Alaior

Menorca has some dreamy picture-perfect beaches, and is well-known for them, but what of their inland cities and towns. Well, if you do want a break from the beach, the town of Alaior has bucketfuls of charm.

Sat on an ancient hill, the third largest town in Menorca has a fantastic medieval centre surrounded by a maze of narrow, cobbled streets, and dominated by the 17th-century baroque-inspired church. Awash with traditional whitewashed Menorcan houses and buildings, it's such a pretty place to amble through taking in the elegant squares with their welcoming cafes and restaurants, and the main shopping centre - the Carrer des Ramal. Here you'll find artisan cobblers, boutique clothes shops, bakeries and many cheese shops, for it is in Alaior that the internationally acclaimed Menorcan cheese (Queso de Menorca) is made. You can even visit the Coinga factory where this happens, but check visiting times before you go.

Being on a hill, Alaior benefits from some wonderful countryside views, and the Munt de l’Angel Park, next to the Church is a great spot to enjoy them from. Then, as the sun sets, sit back and enjoy the views at one of the delightful little restaurants or welcoming bars. Alaior looks beautiful as the light changes on the whitewashed buildings. For a livelier scene, you can always head over to one of the beachside resorts, or of course the capital - Mahon.

The countryside itself is quite lovely. It's safe to say, the Menorcans know how to look after their surroundings, and along with a well-organised route of walking and cycling pathways all across the island, you can appreciate all Menorca has to offer. Don't be surprised to see horses wandering around the countryside and through the town streets though, there's a lot of them around Alaior.

If the sun is warm, and you are hankering after a beach, you're never too far away from one in Menorca. The beautiful curved beach of Cala en Porter and long stretch of golden sand at Son Bou are both around 10km away from Alaior, which you can reach easily by bus or car. Both are great for families, meaning there really is something for everyone when staying in this delightful old town.

Es Migjorn Gran

If you're looking for a slice of authentic Menorcan life, head inland to the remote little unspoilt town of Es Migjorn Gran.

A small residential area, full of locals living everyday life, there are a number of restaurants, shops and cafes where you can certainly enjoy some traditional Menorcan fare. And, in the summer there's a petite night market at the Plaza de la Iglesia selling local, handmade goods, which is lovely to stroll around after an evening meal. Walking around, you will notice how it has retained its authentic charm and architecture, including that of The Church of San Cristobal.

Being inland, this unassuming little town is surrounded by the most glorious pine-clad hills and glorious countryside, crossed by rural paths to cycle, hike and amble through. You can even walk through the woods to Santo Tomas - a truly wonderful beach resort with golden sands and crystal-clear waters. Aside from the beach, you'll also discover its many restaurants, supermarkets and shops to stock-up at or indeed eat out.

There are a couple of other little treasures waiting for anyone who visits Es Migjorn including the Cova des Coloms - caves thought to be used as a sanctuary or place of religious pilgrimage. Known as La Catedral due to its sheer size, they are quite impressive but they can be tricky to find, so ask for directions before you set out on your journey. And secondly, if you're visiting towards the end of July or beginning of August there's the Fiesta, where the iconic Menorcan horses and their riders parade through the town streets. It's quite a spectacle.

Ferreries

The beauty of a Menorcan inland town is the surrounding countryside. For a country known to protect and look after its natural environment, there are some beautiful sights, and the town of Ferreries is certainly a place from which to enjoy them.

An authentic whitewashed Menorcan town, surrounded by mesmerising hills and valleys, make this a much-desired holiday location. Starting with the town itself, this is the kind of place you'd like to spend your days ambling around, starting with its fantastic array of shops. Apart from the usual clothes boutiques, food and jewellery shops, there are some great shoe outlets - for which Ferreries is known, one of them being owned by the celebrated Jaime Mascaro. Here you can buy his shoes for a fraction of the price you'd pay in other countries. There's also some fantastic furniture shops, which are a delight to browse around, and a couple of local markets on a Saturday morning and in the evening, which run through the summer selling local crafts and leather.

Then when you're ready for those perfect summer walks through the countryside, head out to the south for ravines of fantastic natural beauty or the north hill of Saint Agatha for instagram-worthy views. Cycling and horse-riding are also encouraged out on this pretty Menorcan terrain where trails pave the way for a relaxing ride.

For those wanting to head to the beach, the extremely picturesque seaside resort of Cala Galdana is about a 10-minute drive away where you will find a beach akin to those found in the Caribbean. White sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, shallow enough for the children to paddle in, this is a heavenly spot, and there's plenty to do too. And then for some culture, head to the nearby historic town of Cuitadella with its bustling port, wonderful architecture and great bars and restaurants.

Lovers of getting back to nature, jaw-dropping beaches and authentic Menorcan towns will love Fererries.