Son Bou Holidays 2026 / 2027
Home to Menorca's longest beach – a whopping 2.5km of golden sand – Son Bou is proper family territory. This relaxed resort on the south coast has everything you need for a brilliant beach holiday: shallow waters safe for paddling, watersports for the adventurous, ancient ruins for the curious, and a nature reserve for the twitchers. It's low-key, unpretentious, and absolutely gorgeous – basically Menorca in a nutshell.
Why Visit Son Bou?
🏖️ Menorca's longest beach – 2.5km of Blue Flag golden sand with shallow, calm water perfect for families
🏛️ Ancient history on your doorstep – 5th-century basilica ruins right on the beach and Torre d'en Galmés prehistoric village nearby
🦅 Nature reserve – the Prat de Son Bou wetlands behind the dunes are brilliant for birdwatching
🚶 Camí de Cavalls access – walk the famous coastal path to Santo Tomás or Cala en Porter
👨👩👧👦 Properly family-friendly – waterpark, kids' clubs, and a pace of life that's blissfully chilled
Good to Know
☀️ Weather – expect highs of 27-30°C in summer with 10+ hours of sunshine and barely any rain. Spring and autumn sit around 20-24°C – still lovely beach weather.
💶 Prices – Son Bou is good value compared to other Med resorts. A beer runs around €3-4, and you can eat well for €15-25 per head. Hotels often include great all-inclusive deals.
🐴 Fun fact – the nearby town of Alaior hosts the Fiestas de Sant Llorenç in August, featuring the famous Menorcan horse parades (Jaleos) where riders rear their stunning black horses on hind legs through the crowds. Absolutely spectacular.
Top Hotels in Son Bou
👨👩👧👦 Family Favourites
Royal Son Bou Family Club – purpose-built for families with kids' pools featuring waterslides and a pirate ship, dedicated children's entertainment, and childcare during mealtimes. Just 100m from the beach.
Sol Milanos-Pinguinos – popular four-star right on the beach with two buildings (yes, named after birds), pools, and a great buffet restaurant with Italian corner. Can't get closer to the sand.
Arenas de Son Bou – well-reviewed family hotel with outdoor pool, kids' section, free shuttle bus to the beach, and loads of activities from volleyball to aqua gym.
🏊 All-Rounders
Valentin Son Bou – spacious rooms and apartments with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, spa facilities, and a bowling green (yes, really). Good for active families and couples alike.
Jardin de Menorca Aparthotel – comfortable aparthotel with free shuttle to the beach, regular themed buffet nights, and a relaxed vibe. Great for self-catering flexibility.
Son Bou Gardens – three-bedroom apartments right next to the nature reserve, ideal for larger families or groups wanting space and independence.
💎 Something Special
Villas Finesse – luxury private villas with three bedrooms, private pools, and countryside views. Perfect for a special family holiday or group getaway.
Son Bou Playa Gold – modern apartments in San Jaime with balconies, kitchenettes, and a 15-minute stroll to the beach. Great for couples and smaller families.
What to Do in Son Bou
👨👩👧👦 Families
🏖️ Son Bou Beach – 2.5km of shallow, sandy perfection with lifeguards, sunbed hire, and beach bars. Bouncy castles appear in peak season
🎢 San Jaime water park – slides, pools, and splashing right in the resort – perfect for burning off energy
🦁 Lloc de Menorca zoo – charming little zoo with native and exotic animals, great for younger kids
🚂 Glass-bottom boat trips – spot fish and marine life without getting wet (though swimming stops are included)
💑 Couples
🌅 Sunset walks to Atalis – stroll west along the beach to this quieter cove as the sun goes down
🏛️ Torre d'en Galmés – the largest Talayotic settlement in the Balearics, with 3,000-year-old ruins and stunning views
🍷 Alaior old town – pretty hilltop streets, local restaurants, and the famous Coinga cheese factory
🚶 Camí de Cavalls to Santo Tomás – scenic coastal walk through beautiful countryside (taxi back for €25)
🎉 Groups
🤿 Diving and snorkelling – Son Bou Scuba offers trips to underwater caves at Cap den Font and sites across the island
🚴 Mountain biking – hire bikes and explore the trails through the countryside and along the coast
🍹 Beach bar sessions – three beach bars right on the sand plus Kit Cat Bar in the centre for evening drinks
🚤 Boat trips – full-day sails along the south coast stopping at hidden coves like Cala Macarella
🏛️ Culture Vultures
⛪ Basílica Paleocristiana – 5th-century church ruins right on the eastern end of the beach, with an ancient baptismal font
🏺 Torre d'en Galmés – explore watchtowers, temples, and houses from a civilisation that thrived here 3,000 years ago
🏘️ Alaior – the nearest proper town with baroque churches, craft markets, and authentic Menorcan atmosphere
🦅 Prat de Son Bou – the wetlands behind the dunes are home to herons, egrets, and migrating birds
When to Visit Son Bou
🌸 Spring (April–May) | Highs of 20–24°C
Lovely weather for walking the Camí de Cavalls and exploring without the summer crowds. The beach is quiet and gorgeous.
