MENORCA TRAVEL GUIDE

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Menorca (or Minorca) is the second largest island of the Balearics and the less visited compared to Majorca and Ibiza, but it’s a perfect destination for a more quiet and relaxed holiday with a great number of amazing beaches to choose from.

This guide will tell and also show you with photos everything you need to know about planning your trip to Menorca, the best places to visit and things to do and also provide detailed maps and itinerary.

Why shall you visit Menorca?

Menorca is one of the less touristy islands of the Balearics with stunning beaches and some beautiful coastal scenery.

An ideal destination for a relaxed holiday in the sun, but also for people looking for something more adventurous or cultural, as it combines beach activities with hiking opportunities, archaeological sights, seaside villages and two beautiful main towns (Cuitadela & Mahon or Mao).

It has a lot of prehistoric structures: the navetas, the defensive towers called talayots and the taulas (T-shaped structures).

It is an appealing green island, designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and over forty per cent of it enjoys official protection.

The tourist season starts from May to mid-October

For a beach holiday, the best time to visit the island of Menorca is between June and the end of August. It’s dry, sunny and hot. Also, most of the tourist amenities will only be open during these months.

However, I would avoid the very high season: mid-July to late August, as the island tends to get very crowded with most prices tend to be higher. Weather can also get very hot, with temperatures over 25°C. However, due to its refreshing sea breeze, it never gets too hot during the summer. 

May can be a bit cold to swim in the sea and sunbathe, but it is usually dry and sunny. September & October are considerably more cloudy and can be quite wet.

During the “winter season” most of the hotels, attractions, shops and restaurants, especially in the tourist resorts close in October and do not open until April.

For me, the best time to visit is June with more acceptable temperatures, fewer crowds and lower prices but still possible to swim in the sea.

Menorca is quite a big island (about 690sqkm), so I would recommend staying on the island at least for 5 days to a full week if you would like to explore it and visit most of the sights at a relaxed pace. Despite its size, driving around the island is quite easy as it is mainly flat.

There are many resorts on the island of Menorca where you can spend your holidays. Some of the main beach resorts in Menorca are Cala Galdana, Cala ‘n Bosch Cala ‘n Porter, Son Bou, Santo Tomas, Punta Prima, Arenal d’en Castell, Son Park and Cala en Blanes.

Great places to stay are also Ciutadella and Mahon, the two main towns on the island if you are not bothered by having a beach within walking distance and you prefer city life with plenty of choices for restaurants, bars and shopping. If you want to explore the island by public transport, Mahon or Ciutadella are also the best places to stay in Menorca without a car.

My recommendation is to stay in Cala Galdana as it has a beautiful setting within a horseshoe bay and a beautiful beach, a nice little marina and lots of bars and restaurants. There are also a lot of hotels and apartments to rent and it’s the best base to explore the neighbouring beaches on foot if you don’t have a car.

Cala ‘n Porter is a long-established resort on the south coast ideal for families because of the beach with shallow water. The resort is up on the hill overlooking the beach so it is a bit of a steep walk up.

Cala ‘n Bosch is one of the most popular purpose-built resorts close to Ciutadella, with lots of bars, restaurants and things to do for families and close to a nice beach.

Santo Tomas & Son Bou are another two popular resorts on the south coast with a long stretch of white sandy beaches.

Cala ‘n Blanes, north of Ciutadella is another resort popular with mainly British families. The beach is not one of the best.

Punta Prima & Binibeca are two popular resorts close to Mahon.

Son Park & Arena d’ en Castell are two alternative resorts on the north coast of Menorca.

