Villa Santi I

About Villa Santi I

Villa Santi I suits travellers who want a self-contained base on Menorca's south coast, with the independence of a kitchen, a washing machine and a private outdoor pool. The villa is not rated with stars and has no guest score listed, so you judge it by its facilities: air conditioning, free WiFi, a dishwasher and a pool bar. It works well for families or a group of friends who prefer to cook and eat on their own schedule rather than rely on hotel restaurants.

This is an apartment or villa in the Cala en Porter area, a deep sandy cove between high limestone cliffs. The property offers free car parking, which is useful because the popular southern coves fill up in summer and some have vehicle limits. The villa has a safe, a smoke detector and non-smoking rooms, so it meets basic safety and comfort standards.

Location: Cala en Porter

Cala en Porter is a cove on Menorca's south coast, about 0.3 km straight line from Villa Santi I. The cove has a sandy beach between cliffs, with a few shops and places to eat in the village above. In high summer the beach gets busy, but the villa's pool offers an alternative. In the shoulder months of May, June, September and October, the cove is quieter and the water is still warm enough for swimming.

The villa is 6 km straight line from Son Bou, the longest beach on the island, with dunes and a wetland behind it. Binibeca Vell, a whitewashed fishing-village-style hamlet, is 9.9 km straight line away. Maó port is 11.2 km straight line from the villa, so you need a car, a taxi or a bus to reach the capital and its harbour. The nearest talayotic village is 4.3 km straight line, reachable by car or a longer walk.

Rooms and facilities

Villa Santi I is listed with air conditioning, free WiFi, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, and a washing machine. These facilities suit self-catering stays: you can prepare meals, store groceries and wash clothes without leaving the property. The outdoor pool and pool bar are on site, so you can spend the day without going to the beach. The villa has non-smoking rooms and a safe for valuables.

The property does not specify the number of bedrooms or the layout, so you should confirm the sleeping arrangements with the owner before booking. Late arrivals are fine if you check the check-in procedure in advance. The kitchen is equipped for cooking, but there is no mention of a toaster or kettle, so ask what is provided. The free car parking is a practical advantage for exploring the island.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 7.1 km straight line from Villa Santi I. A taxi from the airport to the villa takes about 10-15 minutes. Buses run from the airport to Maó, and in summer some services extend to the southern resorts, but you may need to change at Maó or take a taxi for the last leg. A hire car collected at the airport gives you the most flexibility, especially for visiting coves and inland villages.

Maó port is 11.2 km straight line away, so if you arrive by ferry from Barcelona or Palma, you can take a taxi or a bus to the villa. In winter, flights and ferries are fewer, so check the schedules. The villa's free parking means you can leave the car and walk to Cala en Porter. For trips to other parts of the island, a car is recommended because the bus network is limited outside the summer months.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

Cala en Porter is 0.3 km straight line from the villa, a deep sandy cove between limestone cliffs. Son Bou, 6 km straight line, is the longest beach on Menorca, with dunes and a wetland area. Binibeca Vell, 9.9 km straight line, is a whitewashed hamlet built to resemble a traditional fishing village, with narrow lanes and a small cove. The nearest talayotic village is 4.3 km straight line, a prehistoric site from the Talayotic period, part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing since 2023.

A boat trip round Maó harbour, 11.6 km straight line, shows you one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, with cliffs, forts and the town of Es Castell at the mouth. Monte Toro, 13.2 km straight line, is the highest point on Menorca at about 358 m, with a sanctuary and views of both coasts. Menorca is known for Mahón-Menorca cheese, a protected designation of origin, and for lobster stew (caldereta de llagosta) from Fornells on the north coast.

A day from Villa Santi I

Start the morning with breakfast at Villa Santi I, using the kitchen and the coffee maker. Drive 4.3 km straight line to the nearest talayotic village and explore the prehistoric talaiots and taules. Then head to Son Bou, 6 km straight line, for a walk along the long sandy beach and the dunes. Return to the villa for lunch by the outdoor pool, using the pool bar for a drink.

In the afternoon, drive to Binibeca Vell, 9.9 km straight line, and wander the whitewashed lanes. Later, go to Maó harbour, 11.2 km straight line, for a boat trip round the harbour (11.6 km straight line from the villa). End the day with a swim at Cala en Porter, 0.3 km away, before returning to the villa for dinner cooked in the kitchen. The free parking means you can move between these places without relying on taxis.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April, so check with Villa Santi I whether it is open during your travel dates. July and August are the peak months, when the southern coves fill early and the weather is hottest. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax (the ecotasa) is charged per person per night by the accommodation; the rate depends on the season and the type of accommodation, is reduced in low season and for longer stays, and children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rate on the Govern de les Illes Balears website.

Questions about Villa Santi I