Buying a luxury villa in Menorca

Menorca is the wildest island in the Balearics. That is why many international buyers contact us about buying a villa there. The ecosystem of Menorca is one of the most varied in the Mediterranean and the island has a wide range of unspoilt beaches. Its conservation and its protected environment give it a unique advantage over its two sisters, Mallorca and Ibiza.

Menorca also has very strict planning laws to protect the environment. But this is exactly what gives it so much charm for a new generation of property investors drawn to a natural setting that is hard to find in other holiday destinations.

The luxury market in Menorca

Luxury homes are more and more popular in Spain, and especially in the Balearic Islands. The luxury market, which makes up 20% of the property market on Menorca, is growing fast.

Menorca offers a wide range of properties: from seafront villas and penthouses in the old towns to new or restored farmhouses and fincas turned into boutique hotels. The average sale price for this type of home is between €800,000 and €1.2 million.

The island is famous for its sunsets and its rich cultural and culinary heritage. This Mediterranean island is especially popular with discerning visitors who know what they are looking for. It offers a wide variety of homes for those who want to put down roots in the Balearic Islands and live in a dream home.

Menorca is a haven of safety and cleanliness, with a relaxed, family-friendly feel. Living here lets you enjoy the calm and unwind in a Mediterranean climate. Menorca is also well connected: flights to mainland Spain all year round, direct flights to many European cities in summer, and a ferry of a few hours from Barcelona.

Profile of the typical luxury villa buyer in Menorca

Menorca's property market has a varied clientele:

• The retirees who come to live on the island all year round or stay for four to six months at a time.
• The Spanish and international investors who choose Menorca to combine an investment with a holiday home.
• The Spanish and international families who choose Menorca for its peace, safety and quality of life.

However, according to a recent study, the typical buyer is a French businessman looking for a second home in a protected setting. Buyers from France, Belgium and Switzerland have also overtaken British buyers. Spanish buyers, mainly from Catalonia, and Italians remain part of the market too.

Buying a luxury home in Menorca

Prices have risen steadily since the housing market began to recover after the 2008 crisis. According to Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE), the island recorded 1,782 sales of luxury homes in 2018, up 9% on 2017. This is the highest number of sales recorded in the last decade. As a result, the INE ranks Menorca as the only Balearic island where sales are still rising, mainly thanks to sales of resale homes.

The most sought-after properties are villas with a pool on the seafront or in the second line, penthouses (ático), duplexes and flats with a terrace in the old towns of Mahón and Ciutadella. Some investors are also interested in boutique hotels and fincas (rural estates) to develop agritourism and hotel businesses.

Selling a luxury home in Menorca

Which places are most popular with buyers of a luxury home in Menorca? The most sought-after areas are mainly along the coasts of the two main towns, Ciutadella and Maó: around Ciutadella (Sa Farola, Cala'n Busquets, Cala'n Bruch, Son Oleo, Son Blanc, Sa Caleta, Cala Morell and Cala'n Bosch-Son Xoriguer) and in Maó (Cala Llonga, Canutells, Es Grau and Sa Mesquida).

Other interesting areas are around Sant Lluís, such as the estates of Alcaufar, S'Algar, Biniancolla, Binisafúller, Punta Prima, Binibeca, Cap d'en Font, Son Ganxo and Torret de Baix. The estates of Sol del Este and Santa Ana, in Es Castell, are also highly sought after.