ACCESSIBLE MENORCA
Menorca, the unique island of the Balearic archipelago, was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993 due to its great environmental diversity and natural values.
Its coastline full of coves and paradisiacal beaches plus its interior landscape combined with its historical heritage, traditions, culture and gastronomy make Menorca an ideal destination to enjoy an unforgettable trip.
In Menorca they are aware of the great variety of visitors who receive and welcome with open arms the tourist with reduced mobility, with resources and services that are adapted to their needs. Amphibious chairs and pedestrian walks on the beaches, accessible museums or itineraries adapted for people with some kind of physical disability in the middle of nature are just some examples of this, of how Menorca strives to be an accessible destination for everyone.
The island also has the Fundació per a Persones amb Discapacitat de Menorca, a non-profit organisation whose aim is to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and which also provides tourist information including, for example, transporte accesible on the island. The Foundation is made up of the Island Council of Menorca, the different Town Councils of the Island and twelve entities linked to the sector of care for people with disabilities.
Among the interesting tourist places that the island of Menorca offers to enjoy a magnificent adapted trip are:
Accessible beaches
In Menorca there are many idyllic beaches where you can enjoy the sun on its blond or white sand and crystal clear waters. An increasing number of beaches are being adapted for people with reduced mobility (PRM), including several accessible beaches such as: Son Bou Beach and Cala en Porter Beach, both located in the southern part of the island, have parking spaces reserved for people with some kind of physical disability, accessible changing rooms, amphibious chairs and adapted bathing areas; Cala Galdana Beach, located very close to Ciutadella, has a bathroom and adapted changing rooms, a walkway on the sand and lifeguards prepared to offer support for the bathroom, a chair and amphibious crutches; or Sant Tomàs Beach, located in the municipality of Es Migjorn Gran and equipped with a walkway on the sand, bathrooms, changing rooms and accessible showers, with lifeguards, aid personnel and amphibious chairs.
On the website of the "Fundació per a Persones amb Discapacitat de Menorca" (Foundation for People with Disabilities of Menorca), users will find a complete guide to the island's accessible beaches, where they will be able to explain with determination the different services available.
Natural park of s'Albufera des Grau
The Parque natural de s’Albufera des Grau is a protected natural area that covers a wide range of environments, from wetlands, forests, agricultural and livestock land, to a coastline with cliffs and beaches, islets and marine areas. It is the most important natural park on the island, a key point of the Menorcan Biosphere Reserve, and covers an area of more than 5,000 hectares. The Park is also included in the Natura 2000 Network and almost the entire area is part of the Natural Area of Special Interest (ANEI in spanish).
People with a mobility problem may take the Park itineraries with a Joëlette chair, which must be requested at least three weeks in advance, and the chair will be loaned completely free of charge. To plan the route and choose between the different itineraries you can contact the Park staff. More information can be found in the Park's Accessibility section.
In addition, within the Park's itineraries is Sa Gola, which runs along the canal of the same name and the dune area of Es Grau beach. During the tour you can enjoy the flora and fauna that the landscape offers, being highly recommended to do it in summer. With a low level of difficulty and an extension of 1.70 kilometres, the road is flat and the proximity of the area is accessible for people with reduced mobility (PRM).
A sea without barriers
Visitors with reduced mobility will also be able to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Menorca without barriers thanks to non-profit associations such as Menorca Para Todos whose aim is to ensure that people with mobility problems have a better quality of life and greater well-being, being able to carry out activities such as accessible sailing, scuba diving with accompaniment and support in standardised diving excursions or navigation in accessible kayaks.
"Menorca Para Todos" also offers a wide range of interesting activities for people with some kind of disability outside the sea or the swimming pool, such as equine therapy, art therapy or paragliding.
The website of the "Fundació per a Persones amb Discapacitat de Menorca" has a wide range of complementary activities related to the sea and hiking that people with reduced mobility (PRM) can do on the island.
Museu de Menorca
The Museum of Menorca, located in Maó or Mahón, is a public institution dedicated to the exhibition, restoration, conservation and research of the island's cultural heritage, from prehistory to the present day. Visiting the museum means immersing yourself in the history of Menorca thanks to the exhibition of unique pieces of archaeology, art and culture.
It is an accessible museum where people with mobility problems can move around the exhibition halls and the different floors in complete comfort by means of lifts and stairlift platforms. They also have a free wheelchair and bathroom lending service adapted for people with reduced mobility (PRM).
More information can be found at Accessibility Museum of Menorca.
Source: Turisme de Menorca, Turisme Illes Balears, Fundació per a Persones amb Discapacitat de Menorca.