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Menorca, Spain

Destination guide

Menorca

Spain

Menorca (Minorca) is the second largest of the Balearic Islands, located to the northeast of Mallorca and is the least overrun and most tranquil of the Balearics. With a population of around 92,000, the island is dominated by tourists, particularly during the summer tourist season of May - October.

AI insights

AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page

  • The most popular beaches, specifically Cala Macarella, Cala Macarelleta, and Cala en Turqueta, fill up extremely fast; plan to arrive early in the morning to secure a spot before the crowds arrive.

  • If you are looking for a beach experience away from families and noise, head to Binigaus by taking the long path from the west of Santo Tomas; it is not suitable for young children, which keeps it spacious and quiet.

  • Book your car hire from home before arriving on the island, as rental availability can be limited during the peak summer season and relying solely on taxis can become expensive.

  • For dinner at popular spots like Bambú Menorca or Txoko Menorca, always secure a reservation in advance, as these locations are highly sought after and often fully booked.

  • When staying at the Hotel Catalonia Mirador des Port in Mahón, request a pool view to avoid overlooking the industrial docklands visible from other parts of the property.

How we vet these picks

Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.

Best time to go

Best window: Any time — the weather is kind all year

Kind weather all year — there is no month to avoid.

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IdealGoodOkayOff-season

Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.

Getting around

By bus

If you're planning to travel around by bus, then there are three main public bus companies in Menorca: TMSA, Torres, and Autos Fornells.

On foot

The Cami de Cavalls footpath encompasses the entire island, and is a popular walking route along the coastline. It is a fully signposted long distance Spanish walking route around the edge of the island, and is a part of Spain's network of paths, the Gran…

By taxi

Taxis are a popular form of transport for those not looking to move as much. They can be somewhat expensive if using them a lot, so be careful! A taxi can be booked using Radio Taxis, which is an English speaking service.

Companies

There are numerous agents and companies, both international and local, specialising in car hire in Menorca - both at the airport and in resorts - although it may be important to organise it from home before you arrive to avoid disappointment during peak…

Roads

The roads on Menorca are very simple: there is one main road, the ME-1. It connects Ciutadella and Mahon and every other major road on the island branches off it.

Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What to see

Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.

Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

Turquoise horseshoe bays cloaked in pine and holm oak connect by a 2km clifftop walk, best reached at dawn before the crowds.

Vetted sources

Cala en Turqueta

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

One of Menorca's most sought-after coves takes its name from the sheer turquoise color of the water.

Vetted sources

Naveta d'Es Tudons

km 40 on Me-1· Cheap

Megalithic ossuary built around 1200 - 750 BC - the name is from its resemblance to an upturned boat, and "tudons" are pigeons. Over 100 skeletons were found within. You can peer into the passageway but can't enter.

Museu de Menorca

Pla des Monestir 9· Cheap

This 15th-century former Franciscan monastery covers the island's prehistory, Roman and Byzantine eras and Muslim Menorca into modern times.

Xoriguer Distillery

Moll de Ponent 91· Cheap

This gin distillery was established in the 18th century and also makes liqueurs. The guided tour includes a tasting. The shop is open all year.

Líthica

Camí Vell· Moderate

Sandstone quarry converted into gardens, with a stone maze and display of quarrying methods.

Ciutadella Cathedral

Plaça de Catedral 1· Cheap

This majestic Roman Catholic cathedral was built 1301-62 in Gothic style. It was twice wrecked and rebuilt, then the neoclassical facade was added in 1813. It was again wrecked in 1936 in the Spanish Civil War but restored as before.

Skip the line — book tickets

El Toro

Head east out of Es Mercadal on the ME-13, until you reach the summit.· Free

The highest point on the island, near Es Mercadal. Visit for a fantastic panoramic view of the island. There's also a monastery, cafe and shop at the summit. The highest point is 342 m (1,122 ft) tall.

Basilica Paleocristiana de Son Bou

An early Christian church of the 5th century, whose remains were discovered in 1951.

Skip the line — book tickets

Church of Sant Lluis

A neoclassical church. Built by the French architect Antoine d'Allemand (1679–1760), the 32-m-high bell tower is the tallest building in Sant Sant Lluís.

Vetted sources

Illa de l'Aire

This islet 1 km south of Punta Prima has a lighthouse and is overrun by black lizards. The waters around it are a marine reserve so the fish life is more plentiful than most of the Med.

Vetted sources

Diocesan Museum

Seminari 7

This is within the former Convent and seminary of Sant Agusti, and has religious art as its core, but it also includes prehistoric and natural history exhibits.