Best hotels in Menorca

• ARTIEM Audax-Adults Only: This hotel is located at the resort of Cala Galdana, 2min walk from the beach. It offers an outdoor pool overlooking Cala Galdana Bay.
• Meliá Cala Galdana: This luxurious hotel is located on the beachfront of Cala Galdana Beach offering outdoor swimming pools and rooms with sea views.
• Hotel Cala Galdana & Apartamentos d’Aljandar: Another great hotel in Cala Galdana with an outdoor pool, only 3min walk from the beach.
• Hotel Playa Azul: This hotel is located on a cliff above Cala’n Porter Beach. It offers outdoor pools and sun terraces with fantastic sea views.
• Catalonia Mirador des Port: A great option in Mahon, this hotel offers beautiful views over Mahon Bay, 5min walk to the centre of town.
• Hotel Port Mahón: Another great hotel in Mahon, a 10min walk from the centre of town offering an outdoor pool and nice views overlooking the harbour.
• White Sands Beach Club By Diamond Resorts: It is situated in Arenal d’en Castell. Just 200 yards from the beach, this luxurious resort features a restaurant, a swimming pool and spacious apartments with balconies or terraces.
• Comitas Tramontana Park:  This aparthotel is close to Fornells Beach and has an outdoor swimming pool, a buffet restaurant and a gym. Suitable only if you have a car as Fornells main village is 3.5km away.
• Hotel Port Ciutadella: This hotel is located close to Platja Gran (a small beach) and 15min walk to the centre of Ciutadella.
• Barceló Hamilton Menorca Adults Only: A 4-star hotel at the nice seaside village of Es Castell offering great views towards Mahon Bay.
• Grupotel Tamariscos: This aparthotel is located in the resort of Cala ‘n Bosch, overlooking the beach.

Click here to check and compare prices on accommodation for the whole island.

By Plane

Menorca-Mahon Airport is connected to many cities from mainland Spain all year round and also to the Island of Majorca with regular flights. During the summer season, the airport receives charter flights from many European countries.

For the best website to book your flights, check the link below. Always check prices in advance for the best deals.

Getting from/to the airport

The airport is located about 4km away from Mahon. Upon your arrival, you can rent a car (highly recommended) in one of the rental offices at the airport. The airport is the best place to book if you haven’t done it before you arrive.

There is a metered taxi service outside the terminal building. The journey to Mahon is about 10min and to Ciutadella about 40min.

There is also a daily bus service (15min trip) that connects the airport with Mahon City Center (Mahon Bus Station), every 30min, from 6am to midnight at high season. The bus stop is located at the ground level of the main terminal, outside arrivals. More information about the bus service can be found here.

By Ferry

There are ferries from the port of Barcelona to Ciutadella (10 sailings per week in high season & a 6h journey) and Mahon (7.5h journey).

Menorca is also connected with Majorca with fast and frequent ferries from Alcudia (a 1.5 to 2h journey to Ciutadella). The ferry tickets can be quite expensive.

For a good website to book your ferry ticket that doesn’t charge admin fees, check the link below.

By Car

I would definitely recommend hiring a car if you would like to explore the island.

I always try and rent a car whenever I travel as it just gives you the freedom to plan your trip as you like it and stop wherever you like, as I usually do with too many photo stops along the way.

Car rental for a day is usually 40-60 euros in high season. There are car rental offices at the airport and in the main resorts of the island, but it’s always better to book in advance before your travel for the best deals. Also in high season, there might be low availability and the prices can be much higher if you leave it until you arrive. Check the link below to book and compare car rental prices.

Be aware that during July and August, parking at the most popular beaches can be an issue because of the limited spaces.

By Scooter/Motorbike

A cheaper alternative to the car is renting a scooter or motorbike if you are comfortable with it, but you need to be more cautious on the road. The big advantage of renting a motorbike is that there will be no need to worry about parking.

By Taxi

There are taxi stands in most towns. There are only licensed taxis in Menorca, painted white and use meters; no private taxi companies or Uber. Taxis have fixed rates for longer distances and are considerably more expensive compared with bus service.

Indicative fares of taxi routes:

• Airport to Mahon €15
• Airport to Ciutadella €55
• Airport to Cala Galdana: €45
• Airport to Fornells: €40

By Bus

Bus Network in Menorca connects the main towns and villages as well as some of the beach resorts, but only in the summer season. It is run by three different companies operating in different areas of the island (TMSA, Torres & Autos Fornells). Travelling by bus is a cheap alternative and it is quite comfortable but appropriate planning is needed. More information regarding bus routes, timetables and prices can be found on the following websites:

• TMSA
• Autos Fornells
• Torres

Best places to go for a meal are Ciutadella and Mahon for the best choices in a beautiful setting. For good seafood restaurants by the sea, you can also visit Port de Fornells, the best place to taste caldereta de llagosta. Below you can find a sample list of some of the best restaurants and bars in Menorca. For more information and reviews of restaurants on the island, you can check TripAdvisor.

