Villa las Mariposas

About Villa las Mariposas

Villa las Mariposas suits travellers who want a self-catering base on Menorca's north coast. The property is an apartment or villa, not rated with stars, and has no guest score listed. It provides a kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine and microwave, so you can prepare meals independently. The outdoor pool and pool bar add a resort element for warm days.

The villa is on Carrer Des Tord Negre, about 0.9 km straight line from Arenal d'en Castell. This near-circular bay of pale sand is the nearest beach. The property is not beachfront, but the bay is a short drive or a longer walk away. Free car parking is included, which makes a hire car useful for exploring the rest of the island.

Location: Arenal d'en Castell

Arenal d'en Castell is a near-circular bay on Menorca's north coast. The sand is pale and the water shelves gently. In high summer the beach and the small resort around it are busy, but the villa's location on a quieter street offers some separation. In the shoulder months of May, June, September and October the area is calmer, and many of the seasonal beach bars and shops have shorter hours or close outside the peak weeks.

The villa is 0.9 km straight line from the bay, so you can walk to the beach in about 15 minutes along the road. Fornells, a fishing village known for its lobster stew, is 5.9 km straight line away, a short drive. Es Mercadal at the foot of Monte Toro is 8.9 km straight line. A hire car is the most practical way to reach the south coast coves, the capital Maó and other parts of the island. Buses run to Maó and some resorts in summer, but services are fewer in winter.

Rooms and facilities

The villa is listed with air conditioning, free wifi, a safe and a hairdryer. The kitchen includes a dishwasher, microwave and coffee maker. There is a washing machine for longer stays. The property is non-smoking and has a smoke detector. The outdoor pool and pool bar are shared or private depending on the villa type; confirm the arrangement with the property when booking.

For families, the self-catering facilities and the pool are practical. For couples, the quiet location and the ability to cook at home are advantages. Late arrivals should check with the property about check-in times, as these are not listed. Parking is free on site, so you can leave a hire car securely.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 18.2 km straight line from Villa las Mariposas. A taxi takes about 25 minutes by road. A hire car collected at the airport gives you flexibility for the whole stay. Buses run from the airport to Maó, but you would need to change for Arenal d'en Castell; services are more frequent in summer. The villa's free parking makes a hire car the easiest option.

Maó port is 16.4 km straight line away. Ferries from Barcelona, Alcúdia and Palma arrive there. From the port, a taxi to the villa takes about 20 minutes. In winter, flights and ferries are fewer, so check schedules with the operators. The villa's address on Carrer Des Tord Negre is in a residential part of Arenal d'en Castell, and a sat nav or map is useful for the final approach.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

Arenal d'en Castell is the nearest beach, 0.9 km straight line. Fornells, 5.9 km away, is a fishing village with a sheltered harbour and a reputation for caldereta de llagosta (lobster stew). The Favàritx lighthouse, 7.4 km straight line, sits on dark slate inside S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park, the core zone of the Biosphere Reserve. Monte Toro, 7.6 km away, is the highest point on Menorca at about 358 m, with a sanctuary and views of both coasts. Kayaking the north coast is possible from several launch points, about 7.9 km away.

The north coast (Tramuntana) has darker rock and reddish sand, and the wind can pick up in the afternoon. The south coast (Migjorn) has white sand coves under pine, such as Cala Galdana, Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta. These are a longer drive from the villa. The Camí de Cavalls, the historic bridleway around the whole coast, passes near Arenal d'en Castell and offers walking and cycling stages. Mahón-Menorca cheese is produced on the island and is available in local shops.

A day from Villa las Mariposas

Start the morning at Villa las Mariposas with coffee from the kitchen. Drive to Fornells, 5.9 km away, and walk around the harbour. Return to Arenal d'en Castell for a swim at the bay. The water is calm in the morning, and the beach is quieter before midday. Pack a picnic from the villa's kitchen or buy supplies at a local shop.

In the afternoon, drive to the Favàritx lighthouse, 7.4 km away, inside S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park. The landscape of dark slate and the lighthouse are distinctive. Later, head to Monte Toro, 7.6 km away, for views of the island. Return to the villa for a swim in the pool and an evening meal prepared in the kitchen. The pool bar may be open in season; check with the property.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April; check with Villa las Mariposas whether it is open in those months. July and August are the peak, with the busiest beaches and higher demand for hire cars. 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 las Mariposas