Spanish island with award-winning beaches to become a winter sun destination for Brits – with new year-round UK flights
EASYJET is set to expand its winter service to a popular European island, transforming it into a year-round holiday destination for Brits.
While its sisters Majorca and Ibiza are known for fun, Menorca is one of the more laidback islands in the Balearics.
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The island is set to become a winter sun destination for Brits thanks to the extension of a pre-existing flight route.
The route from London Gatwick Airport to Menorca Airport will operate throughout the entire year, providing an additional 16,000 seats throughout the winter.
Two weekly services will operate every Wednesday and Sunday.
The route’s winter extension will launch on November 6, 2024, and it will operate until at least March 2027.
EasyJet General Director in Southern Europe Javier Gándara said: “We are delighted to announce that our route between Menorca and London Gatwick will now operate all year round.
“This extension to the winter season not only underlines our commitment to sustained growth in Spain, but also demonstrates our dedication to the local community in Menorca.”
Meanwhile, Consell Insular de Menorca President Adolfo Vilafranca added: “This agreement is the result of a lot of hard work and good will to connect the island even more in the low season, guaranteeing international routes during the winter months.”
Winter services are already on sale, with prices starting from £38.99 for a one-way ticket.
Menorca is just a few hours from the UK by plane, with most tourists visiting in the summer months thanks to its long stretches of sand.
Temperatures can reach as high as 23C in the winter – making it an ideal destination for Brit holidaymakers.
Menorca deals
The island has been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
There are four main towns to visit on the island, including Ciutadella, Binibeca Vell, Son Bou and Fornells.
Binibeca Vell, on the island of Menorca, attracts tourists all year round because of its distinct white-washed houses.
Only 1,000 people currently live in the former fishing village, which was first constructed back in the 1960s.
Because it looks similar to Santorini, more than 800,000 visitors flock to the village between the months of May and October.
Recently locals have hit back at badly behaved tourists – and are threatening to cut off access to them entirely.
Menorca certainly isn’t short of beaches and coves either.
There are several spots to choose from, including Cala Galdana, Cala Mitjana, Cala Turqueta, Cala Pregonda, Cala Macarella, Cala Macarelleta and Playa de Cavalleria.
Earlier this year, Clearwater Marine named Menorca as having the best beaches in Spain.
Other attractions on the island include Santa Maria Cathedral – a 13th century church.
Holidaymakers can also take in stunning views from El Toro – the island’s highest mountain.
In recent years, both locals and celebs have been praising the island, saying it’s better than Ibiza.
Irish singer Roísín Murphy visited the island with her mum and said she fell in love with it, calling it a “cross between Ibiza and Ireland”.
What is a holiday to Menorca like?
SENIOR news reporter Sarah Grealish recently visited Menorca – here’s what they said.
Mallorca and Ibiza may be famous for their partying — but from this bar, carved into the cliffside under the orange glow of the sunset, it’s easy to see why Menorca is the real crown jewel of the Balearic Islands.
While its sisters are known for fun, this island boasts beautiful beaches, sunsets to die for and restaurants where you’ll eat like a king.
Just half the size of the Isle of Wight, it could easily claim the title of Spain’s most laidback island with many parts left wild and untouched.
And if you do still fancy your party fix, the cliff-side Cova d’en Xoroi bar transforms into a nightclub for cave clubbers in high summer.
Here are some other cheap all-inclusive holiday deals you can still book this summer.
Meanwhile, this largely forgotten holiday hotspot is taking on Spain.