Nightlife in Menorca is low-key compared with the neighbouring islands of Majorca and Ibiza but there are still some nice bars to enjoy a drink, especially by the sea.

Best restaurants & bars in Menorca

• Restaurant Cafè Balear: Best seafood restaurant in Ciutadella. Very busy.
• Ulisses: Located in the centre of Ciutadella for great tapas
• Restaurante El Rais: One of the best portside restaurants in Mahon
• Es Moli d’es Raco: Traditional menorcan food in Es Mercadal
• El Pescador: Seafood seaside restaurant at Fornells
• Cova d’en Xoroi: Menorca’s most popular bar built in a cave on a cliff overlooking the sea. One of the few nightclubs in Menorca
• El Mirador in Placa d’Espanya: A nice bar by the walls above the harbour offering views of Mahon bay.
• Sa Falua: A nice bar on Mahon waterfront for cocktails

You can check the location of these restaurants on this map.

Local Specialities

• The island’s signature dish: caldereta de llagosta or lobster stew
• Fish & Seafood
• Sípia amb fesols (Cuttlefish with peas)
• Albergínies al forn (stuffed aubergines)
• Sobrassada (cured sausage)
• Local gin from the Xoriguer distillery (produced since the British Occupation)
• Pomada (gin and cloudy lemonade)
• More information about the best spanish dishes you can find here

1. Swim and relax on one of the best beaches on the island
2. Explore the two pretty towns of Ciutadella and Mahon
3. Admire the views from Monte Toro
4. Visit some of the traditional fishing villages: Binibeca Vell, Fornells and Es Castell
5. Take a boat trip to Mahon Harbour
6. Visit some of the prehistoric monuments
7. S’Albufera d’es Grau
8. Visit one of the Lighthouses of Menorca
9. Cova d’ en Xoroi
10. Visit one of the military fortresses of Menorca
11. Visit some of the museums of Menorca
12. Líthica, Pedreres de s’Hostal
13. Visit the Xoriguer Gin Distillery

1. CIUTADELLA DE MENORCA
2. MAHON (MAO)
3. ES CASTELL
4. FORNELLS PORT
5. BINIBECA VELL
6. ALAIOR
7. ES MERCADAL
8. FERRERIES
9. SANT LUIS

Menorca has some amazing beaches to choose from. The most popular beaches are on the south coast of the island, mainly small white sandy coves with crystal clear turquoise waters.

I recommend visiting at least the two popular beaches on the south coast Cala Galdana & Cala ‘n Porter and two of the best coves Cala Macarella and Cala Mitjana.

Do not forget to visit some of the equally beautiful beaches on the north coast like Cala Pregonda and Platja de Cavalleria with the amazing red cliffs.

Below is a list of the 30 best beaches on the island.

1. Cala Galdana
2. Cala en Porter
3. Cala Mitjana & Mitjaneta
4. Cala Macarella & Macarelleta
5. Cavalleria Beaches
6. Cala Pregonda
7. Platja de Son Bou
8. Platja Arenal d’en Castell
9. Platjes de Son Saura
10. Cala en Turqueta
11. Playa des Talaier
12. Arenal Son Saura
13. Santo Thomas
14. Cala Trebalúger
15. Platja de Binigaus
16. Cala Escorxada
17. Punta Prima
18. Playas de Fornells
19. Cala del Pillar
20. Platja Sa Mesquida
21. Platja Es Grau
22. Cala Algaiarens
23. Cala Binibeca
24. Binimel-La
25. Cala en Bosc & Platja de Son Xoriguer
26. Cala Presili
27. Cala en Blaines
28. Cala Morell

You can click on the map below for the location of the best sights, restaurants & hotels, as well as the best villages and beaches to visit in Menorca.

You can check the best photographs and slideshows from the island of Menorca here.

Here is a list of the best viewpoint locations on the island where you enjoy great views.

