Four days cover Ciutadella, Maó and the most famous coves; with a week you can explore the island at an easy pace and walk a stage of the Camí de Cavalls, the path that circles it. It is a perfect island for families and for anyone after beaches without crowds.
What to see in Menorca: top sights
Ciutadella
Hotels near Ciutadella · 298 properties
The old capital, in the west: a historic centre of palaces, churches and arcaded streets such as Ses Voltes, and a narrow harbour full of restaurants. In June, the Sant Joan festivities fill the town with horses.
Recommended time: 3 h
Maó and its harbour
Hotels near Maó and its harbour · 46 properties
The capital overlooks one of the largest natural harbours in the world, which you can tour in a glass-bottom boat between King’s Island and the fortress of La Mola. In the centre, the Claustre del Carmen market and a gin distillery.
Recommended time: 3 h
Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta
The island’s most famous coves, on the south coast: white sand, pines reaching down to the water and a transparent turquoise sea. Next to Macarella is an even smaller cove, Macarelleta.
Recommended time: Half a day
Tip: In summer car access is restricted: take the bus from Ciutadella or walk along the Camí de Cavalls from Cala Galdana.
Cala Galdana
Hotels near Cala Galdana · 40 properties
A shell-shaped bay between pine-covered cliffs, with every service. It is the base for walking to Macarella or Cala Mitjana.
Recommended time: 3–4 h
Monte Toro
Menorca’s highest point, at about 350 metres, with a sanctuary on top and a view of the whole island and, on clear days, of Mallorca.
Recommended time: 45 min
Fornells
Hotels near Fornells · 34 properties
A white fishing village on a large bay in the north, perfect for learning to sail, kayak or windsurf. It is famous for its lobster stew, the caldereta de langosta.
Recommended time: 2 h
Cova d’en Xoroi
A natural cave in the cliff at Cala en Porter, with terraces over the sea. By day you can visit it, and at sunset it becomes a bar with music and spectacular views.
Recommended time: 1–2 h
Binibeca Vell
A small fishing-style village built in the 1970s, with white houses and alleys that lead down to the sea, on the south-east coast.
Recommended time: 1 h
Tip: The houses are lived in: keep the noise down and respect the visiting hours.
Naveta des Tudons and Talayotic Menorca
Menorca is full of prehistoric monuments, a World Heritage Site since 2023: the Naveta des Tudons, a tomb shaped like an upturned boat, villages such as Torre d’en Galmés and taula sanctuaries, with their great T-shaped stones.
Recommended time: 1–2 h
S’Albufera des Grau and Favàritx lighthouse
The heart of the Biosphere Reserve: a lagoon with birds, dunes and trails and, to the north, the Favàritx lighthouse, above an almost lunar landscape of dark slate.
Recommended time: 2–3 h
La Mola Fortress
A huge 19th-century fortress on the headland guarding the entrance to Maó harbour, with miles of underground galleries, gun batteries and views over the open sea. Explore it on foot, by buggy or on a guided tour.
Recommended time: 2 h
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and bring water: the site is large and has little shade.
Day trips from Menorca
Mallorca
About 1 h by fast ferry from Ciutadella to Alcúdia
The northern beaches, Pollença and Cap de Formentor, on a day trip.
A boat trip along the south coast
From Cala en Bosch, Cala Galdana or Son Bou
Boat trips to coves with no land access, with swim stops and lunch on board.
Camí de Cavalls
In stages, on foot or by mountain bike
The old patrol path that circles the island, some 185 kilometres of cliffs, coves and watchtowers, divided into easy stages.
King’s Island
About 10 min by boat from Maó harbour
A former military hospital on an islet in the harbour, restored by volunteers, with a museum and a contemporary art gallery.
Menorca in 3 days
Day 1
Ciutadella in the morning, its cathedral and Ses Voltes; an afternoon at Cala Macarella or Turqueta and sunset at the harbour.
Day 2
The interior and the north: Naveta des Tudons, Monte Toro and Fornells, with a swim at Cala Pregonda or Cavalleria.
Day 3
Maó: a boat trip around the harbour, the centre and Binibeca Vell; sunset at the Cova d’en Xoroi.
Menorca with kids
- Cala Galdana and Son Bou, with calm, shallow water.
- The glass-bottom boat in Maó harbour.
- The Talayotic villages, for playing explorers.
- Lloc de Menorca, a park with native animals.
Free things to do in Menorca
- The unspoilt coves all over the island.
- The stages of the Camí de Cavalls.
- Many Talayotic sites, which are free to visit.
- The old towns of Ciutadella and Maó.
- Sunset at the Cap d’Artrutx lighthouse.
Where to stay in Menorca
Menorca is small and peaceful: from anywhere you can reach anywhere else in under an hour. Ciutadella and Maó are the most convenient bases; the south coast is the one with the coves.
Ciutadella
The island’s prettiest old town, close to the south-western coves.
Places to stay in Ciutadella · 298 propertiesMaó and Es Castell
The capital and its harbour, with good connections and waterside restaurants.
Places to stay in Maó and Es Castell · 46 propertiesCala Galdana
On the south coast, within walking distance of the most famous coves.
Places to stay in Cala Galdana · 40 propertiesCala en Bosch
A marina and family beaches in the south-west.
Places to stay in Cala en Bosch · 62 propertiesArenal d’en Castell
A round bay in the north, quiet and family-friendly.
Places to stay in Arenal d’en Castell · 106 properties
When to go to Menorca
June to September is beach season; July and August are the busiest months. May, June and September are perfect: a warm sea and quieter coves.
Ciutadella’s Sant Joan festivities take place around 23 and 24 June, with horses rearing up among the crowds. In winter the island is very quiet and many hotels close.
Book activities in Menorca
Tours, tickets and day trips with live availability and prices.
Activities from an external partner, which may use its own cookies. These are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Cookie policy
Frequently asked questions about Menorca
Do you need a car in Menorca?
It helps a lot, although in summer some coves restrict car access and run shuttle buses. Regular buses link the main towns well.
What are the best coves in Menorca?
Macarella, Macarelleta, Turqueta and Mitjana in the south, with white sand; Cala Pregonda, Cavalleria and Cala Pilar in the north, with reddish sand and wilder scenery.
How many days do you need in Menorca?
Four days cover Ciutadella, Maó and the most famous coves; with a week you can explore the island at an easy pace and walk a stage of the Camí de Cavalls.
When are the Sant Joan festivities?
In Ciutadella, around 23 and 24 June. They are the island’s most famous festivities and accommodation fills up months in advance.
How do you get to Menorca?
By plane to Maó airport, with flights from many Spanish and European cities, especially in summer, or by ferry from Barcelona or from Alcúdia in Mallorca.
Guide written by the buiigo team · Updated October 8, 2026
Photo credits
Menorca: Paul Stephenson, CC BY 2.0 · Ciutadella: Ian Kirk, CC BY 2.0 · Maó and its harbour: Américo Toledano, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta: Pandymc, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cala Galdana: rene boulay, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Monte Toro: Luc.T, CC BY 2.0 · Fornells: Nikodem Nijaki, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cova d’en Xoroi: Travelinho, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Binibeca Vell: Markus Trienke, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Naveta des Tudons and Talayotic Menorca: LUIS ARACIL, CC BY-SA 3.0 · S’Albufera des Grau and Favàritx lighthouse: Jeuwre, CC BY-SA 4.0 · La Mola Fortress: Alvaro Ortiz, CC BY-SA 3.0
