Enjoying Cultural Son Bou Holidays

Despite not being a ‘party central’ in the mould of neighbouring Balearics Ibiza and Mallorca, Menorca’s main claim to fame still lies with its sandy beaches and generally pleasant weather. Resorts such as Son Bou, for instance, are generally regarded as a sleepy home base for a quiet family beach holiday, with nothing much to offer beyond a quaint centre and an excellent beach.

However, tourists booking Son Bou holidays often discover their first impressions may be wrong! There is, in fact, more to this Menorcan beach resort than meets the eye, and one characteristic in particular that keener explorers are bound to uncover is the area's significant cultural heritage.

An Inheritance From The Middle Ages

In fact, while Menorca’s cultural hubs are generally considered to be Mahon and Ciutadella, this area also offers a surprising amount in this regard, as history and architecture aficionados taking Son Bou holidays are bound to discover.

One of the best examples of this is the old fortified village, located within the limits of the town itself. Discovered in 1952, this ancient walled-in settlement, once called Ses Canessies, quickly became one of the main attractions for tourists taking Son Bou holidays. Any history enthusiast will find much to enjoy while walking around the walls of this surprising hidden gem in the sleepy Menorcan resort. A particular highlight is the 5th century basilica, which would have been imposing at the time of construction and is today a quaint historical remnant of a bygone age.

Alaior

Aside from these historical remains in unlikely places, the area surrounding the resort also boasts an impressively well-rounded cultural calendar, with plenty of events and celebrations going on at any given time. Most of these are located around the area of neighbouring Alaior, the third largest town in Menorca.

Founded by King Jaume in 1304, Alaior boasts an impressive Gothic church in its own right, but its main appeal for tourists taking Son Bou holidays will undoubtedly be the many festivals and events going on in that town year-round. Highlights among these include the religious Fiesta of Saint Llorenc, in August, and the Carnival in February. Both are lively, colourful events, perfect for attending with children but which will delight adults as well.

If you're seeking to inject a bit of culture into your Menorcan holidays, this lovely resort offers the best of both worlds, combining the sun and surf characteristic of the island with a surprising historical and cultural twist.

Brenda Jaaback is the Managing Director of Bartle Holidays. They can provide you with a wide selection of villas for Son Bou holidays on Menorca. Bartle Holidays makes no warranty as to the accuracy of information contained in this article and excludes any liability of any kind for the information.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.