Guide To Son Bou Menorca

The Menorcan resort of Son Bou provides a great base and coastal resort with plenty of accommodation, enormous beach and plenty of bars and restaurants. Our helpful guide to Son Bou Menorca has everything you need for your next visit.

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Son Bou Overview

If you’re left wondering what on Son Bou is like to visit hopefully our brief overview will answer just that.

Located on the south coast of Menorca and around 30 minutes from the Mahon. Son Bou town has a lovely wide, spacious beach, beautiful boardwalk, rolling hills in the distance as well as bars and restaurants to keep you entertained.

Although we refer to the resort as Son Bou, this resort also encapsulates San Jaime Mediterráneo and Torre Soli Nou. Both are smaller areas in the same coastal resort and consist mainly of accommodation whereas the main commercial areas are in Son Bou. The below information includes amenities, hotels, apartments, villas and more on all three areas of Son Bou, San Jaime Mediterráneo and Torre Soli Nou.

There are multiple hotels and a healthy amount of apartment style complexes that provide a great selection of accommodation in Son Bou and amenities to service these too.

Being centrally located on the island provides great convenience to head east and explore Mahon, or west and Ciutadella. As well as many other of the quaint inland towns, or bustling coastal resorts. Easily reachable by car, bus and possibly even an exploratory walk.

Son Bou Beach

With the longest and widest beach in Menorca, Son Bou is a beach lovers paradise. The Son Bou beach features a beautiful wide open beach with golden sand, and plenty of space for families to enjoy. At 2.5 kilometres there’s plenty of space in Menorca Son Bou to spread out and find a peaceful and tranquil spot on their local beach.

With plenty of Son Bou beach parking here, lifeguards, sunbed and umbrella rental, water sports including pedalo’s and banana boats and no license boat hire rental too. There’s even a quaint little beach bar, Ses Garces, where you can sip a cocktail or have some food and watch the world go by with the Mediterranean sea in the background.

The beach in Son Bou provides easy access for wheelchairs and beach strollers users with a walkway to the sand. A sandy path also stretches towards the neighbouring resort of Santo Tomas before reaching the rockier patches of the walk. Featuring the occasional wooden walkway taking you to other stretches of Son Bou beach.

The rolling sand dunes provide a natural backdrop, as well as the a few high rise hotels catering to the thriving tourism.

Being so wide and unobstructed, the Son Bou beach can suffer from heavy winds and a strong current. Problematic for the beach water sports in Son Bou, younger children or those who struggle on their feet. Pay attention to the Menorca beach flag system too. Green – safe and calm waters, Yellow – pay attention and be cautious of strong current and waves, Red – avoid the way.

Finally, with high cliffs on one side housing ancient caves and remains of a Paleochristian Basilica a nice hike up these hills provides great views as well as some history. You may even spot some migratory birds that like to shelter in the small lagoon.

Son Bou Amenities

For cigarettes in Son Bou you will need to head to the Son Bou tobacconists – Estanc Son Bou. For cash or ATMs there are two available – one Son Bou ATM is at Sol Milanos Pinguinos Son Bou hotel and another next door to the Son Bou Pharmarcy, Cash Zone here.

There are various other clothing and boutique stores dotted around the resort selling various items, souvenirs and gifts, such as next to the Budha Lounge Café and on the main Son Bou town road heading towards the beach.

For the Son Bou bakery head to Panaderia San Jaime, that does the perfect job of serving up tasty baked goods from breads and pastries, to sandwiches, coffees and more.

For a doctor in Son Bou or any other medical requirements on the island, then head to our Menorca medical services guide. However, for immediate need for a Doctor in Son Bou then head to the private Son Bou medical centre – Juaneda Doctor Son Bou. Alternatively there is a Pharmacy in Son Bou here.

If you’re looking for gyms in Son Bou, then similarly to most coastal resorts in Menorca you will need to head to the hotels. For example, Son Bou gyms can be found in Royal Son Bou and the Valentin Son Bou gym.

Supermarkets in Son Bou

Firstly you’ll probably want to know where the Son Bou supermarkets are and we have our extensive Menorca supermarket guide. However there are a few Son Bou supermarkets you will want to be aware of during your stay. The supermarkets in Son Bou include, Supermercado Sant Jaume, open everyday over summer from 08:30 – 22:00. Alternatively you have Supermarket La Masia Son Bou open daily over summer from 08:00 – 20:00. Lastly, Cife Supermercats Es Forn Son Bou open everyday in summer 08:30 – 22:00.

Supermercado Sant Jaume (Costa de Sant Jaume, 6, 07730 San Jaime Mediterráneo)
Supermarket La Masia Son Bou (Urbanizacion, 07730 Son Bou)
Cife Supermercats Es Forn Son Bou (Spain, Illes Balears, Son Bou)

Top Son Bou Restaurants

With a large range of accommodation in Son Bou there are a healthy range of restaurants in Son Bou to chose from, excluding the in-hotel restaurants. Meaning you don’t always have to venture to the larger inland towns or cities. However, we have our guide on the best restaurants in Menorca if you do fancy an evening of luxury. But some of the best Son Bou restaurants can be found below.

Alessandro’s ranks highly as one of the best restaurants in Son Bou. Serving up traditional Spanish and Mediterranean dishes and a beautiful focus on Italian food like Risotto and stuffed fresh pasta, which you can see on their menu. Alternatively, Es Bruc Bou is a Mexican-Spanish fusion restaurant in Son Bou and again, highly rated. On their menu expect Cerviches, Tacos, Burritos and more, some with a unique Menorcan twist.

Mai Tai Son Bou opts to serve an eclectic mix of Menorcan and Thai inspired food, which can be found on their menu, from Pad Thai to Iberico Pork, Poké bowls to Spanish tapas. An unusual combination, but highly rated by guests nevertheless.

We also want to mention Copacabana. Although they won’t be serving up many traditional Menorcan dishes, a little slice of home may be what you’re after. The Copacabana Son Bou Food Menu features plenty of lunch snack foods such as baguettes, bulging burgers and toasted sandwiches.

Lastly, Es Jardi des Temple, arguably the best restaurant in Son Bou. Serves up traditional Spanish cuisine with multiple Paella dishes being highly recommended, garlic prawns, scallops and other beautiful fish and meat dishes.

Notable Son Bou Restaurants:

Son Bou Nightlife

When compared to some neighbouring resorts or many other coastal resorts in Menorca the Son Bou nightlife is slightly busier. However don’t expect Ibiza. Just expect a few more bars that may stay open slightly later than say, Cala Blanca. That being said, the Son Bou Menorca nightlife can be entertaining and you can have a great time at a reasonable price that’s for sure.

Starting with the popular Hawian Bar Son Bou which can stay open to the early hours. A Hawaiian themed bar with various cocktails in wooden style chairs that you can slump into and relax. Their menu contains plenty of Mojitos to choose from. Traditional cocktails such as Tequila Sunrise or Sex On The Beach, multiple Daiquiris to their infamous Vulcano cocktail, a huge mountain of a cocktail made to be shared.

Budda Bar Son Bou, on the main road opposite Hawian Bar providing a more relaxed and laidback affair. With relaxing music, chilled ambiance and some lovely cocktails and drinks to enjoy such as the Pomada slushy.

Kit Cat Bar Son Bou offers a friendly bar primarily aimed at UK clientele, but of course everyone is welcome. Serving tasty food and a nice spot to get chatting to some friends with sport on the TV, a pool table, karaoke and quiz nights too.

Most cities, towns and holiday resorts in the world need an Irish pub. Son Bou is no different with Irish Arena Son Bou. Irish Arena of course serves up a friendly atmosphere, plenty of drinks, a range of sport on multiple TVs and pool table all to keep your evenings busy. You may even hear some karaoke here to if that’s your muse.

Son Bou Activities

If you’re struggling for things to do in Son Bou, or you would like a change from the expansive Son Bou beach, then there are plenty of things to do in Son Bou and we have loads listed below.

Son Bou Excursions

For those wanting something slightly more organised, excursions in Son Bou provide exactly that. Taking the worry and hassle from having to research everything and anything. We’ve picked out some of our favourites below;

Scuba Diving in Son Bou

Primarily aimed at the adults and also featuring on our Menorca Scuba Diving guide, Son Bou Scuba can take you to the underwater world at various spots around the north Menorcan coastline.

From taking your first steps into diving or a seasoned professional, Son Bou Scuba are there to help. They can even support with children who want to get into Scuba Diving. The Son Bou Scuba website contains everything on pricing, dive days and more.

Bike Hire in Son Bou

For those who want a more active adventure then hiring a bike in Son Bou could be just for you. Just Fun Bikes Son Bou, who feature on our cycling in Menorca guide provide a large variety of bikes from children’s and adult mountain bikes, electric mountain bikes, tandem bikes and even fat bikes and fat electric bikes – which are simply bikes we large tyres. You can check them out at Just Fun Bikes Son Bou.

Children’s Playground Son Bou

Towards the San Jaime area of Son Bou and just behind the Son Bou water park you’ll find a small children’s communal playground. With some monkey bars, children’s swings, a small balance beam and some other climbing apparatus. Located here.

Alternatively, and further up towards Torre Soli Nou you have another public children’s play area. Here you can expect to find a small slide and climbing net, as well as a couple of children’s swings. Nothing too extravagant, but nice if you’re passing by. The Torre Soli Nou playground is located here.

Son Bou Water Park

We have our in-depth guide for water parks in Menorca, unfortunately this one doesn’t make the cut. With only a few slides it’s only worth a visit if you’re already staying in Son Bou – we feel.

However, the slides at Son Bou do provide a great few hours of fun at a low cost throughout the summertime. These slides are in the San Jaime Mediterráneo region of Son Bou, besides the Supermercado Sant Jaume supermarket here.

Walking In Son Bou

Forming part of the infamous Camí de Cavalls, the walking in Son Bou puts you at point 16 on the route. Route 16 takes you from Cala en Porter to Son Bou which a somewhat lengthy 8 kilometres, so expect around 2 hours for this leg. Onwards from Son Bou, route 15 takes you from Son Bou to Santo Tomas. Shorter at 6.4 kilometres, but another leg that will take you over 1 hour.

Walking around Son Bou is relatively easy and straightforward too. Although quite a long resort, many roads either lead to the beach and promenade, or head to and from the main town of Son Bou.

When walking around San Jaime Mediterráneo or Torre Soli Nou is where it may get slightly confusing with more roads winding and twisting around the many apartments.

Son Bou Hotels

There are many hotels in Son Bou, as well as villas and apartments further in the resort. That being said many of the larger hotels in Son Bou are focussed on families with plenty having activity programmes throughout summer, kid’s club and entertainment well into the evening.

Further information can be found below on the Son Bou hotels.

Royal Son Bou Family Club Hotel

One of the most popular hotels in Son Bou. The Royal Son Bou Family Club Hotel provides everything you might just need during your stay in Menorca and situated in the heart of Son Bou. Also just 100 metres from the beach in Son Bou.

With just over 250 rooms available with multiple rooms types available. From from the Hooky Royal, Hooky Royal Sea View and Hooky Royal Pool View to the larger rooms types of the Cuqui Royal, Cuqui Royal with side sea views and finally the beautifully spacious Kiko Royal suites.

You can’t fail to miss the large outdoor freshwater swimming pool with plenty of sunbeds and parasols to match. The solar heated kids pool with pirate themed slide will keep the little ones entertained. Failing that, Club Kikoland will keep the children entertained throughout the day and even activities into the early evening. The Royal Club also brings an exclusive place for kids to enjoy themselves with a range of activities. Including robotics, consoles, board games, table football, billiards, darts and more – all under the supervision of animators.

The Royal Son Bou Family Club Hotel keeps you happily fed with half-board or all-inclusive options through various restaurants. Los Olivos is the main restaurant serving local and international cuisine. La Basilica serves up beautiful views accompanied by beautiful food, primarily Mediterranean cuisine, with fresh salads, risottos, meat, fish and even a wood fire oven. If you’d prefer a drink, head to the Royal Son Bou Bar Marés, cocktails to coffees, ice-cream to ice cold beer.

Other facilities at the Royal Son Bou include gym, full entertainment programme, tennis courts, CrossFit, water polo, archery and rifle shooting, football.

You can search holidays to the Royal Son Bou Family Club Hotel here.

Sol Milanos Pinguinos Son Bou

Difficult to miss towering over the Son Bou, the Sol Milanos Pinguinos is one of the largest hotels in Menorca with just shy of 600 rooms in total with 11 floors in total. One immediate benefit is the opportunities of fantastic views out to the Mediterranean sea.

The rooms on offer at the Sol Milanos Pinguinos are comfortable offerings, from single rooms and double rooms to standard rooms with sea views. To the larger family rooms too.

An enormous outdoor pool with plenty of space and sun loungers and parasols to relax. The children’s outdoor pool will keep them busy throughout the day. In the adults pool you’ve also got the enjoyment of aqua gym, aqua spinning and water polo.

There are plenty of other adult Sol Milanos Pinguinos activities to pass the time from a full daytime sports programme throughout summer, table tennis, mini golf, billiards, snooker and more. Whereas the kids have plenty to do to including super trampoline, playground, arcade machines, adventure park including zip line and even a climbing wall. Some activities in the Sol Milanos Pinguino do cost extra, so please bear that mind.

The evening entertainment is plentiful too. Including dancing, quiz nights, mini discos, live shows and more.

You can search holidays to the Sol Milanos Pinguinos Son Bou Hotel here

Valentin Son Bou

The Valentin Son Bou is located slightly set back and in the area of Torre Soli Nou. Another hotel with quite a few rooms, just over 300 in total but yet an intimate feel with only a few floors. Multiple rooms types are available too for great convenience. Single and double rooms, sea views and terraces, junior suites and even apartments.

With 3 swimming pools, one large adult outdoor pool, an outdoor children’s pool and an indoor pool, there are opportunities to swim until you’re exhausted. Other sporting activities include volleyball, table tennis, darts, French boules, archery, aqua aerobics, football, basketball, fully equipped gym, a children’s playground and loads more to explore on your stay to the Valentin Son Bou.

Furthermore, themed nights, live shows, mini-discos and the kids club provide great entertainment throughout the day and into the evening. Alternatively, you have the free shuttle bus that can whisk you away to the Son Bou beach.

The main buffet restaurant at the Valentin Menorca offers local and international cuisine with weekly themed dishes and live cooking stations. The Tropican Valentin snack bar provides snacks and drinks throughout the day too. Head to the Lounge bar in the evening for social drinks, your live shows and more.

You can search holidays to the Valentin Son Bou Hotel here.

HG Jardin de Menorca

Another Son Bou hotel located is one of the neighbouring areas within Son Bou, San Jaime Mediterráneo. HG Jardin de Menorca Son Bou is slightly smaller than other hotels in the area with just over 140 rooms. Plenty of rooms types are available too, multiple junior suites and various suites to match.

The 3 outdoor pools on offer are all interconnected. With a kid’s pool available too. Alternatively the kid’s club can keep the children entertained with the ball pit, team games, activities, video games and mini-cinema screenings.

Other amenities in the Son Bou HG Jardin de Menorca include games room and pool table, live music multiple times per week. The buffet restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner, snack bar and piano bar provide great options for food and drink. Although, all the room types come with kitchenette if you would rather cook for yourself.

You can search holidays to the HG Jardin de Menorca here

Son Bou Apartments

If Son Bou apartments are for you then you be interested in our best supermarkets in Menorca guide, or, where some of the top restaurants in Menorca are. Some great tips and tricks for keeping you well fed for your stay.

Son Bou Playa Gold Apartments

The Son Bou Playa Gold Apartments located in San Jaime Mediterráneo provide an intimate base for your stay. With 2 bedrooms apartments, adult and children’s outdoor pool and various amenities near by, restaurant, bakery, souvenir shop and more.

Search for an apartment at Son Bou Playa Gold Apartments here.

Son Bou Gardens

An extensive apartment style garden resort with encapsulate 420 apartments into total, spread across multiple smaller areas. Each smaller complex with its own pool, although each pool is available to guests staying in the other zones. Fully equipped kitchens, gardens and children’s swimming pools and playgrounds make for an enjoyable stay.

Search for an apartment at Apartamentos Son Bou Gardens here.

