10 Things to Do in Menorca in February

The month of February in Menorca is marked by the arrival of Carnival. The island celebrates parades, costume contests and other activities that announce the arrival of spring. But there are also other interesting activities to do such as tours to the archaeological sites of the Talayotic culture, the route of the seven lighthouses and guided visits to the Museum of Menorca.

In addition, the splendor of nature never ceases to amaze, even in winter and you will discover it very soon if you walk along the Camí de Cavalls or the Natural Park of s'Albufera d'Es Grau. Check out all the activities that Menorca offers in the month of February!

In Menorca, during the month of February, historical, sporting, nature contemplation and especially horseback riding tours are the main focus of attention of tourists visiting the island, and one route in particular, the Camí de Cavalls, combines all of them .

The Camí de Cavalls is a 185 km long path that runs along the entire coastline of the island. This extensive route is divided into 20 stages and some of them have unique charms, such as access to archaeological sites or natural landscapes of extraordinary beauty. Definitely, booking a horseback riding tour in Menorca along the Camí de Cavalls is an activity not to be missed.

In addition, you will be accompanied at all times by a professional guide who will offer you all the details of this rural path to Cala Mitjana, an unspoiled cove on the south coast of the island.

The climate, still wintry in February, but less temperate in this part of the Mediterranean than in the mainland, makes visiting the archaeological sites of the Talayotic culture a great option. So if you are passionate about history, you cannot miss the opportunity to take this tour, as it will be another of the best things to do in Menorca.

If you book a ticket for Naveta des Tudons you will be told the whole story of the Talayotic culture that settled in Menorca between 2,000 and 1,500 B.C. The typical constructions of this ancient civilization were the navetas, huge collective burial chambers, similar to an inverted boat, and the talayots, conical watchtowers. Such structures are made with large, straight-cut stones.

I suggest you get to know (at least) two of the most emblematic structures of this culture:

• La Naveta de Tudons, which is surprising for its size and excellent state of preservation.
• The Talayot of San Agustín, which has a large internal chamber that you can enter and that will allow you to see a corner of the ancient world up close.

One of the main activities that separates the Carnival of Mahon -the capital of Menorca- from those celebrated in the rest of the island is its magnificent parade of troupes and floats, which will surely fascinate you.

Book a guided tour of Mahon and enjoy the parade in which you can see the different floats fill the central streets of Mahon with life. At the same time, you will also enjoy the music of the pasacalles (musical bands) and the visual spectacle of the picturesque giants, huge dancing figures that look like something out of a fairy tale.

The parade route passes through several central streets of the city before ending its route in the Plaza de s'Planada. There, various prizes are handed out for the most creative floats and comparsas, large and small. Make a note of this unique parade among the best things to do with kids in Menorca.

Another of the traditions that make the Carnival in Mahón special is its costume contest, which awards different prizes to its participants. If dressing up is your way of expressing your creativity, don't miss the opportunity to be part of this contest! But if you are more of those who enjoy seeing the originality of the costumes mixed among the public, you will be pleased to know that Mahon is considered the most cosmopolitan city of the whole island. You can get to know the capital of Menorca better if you book a tour of Mahon.

You can also go to the wake of the Camestortes, one of the most unique customs of the Carnival of Menorca. The Camestortes is a popular character that symbolizes the Old Year and the winter cold, so when spring is near, the Menorcans "bury" him so that life can resurface.

Of all the places in Menorca where this wake is held, I recommend you to see the one in Mahón, since there the Camestortes is represented by a person, and not a rag doll, as in other places.

If you are one of those who enjoy contemplating the wonders of nature in complete calm, doing the route of the 7 lighthouses of Menorca in February is an ideal experience for you. At this time of the year the flow of tourists is considerably lower, which means that you can spend more time at the top of the lighthouses, taking pictures or appreciating the beauty of the landscape, in peace and quiet.

The fact that there are fewer tourists also means more freedom to observe the interior of the lighthouses. However, in case you don't have enough time to see them all, I advise you to visit (at least) two in particular:

• The Cavalleria Lighthouse, possesses not only photographic interest, but also historical, since before it was ready, more than 700 shipwrecks occurred in the bay it now protects.
• The Favàritx Lighthouse is surprising for its visual appeal - partly due to its colors - and its dark rocky surroundings, reminiscent of a lunar landscape.

A good way to tour the Minorcan coast and reach its lighthouses is to book one of the boat trips around Menorca. The calm sea and the sunsets of this time of the year will give you a unique perspective of Menorca and its incredible landscapes.

Getting safe from the mild February temperatures and having a superior gastronomic tourism experience are two things you can do if you book a Mahon cheese making class.

In this original experience, lasting approximately two and a half hours, you will visit a farm and learn about the process of making this cheese that has captivated food lovers. It also includes a tasting of homemade cheeses.

The winter weather enhances the beauty of the Natural Park of s'Albufera d'Es Grau, so it is a great idea to visit it in February. In the more than 5,000 hectares of this green reserve you can visit various ecosystems (wetlands, rainforests, dunes, beaches and cliffs), which come together to create a perfect balance.

During this month in the park you can go hiking, cycling (in certain areas), birdwatching and even eel fishing. But if your thing is to contemplate nature, I tell you that in the center of the reserve there is a viewpoint that offers a spectacular view of its lagoon, which will not leave you indifferent.

To take proper care of the park it is best that you go first to the Reception Center Rodriguez Femenias. There they will give you all the information you need about the routes you can take in the reserve, its biodiversity, and the rules you must follow while inside. Here you can find more information about this park.

An activity that you should not miss in February is to climb to the top of Monte Toro (the highest point of Menorca, with 348 m. high) to see the horizon. From here you can appreciate the visual spectacle that is formed when the fog, clouds and sea seem to merge in the distance.

This dreamlike landscape can only be seen at this time of year, so you will surely want to take the opportunity to photograph it and take this magical memory with you forever.

Going to the Museum of Men orca in February is an option that holds unexpected surprises. During the low season, this institution offers different learning and entertainment activities, such as lectures, exhibitions and concerts, to stimulate the interest of tourists in the culture and history of the island.

I had already mentioned that this month is ideal to visit the archaeological sites of Menorca. However, your historical tour will only be complete when you have visited this museum, since you will find all the information you need to truly understand the world of the Talayotic civilization.

If you like history, you will be excited to know that the museum also offers guided tours for both families and mixed groups. And you can even arrange a guided tour of the Talayotic village of Cornia Nou with the museum staff. What better way to learn about the past than from an expert?

Located in Mahón, the Gin Xoriguer factory is the place to go if you want to warm up. There, besides being able to buy a souvenir bottle, you will also find out what makes Menorcan gin different from the others.

In Menorca, the taste for gin arrived along with the English, who ruled the island in the 18th century. But the locals soon created their own recipes, using ancient techniques, such as distilling the drink with a wood fire; hence its unique flavor and aromas.

In February, being low season, public transport is usually scarce in several points of Menorca, which can be a problem when moving around.

If you are thinking of going to Menorca in this month, my advice is to rent a car. This can be done within Mahon Airport itself -which is the only one on the island, moreover-, so you won't have to suffer any delays in your itinerary.

In Menorca, as in other parts of Europe, winter lasts until February and even a little longer. But due to its geographical position in the Mediterranean, the island has a more temperate and, at the same time, pleasant climate than elsewhere. Ideal for enjoying guided tours of Menorca.

During the month of February, the low temperature is 8°C while the high is 14°C, an ideal climate to enjoy all the things there are to see and do in Menorca. This means that if you plan to make your trip to the island at this time of year, it is advisable to bring some warm clothes, along with some lighter clothing.