Villa Diamante

About Villa Diamante

Villa Diamante is a self-catering villa in the whitewashed hamlet of Binibeca Vell, on Menorca's south coast. It suits travellers who want a quiet base with a swimming pool, a kitchen and free parking, close to the airport and the capital. The villa is not rated and has no guest score, so the stay depends on what the property offers in practice.

The villa sits in a pedestrian-friendly area of lanes and steps by the sea, built to look like a traditional fishing village. With air conditioning, a dishwasher and a washing machine, it works for families and couples who prefer to cook and come and go on their own schedule. The pool bar is listed among the facilities, but check with the property what it means in the low season.

Location: Binibeca Vell

Binibeca Vell is a whitewashed, fishing-village-style hamlet of narrow lanes and steps, built around a small harbour. It is a popular spot for evening strolls and has a calm, residential feel. The villa is 1 km from the centre of Binibeca Vell, so most of the hamlet's charm is a short walk away, though the distance is a straight line and the actual route may be longer.

The villa is 3.8 km from Sant Lluís, a white village of windmills, and 7.7 km from Maó (Mahón), the capital. Menorca Airport (MAH) is 4.3 km away, so transfers are short. In high summer, the south coast draws many visitors, and car parks at the popular coves fill early. In the shoulder months of May and September, the area is quieter, and many seasonal businesses close from November to April.

Rooms and facilities

The villa is listed with air conditioning, free wifi, a kitchen, a microwave, a dishwasher and a washing machine. These facilities suit families who want to self-cater and couples who prefer flexibility. A safe and a hairdryer are also listed, so you can leave valuables and travel light. The property is non-smoking throughout.

There is a swimming pool and a pool bar on the grounds, plus free car parking. The villa is not described as beachfront, so expect to walk or drive to the sea. Late arrivals should confirm check-in times and how to collect keys, as the property may not have a 24-hour reception. Confirm the pool bar's opening months and whether the pool is heated, as these details are not given.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 4.3 km from Villa Diamante in a straight line. A taxi from the airport takes about 10 minutes in light traffic, or you can hire a car at the terminal and drive. The villa has free parking, so a hire car is practical for exploring the island. Buses run from the airport to Maó and, in summer, to some resorts, but a car gives more freedom.

Maó port is 7.7 km away, where ferries arrive from Barcelona and Palma. From the port, a taxi or a hire car covers the distance in about 15 minutes. Flights and ferries are fewer in winter, so check schedules if travelling outside the main season. The villa's distance to the airport makes it a convenient choice for a short break or a late arrival.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

The nearest area is Binibeca Vell, 1 km away, with its lanes, steps and small coves. Sant Lluís, 3.8 km away, has windmills and a village centre. Maó, 7.7 km away, offers the harbour, shops and restaurants. A boat trip round Maó harbour starts 7.6 km from the villa, and La Mola fortress at Maó is 9 km away, both reachable by car.

A talayotic village, part of the World Heritage-listed prehistoric sites, is 13.6 km away; the nearest is likely Trepucó or Talatí de Dalt, but check locally. Menorca's south coast has white sand coves under pine, such as Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta, a short drive away. Mahón-Menorca cheese is a local product to try, and Sant Joan festival in Ciutadella runs around 23-24 June, though that is a longer drive.

A day from Villa Diamante

Start the day with breakfast at the villa, using the kitchen and the pool area. Drive 3.8 km to Sant Lluís to see the windmills and the village church, then continue to a south-coast cove like Cala Macarella or Cala Turqueta, arriving early to find parking. Swim in the clear water, which is kept clean by posidonia seagrass, and return to the villa for lunch.

In the afternoon, drive 7.7 km to Maó and walk along the harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Take a boat trip round the harbour, starting 7.6 km from the villa, to see the waterfront from the water. In the evening, return to Binibeca Vell for a stroll through the lanes and a quiet dinner, or cook at the villa and use the pool bar if it is open.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April, so check with Villa Diamante whether the villa and its pool bar are open in your dates. July and August are the peak months, with more crowds and higher demand. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax is charged per person per night by the accommodation; the rate varies by season and length of stay, and children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rate with the Govern de les Illes Balears.

Questions about Villa Diamante