Barcelona & Menorca
Your trip to Spain will begin in Barcelona, a city buzzing with Spanish culture, delicious food and a thriving eclectic art scene. After a few days, head to Menorca, the underrated jewel of the Balearic islands. Here, we invite you to unwind and enjoy the pristine beaches and infinite ocean views; this week is a true sample of culture, exploration and relaxation!
There’s something familiar about Spain that draws visitors, who maybe remember a few phrases of high school Spanish or harbor a vague curiosity of bullfighting or siestas. But it’s the staggering diversity—of cultures, languages, cuisines, and landscapes—that keeps travelers coming back again and again. Every barrio and pueblo offers something unique, and the Spain you thought you knew is suddenly full of surprises.
Jun 30 – Jul 3, 2023: Barcelona (3 nights)
Jul 3 – 6, 2023: Maó (3 nights)
Jul 6 – 8, 2023: Sant Tomàs (2 nights)
July is one of the warmest months of the year in Spain but we will be taking this into account when planning your day-to-day itinerary and ensure you're indoors/shaded during peak hours of the heat. When you're in Menorca, the sea is never far away for a refreshing dip to cool off.
U.S. passport holders don't need any special visa when traveling to Spain for tourism.
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
Tipping in Spain is casual and almost never required. But when the service is exceptional, leaving a small gratuity is always appreciated.
If you want to tip in a restaurant using your credit card, just inform the server when they bring the credit card machine how much you want to pay.
- Restaurants: In casual restaurants tipping isn't expected, but in nicer sit-down restaurants, you can leave up to 10% of the total bill if the service was exceptional.
- Guides: A gratuity of 20€–30€ per day is recommended.
- Drivers: A gratuity of 10€-20€ per day is recommended.
- Hotels | Housekeeping: 2€-5€ per day
- Hotels | Porters: 1€-2€ per bag
It’s clear from the moment you step foot in Barcelona that it’s unlike any other Spanish city. The boulevards are wider, the architecture is quirkier, and, if you have an ear for languages, you may hear that the locals are speaking Catalan, not Spanish. An architect's masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, is just one of the architectural gems scattered about the city. With something to offer art enthusiasts, adventurous foodies, and beach loungers, it’s no wonder that Barcelona is one of Europe’s top destinations.
You'll be greeted upon arrival at Barcelona Airport by your driver for private transport to your hotel in the city center.
Driver: A driver will be provided
Contact: A contact number will be provided
Booked By Scenset
There's no shortage of great food in Barcelona, and some of the best meals are at the bar you stumble into by surprise. Here's a list of some top places to eat. Please let us know if you'd like reservations.
- Cocina Hemanos Torres: The well-known Torres brothers present their innovative gastronomic proposal located in the neighborhood of Les Corts. We can enjoy a nice evening while the chef cooks for us in one of the 3 islands.
- Atempo: Atempo offers a new gastronomic format merging the waiter’s trade with the passion and creativity of the chefs. An offer based on products with soul, in an intimate and cozy environment.
- Hoffman: Hoffman is the restaurant run by the person responsible for the prestigious cookery school with the same name. With a Michelin star, their menu presents modern creations that have Mediterranean-Catalan and French haute cuisine as a starting point. Desserts are simply spectacular. It is essential to book in advance.
- Can Ramonet: Paella is perhaps the quintessential Spanish dish, and the best place to eat it is near the coast. Head to Barceloneta neighborhood near the water and try one of their famous paellas (remember in Spain, paella is traditionally lunch food, not dinner!).
- Solomillo: Indulge all your darkest carnivorous desires at this meat-lovers’ paradise, where the name of the restaurant is the same as your order (solomillo means “sirloin steak”). This is the best steak in Barcelona and the menu is customizable to your liking.
- Berbena: Few tourists have heard of Berbena. Inside, there are daily batches of home-baked bread that smell like your grandma’s kitchen, comfort food like hearty beef with wine stew and gooey slices of Spanish omelet, platters of locally sourced cheese and charcuteries.
