can occur in Santo Tomás, Son Bou or Addaia.

Have you decided to spend the end of the year in Menorca? If the answer is yes, you can't miss joining the Menorcans in their traditions for that day. Normally, you can always see many Menorcans dressed in white on the beaches to watch the sunset.

On the night of December 31, the affluence is much higher, but the tradition of dressing in that color is preserved. There are probably few places to eat the 12 grapes than on a Menorcan beach, nor to watch the fireworks afterwards.

If you are not afraid of the cold, one of the most striking activities of the month of December in Menorca is the swimming crossing to the port of Maó.

The event consists of swimming across the port, without the 15º of temperature to make you back down. The participants in the crossing range from experienced swimmers to simple amateurs and proof of its success is that every year the number of participants increases.

At the end there is a reward for all the brave ones who have dared the route: a nice glass of hot chocolate.

The month of December in Menorca is not particularly cold, especially when compared to other cities. The average maximum temperature reaches 15º, while the minimum does not drop below 9º.

It is not a particularly rainy month either, but it is something you should take into account when packing your suitcase.

In any case, my advice is to always check the weather forecast a few days before traveling.