Platja es Grau Beach

Six hundred metres long by roughly 35 metres wide, Menorca’s Es Grau Beach sits beside a small fishing village of the same name within the island’s Natural Park of S’Albufera de Es Grau. This means visitors to Es Grau beach are able to enjoy a fine natural landscape of grassy sand dunes while being certain they’ll find somewhere to enjoy a meal or a cold drink nearby.

Comprising the same yellow sand as the dunes, along with a light spread of shells and shingle, Es Grau Beach sits within a well-protected bay whose waters hardly ever see the swell of the open Mediterranean. Scallop-edged when seen from above, the sands sweep slowly and gently into the shallows, making it a good stop for everything from splashing about to swimming.

Isla d’en Colon lies just 200 metres or so from the beach, and can be easily reached by water taxi in a couple of minutes. As well as providing beautiful views back to Es Grau, the island is also an important habitat for the birds that seek out the natural park’s combination of lakes and pine forest.

Despite its naturalistic setting, sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented, at a cost of around €20 per day. There is also a small car park, toilets and some water sports equipment available for rent, including kayaks, snorkels and stand-up paddleboards.

One of the largest beaches to be found on the north of Menorca, Es Grau is still only 15 minutes by road to the international airport.