Idyllic beaches, surrounded by unspoiled, luxuriant nature; these are the images that come to mind when we talk about the island of Menorca, a true paradise for sea lovers.
And it’s true, the beaches of Menorca have a unique charm that, year after year, enchant tourists and travellers from all over the world.
Son Bou, Menorca’s most famous serviced beach
Son Bou, lying 8km from the municipality of Alaior, whilst not one of those pristine coves unmistakably iconic of Menorca, is a very popular beach with both tourists and locals. Why?
Well, it’s the longest and largest beach in Menorca, over 2km in length, and capable of meeting all the needs of its visitors.
Also, in the holiday resort of Son Bou, you can find facilities of every kind: hotels, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, a pharmacy, etc., so everything you could need during your stay.
Read on for more information on Son Bou.
What to do in Son Bou, activities and amenities
Son Bou is not just one of the many beaches to be visited in Menorca; it has a huge amount to offer anyone who decides to spend a day there, or to actually use it as a base for their holiday in Menorca.
It’s important to note that Son Bou is made up of three different areas:
- The centre of Son Bou: where most of the bars and restaurants are located
- San Jaime: an area of apartments, holiday homes and a few shops and services
- Torre Soli Nou: the quietest part of Son Bou, situated on a hill with wonderful sea views.
Below we’ll tell you about everything you can do in Son Bou:
Son Bou, the most popular serviced beach among locals and tourists
When we think about Son Bou, the first thing that comes to mind is its extremely long stretch of beach which gently drops into the clear, calm waters, the ideal beach for young families.
Before you reach the beach, you’ll come to a large, clay-surfaced car park connected directly to the beach via very convenient walkways. This beach also has disabled access.
The first section of the beach at Son Bou is serviced, with lifeguards and showers, and the option of hiring sunbeds and umbrellas. You’ll also find beach bars (chiringuitos) and activities for children and adults.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a bit more peace and quiet, simply walk a few metres to the right (as you face the sea), and you’ll find a completely different atmosphere, where you can also practise nudism if you like.
Inland from the beautiful beach of Son Bou, you will also find a vast area of wetlands, bordered by sand dunes that form a protected nature area and from which you can spot various bird and amphibian species.
Activities in Son Bou
In Son Bou, not only can you enjoy a beautifully calm and clear sea, but if you’re tired of doing nothing, there are so many activities to keep you occupied.
On the beach itself you can hire a boat, RIB or pedalo to explore a section of the coast of Menorca on your own.
But if you don’t fancy taking to the water by yourself, there are agencies specialising in excursions that can organise a bespoke boat trip for you.
The little ones (and older ones too) can have fun with water toys and inflatables.
In San Jaime there’s also a diving centre where you can take diving lessons and explore the wonderful sea beds of Menorca.
Furthermore, not far from the beach, you can visit the ruins of the Paleo-Christian Basilica, built in Roman times.
If you like horses, in Son Bou you’ll find a fabulous riding school that offers lessons and riding excursions. If you visit the island outside of the summer season, you can enjoy some lovely rides along the beach.
The facilities in Son Bou
In Son Bou you’ll find every kind of facility you could need, including hotels and apartments, bars and restaurants, supermarkets, shops, a pharmacy and a medical practice.
It’s a very well serviced place, with good connections to other towns in Menorca.
The best restaurants in Son Bou
In Son Bou you’ll find many restaurants and excellent beach bars (chiringuitos) at which to savour some of Menorca’s typical dishes as well as international cuisine.
Don’t miss a visit to restaurant Casa Andrés, which is long established and serves homemade food and dishes typical of Menorca.
Meat lovers can also enjoy some excellent grilled dishes at Asador Las Dunas.
And if you fancy having lunch or dinner in a typical Menorcan rural residence, away from the bustle of the centre, you can go to Es Forn, in Torre Soli Nou, specialising in meat dishes.
If you’re a true epicurean, you may want to visit Alaior, very close to Son Bou, where you’ll find restaurant Degusta-Lo, a venture involving Pau Sintes, winner of the European Young Chef award. Prepare your palate for an amazing experience!
Hotels in Son Bou
Due to its fairly central location and the facilities available, Son Bou is the ideal place to stay in Menorca.
You’ll find hotels and aparthotels for families, such as the Royal Son Bou Family Club or quieter hotels such as Valentín Son Bou, in Torre Solí Nou.
There’s also a wide range of apartments and villas available to rent for your stay.
What to do in the evenings in Son Bou
The fun in Son Bou doesn’t stop when the day’s over! In the evenings you’ll find some great original bars for a drink and some music.
The most well-known are of course the one and only Hawaiian Bar, the stylish Budha Lounge Chill Out and the informal Kit Kat Bar, a typical English pub with karaoke and quiz nights.
How to get to Son Bou
Son Bou is situated around 8km from the town of Alaior, in the centre of Menorca, and it’s easily accessible either by car or public transport from other parts of the island.
How to get to Son Bou from Mahón
If you’re in Mahón and want to drive to Son Bou, simply take the Me-1 towards Alaior. On arrival, take the turning signposted “Playa de Son Bou” and after 10 minutes or so, you’ll be there.
From the centre of Mahón you can get to Son Bou on the no.32 bus, which stops in Alaior. The times vary, but the service runs hourly.
How to get to Son Bou from Ciutadella
You can also drive to Son Bou from Ciutadella by taking the Me-1. It will take you around 40 minutes.
If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can get there on the no.36 bus, which also passes through Ferreries and Es Mercadal.
How to get to Son Bou from the Airport
To get to Son Bou from the airport by public transport, take the shuttle bus that goes from the airport to the centre of Mahón, and from there, the no.32 bus, which stops at Alaior.
What to see around Son Bou
Son Bou is in the south of Menorca, just a few kilometres from the town of Alaior. During your stay we suggest you visit this beautiful town, stroll through its centre and, in the summer months, do some shopping in the night market, held every Wednesday from 7pm to 11pm.
Another really interesting place to visit near Son Bou is the archaeological site of Torre d’En Galmes. Here you can see the well preserved ruins of Taulas (T-shaped megaliths) and other structures from the pre-Talayotic period in Menorca. It’s a truly magical place.
Also, in just over 15 minutes, you can drive to Cala en Porter, with the famous Cova d’En Xoroi, a cliff-side cave which now serves as a bar and club. The ideal place to admire a spectacular sunset in Menorca.
Why choose Son Bou for your holiday in Menorca?
As well as a beautiful beach ideal for everyone, Son Bou offers facilities and services for you to enjoy your stay in Menorca without having to think about a thing.
Also, thanks to its wide range of accommodation, you can find the best option to suit your needs.
So what are you waiting for? Come and explore Son Bou right now!
