Places
Fornells & North Coast Menorca: Caldereta, Bay & Quiet Beaches
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Short answerFornells is a north-coast fishing village in Menorca known for caldereta de langosta, a lobster stew that is the signature dish of the area. The bay is popular for windsurfing and sailing, and the surrounding north coast has quieter beaches like Cala Pregonda and Platja de Binimel·là. It is best explored with a car, and you should confirm opening hours and prices locally.
What to eat in Fornells: caldereta de langosta
Caldereta de langosta is the dish to order in Fornells. It is a rich lobster stew, and Es Cranc is described as one of the finest restaurants in Menorca, where you should be sure to try the shellfish soup 'Caldereta'. Other options in Fornells include Cranc Pelut, Can Tanu, La Frañola, Sa Fonda, Restaurante Es Cranc, Acuario, Alcalde, and Biosphera.
Prices vary by restaurant and season, so check the menu and confirm locally. Travellers report that Menorca is quiet at night, so dinner is usually relaxed rather than late and loud.
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The bay and the wind
The Bay of Fornells is a large, sheltered inlet on the north coast. It is known for wind and water sports, and the village is a good base for sailing and windsurfing. The north coast is generally windier than the south, which is why the bay is popular with sailors.
Platges de Fornells is a vacation rental area with small restaurants, grocery stores, nearby bay and beach, and parking right outside the homes; travellers report it is safe and quiet but easy to reach other parts of the island with a rental car.
Local tipFor the classic caldereta de langosta, book ahead at Es Cranc in Fornells; it is described as one of the finest restaurants in Menorca and the shellfish soup 'Caldereta' is the dish to try.
Quieter beaches on the north coast
The north coast has several beaches that are quieter than the south. Cala Pregonda and Platja de Binimel·là have vehicular access and are busy in summer, according to Wikivoyage. Truly unspoilt beaches with no services and only accessible on foot or by sea include Cala Pudent, Cala Tusqueta, Beaches of Puerto de Fornells, Es Clot des Guix, Cala Viola de Poniente and Levante, Sa Nitja, Cala Rotja, Cala Mica and Cala en Calderer.
Other named spots in the Fornells area include Cala Barril, Platja de Cavalleria, Arenal de Son Saura, Macar de Calesmorts, Cala Tirant, Platja de Cala Roja, Cala Cabra Salada, S'Arenalet (Fornells), Caló Verd, En Peuada, Macar de Cala Pudenta, es Pou de s'Albufereta, s'arenal de Mongofre, macar Reial, Escullar de Pregonda, Platja de Ferragut, Cala Caldés, Na Xeringa, Calesmorts, Salairò, Macar de sa Llosa, Playa Arenal d'en Castell, Cala Rotja, Cala Pudent, Cala en Tosqueta, S'Enclusa, Cala den Caldés, and Platja des Sivinar. Remote beaches have no services, no bars, no toilets, so bring water and shade.
Getting there and around
Fornells is in the municipality of Es Mercadal, which is around a 20-minute drive from the airport, according to Wikivoyage. Travellers report that it is practically mandatory to rent a car in Menorca, and that renting a car is recommended if staying a little further out of center. From Ciutadella you can easily reach the areas of Sa Caleta, and buses serve nearby resort villages, but Fornells itself is best reached by car.
In off season, buses to beaches in tourism areas run on the hour every hour rather than every 20 minutes like in main season, and buses are usually cheaper in off season compared to summer. Remote beaches may have only a couple of buses a day running near them, if any at all. Check timetables locally.
What travellers report
Platges de Fornells is a vacation rental area with small restaurants, grocery stores, nearby bay and beach, and parking right outside the homes; safe and quiet but easy to reach other parts of the island with a rental car.
A family staying in Cala Piques and Cala Galdana wanted a private tour guide or driver for a day to visit a cheesemaking farm, olive grove, Salinas de la Concepcion, and a northern beach for a meal, because they did not want to drive.
When to go and what to expect
The season officially starts at Easter holidays with a slow open. Late September in Menorca: weather is nice enough to swim and enjoy the beach, buses across the island still run, and it is lively enough to not be dead. The climate is Mediterranean with marked seasonality; the average annual temperature is 17.1 °C, with minimum averages in January of 11.5 °C and maximum averages in August of 25.0 °C. Minimum in winter can drop to 5 °C often at night and in the morning, and the maximum in summer exceed 30 °C.
Fornells celebrates its festes for Saint Anthony in the 4th week of July. Menorca is significantly smaller and more relaxed than Mallorca, and travellers report that Menorca is recommended for avoiding mass tourism because Mallorca and Ibiza are nearby.
Questions people ask
What is caldereta de langosta?
Caldereta de langosta is a lobster stew, the signature dish of Fornells. Es Cranc is one of the finest restaurants in Menorca and you should be sure to try the shellfish soup 'Caldereta'.
Which beaches near Fornells are quiet?
Cala Pregonda and Platja de Binimel·là have vehicular access and are busy in summer. For quieter, unspoilt beaches with no services, consider Cala Pudent, Cala Tusqueta, Cala Rotja, Cala Mica and Cala en Calderer, which are only accessible on foot or by sea.
Do I need a car to explore Fornells and the north coast?
Travellers report that it is practically mandatory to rent a car in Menorca, and renting a car is recommended if staying a little further out of center. Buses exist but remote beaches may have only a couple of buses a day running near them, if any at all.
When is the best time to visit Fornells?
Late September in Menorca: weather is nice enough to swim and enjoy the beach, buses across the island still run, and it is lively enough to not be dead. The season officially starts at Easter holidays with a slow open.
Is Fornells good for windsurfing?
The Bay of Fornells is known for wind and water sports, and the north coast is generally windier than the south. It is a good base for sailing and windsurfing.
Where can I eat in Fornells besides Es Cranc?
Other restaurants in Fornells include Cranc Pelut, Can Tanu, La Frañola, Sa Fonda, Restaurante Es Cranc, Acuario, Alcalde, and Biosphera. Check opening hours and prices locally.
Compiled from OpenStreetMap, Wikivoyage and traveller reports. Confirm prices and opening hours locally. About
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