What's On:
🎷 Menorca Jazz Festival (March–May) – concerts featuring international and local artists at venues across the island
🏃 Menorca walking festival – guided hikes exploring the island's coastal paths and countryside
🧀 Alaior craft markets – weekly markets in Ramal Square selling local produce and handmade goods
🌺 Wildflower season – the countryside bursts into colour, perfect for hiking and photography
☀️ Summer (June–August) | Highs of 27–30°C, 10+ hours of sunshine
Peak beach season. The resort is buzzing, the sea is warm (up to 25°C), and the famous horse fiestas are in full swing.
What's On:
🐴 Fiestas de Sant Llorenç (9-10 August, Alaior) – spectacular horse parades, music, dancing, and fireworks. The Jaleo is unforgettable
🎪 Cala en Porter fiestas (third weekend September) – nearby beach village celebration with its own Jaleo
🎶 Beach bar live music – DJs and performers at Son Bou's beach bars throughout July and August
🎠 Travelling funfair – moves between fiestas, often appearing in Son Bou during summer
🍂 Autumn (September–October) | Highs of 23–27°C
Still warm enough for beach days, but quieter and cheaper. The sea stays swimmable into October.
What's On:
🐴 Festes des Caixers (late September, Alaior) – the quieter, more intimate end-of-summer horse fiesta for locals and families
🎭 Mare de Déu de Gràcia (6-9 September, Mahón) – the capital's grand fiesta with fireworks over the harbour
🍷 Grape harvest season – visit Binifadet winery for tours and tastings
🦅 Bird migration – the wetlands come alive with migrating species passing through
Nearby Resorts
Son Bou is perfectly placed on Menorca's south coast, with other great resorts within easy reach:
Santo Tomás
A 30-minute walk along the Camí de Cavalls (or quick drive), Santo Tomás is even quieter than Son Bou with a gorgeous long beach backed by dunes. Very peaceful, very pretty.
Cala en Porter
About 15 minutes east by car, this resort has a stunning cove beach and is home to the famous Cova d'en Xoroi – a clifftop bar/club built into caves with incredible sunset views.
Cala Galdana
Menorca's "Queen of the Calas" is about 25 minutes west. A horseshoe bay with turquoise water and access to walking routes to Cala Macarella and Mitjana.
Mahón
The island capital is 20 minutes away, with the world's second-largest natural harbour, great restaurants, gin distilleries, and the ferry to mainland Spain.
Ciutadella
On the opposite coast (40 minutes), Ciutadella is Menorca's most beautiful town – historic cathedral, gorgeous harbour, and the famous Sant Joan horse fiestas in June.
Popular Son Bou hotels
More Son Bou hotelsWeather in Son Bou
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
If fun in the sun sounds good to you, then you should think about taking your holidays in Son Bou between June and August. June is the coolest month of these three, with temperatures averaging 24°; Celsius, but if you want to enjoy the very peak of a Mediterranean summer then July and August will certainly make that so! Temperatures in summer reach an average of 30°; Celsius with 10 hours of sun a day, with virtually no rainfall.
Should you find the head a bit too much, or just aren't a sun-worshipper yourself, then Son Bou holidays in April or May are a great idea. Temperatures then are about 20°; Celsius during the day, so still very warm, but with more southwesterly winds you'll find yourself much more comfortable. Whatever time you take your holidays to Son Bou, do be sure to look out for the Red and Green flags on the beaches, as the current can be strong.
View destination on a map
View destination on a map
FAQs
How far is Son Bou from the airport?
How far is Son Bou from the airport?
About 20-25 minutes by car from Menorca Airport (Mahón). We can sort your transfers when you book – one less thing to worry about.
Is Son Bou good for families?
Is Son Bou good for families?
Absolutely – it's one of Menorca's best family resorts. The beach has shallow water and lifeguards, there's a waterpark, most hotels have excellent kids' facilities, and the whole vibe is relaxed and family-friendly.
Can you walk along Son Bou beach?
Can you walk along Son Bou beach?
Yes! It's 2.5km long, so there's plenty of space. Walk west and it gets quieter and more natural (clothing-optional at the far end). Keep going and you'll reach Atalis cove and eventually the Camí de Cavalls path.
What's the current like at Son Bou?
What's the current like at Son Bou?
The beach can have strong currents at times – always check the flag colours and stay within the lifeguarded areas. Green means safe swimming, red means stay out of the water.
Is there nightlife in Son Bou?
Is there nightlife in Son Bou?
It's pretty chilled. There are beach bars, hotel entertainment, and a few bars in the centre open late – including Menorca's only proper disco. For bigger nights out, head to Mahón or Ciutadella.
What should I visit from Son Bou?
What should I visit from Son Bou?
Torre d'en Galmés (ancient ruins) is a must, Alaior is great for a wander, and the walk to Santo Tomás along the coast is gorgeous. Day trips to Ciutadella or the south coast coves are easy by hire car.
