Worshipping the sun in Menorca

Sun lovers don't need to be told about the merits of holidays to Menorca. The second largest of the Balearic Islands, it is famed the world over for its sunny climate, which is apparent almost the whole year around. In the summer months you can expect as many as ten to 11 hours of sunshine a day, but even in the winter, it's possible to work on your tan, with three to four hours of quality sunshine a day and temperatures in the teens – not bad for December and January!

More tranquil than its larger sibling Majorca, the island offers the opportunity to enjoy roasting temperatures and laze on the beach in relative calm. Click throughfor a comprehensive selection of packages you can get for holidays on the island. In the meantime, let's look at everything you need to know about the island.

When to visit?

As we mentioned, Menorca is a sunseeker's paradise and June through to September is the peak of the summer, when temperatures are usually in the late twenties or sometimes the early thirties and you can expect more than ten hours of uninterrupted sunshine every day. For this reason, it's certainly popular with families looking to get away during the school holidays. If you don't have kids, a good time to go is in September, when schools in the UK reconvene for the new academic year. You'll find that it can be just as blistering at this point of the year as it is earlier in the summer and there's typically about eight hours of sunshine a day to enjoy.

Taking advantage of the sun

With el sol shining so brightly on Menorca, you don't need to worry about any of it going to waste. In fact, whenever you choose to visit you'll have plenty of opportunity to soak up the rays. Punta Prima to the east of Sant Lluis is a beautiful beach with flawless white sand. If you walk to its eastern end, there are also plenty of rocks to make things interesting. Here you can enjoy the usual swimming and beach sports, while there are some great bars dotted along the shore. Alternatively, why not try out Son Bou, which is south of Alaior and serves as one of Menorca's longest stretches of uninterrupted beach. Here, you'll find beach bars, sun beds and access to all the water sports you'd expect, while lifeguards are also on hand for added peace of mind.

Picking a resort

You're bound to be surrounded by beaches and attractions wherever you choose to stay in Menorca and access shouldn't be a problem thanks to the size of the island. Some of the best resorts can be found at the aforementioned Son Bou, which is on the island's southern coast. Cala Blanca is worth considering for its position at the foot of an exquisite bay on the islands northern side. If you wish to stay close to Port Mahon, then consider Binibeca, which is the definition of island paradise.