Villa Laura

About Villa Laura

Villa Laura suits travellers who want a self-contained base on Menorca's west side rather than a resort strip. The property is listed as a three-star apartment or villa on Carrer Madrid 3, just outside Cala en Blanes and about 3.4 km from Ciutadella. A kitchen, oven, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine make it work for families and for stays of a week or more, and free car parking plus free wifi cover the practical side. Groups of friends and couples who plan to drive out each day fit the same profile.

Villa Laura is a three-star apartment or villa, so the emphasis falls on self-catering rather than hotel service. Non-smoking rooms, a cot, a hairdryer, an iron and board, a television and internet access appear on the facilities list, and the kitchen also has a toaster, coffee maker and fridge. Horse riding and water sports are listed too, so confirm with Villa Laura how those are arranged and whether they run outside the main season. Travellers who want a reception desk or an on-site restaurant should check what the property offers.

Location: Ciutadella de Menorca

Cala en Blanes sits on Menorca's west coast, a short hop from Ciutadella and away from the big resort strips of the south. Villa Laura's address is Carrer Madrid 3, in a quiet pocket of this area. Ciutadella, the island's old capital, is 3.4 km away: a cathedral, palaces, a narrow port that faces the sunset, and streets that stay open through the year. The surrounding coast is limestone and pine, with white sand coves a short drive south and east.

A car makes the most of Villa Laura's position. The Naveta des Tudons is 7.8 km off, Cala Turqueta 12 km, Cala Galdana 15.1 km and Es Mercadal under Monte Toro 24.9 km. Free parking at the property removes the daily worry. Ciutadella is close enough for a taxi or a steady walk, though the return is uphill. In July and August the southern roads fill early; in May, June, September and October the same runs feel calm and the coves are quieter.

Rooms and facilities

The layout suits anyone who wants to cook. Villa Laura's kitchen comes with an oven, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, toaster and coffee maker, and a washing machine plus iron and board handle the practical side of a longer stay. Non-smoking rooms, a hairdryer and a television are listed, and internet access and free wifi keep devices connected. Couples can treat it as a compact base; families and small groups get more use from the kitchen and the laundry corner.

Ask Villa Laura about sleeping arrangements before booking, since an apartment or villa can mean very different layouts: how many bedrooms, whether the cot fits in the main room, and whether the kitchen is private to the unit. Late arrivals should confirm arrival arrangements and key collection directly with the property. Water sports and horse riding appear on the facilities list, so check whether they are arranged on site or simply reflect what the Cala en Blanes area offers.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 38.8 km from Villa Laura in a straight line, on the far side of the island near Maó. Collecting a hire car at the airport is the simplest option for the run west, and the property has free parking. Taxis cover the same trip; agree the fare before setting off. Buses serve Maó and, in summer, some resorts, though a change and a walk may be needed for the last stretch to Cala en Blanes. Check the island bus operator for current lines.

Maó port is 41.4 km away, with overnight crossings to Barcelona. Ciutadella, 3.4 km from Villa Laura, has its own port with sailings to Alcúdia on Mallorca and to the mainland; timetables change with the season, so confirm details with the ferry operators. Arrivals by sea should plan a taxi or a hire car from either port. Flights and sailings thin out between November and April, so a winter arrival needs more planning than a June one.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

Cala Turqueta, one of the south coast's white sand coves under pine, is 12 km from Villa Laura. Cala Galdana, a deeper bay with a wider beach, is 15.1 km. Parking at the busiest southern coves is limited in summer, so leaving Carrer Madrid 3 early pays off, and some coves have seasonal vehicle limits. Ciutadella old town, 3.4 km away, is the nearest place for an evening stroll past the cathedral and down to the port.

Prehistory is close by: the Naveta des Tudons, a boat-shaped tomb near Ciutadella, is 7.8 km from the property. Inland, Es Mercadal sits at the foot of Monte Toro, about 358 m high with a sanctuary and views of both coasts, 24.9 km away. Menorcan food is worth planning around: caldereta de llagosta in the north, Mahón-Menorca cheese with its protected designation of origin, and the gin tradition left by British rule in Maó.

A day from Villa Laura

Start early from Villa Laura and drive the 7.8 km to the Naveta des Tudons before the day heats up; the tomb is small but the setting is open and quiet in the morning. Carry on to Cala Turqueta, 12 km from the property, and swim before the parking area fills. Eat a late lunch back at the apartment using the kitchen, then take the 3.4 km run into Ciutadella as the light drops.

Ciutadella old town at dusk is the centrepiece: the cathedral, the palaces and the narrow port where people gather to watch the sunset. The next morning, choose between Cala Galdana, 15.1 km from Villa Laura, and the inland road to Es Mercadal and Monte Toro, 24.9 km. A hire car links all of it, and summer bus lines reach some southern coves; check the island bus operator before relying on one.

Practical tips

Menorca's tourism calendar narrows sharply between November and April, when many hotels, beach bars and seasonal buses stop, so confirm Villa Laura's own opening dates before booking a winter week; Ciutadella and Maó stay open year-round. July and August are the busiest months on the south coast, while May, June, September and October bring easier parking near Cala en Blanes. Villa Laura charges the Balearic sustainable tourism tax per person per night; the rate depends on category and season, falls in low season, and children under 16 are exempt. Check the Govern de les Illes Balears for current rates.

Questions about Villa Laura