- Bocanariz: Visit this unassuming wine bar which has a selection of hundreds of bottles, from Cataluña, around Spain, and the world. Paired with some small bites to snack on, it's the perfect Spanish bar experience.
- La Pepita: A more casual eatery with a fun vibe and delicious menu to accompany it. It's always filled with locals, a good sign for any place to eat.
Llamber is a mix of fusion of two of Spain's greatest gastronomic regions: the coastal Cataluña and the mountains of Asturias.
Reservation Time: Evening
Llamber is about a 15-minute walk from your hotel. https://goo.gl/maps/qGZP3qrDfZUJ92wH9
Why we love it for you: Members of a bygone cotton guild—who once occupied this very building—would be honored that the Cotton House hotel pays homage to their humble roots. In addition to the name, there’s an in-house atelier and decorative touches that blend its storied past with an avant-garde present. In fact, the long-ago textile workers would surely be just as impressed by the tropical-themed patio, chic cocktail bar, and rooftop pool overlooking the city.
Cotton House
Category: Panama Room
Included: Breakfast
Booked By scenset
Gaudi left his mark all over Barcelona, so visit some of his most iconic works around the city. Begin with his masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, which you'll see from inside and out. Afterward, head to Park Güell, which is like a wonderland fantasy but in real life.
Pick-Up Time: Morning
Pick-Up Location: Hotel Lobby
Guide: will be provided
Contact: will be provided
Booked By scenset
Your Stay:
- Cotton House
- Breakfast
Experience a tapas tour with your personal guide, tasting the various authentic dishes of the region the way that locals do: going from bar to bar, ordering a drink, and getting a different tapa with each one.
Pick-Up Time: Afternoon
Pick-Up Location: Hotel Lobby
Guide: will be provided
Contact: will be provided
Booked By scenset
A more casual eatery with a fun vibe and delicious menu to accompany it. It's always filled with locals, a good sign for any place to eat.
Reservation Time: Evening
La Pepita is about a 17-minute walk from your hotel.
Your Stay:
- Cotton House
- Breakfast
If you’ve never heard of the Spanish island of Menorca, then the locals would probably consider that a success. The Mediterranean paradise is known for its authentic local culture, locally-sourced gastronomy, and secluded beaches, especially when compared to its much more popular neighbors, Mallorca and Ibiza. While the other islands spent decades catering to big resorts and tourists, Menorca did just the opposite, meaning more virgin beaches and opportunities to fully disconnect.
You'll be picked up from your hotel for a private transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Menorca.
Pick-Up Time: Afternoon
Booked By scenset
You can access your boarding passes for your flight to Menorca by clicking here.
Reservation Code: GHWVJT
You'll be greeted upon arrival at Menorca Airport for a private transfer into Mahón city center.
Booked By scenset
Menorca is best-known for its "kilometer zero" cuisine, meaning ingredients are locally sourced from freshly caught seafood, homegrown produce, and Menorcan cows.
- Mestre d'Aixa: This is one of the best places to eat in Mahón, located right on the port and with a creative fusion menu that never disappoints.
- Cap Roig: Fresh seafood is always good at Cap Roig, but the paella is their specialty. It's about a 10-minute drive from Mahón, but make sure to go for lunch or sunset so you can take in the incredible views.
- Binifadet: One of Menorca's top wineries, stop here to try a glass or two of local wine, paired with their delicious gourmet menu.
- Sa Pedrera des Pujol: Journey into the Menorcan countryside at this small restaurant, which is often listed as one of the best restaurants on the island.
