Maó
The best base if you arrive by plane and want to keep things simple: it is a few kilometres from the airport, with a harbour, restaurants and a bus station.
Itinerary · Menorca
Menorca in 5 days: day-by-day itinerary
5-day itinerary for Menorca: Maó harbour, Ciutadella, Macarella and Macarelleta, Monte Toro, Fornells, Cavalleria, talayots and a boat trip.
- 5days
- 14stops
- 10Areas
This 5-day itinerary is designed for those who want to get to know Menorca at a relaxed pace, combining villages, coves and Talayotic heritage. There are four days organised by area, Maó, Ciutadella and the south, the north, and the interior with the archaeological sites, plus a final day on a boat along the coast. It assumes you will hire a car, although Maó and Ciutadella can be linked by bus.
From the airport, which has a single terminal, line 10 Maó-Airport takes you to Maó bus station, with a service every half hour for much of the day. Other lines to the island’s villages connect there. If you pick up a car at the airport, the centre of Maó is only a few kilometres away.
Tips
- Book your car and accommodation in advance if you are going between June and September.
- The southern coves fill up in summer: arrive early or late in the afternoon.
- Bring comfortable shoes, water and sun protection. Many access routes are footpaths and the archaeological sites have little shade.
- The Camí de Cavalls circles the whole island. Choose a short stretch of a few hours and go early if it is hot.
- The tramontana, the north wind, can change your plans: if it blows hard, prioritise the southern coves.
- Menorca is a Biosphere Reserve, so do not leave litter on the coves or the footpaths.
Day 1
Maó and its harbour
Port de Maó
Maó
One of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, several kilometres long. Explore it on foot along the quay and the Costa de ses Voltes, or from the water on one of the boat trips around the bay.
Historic centre of Maó
Maó
Climb the steps to the Plaça de s'Esplanada and the old town. The church of Santa Maria, with its great organ, and the Claustre market are worth a stop. This is the place to try Mahón-Menorca cheese and the local gin.
Es Castell
Es Castell
A small village beside the harbour, with a quay of waterfront restaurants. A few minutes by car or bus from Maó, it is a good place to eat fish.
Binibeca Vell
Sant Lluís
White houses and narrow lanes imitating a fishing village on the south coast. It is quick to explore and ideal in the late afternoon.
Day 2
Ciutadella, Macarella and Macarelleta
Ciutadella
Ciutadella
The former capital has a historic centre with a cathedral, stately palaces and arcades. Walk down to the narrow harbour, full of terraces, and stroll through the Plaça del Born. Arrive in the morning.
Cala Macarella and Macarelleta
South coast
Macarella is a cove of white sand and turquoise water surrounded by pine woods. A short path leads to Macarelleta, smaller and more secluded. In summer the car parks fill up early, so set off in good time.
Cala Turqueta
South coast
A cove of clear water between pines and rock, a few minutes by car from Macarella. The final stretch is on foot, so wear comfortable shoes.
Day 3
Monte Toro, Fornells and Cavalleria
Monte Toro
Es Mercadal
It is the highest point on the island. At the top there is a sanctuary and a viewpoint with views over almost all of Menorca on clear days. You drive up a winding road.
Fornells
Fornells
A white-washed fishing village on a wide bay, famous for its lobster stew (caldereta de langosta). Book a table if you go in summer and leave time to stroll around the harbour.
Faro de Cavalleria
North coast
At the northern tip, the lighthouse rises above cliffs in a landscape of red earth and wind. It is the best place to watch the sunset. Wrap up warm: the tramontana blows hard.
Day 4
Talayots and the Camí de Cavalls
Naveta des Tudons
Ciutadella
A burial chamber from the Talayotic period shaped like an upturned boat hull, a few kilometres from Ciutadella. It stands in the middle of the countryside and takes little time to visit.
Torre d'en Galmés
Alaior
One of the largest Talayotic settlements in Menorca, with talayots, groups of houses and a large structure with a central column (a taula). There is little shade, so bring water and a hat.
Camí de Cavalls at Cala Galdana
Cala Galdana
The Camí de Cavalls is the path that circles the whole island. From Cala Galdana you can walk a stretch towards Macarella with views of the coast, the sea on one side and pines on the other. Wear hiking footwear and go early if it is hot.
Day 5 · Day trip
Boat trip along the south coast
Boat trip along the south coast
For the last day, spend the day exploring the coast by boat: trips usually leave from Ciutadella and Cala Galdana and stop at coves that are hard to reach by land, letting you swim in crystal-clear water. Choose a morning departure and bring sun cream, a hat and water.
Menorca
Where to stay in Menorca
Ciutadella
For staying in an old town with atmosphere, beside the harbour and close to the southern coves.
Fornells
For those seeking peace and quiet on the north coast, good food and scenery nearby. You will need a car.
Cala Galdana
A bay with a beach and services on the south coast, ideal for combining relaxation with walks along the Camí de Cavalls.
Itinerary · Menorca
More Menorca itineraries
3 days
Menorca in 3 days
- Day 1 Maó and its harbour
- Day 2 Ciutadella and the southern coves
- Day 3 Monte Toro, Fornells and Cavalleria
7 days
Menorca in 7 days
- Day 1 Maó and its harbour
- Day 2 Es Castell, La Mola and Binibeca Vell
- Day 3 Ciutadella, the harbour and Naveta des Tudons
- Day 4 Cala Macarella, Macarelleta and Turqueta
- + 3 days
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Menorca?
With five days you can tour the island at a relaxed pace: towns, coves, the north, Talayotic sites and a day on a boat or at the beach.
Do you need to hire a car in Menorca?
Highly recommended. The bus links Maó and Ciutadella, but for the coves, the north and the archaeological sites a car gives you a lot of freedom. Book in advance in summer.
What should you book in advance?
The hire car, accommodation in summer and the boat trip. Some archaeological sites and popular restaurants, such as those in Fornells, also require a reservation.
What is the best time to visit Menorca?
June to September is beach season, with more people around. In spring and early autumn the weather is pleasant for walking and sightseeing at a relaxed pace.
Photo credits
- Port de Maó: Àlex, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ciutadella: No machine-readable author provided. 1997 assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Cala Macarella: Markus Trienke, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons