Cova d'en Xoroi

Cova d'en Xoroi is a cave carved into a 30-metre cliff face in Cala en Porter, on the southern coast of Menorca. It's one of the island's most distinctive spots — part natural grotto, part viewpoint, part venue that transforms completely depending on the hour.

Where does the name come from?

Local legend tells of Xoroi, a shipwrecked sailor or pirate said to have hidden in the cave during the Barbary Coast raids of the 16th–17th century. Versions of the story differ in detail — one describes a kidnapped woman he lived with in hiding for years, another a love affair with a local girl on the eve of her wedding. The endings converge, though: a rare snowfall exposed footprints leading to his hideout, a search party climbed down the cliff, and cornered, Xoroi is said to have leapt into the sea. The cave itself predates the legend by a long way — traces show it was already used as shelter in prehistoric times.

What will you see there?

The grotto opens onto a terrace suspended high above the water, facing open sea all the way to the horizon. It's precisely this orientation that makes it one of Menorca's most celebrated sunset spots — the light pours straight into the cave, bouncing off the rock walls. During the day, the site works as a bar and lookout point, a place to sit with a drink and watch the cliffs of Cala en Porter and boats passing in the distance. After dark, the mood shifts entirely: the cave turns into a nightclub with live music and a party crowd, making it one of the island's best-known nightlife venues.

When should you visit?

The venue's operating season lines up with Menorca's tourist summer, running roughly from spring into early autumn — outside that window it's often closed or keeps reduced hours. If you're coming for sunset, arrive early: the best terrace spots fill up fast given how popular that hour is. For a quieter look at the cave and the view without the club crowd, early afternoon works better than the evening peak.

How do you get there?

Cova d'en Xoroi sits within Cala en Porter, a village that falls administratively under the municipality of Alaior, in the southern part of Menorca. Driving from Maó (Maó-Mahón) or Ciutadella typically takes under an hour, and in season buses connect Cala en Porter with the island's main towns. The cave itself sits right at the edge of the cliff, so the final stretch is on foot, along a clifftop path with views over the bay.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cova d'en Xoroi a cave or a nightclub? Both — it's a natural grotto in the cliff that works as a bar with a viewing terrace by day and turns into a nightclub with live music after dark.

Where does the name Xoroi come from? From a legendary shipwrecked sailor or pirate who, according to local tradition, hid in the cave during the Barbary Coast raids until footprints in the snow gave him away.

Is it worth coming just for sunset? Yes — it's one of the main reasons the place draws crowds. The cave faces the open sea directly, so the terrace gives an unobstructed view of the sun going down.

Is the cave open all year? Not really — it mainly operates during the tourist season, from spring to early autumn, with limited hours outside that period.