For years, Menorca has been a favourite holiday island for other European tourists too. Many celebrities and royalty spend their free time there relaxing, soaking in the sun and spending quality time with their families. Several celebrities have bought homes in the Balearic Islands in recent years. One of Menorca's prime holiday spots is also its longest beach, Son Bou.



In the Alaior region of Menorca sits the small village of Son Bou. Son Bou, San Jaime and Torre Soli Nou offer some of the nicest beachfront holiday spots available on Menorca. The beach at Son Bou is around 3 km long, that's just less than two miles of golden sands. The width of the beach isn't as wide as some of Menorca's larger beaches, but the length is spectacular. Along the beach you will find several lifeguards and beach bars to provide food and drinks.

Son Bou is home to several shops and restaurants and two large hotels. The two large Sol Hotels offer direct access to the beach. Other accommodation is available for those who prefer to walk to the beach. Many of the bars and restaurants have adapted a British style. Others have chosen a more international cuisine, including Chinese and Indian. Tourists are the primary source of revenue for the island, so restaurants try to oblige all nationalities. Of course there are still several Spanish and Menorquin restaurants to serve the tourist who enjoys traditional foods from the area they visit.

Son Bou's bars and restaurants feature shows on most nights during the six-month holiday season. On the nights they have no shows, they feature quizzes and karaoke. Another great attraction in Son Bou is the giant maze. For the thrill seeking adventurer, there is never a dull moment.

For the nature lover, inland from the beach, there are marshes and a lagoon that is home to several well-loved and well-fed ducks. Many people take chunks of bread to feed the ducks. You have to be willing to get up relatively early if you plan to feed the ducks. By 11 a.m. they are all making their way back to their nests to digest the foods their human friends brought them.

Neighboring San Jaime has fewer hotels and is hosts primarily villas and garden apartments. Torre Soli Nou has more private villas and apartment complexes. Campsites are also available about two miles away from Torre Soli Nou. There is a place to stay for every lifestyle or preference.

Son Bou is a wonderful place for a family holiday. The beaches are impressively clean, and the water is blue and amazingly crystal clear. Like all beaches, the current can be quite strong, so be sure to pay close attention to the red and green flag system. If you are unfamiliar with such a system, ask someone. The resort is fully equipped with supermarkets and tourist shops.

Son Bou, near Santo Tomas is also well known as a naturists haven. The further west you go from Son Bou, the fewer clothes people may be wearing. Nudist beaches aren't officially allowed on Menorca, but the area at the west end of Son Bou beach is a widely known nudist beach. The nudist area of the beach has dunes to protect privacy of those who enjoy sunbathing in the nude.

It gives a new meaning to the phrase 'go west young man'!