- Vida Una: A bar on the Mahón port that specializes in vermouths and cocktails. There's always a great ambiance and it's the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Why we love it for you: In a town as charming as Mahón, it’s only fitting to stay in a hotel that exudes that same island encanto. A boutique hotel is charming in every way, from the kitschy decoration in the rooms to the fragrant terrace shaded by overgrown eucalyptus trees. The ebullience of the staff and personal details—including framed pictures of their pets—truly gives your stay the sensation of escaping to your Mediterranean summer home.
Cristine Bedfor Hotel
Category: Cristine Double
Included: Breakfast
Booked By scenset
Menorca wouldn't be done right without a day of cruising over crystal waters, past secluded rocky coves and powder-sand beaches. Spend the afternoon aboard a private yacht and explore the rugged coast, stop at any sandy cove you wish and forget about time and space. Snorkels and stand-up paddle boards are available on board for you to use! You'll stay on board through the sunset, enjoying a delicious meal grilled on the boat and drinks throughout the day.
Departure Time: Morning
Depature Location: On the Mahón port
Boat Captain: will be provided
Contact Number: will be provided
Booked By scenset
Your Stay:
- Cristine Bedfor Hotel
- Breakfast
Spend your day at leisure in Menorca. As the trip gets closer we'll recommend more specific places you can visit, but you can dive deeper into the town of Mahón, head off to one of the other small villages, visit a cheese farm, or head directly to the beach!
This high-brow art gallery from reknowned Hauser & Wirth is located on the tiny Isla del Rey inside the Mahón port. It's a beautiful setting with incredible art pieces, plus an on-site restaurant that's a true gem. Also on the island is an 18th-century hospital you can tour from Menorca's days as a British colony.
It's free to visit the gallery, but you need to purchase roundtrip ferry tickets. Ferries depart every 30 minutes.
You can buy tickets here and also make a reservation to eat at the restaurant Sa Cantina if you wish.
Recommended activity by scenset—nothing has been booked.
Fresh seafood is always good at Cap Roig, but the paella is their speciality. They also serve up langosta, or Menorca's speciality of lobster. But even better than the food is the views of the sea.
Reservation Time: In the afternoon.
It's about a 10-minute cab ride from Mahón to Cap Roig.
Your Stay:
- Cristine Bedfor Hotel
- Breakfast
Once you arrive at your gorgeous beach hotel, spend the day relaxing by the beach right in front of your hotel.
Upon check out this morning, a private transfer will pick you up for a short drive to your beachside hotel in Santo Tomas.
Booked by scenset
Walk outside your hotel and west about 8 minutes along the coastline to reach Binigaus Beach. It's a local favorite because even in summer, there's always space and it never feels overcrowded.
Recommended by scenset.
Why we love it for you: Menorca is known for protecting its coastline from overdevelopment by hotels, but Villa le Blanc is one of those rare worthwhile exceptions. Located on the shore of Santo Tomas beach, the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean are never more than a few steps away. Within 10 minutes walking distance, you have some of Menorca’s best beaches, seafood restaurants, and hiking trails. However, lounging around the hotel pool with a pomada cocktail in hand often feels just as tempting.
Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá
Category: Supreme Sea View with Terrace
Included: Breakfast
Booked By scenset
If you're feeling up to a trek, start your day before the midday heat and hike from your hotel to Cala Escorxada. It's about an hour of walking, but if you're up to the trek, it's one of Menorca's most virgin beaches.
Recommended by scenset.
Next to your hotel is the iconic restaurant Es Bruc, which is famous on the island for its fresh seafood and incredible views. They don't accept reservations, but you have the advantage of being right next to it, so stop by whenever you see there's no line!
Recommended by scenset.
Your Stay:
- Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá
- Breakfast
It's the last day of your trip to paradise. Enjoy a leisurely morning with breakfast and one last dip in the sea before checkout. In Spain we don't say adiós, but rather hasta luego, or until next time.
A private transfer will pick you up from the hotel for your ride to the airport in time for your flight.
You can access your boarding passes for your flight to Barcelona by clicking here.
Reservation Code: GHWVJT