• Mirador Cim del Toro
• Mirador Sa Punta (Cala Galdana)
• Mirador of Cala Galdana
• Mirador Cala en Porter
• Mirador Del Passeig Maratim
• Mirador puerto Ciutadella
• Mirador Sa Albufera des Grau
• Arena d’ en Castel Mirador
• Mirador Arenal d’en Castell
• Mirador Cala Trebaluger
• View of Playas de Fornells
• Fornelles Tower fortress.

You can check these viewpoints locations and the best photo spots on the island in the following map.

Waterports

There are lots of centres for watersports and other activities on the island for the more adventurous.

Fornells is probably the best place as there are two dive centres and a surf centre.

Kayaking is quite popular and kayaks can be rented on the following beaches:

• Es Grau: From there one can reach Illa d’en Colom, a small island 200 meters from the mainland and its beaches.
• Cala en Porter: Cales Coves can be reached from there
• Cala Galdana: Plenty of caves and some of the most famous beaches of Menorca can be reached from there.
• Fornells

Horse riding

Menorca a Cavall is a company that offers horse riding excursions to different beaches and locations around the island. The farm is located near the town of Ferreries.

Hiking

There are numerous hiking trails but the most famous one is Camí de Cavalls.

This is an ancient path of 185km that encircles the whole island of Menorca. You can also cycle part of the route or even horse ride.

Activities for kids

Lloc de Menorca is a small zoo where you can enjoy a variety of animals between native breeds and exotic species. Open from April to October (10am to 6pm) with a general price for adults of €14 & €9 for kids. It is located between Alaior and Mahon.

Splash Sur Menorca is probably the best water park in Menorca, located in Punta Prima. Price for adults €23.

Aqua Centre is another water park situated in Cala en Blanes, north of Ciutadella. Great for smaller kids, but a bit overpriced for what’s on offer. Price for adults €22.

Wine Tasting

Bodegas Binifadet: The winery is located near Sant Lluis and offers wine-tasting tours. The experience lasts for about an hour and includes strolling through the vineyards, a visit to the winery to see all the stages of production of the wines from harvesting to bottling and finally wine tasting. Price of tour: €12. The restaurant is really nice too where you can enjoy dinner and wine in a beautiful location.

Boat tour of Mahon Harbour

This is a good 1h tour of the Mahon harbour offering some great views of the surrounding coastline and the town of Mahon.

There are two companies (Yellow catamarans & Rutas Maritimas de la Cruz) offering cruises around the harbour at €13.5 per adult.

During the trip, you can listen to a commentary in English on the history and points of interest of the Port of Mahon and Menorca, but there are no stops during the trip.

Boat tour along the coast of Menorca

This is a very good way of seeing the non so easily accessible beaches of the south coast. The best tours on offer are the ones below:

• Half-Day Boat Tour along the South Coast of Menorca: This tour starts from Cala ‘n Bosch (€35 per adult & 3.5h duration).
• Half-Day Boat Excursion 6-8 South beaches of Menorca: This tour starts from Cala Galdana (€70 & 3.5h duration)

Ferry trip to Majorca

If you have plenty of time on the island, you can take the ferry from Ciutadella to Alcudia (1.5h to 2h journey) in neighbouring Majorca and enjoy this beautiful coastal resort.

Difficult to be done as a day trip, but it’s definitely worth visiting Majorca as part of a longer trip.

More information about excursions & tours in Menorca can be found here.

It is worth staying on the island for at least 5 to 7 days if you want to explore it. The following itinerary includes things to do for 6 days on the island, but if you have more time to spend, you can change this itinerary to allow a more relaxed pace. I have taken Cala Galdana as a base & overnight stay for the duration of the holiday; this itinerary might work slightly differently if you stay in other parts of the island.