Mar Blau

Another apartment complex set in the San Jaime Mediterráneo area of Son Bou. The Mar Blau Son Bou apartments provide just over 40 villas, each with a well equipped kitchen, and of course outdoor swimming pool provided with sun loungers and parasols, poolside bar for drinks and snacks. Even a children’s play area and paddling pool.

Search for an apartment at Son Bou Mar Blau here.

Son Bou Villas

Spread across the 3 areas of Son Bou, including the main Son Bou town, San Jaime Mediterráneo and Torre Soli Nou, there are plenty of villas in Son Bou.

The Son Bou villas range from smaller intimate 2 bedroom 4 person apartment, to the larger villas with 5 bedrooms sleeping up to 10 people, with everything in between. You’re typically expected to purchase the whole villas as opposed to renting part of the villa. But this means you’re likely to have your own living space, fully equipped kitchen, swimming pool, terrace, parking and more. Most of the Son Bou villas will come with air-conditioning, but it’s worth double checking prior to booking.

You can search some of the below companies for villas in Son Bou:

Son Bou Transport

Similarly to the other coastal resorts in Menorca, we feel hiring a car provides the best method of exploring Menorca. Particularly if you plan on exploring on your holiday, such as visiting the highest point of Menorca, or if you need to visit the large supermarkets in Menorca.

Car Hire In Son Bou

Fortunately with the large variety of accommodation in Son Bou there are various Son Bou car hire companies to service your needs, many feature on our Menorca car hire guide.

Car hire services in Son Bou include Auto Valls Son Bou, Owners Cars, Autos Valls Son Bou – San Jaime, Menorca travels. Many of which you can search and evaluate a range of prices, dates and cars on the Holiday Extras search engine.

Son Bou Bus Routes

Unfortunately buses in Son Bou aren’t plentiful so your journeys by bus in Son Bou will need to be planned accordingly. There is only Son Bou bus that can take you out of the resort. Our full Menorca bus guide has all the bus routes you should need.

Fortunately the buses in Son Bou are inexpensive and for the longest journey don’t expect to pay more than €3 per adult. Just be sure to carry small denominations of cash to pay, card is not accepted.

Son Bou to Mahon is a simple journey on the 32 bus service as mentioned below, using the same bus but return leg for Mahon to Son Bou.

Slightly trickier is Son Bou to Ciutadella. You will need to first take the 32 bus to Alaior then connect onto the line 1 bus to complete the Son Bou to Ciutadella journey. Using the same buses but return journey to complete Ciutadella to Alaior.

Further details can be found on our bus guide of Menorca for connecting bus routes.

32 Menorca Bus Service

Maó – Alaior – Son Bou

(Maó / Alaior / Son Bou / POIMA / Hospital Mateu Orfila / Maó)

Son Bou Taxis

Son Bou and Menorca don’t operate private taxi firms such as Lyft or Uber. You must use the official Menorca taxi service company, which you can do here. Alternatively you can wait at the designated taxi ranks around the island, called Paradas de Taxi. Here are the taxi rank locations on the island.

Taxis in Son Bou and Menorca are white an easily identifiable, with the fare metre easily visibly inside the vehcile too. Regulated fares mean you can receive an approximate price from the taxi driver before setting off.

Taxis are capped at 4 passengers maximum.

If you require a taxi from Mahon airport to Son Bou there are easy to find at the exit of the airport too. Check out our Menorca airport guide here.

Airport Transfers from Mahon Airport to Son Bou

Menorca airport to Son Bou is approximately 35 minutes direct, with limited traffic, even during the peak summer months.

If you want to get the bus from the airport to Son Bou, unfortunately there is no direct service. You will need to get a bus from Mahon airport to Mahon, then a connecting service onto Son Bou. Therefore some of the options below may be easier.

Airport Taxi transfer to Son Bou

A private taxi transfer will cost you around €50-70 in total, one way.

Airport Shared Transfers Son Bou

A shared shuttle service from Mahon airport to Son Bou will cost you approximately €20pp, one way. Some companies that offer shuttle services are below:

Or you can search for a variety of transfers to Son Bou on Holiday Extras here.

The Helpful Guide To Son Bou Menorca – Information & Tips