Es Migjorn Gran

The term entirely belongs to Migjorn, the southern half of the island, characterised by light limestone, open fields divided by dry stone walls, and ravines that cut towards the sea. The village is situated on this plain, with simple street layouts and whitewashed houses of one or two storeys, and retains the agricultural and livestock character that gave it origin; it is also known for its traditional pastry.

The natural feature that best identifies it is the barranc de Binigaus, a steep valley that flows into the beach of the same name, where sa Cova des Coloms opens in its walls, a cavity of unusual dimensions that is one of the most visited places in the south of the island. It is a municipality without urban monumentalism and with abundant landscape, and this ratio explains quite well how life is lived there.

There are, in practice, two places. The village of Es Migjorn Gran, which concentrates the permanent population, services, and commerce, with a small old town and 19th-century extensions of single-family housing on the edges. And Sant Tomàs, the coastal settlement, a linear development facing the beach, with hotels, apartments, and villas, with a distinctly seasonal use.

Between the two, the term is rustic: fincas, paths, and ravines. There are no more developments, which in Menorca is already a characteristic to consider: the municipality's coastline remains predominantly open.

The choice, therefore, is simple and radical: a village with life all year round and no sea, or a beach with a very quiet winter.

The village covers the basics: local shops, a health centre, pharmacy, school, and its own community life. For everything else —secondary school, hospital, large supermarkets, administration— one must head towards Ciutadella or Maó, both a moderate distance via the main road, accessible through the neighbouring settlements.

It is a small municipality, and this is noticeable in daily life: there are fewer options than in the larger villages of the island, and the trade-off is a very quiet environment and a small community. In Sant Tomàs, seasonality is complete: in summer it functions as a tourist settlement, and in winter it is practically empty, with hospitality closed.

The municipality's coastline is a succession of Migjorn sandy beaches, with light sand and pine forests behind. Sant Tomàs and Sant Adeodat are the urban beaches, accessible by car; Binigaus, to the west, is the largest and remains undeveloped; and beyond, Escorxada and Fustam are coves that can only be reached on foot and are among the least transformed on the island.

Inland, the barranc de Binigaus and sa Cova des Coloms are the classic route, and the paths between dry stone walls allow for walking and cycling out of season. The Camí de Cavalls runs along the entire coastline of the term and links the beaches together, in one of its most rewarding stretches. In the village, the festivals and street life hold the weight they usually do in small municipalities in Menorca.

The village is connected by local roads to the island's main road, so Ciutadella and Maó are at a reasonable distance, even if not on the main axis. The airport and port are near Maó.

Within the term, a single road descends from the village to Sant Tomàs, and access to the undeveloped beaches is on foot or via paths. Public transport is limited and is reinforced towards the coast during the season; outside of summer, it is scarce. A car is necessary for practically everything that is not in the town centre.

In the village, terraced houses whitewashed of one or two storeys, often with a patio or yard, and single-family homes with plots in the more recent extensions. It is a modest stock, oriented towards residence, with prices among the most affordable in Menorca and part of the stock pending updating.

In Sant Tomàs, apartments in blocks and villas from the 1970s and 1980s, with proximity to the beach and views as price factors, and a significant presence of tourist-use properties. New builds are scarce in both locations. In rustic land, construction is heavily restricted, and it is advisable to verify what the regulations exactly allow before purchasing a finca or land with the intention to build or expand.

It is one of the smallest markets in Menorca, and it is advisable to read it as such: months can pass without anything being published, and this does not measure demand but the size of the municipality. In the village, demand is local and from permanent residents; in Sant Tomàs, it is from national and international second homes, concentrated near the sand.

Long-term residential rentals are very scarce, and on the coast, they compete directly with the seasonal use of the stock. Tourist rentals are subject to regional and municipal regulations that have changed several times and whose conditions differ depending on the type of housing; it is advisable to confirm this for the specific property before counting on those incomes.

It suits those seeking the Menorcan Migjorn without development around: wide beaches, ravines, and a small village that does not rely on summer. It works well for permanent residence of a quiet profile and for a second beach residence in a sparsely built environment, and it is one of the areas of the island where the relationship between what is paid and what is around is most favourable.

However, it is important to consider the limited services and the need to leave the municipality for almost everything that is not everyday, the complete dependence on the car, the closed winter of Sant Tomàs, the chronic scarcity of supply —which requires patience— and the building restrictions in rustic areas and along the coastline, which are the reason the term remains as it is.