Day 1

• Hike to Cala Mitjana from Cala Galdana (15min walk) & enjoy a swim in this beautiful cove
• Optional: Continue to Cala Trebaluger (another 20min walk)
• A quick visit to Ferreries village
• Visit Naveta de Tudons
• Drive to Cala Morell for a photo stop
• Visit Ciutadella & walk the narrow streets of the old town
• Evening stroll at beautiful Ciutadella harbour & dinner
• Back to Cala Galdana
• Total drive time: 1.5h

Day 2

• Quick visit of Es Mercadal
• Drive up to Monte Toro to enjoy the views
• Visit Far de Cavalleria for a walk around the lighthouse
• Swim in the scenic Cavalleria Beach
• Hike to Cala Pregonda for another swim in this beautiful setting
• Photo stop at Playa de Fornells
• Evening stroll and meal at Fornells port
• Back to Cala Galdana
• Total drive time: 2h

Day 3

• Hike to Macarella & Macareletta for a swim
• Optional: Poblat talaiòtic de Talatí de Dalt
• Visit Binibeca Vell
• Optional: Bodegas Binifadet winery
• Boat tour of Mahon Harbour
• Visit the Xoriguer Gin Distillery
• Evening walk and meal at Mahon
• Back to Cala Galdana
• Total drive time: 1h 45min

Day 4

• A quick visit to Alaior
• Visit the historic site of Torre d’en Galmes
• Swim in Son Bou
• Optional: Torralba d’en Salort
• Cala en Porter for another swim or kayaking
• Cova d’en Xoroi for a drink while enjoying the sunset
• Back to Cala Galdana
• Total drive time: 1h 45min

Day 5

• Go to Arena d’ en Castell or Son Saura for a swim
• Drive to Far de Favàritx for a walk to the lighthouse
• Stop to enjoy the view at the Mirador Sa Albufera des Grau
• Visit Es Grau for some kayaking
• Drive to Mola Fortress for a visit
• Evening stroll and meal at Es Castell
• Total drive time: 2.5h

Day 6

• Visit Cala en Bosc & take a boat tour along the south coast of the island (3.5h)
• OR take a boat tour from Cala Galdana (3.5h)
• Enjoy your last day relaxing at Cala Galdana

You can find the driving routes for the above itinerary on the flowing clickable map.

Check the following video slideshow to get further inspiration to visit Menorca 🙂

The best destination for souvenir shopping is either Mahon or Ciutadella with lots of souvenir shops as well as shops with handmade crafts and typical menorcan products.

A unique souvenir to buy is a pair of avarques, a typical sandal from Menorca exported around the world. S’Avarca de Menorca in Mahon has a wide selection and the most unique designs.

Queso de Mahón (Mahon cheese) or sobrassada (cured sausage) can be bought in the markets of Mahon.

You can check the following posts:

• Menorca Beaches & Resorts
• Town & Villages of Menorca
• Best things to do in Menorca

Other useful websites for more information about Menorca:

• Menorca Island: The official tourist website of Menorca
• MyMenorca: The most detailed independent website about Menorca

Some good travel guides to buy before your visit Menorca:

• Insight Guides Pocket Menorca: Compact, concise, and packed with essential information about Where to Go and What to Do. The cheapest pocket guide for Menorca.
• Menorca Marco Polo Pocket Travel Guide: Another affordable option. Explore Menorca with this handy, pocket-sized guide, packed with Insider Tips
• The Rough Guide to Mallorca & Menorca: This comprehensive guide also includes information about Majorca.

TRAVEL RESOURCES

• Flights: I always use Skyscanner as my first choice as it’s so easy to use and you can search best deals by month. Momondo is another very good search engine as well as Google Flights.
• Accommodation: I always use Booking.com as my first choice, as it offers a great choice of accommodation at affordable prices and it’s so easy to use. TripAdvisor and Trivago are the best search engines to check deals from different websites; however not as good for checking the actual properties & rooms. Airbnb is a great alternative to find out homes and apartments to rent by real homeowners.
• Ferries: Ferryhopper is one of the best websites to check ferry schedules and buy the cheapest ferry tickets.
• Car Rental: I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest car rental options.
• Public Transport: There are 3 different companies with their own website for checking public transport in Menorca: TMSA, Autos Fornells & Torres.
• Day Trips & Tours: Viator provides the most comprehensive list of day trips and you can book directly with them. TripAdvisor is also a great place to search for tours & activities to do.
• Travel Insurance: SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.

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