Vetted sources

Skip the line — book tickets

What to do

Cap de Cavalleria

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

A spectacular drive to the island's cliff-edged northernmost point ends at an 1857 lighthouse with a swimmable cove nearby.

Vetted sources

Camí de Cavalls coastal trail

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

You walk a stretch of this 186km path, built in the 13th or 14th century to guard the island's coastline from sea invasions.

Vetted sources

Son Bou Scuba

Son Bou· Pricey

Professional PADI staff available to take you to visit underwater caves and caverns, wrecks and the protected Marine Reserve on the North Coast. Novices and experienced divers alike are welcome.

Santo Tomas

head down the ME-18 from Es Migjorn Gran, then turn right just before the mini-roundabout at the bottom of the road to enter a large car park perfect for the beaches

Santo Tomas has three very long beaches; the first, Playa de Santo Tomas, is a long winding strip of sand near the resorts' hotels, and so is popular with families.

Vetted sources

Cala Macarella & Cala Macarelleta

can be reached from Cala Galdana or Ciutadella, but parking is a few hundred metres from the beach so prepare to walk!

Macarella is relatively easily accessible and is undoubtedly one of the best beaches on Menorca, with crystal clear blue waters, a brilliant natural cove and a small cafe/bar to keep you topped up.

Vetted sources

Cala Pregonda

access is via a long road up from Es Mercadal town· Free

Pregonda is a medium-sized beach on the north side of Menorca with golden fine sand. It has clear, blue, inviting water, and is unparalleled on Menorca, with its island in the middle of the bay that is definitely worth a climb, and the…

Vetted sources

Cala en Porter

head down the ME-12, then follow signs for the beach; there's a car park at the beach· Free

Cala en Porter is possibly one of the best beaches for families, with a playground, great sand and shallow water. The beach itself is stunning too, being at the end of a great bay surrounded by cliffs, with pedalo hire and sunbed hire.

Vetted sources

What to eat

Bambú Menorca

Menu with an Asian twist, at a location offering spectacular views of the ocean and of sunsets. Reservations are highly recommended.

Na Rosa

Restaurant with large outdoor terrace, specialising in Spanish artisan cheeses and pate. Also do a delicious cava sangria.

Txoko Menorca

Restaurant with a lovely shaded outdoor dining area, a reservation is highly recommended.

Ca n'Olga

from the ME-1 turn right up the Carrer de Ciutadella then take the next left; the restaurant is on the corner

Primarily Mediterranean cuisine and attracting a stylish a sophisticated clientele, Ca n'olga is warm and intimate. It offers dining on a pretty outdoor patio or at a handful of indoor tables and an eclectic menu featuring local produce.

Vetted sources

Es Cranc

from the main road into Fornells go straight through the first roundabout and right at the second; the restaurant is on your right at the next junction

One of the finest restaurants in Menorca, what it lacks in interior design, it makes up for in tasty home cooking. Be sure to try the shellfish soup 'Caldereta'.

Vetted sources

The Windmill Restaurant

on the main Mao - Ciutadella road

The restaurant inside the 300-year-old "molino" has an authentic, homely atmosphere. Authentic Menorcan cuisine.

Vetted sources

Where to stay

Hostal Jeni

Mirada del Toro, 81

Full service modern hotel with a terrace-garden, Jacuzzi, sauna, heated swimming pool with a retractable roof, individually-controlled A/C, business centre, restaurant serving 3 meals daily and large bar where locals congregate.

Faustino

Muradeta 22· Expensive

Grand old hotel in a converted palace, part of the Gran Relais & Chateaux group. But for these prices they need to be on point in every way, and too many guests experience lapses in comfort, catering and service.

Hotel Es Mercadal

Carrer Nou 49, 07740 Es Mercadal

Small hotel with 4 double rooms 2 junior suites. Built in a typical Menorcan house that was totally renovated in 2007. No A/C.

Hotel Catalonia Mirador des Port

Dalt Vilanova 1· Expensive

Mostly good reviews, some found facilities tired. The "mirador" is a view of grubby industrial dockland, go for a pool view.

Alfons Hotel

Camí de Maó 53· Expensive

Friendly clean place 500 m from centre, free parking available.

Meliá Cala Galdana

drive down the ME-22 from the ME-1 and you'll see the hotel on your right

Excellent quality hotel. Rooms bright and modern with most rooms having a balcony looking out to sea (due to being built into cliff). Extremely high quality of food and drink and staff very welcoming. Over 300 rooms.

Vetted sources

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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.