Menorca: Private Island Tour by Land Rover with Cheese Tasting

Summary

Menorca’s secret landscapes and cheese from the source

You’ll wind through Menorca’s secret backroads in a Land Rover with a local guide, explore ancient quarries and talayots, and taste Mahón cheese straight from the farm. Expect laughter over language mishaps and quiet moments among stone ruins—this is Menorca beyond the beaches.

What’s the experience like?

The day didn’t start exactly as planned — I’d forgotten my sunscreen (classic), and ended up borrowing some from our guide, Marta, before we even left the meeting point in Ciutadella. She just laughed and handed me her bottle, saying everyone does it at least once. We piled into the Land Rover Defender — honestly, I’d never been in one before, and it felt more like we were about to go on safari than a day trip around Menorca. The seats were a bit bouncy but somehow that made it feel more real, you know?

I’d always thought of Menorca as just beaches, but Marta kept steering us down these narrow rural tracks lined with dry stone walls and wildflowers I couldn’t name. At one point we stopped in this old quarry — the air was cool and smelled faintly of earth and thyme. She pointed out marks on the rock where people had cut stone centuries ago. There was this silence there that kind of stuck with me; even my friend who never stops talking went quiet for a minute. Then we climbed up to these prehistoric talayots — huge stone towers — and she explained how they’re older than Rome. My Spanish is shaky but she switched to English when I got lost (grateful for that). The keyword “private island tour Menorca” popped into my head because it really did feel like we had the place to ourselves.

Lunch was simple but perfect: fresh Mahón cheese at a little farm, still warm from the dairy room. The farmer’s hands were rough as he sliced it for us, and he tried teaching me how to say “formatge” in Catalan. I probably butchered it (he laughed anyway). We sat under a fig tree while cows watched us eat — not exactly your usual picnic spot. On the way back Marta took us past Cala Macarella, but honestly by then I was more interested in spotting birds along the fence lines than swimming.

I didn’t expect to leave thinking so much about old stones or cheese rinds, but here we are. If you’re looking for something different than just another beach day trip from Ciutadella or Mahón, this private island tour shows you corners of Menorca you’d never find alone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore hidden Menorca landscapes

• Travel by Land Rover Defender
• Visit archaeological monuments
• Discover cliffs and ravines
• See quarries and stone walls
• Taste Menorcan cheese on farm
• Pass by Cala Macarella

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this private island tour Menorca?

No, pickup is not specifically mentioned; meeting point details are provided after booking.

What kind of vehicle is used for this day trip around Menorca?

The tour uses a Land Rover Defender to access rural roads and private estates.

Can children join this Menorca private tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for children under 5 years old.

Is lunch included during the tour?

The tour includes a tasting of Mahón cheese at a local farm but not a full lunch.

Are there any physical requirements?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries.

Will we visit Cala Macarella on this itinerary?

Cala Macarella is part of the variable itinerary; stops may depend on route chosen by your guide.

What should I bring for this private island tour in Menorca?

You should bring suncream, comfortable clothes and shoes, plus water.

What’s included

Your day includes transportation by Land Rover Defender along private rural roads with an expert local guide who also drives; insurance coverage throughout; entry to private estates; plus a stop at a working farm to taste Mahón cheese straight from the producer before heading back in the afternoon.